Introduced in House — H.R. 7637

119th CONGRESS

2d Session

H. R. 7637

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

February 20, 2026

Ms. Tlaib (for herself, Ms. Lee of Pennsylvania, Ms. Adams, Mrs. Beatty, Mr. Carbajal, Mr. Carson, Mr. Cisneros, Ms. Clarke of New York, Mr. Davis of Illinois, Mrs. Dingell, Ms. Elfreth, Mr. Evans of Pennsylvania, Mr. Frost, Ms. Norton, Mr. Garamendi, Mr. García of Illinois, Mrs. Grijalva, Mr. Gomez, Ms. Hoyle of Oregon, Ms. Jayapal, Mr. Kennedy of New York, Mr. Lieu, Ms. McClellan, Mr. McGarvey, Mrs. McIver, Ms. Moore of Wisconsin, Ms. Omar, Ms. Pingree, Mr. Pocan, Ms. Ross, Ms. Simon, Ms. Tokuda, and Mrs. Watson Coleman) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Education and Workforce

A BILL

To amend the Head Start Act to improve the Act.

Section 1. Short title

This Act may be cited as the Head Start for America’s Children Act.

Sec. 2. Statement of purpose

Section 636 of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9831) is amended—

(1)

in paragraph (1), by striking children's growth and inserting the growth of infants, toddlers, and children; and

(2)

in paragraph (2)—

(A)

by striking children and inserting infants, toddlers, children,; and

(B)

by inserting mental health, before educational.

Sec. 3. Definitions

Section 637 of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9832) is amended—

(1)

in the paragraph relating to full calendar year—

(A)

by striking means all and inserting “means—

(A) all;

(B)

by striking the period at the end and inserting ; and; and

(C)

by adding at the end the following:

(B)
with respect to the provision of Head Start (including Early Head Start) center-based services in a year, a minimum of 1,380 hours during that year. ;

(2)

in the paragraph relating to Indian tribe, by striking The term and inserting “(A) The term ‘Indian’ means a member of an Indian tribe.

(B)
The term;

(3)

in the paragraph relating to State—

(A)

in the first sentence—

(i)

by striking The term and inserting (A) The term;

(ii)

by striking and the Commonwealth and inserting the Commonwealth; and

(iii)

by striking the period at the end and inserting , and each of the Freely Associated States.;

(B)

by striking the second sentence; and

(C)

by adding at the end the following:

(B)
The term Freely Associated States means the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, and the Republic of Palau.;

(4)

in the paragraph relating to interrelater reliability—

(A)

by striking means the extent to which 2 and inserting “means the extent to which—

(A) 2;

(B)

by striking the period at the end and inserting ; and; and

(C)

by adding at the end the following:

(B)
such raters or observers are adequately trained to recognize linguistically and culturally appropriate practices.;

(5)

by striking the paragraph relating to limited English proficient;

(6)

in the paragraph relating to professional development—

(A)

in subparagraph (E), by striking as appropriate and inserting including supporting linguistically and culturally responsive learning outcomes; and

(B)

in subparagraph (G)—

(i)

in clause (i), by inserting mental health, after and development;

(ii)

in clause (iv)(II)—

(I)

by redesignating item (bb) as item (cc); and

(II)

by inserting after item (aa) the following:

(bb)
(for teachers for Native American Head Start agencies) the Native American Child Outcomes Framework described in section 640(p);; and

(iii)

in clause (v), by striking limited English proficient children and inserting children who are developing English proficiency;

(7)

by adding at the end the following:

(27)
The term annual adjustment percentage, used with respect to appropriations made under this subchapter for a fiscal year (referred to in this paragraph as the determination fiscal year), means the estimated percentage increase (if any), as determined by the Secretary of Health and Human Services, in the Consumer Price Index For All Urban Consumers, issued by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, occurring in the most recent fiscal year ending prior to the beginning of such determination fiscal year.
(28)
The term assistive technology has the meaning given the term in section 3 of the Assistive Technology Act of 1998 (29 U.S.C. 3002).
(29)
The term Bureau-funded school has the meaning given the term in section 1141 of the Education Amendments of 1978 (20 U.S.C. 2021).
(30)
The term chemical restraint means a drug or medication, used on a student to control behavior or restrict freedom of movement, that is not—
(A)
prescribed by a licensed physician, or other qualified health professional acting under the scope of the professional’s authority under State law, for the standard treatment of a student's medical or psychiatric condition; and
(B)
administered as prescribed by the licensed physician or other qualified health professional acting under the scope of the professional’s authority under State law.
(31)
The term developing English proficiency—
(A)
used with respect to a child, means a child—
(i)
(I)
who was not born in the United States or whose native language is a language other than English;
(II)
(aa)
who is a Native American or a native resident of Guam, American Samoa, the Virgin Islands of the United States, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, or a Freely Associated State; and
(bb)
who comes from an environment where a language other than English has had a significant impact on the child’s level of English language proficiency; or
(III)
who is migratory, whose native language is a language other than English, and who comes from an environment where a language other than English is dominant; and
(ii)
whose difficulties in speaking or understanding the English language may be sufficient to deny such child—
(I)
the ability to successfully achieve in a classroom in which the language of instruction is English; or
(II)
the opportunity to participate fully in society; and
(B)
used with respect to an adult, means an adult who is learning English in addition to their native language.
(32)
The term mechanical restraint means any device or equipment that is used to restrict a student's freedom of movement.
(33)
(A)
The term Native American means an Indian or a Native Hawaiian.
(B)
The term Native American Head Start agency, used with respect to a Head Start program (including an Early Head Start program) means—
(i)
an Indian tribe that operates such a program;
(ii)
a Native Hawaiian Head Start agency that operates such a program; or
(iii)
an entity that is designated by an Indian tribe to operate such a program on its behalf.
(C)
The term Native American language has the meaning given the term in section 103 of the Native American Languages Act (25 U.S.C. 2902).
(34)
(A)
The term Native Hawaiian has the meaning given the term in section 6207 of the Native Hawaiian Education Act (20 U.S.C. 7517).
(B)
The term Native Hawaiian educational organization has the meaning given the term in section 6207 of the Native Hawaiian Education Act (20 U.S.C. 7517).
(C)
The term Native Hawaiian Head Start agency means a Head Start agency (including an Early Head Start agency) operated by a Native Hawaiian organization or a Native Hawaiian educational organization, for the purpose of serving children and families in a manner that is developmentally, linguistically, and culturally appropriate for Native Hawaiians.
(D)
The term Native Hawaiian language has the meaning given the term in section 6207 of the Native Hawaiian Education Act (20 U.S.C. 7517).
(E)
The term Native Hawaiian organization has the meaning given the term in section 6207 of the Native Hawaiian Education Act (20 U.S.C. 7517).
(35)
The term physical restraint means a personal restriction that immobilizes a student or reduces the ability of a student to move the student's torso, arms, legs, or head freely.
(36)
The term seclusion means the involuntary confinement of a student alone in a room or area from which the student is physically prevented from leaving, except that such term does not include a time out.
(37)
The term universal design for learning has the meaning given the term in section 103 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1003).; and

(8)

by reordering the paragraphs of that section 637 (as amended by or added by paragraphs (1) through (7) of this section) to appear in alphabetical order by the first term defined in each paragraph of that section 637, and renumbering such paragraphs as so reordered.

Sec. 4. Authorization of appropriations

The Head Start Act is amended by inserting after section 637 (42 U.S.C. 9832) the following:

637A. Authorization of appropriations
(a) In general
There is authorized to be appropriated, and there is appropriated out of any money in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, to the Secretary to carry out this subchapter (other than provisions funded under subsection (b))—
(1)
for fiscal year 2026, $144,872,000,000; and
(2)
for each succeeding fiscal year, the amount appropriated under this section for the fiscal year preceding that succeeding fiscal year, increased to reflect the annual adjustment percentage.
(b) Additional projects
There are authorized to be appropriated, and there are appropriated out of any money in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, to the Secretary—
(1)
for the period of fiscal years 2026 through 2030—
(A)
$5,000,000,000 for improving or purchasing Head Start (including Early Head Start) program facilities under section 644(g), based on demonstrated need, in addition to any amounts otherwise available for activities described in this subparagraph; and
(B)
$91,575,000 to facilitate children's access to Head Start (including Early Head Start) services through age-appropriate transportation, including through the purchase of vehicles under section 644(g), based on demonstrated need, in addition to any amounts otherwise available for activities described in this subparagraph;
(2)
$37,500,000 to fund the Rebuilding the Head Start Workforce Grant program under section 653(c) for the period of fiscal years 2026 through 2030;
(3)
$95,000,000 to fund the community eligibility pilot program under section 657C for the period of fiscal years 2026 through 2030;
(4)
$500,000,000 to fund the Head Start agency and institutions of higher education partnership activities under section 657D for the period of fiscal years 2026 through 2030;
(5)
$863,000,000 to enable Head Start (including Early Head Start) agencies to provide center-based services under this subchapter for more than 1,380 hours (which may include hours during summer months) during a year, through extended operation grants under section 657E, based on demonstrated need for the period of fiscal years 2026 through 2030; and
(6)
$1,625,000,000 to fund the Head Start agency and child care provider partnership activities under section 657F for the period of fiscal years 2026 through 2030, in addition to any amounts otherwise available for activities described in this paragraph.

Sec. 5. Financial assistance

Section 638 of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9833) is amended—

(1)

by inserting (a) before The Secretary;

(2)

by striking which (1) will and inserting the following: “which—

(1)
will;

(3)

by striking readiness; and (2) will and inserting the following: “readiness; and

(2)
will; and

(4)

by adding at the end the following:

(b)
The Secretary shall ensure that the financial assistance provided under subsection (a) sufficiently accounts for the costs associated with serving children with disabilities.

Sec. 6. Regional offices

The Head Start Act is amended by striking section 639 (42 U.S.C. 9834) and inserting the following:

639. Regional offices for the Head Start program
(a) In general
The Secretary shall maintain at least 10 regional offices and 2 program offices of the Office of Head Start and ensure that the officers and employees of those offices effectively and efficiently serve Head Start programs (including, for purposes of this section, Early Head Start programs) by—
(1)
scaling up effective technical assistance and training activities aligned with section 648;
(2)
supporting such programs at the local level and enabling the programs to comply with requirements, by establishing meaningful program performance standards under section 641A(a) and carrying out monitoring activities under section 641A(c), including standards and monitoring for child health and safety; and
(3)
improving the quality of programs and services that best meet the needs of children and families in local communities, including addressing staff recruitment and retention challenges.
(b) Regions and programs
The Secretary shall—
(1)
develop proposals for the regions served by regional offices of the Office of Head Start based on factors that include considerations concerning the number of Head Start agencies (including Early Head Start agencies) and eligible children and families covered by a region, capacity of a regional office to coordinate services critical to administration of Head Start programs, and capacity of a regional office to meet any cultural and linguistic expertise needs for a region;
(2)
seek public comment on the proposals prior to any geographic designations of regions for the regional offices; and
(3)
designate at least 1 program office for Native American Head Start programs and 1 program office for migrant and seasonal Head Start programs.
(c) Adequate staffing
The head of each such regional or program office shall ensure that all Head Start programs served by the region or program shall have adequate staffing to meet the requirements of subsection (a).

Sec. 7. Allotment of funds; limitations on assistance

(a) Allotment

Section 640(a) of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9835(a)) is amended—

(1)

in paragraph (1), by striking section 639 and inserting section 637A(a);

(2)

in paragraph (2)—

(A)

in subparagraph (B)—

(i)

in clause (ii), by striking Indian each place it appears and inserting Native American;

(ii)

in clause (iv)—

(I)

by striking the Republic of Palau,;

(II)

by inserting , and each of the Freely Associated States before (for; and

(III)

by adding and at the end;

(iii)

by striking clause (v);

(iv)

by redesignating clause (vi) as clause (v); and

(v)

in clause (v), as so redesignated—

(I)

by striking Indian and inserting Native American; and

(II)

by striking 2007 and inserting 2025;

(B)

in subparagraph (C)(i)—

(i)

in the matter preceding subclause (I), by striking section 639 and inserting section 637A(a);

(ii)

in subclause (I), by striking and at the end;

(iii)

by redesignating subclause (II) as subclause (III);

(iv)

by inserting after subclause (I) the following:

(II)
the Secretary shall set aside not less than $40,000,000 for the Head Start Career Advancement Partnership Program activities under section 648(h); and; and

(v)

in subclause (III)(cc), as so redesignated, by striking and (g) and inserting (g), and (h);

(C)

by striking subparagraph (D) and inserting the following:

(D)
The Secretary shall, subject to consultation with Indian tribes, representatives of Native American Head Start agencies, and members of Indian tribes and Native Hawaiian communities, reserve not less than $40,000,000 to fund research, demonstration, and evaluation activities under section 650, of which not more than $10,000,000 for each fiscal year shall be available to carry out section 650(k).;

(D)

by redesignating subparagraphs (F) and (G) as subparagraphs (G) and (H), respectively;

(E)

by inserting after subparagraph (E) the following:

(F)
The Secretary shall reserve at least $6,000,000 to carry out section 639, concerning the regional offices and program offices of the Office of Head Start.; and

(F)

in subparagraph (G), as so redesignated—

(i)

by striking section 639 and inserting section 637A(a); and

(ii)

by striking through (E) and inserting through (F);

(3)

in paragraph (3)—

(A)

in subparagraph (A)—

(i)

in clause (i)—

(I)

in subclause (I), by striking and at the end;

(II)

in subclause (II)—

(aa)

by striking Indian and inserting Native American; and

(bb)

by adding and at the end; and

(III)

by adding at the end the following:

(III)
make awards to Head Start agencies (including Early Head Start agencies) based on demonstrated need, through reservations for fiscal year 2026, of—
(aa)
$300,000,000 for conversions of program slots under subsection (f)(2)(C);
(bb)
$4,404,000,000 for extended operation under section 642(j), to enable Head Start (including Early Head Start) agencies to provide center-based services under this subchapter on a full calendar year schedule; and
(cc)
$80,000,000 for mental health support under section 649;; and

(ii)

in clause (ii)—

(I)

by striking subclause (I);

(II)

by striking clause (i)— and all that follows through for fiscal year 2011 and inserting clause (i), for fiscal year 2026;

(III)

by striking Indian and inserting Native American;

(IV)

by redesignating items (aa) and (bb) as subclauses (I) and (II) and aligning the margins of those subclauses with the margins of subclauses (I) and (II) of clause (i); and

(V)

in subclause (II), as so redesignated, by striking item (aa) and inserting subclause (I); and

(B)

in subparagraph (B)—

(i)

in clauses (i) and (ii)(I), by striking Indian and inserting Native American;

(ii)

in clause (i), by striking subclauses (I)(aa) and (II)(bb) of clause (ii), of subparagraph (A) and inserting clause (ii)(II), of subparagraph (A); and

(iii)

in clause (ii)(I), by striking section 639 and inserting section 637A(a);

(4)

in paragraph (4)—

(A)

in subparagraph (A)(iii), by striking (which shall remain available through the end of fiscal year 2012);

(B)

in subparagraph (B), by striking $100,000,000 each place it appears and inserting $200,000,000;

(C)

in subparagraph (C)(ii), by inserting , serving infants and toddlers, and serving children with disabilities, before and may consider;

(D)

in subparagraph (D)—

(i)

in clause (i), by striking clause (iv) or (v) of paragraph (2)(B) and inserting paragraph (2)(B)(iv);

(ii)

in clause (ii)—

(I)

by striking Indian and inserting Native American;

(II)

by striking 3 percent and inserting 4.5 percent; and

(III)

by striking section 649(k) and inserting section 650(k);

(iii)

in clause (iii), by striking section 649(l) and inserting section 650(l); and

(iv)

in clause (iv)(I)(aa)—

(I)

by striking the covered percentage and inserting 55 percent;

(II)

by striking that covered percentage and inserting that 55 percent; and

(III)

by striking the poverty line each place it appears and inserting 60 percent of the State's median income for a family of the same size; and

(E)

by striking subparagraph (E);

(5)

in paragraph (5)—

(A)

in subparagraph (A), in the matter preceding clause (i), by inserting (except that an amount of not less than $3,580,000,000 (referred to in this Act as the additional compensation amount) shall be used for fiscal year 2026 to enable Head Start agencies to improve that compensation of the personnel, workers, and counselors as described in section 653) before in the manner; and

(B)

in subparagraph (B)—

(i)

in the matter preceding clause (i), by inserting , not used under subparagraph (A), after remaining funds;

(ii)

in clause (i)—

(I)

by striking limited English proficient children and inserting children who are developing English proficiency; and

(II)

by inserting children with disabilities, after farmworker families,;

(iii)

by striking clause (v) and inserting the following:

(v)
Ensuring that agencies providing center-based Early Head Start or Head Start programs establish and maintain hours of program operation that meet full calendar year requirements, to the extent required by section 642(j), including by increasing the number of weeks of operation in a calendar year.;

(iv)

in clause (vii), by inserting and in an age-appropriate manner to facilitate access to services after safely; and

(v)

in clause (viii), by striking the period at the end and inserting , consistent with the requirements of section 653.; and

(6)

in paragraph (7)—

(A)

in subparagraph (A), by striking paragraph (2)(C)(i)(II)(aa) and inserting paragraph (2)(C)(i)(III)(aa);

(B)

in subparagraph (B)—

(i)

by striking cost-of-living and inserting cost of living; and

(ii)

by striking percentage change and inserting percentage increase (if any); and

(C)

in subparagraph (C), by striking the Federated and all that follows and inserting or the Freely Associated States..

(b) Federal share

Section 640(b)(4) of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9835(b)(4)) is amended by striking major disaster and inserting major disaster or emergency declared under section 401 or 501 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5170, 5191).

(c) Children with disabilities

Section 640(d) of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9835(d)) is amended—

(1)

in paragraph (1)—

(A)

by inserting , in coordination with the Secretary of Education, after Secretary shall;

(B)

by inserting , subject to such regulations as the Secretary of Health and Human Services may prescribe after assure that; and

(C)

by striking 2009 and inserting 2026; and

(2)

in paragraph (3), by striking special needs of such children and inserting needs of such children with disabilities who are determined to be eligible.

(d) Locally designed or specialized service delivery models

Section 640(f) of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9835(f)) is amended—

(1)

in paragraph (1), by striking the Improving Head Start for School Readiness Act of 2007 and inserting the Head Start for America's Children Act; and

(2)

in paragraph (2)—

(A)

in subparagraph (A), by striking and at the end;

(B)

in subparagraph (B), by striking the period at the end and inserting ; and; and

(C)

by inserting at the end the following:

(C)
the conversion of Head Start program slots to Early Head Start program slots and for enabling programs to meet the needs of families in their communities through a simple and streamlined process, such as procedures that relate to enabling the programs to meet those needs through—
(i)
preparation of staff for teaching, caring for, and supporting the development of infants and toddlers, as applicable;
(ii)
planning for changes in facilities and outdoor space; and
(iii)
staff recruitment, training, and professional development.

(e) Expansion considerations

Section 640(g) of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9835(g)) is amended—

(1)

in paragraph (1)—

(A)

in subparagraph (C)(iv), by inserting , including kinship care before the semicolon;

(B)

in subparagraph (F), by inserting , including whether the applicant is proposing to operate a program within a local area with a high percentage of low-income families before the semicolon;

(C)

in subparagraph (G), by striking and at the end;

(D)

in subparagraph (H), by striking the period and inserting a semicolon; and

(E)

by adding at the end the following:

(I)
the extent to which the applicant will provide for or facilitate the provision of age-appropriate transportation for eligible children, including transportation for homeless children, to facilitate their participation in the program; and
(J)
the extent to which the applicant provides to program staff compensation and benefits that are adequate to attract and retain qualified staff for program quality, consistent with the requirements of section 653.; and

(2)

in paragraph (2), by striking the poverty line and inserting 60 percent of the State median income for a family of the same size.

(f) Hours of services

Section 640(k) of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9835(k)) is amended by striking (k) and all that follows through The provisions and inserting (k) The provisions.

(g) Migrant and seasonal Head Start programs

Section 640(l) of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9835(l)) is amended—

(1)

in paragraph (3)—

(A)

in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by striking Indian and inserting Indian (including Alaska Native) and Native Hawaiian; and

(B)

in subparagraph (B), by striking Indian and inserting Native American; and

(2)

in paragraph (4)—

(A)

in subparagraph (A)—

(i)

by striking tribal and inserting Tribal; and

(ii)

by inserting and with Native American Head Start agencies (which may be Native Hawaiian Head Start agencies) before the semicolon; and

(B)

in subparagraph (B), by inserting and Native Hawaiian, after Alaska Native,.

(h) Curricula generally

Section 640(o) of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9835(o)) is amended by inserting (except for curricula for Native American Head Start programs) before be aligned.

(i) Curricula and instructional materials for Native American Head Start programs

Section 640 of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9835) is amended by adding at the end the following:

(p)
(1)
Notwithstanding subsection (o), the Secretary shall consult with Indian tribes, representatives of Native American Head Start agencies, and members of Indian and Native Hawaiian communities to determine appropriate curricula and instructional materials that—
(A)
preserve the languages and cultures of Indian tribes and Native Hawaiian communities, as the case may be;
(B)
align with a Native American Child Outcomes Framework, which shall be developed through consultation with Tribal governments and Native American Head Start agencies and shall include goals concerning Native American languages and linguistically and culturally responsive teaching and learning methods; and
(C)
provide for instruction in a Native American language and support linguistically and culturally responsive education and learning.
(2)
Used with respect to a Native American Head Start (including an Early Head Start) program, a reference in this subchapter to the Head Start Child Outcomes Framework shall be considered to be a reference to the Native American Child Outcomes Framework.

Sec. 8. Designation of Head Start agencies

(a) System for designation renewal

Section 641(c) of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9836(c)) is amended—

(1)

in paragraph (7)—

(A)

in subparagraph (A)(iii), by striking Indian and inserting Native American; and

(B)

in subparagraph (B)—

(i)

by striking tribal and inserting Tribal;

(ii)

by inserting , or consultation with a Native Hawaiian organization or a Native Hawaiian educational organization and shall engage in consultation with a representative of the Native American Head Start agency, before for the purpose; and

(iii)

by striking Indian each place it appears and inserting Native American; and

(2)

in paragraph (10), by striking and Labor each place it appears and inserting and Workforce.

(b) Designation when no entity is renewed

Section 641(d)(2) of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9836(d)(2)) is amended—

(1)

in subparagraph (B), by inserting mental health, before educational,;

(2)

in subparagraph (E), by inserting linguistically, culturally, and before developmentally each place it appears;

(3)

in subparagraph (H)—

(A)

in clause (v), by striking and at the end;

(B)

by redesignating clause (vi) as clause (vii); and

(C)

by inserting after clause (v) the following:

(vi)
entities supporting the mental health and well-being of children;;

(4)

in subparagraph (J)—

(A)

in clause (iii)—

(i)

in subclause (I), by striking ; and and inserting , including, in the case of Native American Head Start programs (including Early Head Start programs), services promoting literacy in Native American languages;;

(ii)

in subclause (II), by inserting and at the end; and

(iii)

by adding at the end the following:

(III)
mental health resources;; and

(B)

in clause (v)(II), by inserting , including, in the case of Native American Head Start programs (including Early Head Start programs), services promoting literacy and communication in Native American languages before the semicolon; and

(5)

in subparagraph (K)—

(A)

by striking limited English proficient children and children who are developing English proficiency; and

(B)

by inserting or Native American after English.

(c) Prohibition

Section 641(e) of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9836(e)) is amended—

(1)

by striking the subsection heading and inserting the following:

(e) Prohibition Against Non-Native American Head Start Agency Receiving a Grant for a Native American Head Start Program

;

(2)

in paragraph (1)—

(A)

by striking non-Indian and inserting non-Native American; and

(B)

by striking an Indian and inserting a Native American; and

(3)

in paragraph (2)—

(A)

by striking no Indian and inserting no Native American;

(B)

by striking an Indian each place it appears and inserting a Native American; and

(C)

by striking a non-Indian and inserting a non-Native American.

(d) Community

Section 641(h) of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9836(h)) is amended—

(1)

by striking tribal and inserting Tribal; and

(2)

by inserting an area served by a Native Hawaiian organization or Native Hawaiian educational organization, before or a neighborhood.

Sec. 9. Standards and monitoring

(a) Standards

Section 641A(a) of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9836a(a)) is amended—

(1)

in paragraph (1)—

(A)

in subparagraph (A), by inserting mental health, before parental involvement,; and

(B)

in subparagraph (B)—

(i)

in clause (ix), by striking and at the end;

(ii)

in clause (x)—

(I)

by striking limited English proficient children and inserting children who are developing English proficiency; and

(II)

by adding and at the end; and

(iii)

by adding at the end the following:

(xi)
abilities related to Native American languages and cultures, in the case of a Head Start program (which may be an Early Head Start program) operated by a Native American Head Start agency, if the Native American Head Start agency elects to focus on the preservation and revitalization of Native American languages and cultures in accordance with the Native American Child Outcomes Framework;; and

(2)

in paragraph (2)—

(A)

in subparagraph (A), by inserting services for children with disabilities, before administration,;

(B)

in subparagraph (B)—

(i)

in clause (i), by striking the Improving Head Start for School Readiness Act of 2007 and inserting the Head Start for America's Children Act;

(ii)

in clause (iii), by striking section 649(j) and inserting section 650(j);

(iii)

in clause (vi), by inserting and mental health before services and physical;

(iv)

in clause (ix), by striking and at the end;

(v)

in clause (x), by adding and at the end; and

(vi)

by adding at the end the following:

(xi)
standards and guidelines related to Native American languages and cultures, in the case of a Head Start program (which may be an Early Head Start program) operated by a Native American Head Start agency, if the Native American Head Start agency elects to focus on the preservation and revitalization of Native American languages and cultures in accordance with the Native American Child Outcomes Framework;;

(C)

in subparagraph (C)(ii), by striking the Improving Head Start for School Readiness Act of 2007 and inserting the Head Start for America's Children Act; and

(D)

in subparagraph (D)—

(i)

by striking consult with and inserting generally defer to;

(ii)

by inserting or Native Hawaiian organizations or Native Hawaiian educational organizations, before experts;

(iii)

by inserting and Native Hawaiian, before early childhood education; and

(iv)

by inserting and revitalization, cultural preservation, after language acquisition.

(b) Measures

Section 641A(b) of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9836a(b)) is amended—

(1)

in paragraph (1)—

(A)

by redesignating subparagraphs (A) through (D) as clauses (i) through (iv) and aligning the margins of those clauses with the margins of the clauses in paragraph (5)(A) of that section;

(B)

in the matter preceding clause (i), as so redesignated, by striking The Secretary, in consultation and inserting

The Secretary shall—
(A)
in consultation;

(C)

in subparagraph (A), as so designated—

(i)

in the matter preceding clause (i), by striking shall;

(ii)

in clause (ii), as so redesignated, by striking special needs and inserting disabilities; and

(iii)

in clause (iv), as so redesignated, by striking the period and inserting ; and; and

(D)

by adding at the end the following:

(B)
in consultation with Indian tribes, representatives of Native American Head Start agencies, and members of Indian tribes and Native Hawaiian communities, use relevant research and practices to inform, revise, and provide guidance to Native American Head Start agencies to support—
(i)
classroom instructional practices, including incorporating the use of universal design for learning;
(ii)
community engagement;
(iii)
program evaluation;
(iv)
preservation and revitalization of Native American languages and cultures; and
(v)
compliance by such an agency with performance standards under subsection (a) if a corresponding Tribal government integrates funding for Head Start, including Early Head Start, programs under the authorities provided in the Indian Employment, Training and Related Services Demonstration Act of 1992 (25 U.S.C. 3401 et seq.), and maintenance of annual funding under this subchapter as a result of that compliance.;

(2)

in paragraph (2)—

(A)

by redesignating subparagraphs (G) and (H) as subparagraphs (H) and (I), respectively; and

(B)

by inserting after subparagraph (E) the following:

(F)
include the provision of appropriate services and accommodations, and auxiliary aids and other assistive technology, for children with disabilities;
(G)
include the provision of appropriate accommodations for children who are developing English proficiency;; and

(3)

in paragraph (3)(A), by striking clause (iii) and inserting the following:

(iii)
identifying the individualized needs of children with disabilities; and

(c) Monitoring

Section 641A(c)(2) of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9836a(c)(2)) is amended, in paragraphs (A)(i)(II) and (C), by striking limited English proficient children and inserting children who are developing English proficiency.

(d) Reductions and redistributions

Section 641A(h) of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9836a(h)) is amended—

(1)

in paragraph (3)(B)(iv), by inserting and full calendar year after full-working-day; and

(2)

in paragraph (6)(A)(i)—

(A)

by striking the clause heading and inserting the following:

(i) Native American Head Start programs

; and

(B)

by striking Indian each place it appears and inserting Native American.

Sec. 10. Powers and functions

(a) Authority

Section 642(b) of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9837(b)) is amended—

(1)

in paragraph (4)—

(A)

in subparagraph (A), by striking and at the end;

(B)

by redesignating subparagraph (B) as subparagraph (C); and

(C)

by inserting after subparagraph (A) the following:

(B)
continuous programming to support the health, mental health, and well-being of adults and children; and;

(2)

in paragraph (6), in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by striking At and all that follows through offer and inserting Annually offer;

(3)

in paragraph (11), by striking limited English proficient children and inserting children who are developing English proficiency;

(4)

by redesignating paragraph (16) as paragraph (17); and

(5)

by inserting after paragraph (15) the following:

(16)
Establish effective procedures for identifying children with disabilities who are eligible for reasonable accommodations under section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. 794), and informing parents of such children about their rights and the reasonable accommodations, necessary to help promote the school readiness of such children, that are available through its program.

(b) Collaboration and coordination

Section 642(e) of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9837(e)) is amended—

(1)

in paragraph (3), by inserting the program under title XIX of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1396 et seq.), before programs under subtitle B; and

(2)

in paragraph (5)—

(A)

in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by striking the Improving Head Start for School Readiness Act of 2007 and inserting the Head Start for America's Children Act; and

(B)

in subparagraph (A)(ii)—

(i)

in subclause (IX), by striking and at the end;

(ii)

by redesignating subclause (X) as subclause (XI); and

(iii)

by inserting after subclause (IX) the following:

(X)
services provided to children with disabilities under section 619 and part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C. 1419, 1431 et seq.); and

(c) Quality standards, curricula, and assessment

Section 642(f) of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9837(f)) is amended—

(1)

in paragraph (3)—

(A)

in subparagraph (D), by striking and at the end; and

(B)

by adding at the end the following:

(F)
incorporate the principles of universal design for learning;;

(2)

in paragraph (9), by striking and at the end;

(3)

in paragraph (10)—

(A)

by striking children who are limited English proficient and inserting children who are developing English proficiency; and

(B)

by striking the period at the end and inserting ; and; and

(4)

by adding at the end the following:

(11)
develop procedures for identifying children with disabilities who are eligible for reasonable accommodations under section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. 794), and informing parents of such children about their rights and the reasonable accommodations, necessary to help promote the school readiness of such children, that are available through its program.

(d) Extended operation

Section 642 of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9837) is amended by adding at the end the following:

(j) Extended operation
(1) In general
Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, by September 30, 2027, each Head Start agency (including, for purposes of this subsection, an Early Head Start agency) providing center-based services under this subchapter shall provide the services on a full calendar year schedule.
(2) Exemption
The Secretary may exempt such an agency from operating fewer hours than the hours in a full calendar year schedule only if the Secretary finds reasonable evidence that operation on such a schedule—
(A)
would cause significant reductions in enrollment in slots; and
(B)
does not meet the needs of eligible children and families in the area served, and the agency operates a program that meets those needs, which may include a locally designed option to meet the developmental needs of children as demonstrated through a regularly conducted community needs assessment.
(3) Exception
Migrant and seasonal Head Start agencies and Native American Head Start agencies are exempt from paragraph (1).

Sec. 11. Head Start transition and alignment with K–12 education

Section 642A(a) of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9837a(a)) is amended—

(1)

in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by inserting (or a Bureau-funded school in the case of children who will attend such school) after local educational agency;

(2)

in paragraphs (3), (5), and (10), by inserting (or such Bureau-funded school) after local educational agency;

(3)

in paragraphs (7) and (8), by striking limited English proficient children each place it appears and inserting children who are developing English proficiency;

(4)

in paragraph (13), by striking and at the end;

(5)

in paragraph (14), by striking the period at the end and inserting ; and; and

(6)

by adding at the end the following:

(15)
coordinating activities and collaborating with a coordinator for a full-service community school (which term shall have, for purposes of this paragraph, the meaning given the term in section 4622 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (20 U.S.C. 7272)) to facilitate the transition for children served by a Head Start agency (which may be an Early Head Start program) into a full-service community school, if such school is located within the agency’s service area.

Sec. 12. Head Start collaboration

Section 642B of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9837b) is amended—

(1)

in subsection (a)—

(A)

in paragraph (1), by striking section 640(a)(2)(B)(vi) and inserting section 640(a)(2)(B)(v);

(B)

in paragraph (2)(A), by striking Indian and inserting Native American; and

(C)

in paragraph (4)—

(i)

in subparagraph (B)(i), by striking limited English proficient children and inserting children who are developing English proficiency;

(ii)

in subparagraph (C), by inserting , Tribal, after State; and

(iii)

in subparagraph (D)—

(I)

by inserting and Bureau-funded schools, after local educational agencies,; and

(II)

by striking at both the State and inserting at State, Tribal; and

(2)

in subsection (b)(1)(C)(vi), by striking Indian and inserting Native American.

Sec. 13. Submission of plans to Governors

Section 643 of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9838) is amended, in the last sentence, by striking Indian and inserting Native American.

Sec. 14. Administrative requirements and standards

Section 644 of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9839) is amended—

(1)

in subsection (f)—

(A)

in paragraph (2)(C), by inserting after facility the following: , and a certification that the facility is in compliance with title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12181 et seq.); and

(B)

in paragraph (3)—

(i)

by inserting , Native Hawaiian organizations, or Native Hawaiian educational organizations after tribes each place it appears; and

(ii)

by inserting Native American before Head Start;

(2)

in subsection (g)(1), in the first sentence by striking tribes, and inserting tribes, Native Hawaiian Head Start agencies and communities,; and

(3)

in subsection (h)—

(A)

by striking American Indian and inserting Native American; and

(B)

by striking members of an Indian tribe and inserting Native Americans.

Sec. 15. Participation in Head Start program

(a) Designation correction

Section 645 of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9840) is amended by striking (a) the first place it appears and all that follows through The Secretary the first place it appears and inserting (a)(1)(A) The Secretary.

(b) Eligibility

Subsection (a), as so designated, of section 645 of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9840) is amended, in paragraph (1)(B)—

(1)

in the matter preceding clause (i), by striking paragraph (2) and inserting paragraph (2) and subsections (d)(1) and (e);

(2)

in clause (i), by striking if the first place it appears and all that follows and inserting “if—

(I)
their families' incomes are below 60 percent of the State median income for a family of the same size;
(II)
their families are eligible or, in the absence of child care, would potentially be eligible for public assistance; or
(III)
the children previously participated in a full year of a Head Start (which may be an Early Head Start) program;;

(3)

in clause (ii)—

(A)

by striking homeless;

(B)

by striking participation; and inserting participation if the children are—; and

(C)

by adding at the end the following:

(I)
homeless children;
(II)
children in foster care, in kinship care, or who experienced child abuse or neglect as defined under section 3 of the Child Abuse and Prevention and Treatment Act of 2010 (42 U.S.C. 5101 note);
(III)
children who are eligible for (whether or not they are receiving)—
(aa)
benefits under title XVI of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1381 et seq.);
(bb)
assistance under part A of title IV of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 601 et seq.);
(cc)
supplemental nutrition assistance program benefits under the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2011 et seq.);
(dd)
assistance under a nutrition assistance program under section 19 of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2028) or a commodity distribution program for Indians under section 4(a) of the Agriculture and Consumer Protection Act of 1973 (7 U.S.C. 612c note);
(ee)
assistance under section 17 of the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 1786); or
(ff)
assistance under section 8 of the United States Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. 1437f);
(IV)
children with disabilities;
(V)
children of current (as of the date of the determination of eligibility) staff of a Head Start agency (which may be an Early Head Start agency); and
(VI)
children who are part of another vulnerable group that would benefit from Head Start services (which may be Early Head Start services), as such group is approved by the Secretary;;

(4)

in clause (iii)—

(A)

in subclause (II), by striking from and all that follows through if—;

(B)

by striking may include— and all that follows through to a reasonable and inserting may include, to a reasonable;

(C)

by striking (ii); and and inserting (ii), if—;

(D)

by redesignating items (aa) and (bb) as subclauses (I) and (II), respectively, and aligning the margins of the subclauses with the margins of subclause (I) of clause (iv);

(E)

in subclause (I), as so designated, by striking (or subclause (I) if the child involved has a disability); and

(F)

in subclauses (I) and (II), as so designated, by striking this subclause and inserting this clause;

(5)

in clause (iv)—

(A)

by striking clause (iii)(II) each place it appears and inserting clause (iii);

(B)

in subclause (II), by striking (or clause (iii)(I) if the child involved has a disability); and

(C)

in subclause (VI), by striking clause (iii)(I),; and

(6)

in clause (v)—

(A)

by inserting (which may be an Early Head Start program) after a Head Start program; and

(B)

by striking through and all that follows and inserting until kindergarten entry..

(c) Native American selection criteria

Section 645(d) of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9840(d)) is amended—

(1)

in paragraph (1), by striking An Indian tribe and all that follows and inserting the following: An Indian tribe, Native Hawaiian organization, or Native Hawaiian educational organization that operates a Head Start program (which may be an Early Head Start program) may, at its discretion, establish selection criteria, including criteria to prioritize children in families in which a child or a family member is a member of an Indian tribe or is a Native Hawaiian, or in households in which a household member is a member of an Indian tribe or is a Native Hawaiian, to enroll Native American children who would most benefit from such program, but who are not eligible under clause (i) or (ii) of subsection (a)(1)(B).;

(2)

in paragraph (2)—

(A)

by inserting , Native Hawaiian organization, or Native Hawaiian educational organization after Indian tribe; and

(B)

by inserting , Native Hawaiian organizations, and Native Hawaiian educational organizations after Indian tribes; and

(3)

in paragraph (3), by striking or tribes each place it appears and inserting , Native Hawaiian organization, or Native Hawaiian educational organization.

(d) Migrant or seasonal selection criteria

Section 645 of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9840) is amended by adding at the end the following:

(e)
Subject to section 640(l) and the description of families in the definition of migrant or seasonal Head Start program in section 637, an agency that operates a migrant or seasonal Head Start program (which may be an Early Head Start program) may, at its discretion, establish selection criteria to enroll children of migrant or seasonal farmworker families who would most benefit from such program but who are not eligible under clause (i) or (ii) of subsection (a)(1)(B), giving priority to children of migrant farmworker families described in subparagraph (A) of the paragraph establishing that definition in section 637. The selection criteria shall limit that enrollment to children who have at least 1 family member whose income comes primarily from agricultural employment as defined in section 3 of the Migrant and Seasonal Agricultural Worker Protection Act (29 U.S.C. 1802).

Sec. 16. Early Head Start programs

(a) Cognitive development

Section 645A(b)(1) of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9840a(b)(1)) is amended by striking intellectual and inserting cognitive.

(b) Eligible service providers

Section 645A(d) of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9840a(d)) is amended—

(1)

in paragraph (2), by striking Indian and inserting Native American; and

(2)

in paragraph (3), by inserting partnerships and after including.

(c) Selection

Section 645A(e) of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9840a(e)) is amended by striking under this section and all that follows and inserting “under this section—

(1)
on a competitive basis to applicants meeting the criteria specified in subsection (d); and
(2)
giving priority to—
(A)
entities that have a record of providing early, continuous, and comprehensive childhood development and family services; or
(B)
entities that are operating a Head Start program.

(d) Training and technical assistance

Section 645A(g)(2)(B)(i) of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9840a(g)(2)(B)(i)) is amended by striking section 640(a)(2)(C)(i)(II)(bb) and inserting section 640(a)(2)(C)(i)(III)(bb).

(e) Center-Based staff

Section 645A(h) of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9840a(h)) is amended—

(1)

in paragraph (1), by striking , not later than September 30, 2010,; and

(2)

in paragraph (2), by striking not later than September 30, 2010,.

(f) Staff qualifications

Section 645A(i)(2) of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9840a(i)(2)) is amended—

(1)

in subparagraph (D), by striking children who are limited English proficient and inserting children who are developing English proficiency;

(2)

in subparagraph (E)—

(A)

by inserting , mental health, after what health;

(B)

by striking by offering and inserting “by—

(i)
offering;

(C)

in clause (i), as so designated, by adding and at the end; and

(D)

by adding at the end the following:

(ii)
ensuring that all children receiving such a home visit receive adequate screening and appropriate follow-up for, and families receive referrals to access services for, potential social, emotional, behavioral, or other mental health concerns;; and

(3)

in subparagraph (G), by inserting , mental health, after health.

Sec. 17. Appeals, notice, and hearing

Section 646(e)(1) of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9841(e)(1)) is amended—

(1)

by striking Indian tribe each place it appears and inserting Indian tribe, Native Hawaiian organization, or Native Hawaiian educational organization;

(2)

in subparagraph (B), by striking the tribe the first place it appears and inserting the Indian tribe, Native Hawaiian organization, or Native Hawaiian educational organization; and

(3)

except as described in paragraph (2) of this section, by striking the tribe each place it appears and inserting the Indian tribe or Native Hawaiian community involved.

Sec. 18. Technical assistance and training

Section 648 of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9843) is amended—

(1)

in subsection (a)(3)—

(A)

in subparagraph (A)—

(i)

in clause (iii), by striking staff (including instruction and inserting the following: “staff, including—

(I)
instruction; and

(ii)

by striking families, including training and inserting the following: “families; and

(II)
training; and

(B)

in subparagraph (B)—

(i)

in clause (x)(II)—

(I)

by striking limited English proficient children and inserting children who are developing English proficiency; and

(II)

by striking limited English proficient individuals and inserting individuals who are developing English proficiency;

(ii)

by redesignating clauses (xii) through (xvi) as clauses (xiv) through (xviii), respectively;

(iii)

by inserting after clause (xi) the following:

(xii)
assist Head Start agencies and programs to—
(I)
increase the utilization of evidence-based systemic approaches to positive behavioral interventions and supports in Head Start programs;
(II)
prevent seclusion, mechanical restraint, and chemical restraint, and prevent and reduce physical restraint, in Head Start programs; and
(III)
collect data needed to carry out the evaluation under section 650(n);
(xiii)
assist Head Start agencies in the development of policies and procedures to promote the coordination and timely and appropriate delivery of services, and payment or reimbursement of such services, under title XIX of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1396);; and

(iv)

in clause (xvii), as so redesignated—

(I)

by striking assist Indian and inserting assist Native American; and

(II)

by inserting , Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian after of Indian;

(2)

in subsection (b)—

(A)

in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking section 640(a)(2)(C)(i)(II)(cc) and inserting section 640(a)(2)(C)(i)(III)(cc); and

(B)

in paragraph (2)(A), by striking limited English proficient children and inserting children who are developing English proficiency;

(3)

in subsection (d)—

(A)

in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking section 640(a)(2)(C)(i)(II)(aa) and inserting section 640(a)(2)(C)(i)(III)(aa);

(B)

in paragraph (1)—

(i)

in subparagraph (B), by striking children and families who are limited English proficient and inserting children and family members who are developing English proficiency;

(ii)

by redesignating subparagraph (I) as subparagraph (K); and

(iii)

by inserting after subparagraph (H) the following:

(I)
Activities to provide training necessary to implement evidence-based systemic approaches to positive behavioral interventions and supports, including technical assistance for data-driven decision-making related to behavioral supports and interventions.
(J)
Activities to improve the implementation and evaluation of strategies and procedures to prevent seclusion, mechanical restraint, and chemical restraint, and prevent and reduce physical restraint, in Head Start programs.; and

(C)

in paragraph (2)—

(i)

in subparagraph (B), by inserting and, as appropriate, Native American languages before the semicolon at the end; and

(ii)

in subparagraph (D), by striking children who are limited English proficient and inserting children who are developing English proficiency;

(4)

in subsection (e)—

(A)

by striking Indian each place the term appears and inserting Native American;

(B)

in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking section 640(a)(2)(C)(i)(II)(bb) and inserting section 640(a)(2)(C)(i)(III)(bb);

(C)

in paragraph (3), by striking section 640(a)(2)(C)(i)(II)(bb) and inserting section 640(a)(2)(C)(i)(III)(bb); and

(D)

in paragraph (4), by striking and Labor and inserting and Workforce;

(5)

by redesignating subsection (g) as subsection (h);

(6)

by inserting after subsection (f) the following:

(g) Disability-Related services
The Secretary shall—
(1)
coordinate with the Secretary of Education and other experts, as appropriate, on the services and supports provided to infants, toddlers, and children with disabilities under section 619 and part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C. 1419, 1431 et seq.) and section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. 794); and
(2)
provide training and technical assistance to Head Start agencies (including Early Head Start agencies) to improve its coordination and collaboration as required under subparagraphs (H)(ii) and (N) of section 641(d)(2) and sections 642(e)(3), 642B(a)(2)(B)(iv), and 645A(b)(11).; and

(7)

in subsection (h), as so redesignated—

(A)

in paragraph (1)—

(i)

in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by striking Hispanic-serving institutions, and Tribal Colleges and Universities and inserting , Tribal Colleges and Universities, and other minority-serving institutions, including Hispanic-serving institutions;

(ii)

in subparagraph (B), by striking and costs related to tuition, fees, and books and inserting , the cost of attendance of the education programs, and other costs associated with in-service learning;

(iii)

in subparagraph (C)—

(I)

in clause (ii), by striking children with limited English proficiency and inserting children who are developing English proficiency;

(II)

in clause (iii)—

(aa)

by inserting , Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian after Indian; and

(bb)

by striking tribal culture and language and inserting Tribal culture and Native American languages; and

(III)

by adding at the end the following:

(iv)
in the case of other minority-serving institutions, to help Head Start agency staff develop skills and expertise needed to teach in programs serving large numbers of Indian, Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian, and Asian American and Pacific Islander children, including programs to develop the linguistic skills and expertise needed to teach in programs serving a large number of children who are developing English proficiency;;

(iv)

in subparagraph (D), by striking Hispanic-serving institutions, or Tribal Colleges and Universities and inserting , Tribal Colleges and Universities, or other minority-serving institutions, including Hispanic-serving institutions;

(v)

by redesignating subparagraphs (E) and (F) as subparagraphs (F) and (G), respectively;

(vi)

by inserting after subparagraph (D) the following:

(E)
to provide supportive services, such as transportation, child care, dependent care, assistive technology, and food assistance, that are necessary to enable an individual to participate in activities authorized under this subsection;;

(vii)

in subparagraph (F), as so redesignated—

(I)

by striking technology literacy programs for Indian and inserting digital literacy programs for Native American; and

(II)

by striking and after semicolon;

(viii)

in subparagraph (G), as so redesignated, by striking the period and inserting ; and; and

(ix)

by adding at the end the following:

(H)
to provide opportunities for participants to practice and develop teaching that integrate knowledge from education through classroom-based, paid clinical experiences in which candidates may teach or lead alongside an expert mentor teacher.;

(B)

in paragraph (2)—

(i)

in subparagraph (A), by striking and after the semicolon;

(ii)

in subparagraph (B), by striking under this section. and inserting and other minority-serving institutions, including Native American-serving nontribal institutions, Alaska Native-serving institutions, and Native Hawaiian-serving institutions under this section;; and

(iii)

by adding at the end the following:

(C)
provide appropriate technical assistance to communities interested in establishing campus-based Head Start services at institutions of higher education, including analysis of the economic circumstances of the college education population in the community and potential partnership models that may be appropriate for the community; and
(D)
provide technical assistance to institutions receiving grants under this subsection on the ability to leverage existing Federal and State funds, such as—
(i)
State prekindergarten funding;
(ii)
dedicated State funding for infant and toddler care; and
(iii)
the Child Care Access Means Parents in School program under section 419N of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1070e).;

(C)

in paragraph (3)—

(i)

by striking Hispanic-serving institution, or Tribal College or University desiring and inserting Tribal College or University, or other minority-serving institution, including a Hispanic-serving institution, desiring; and

(ii)

by striking Hispanic-serving institutions, or Tribal Colleges and Universities and inserting Tribal Colleges and Universities, or other minority-serving institutions, including Hispanic-serving institutions;

(D)

by redesignating paragraphs (4) and (5) as paragraphs (5) and (6), respectively;

(E)

by inserting after paragraph (3) the following:

(4) Award basis
In making awards under this subsection, the Secretary—
(A)
shall consult with the Secretary of Education; and
(B)
to the extent practicable based on the applications received, shall distribute the grant funds available under this subsection proportionately among institutions designated as historically Black colleges and universities, as Tribal Colleges and Universities, and as other minority-serving institutions, based on the number of institutions designated in each such category in all States, as compared to the total number of designated institutions in all such categories in all States.;

(F)

in paragraph (5), as so redesignated—

(i)

by redesignating subparagraphs (A), (B), and (C) as subparagraphs (C), (D), and (H), respectively;

(ii)

by inserting before subparagraph (C), as so redesignated, the following:

(A)
The term Alaska Native-serving institution has the meaning given such term in section 317(b) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1059d(b)).
(B)
The term cost of attendance has the meaning given the term in section 472 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 108711).; and

(iii)

by inserting after subparagraph (D), as so redesignated, the following:

(E)
The term minority-serving institution means an institution described in any of paragraphs (1) through (7) of section 371(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1067q(a)).
(F)
The term Native American-serving nontribal institution has the meaning given such term in section 371(c) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1067q(c)).
(G)
The term Native Hawaiian-serving institution has the meaning given such term in section 317(b) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1059d(b)).; and

(G)

in paragraph (6), as so redesignated, by striking or shall repay such assistance and inserting , but shall not be required to repay such assistance if the teaching requirement is not met.

Sec. 19. Staff qualifications and development

Section 648A of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9843a) is amended—

(1)

in subsection (a)—

(A)

in paragraph (1)—

(i)

in subparagraph (A)—

(I)

by striking development of children and inserting development of all children by applying the principles of universal design for learning; and

(II)

by striking readiness of children and inserting readiness of children, including infants and toddlers, as applicable,;

(ii)

in subparagraph (C), by striking children; and and inserting children, including, as applicable, infants and toddlers;;

(iii)

by redesignating subparagraph (D) as subparagraph (E); and

(iv)

by inserting after subparagraph (C) the following:

(D)
providing linguistically and culturally appropriate instruction; and;

(B)

in paragraph (2)—

(i)

in subparagraph (B)—

(I)

in the matter preceding clause (i), by striking all; and

(II)

in clause (i)—

(aa)

in the matter preceding subclause (I), by inserting all before Head Start education coordinators; and

(bb)

in subclause (I), by inserting , including linguistically and culturally appropriate instruction and curricula before the semicolon; and

(ii)

in subparagraph (C)(i)(II), by striking and Labor and inserting and Workforce;

(C)

in paragraph (5), by inserting , including linguistically and culturally appropriate instruction, after classroom instruction;

(D)

in paragraph (6), by striking shall— and all that follows through degree. and inserting the following: shall teach or work in a Head Start program for a minimum of 3 years after receiving the degree, but shall not be required to repay such assistance if the teaching requirement is not met.; and

(E)

in paragraph (7)—

(i)

by striking or 102; and

(ii)

by striking , 1002;

(2)

in subsection (b)(1), by inserting to support linguistically and culturally appropriate instruction, after education services,;

(3)

in subsection (c)(5), by striking (including populations of limited English proficient children) and inserting , including populations of children who are developing English proficiency and children with disabilities; and

(4)

in subsection (g), by striking tribal each place the term appears and inserting Tribal.

Sec. 20. Mental health

The Head Start Act is amended—

(1)

by redesignating sections 649 and 650 (42 U.S.C. 9844 and 9846) as sections 650 and 651, respectively; and

(2)

by inserting after section 648A the following:

649. Mental health
(a) References
In this section, a reference to a Head Start program includes an Early Head Start program and a reference to a Head Start agency includes an Early Head Start agency.
(b) In general
The Secretary, in coordination with the Assistant Secretary for Mental Health and Substance Use, shall ensure each Head Start agency supports the mental health and well-being of the staff of, and parents and children served by, the Head Start program of the agency.
(c) Requirements
In order to carry out subsection (b), each Head Start agency shall—
(1)
support adult mental health and well-being, including engaging families in responsive relationships, in home visiting services, and promoting staff health and wellness;
(2)
encourage positive learning environments for all children, particularly children with disabilities, children who are developing English proficiency, and infants and toddlers;
(3)
provide adequate mental health screening for all children participating in such programs and mental health consultation services, including—
(A)
appropriate follow-up and referrals; and
(B)
information for parents to access services to address potential mental health concerns;
(4)
facilitate access to a mental health consultant that is trained on evidence-based strategies to prevent, identify, and support children with mental health and social and emotional concerns;
(5)
ensure all lead teachers receive training on infant and early childhood mental health;
(6)
promote multitiered systems of support, such as positive behavioral interventions and supports and trauma-informed care; and
(7)
support staff wellness breaks that—
(A)
considers the number of hours in a shift and the availability of qualified teaching staff;
(B)
ensures the safety of children; and
(C)
as applicable, complies with State laws or regulations that are more restrictive.
(d) Community partnerships
A Head Start agency may establish a partnership with community-based services and resource personnel, such as behavior coaches, psychologists, and other appropriate specialists, to facilitate access to additional mental health resources and services as needed under this section.
(e) Applicability; exception
(1) In general
Except as provided in paragraph (2), the requirements of this section shall apply to all Head Start agencies, and all Head Start programs, receiving assistance under this subchapter.
(2) Exception
(A) Native American Head Start agencies
Except as provided in subparagraph (B), this section shall not apply to Head Start programs operated by Native American Head Start agencies.
(B) Supporting culturally responsive mental health and well-being
A Native American Head Start agency receiving assistance under this subchapter shall, working with members of Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian communities (as applicable), establish practices that—
(i)
support the mental health and well-being of Head Start staff and children served by the Native American Head Start program; and
(ii)
are linguistically and culturally responsive and appropriate.

Sec. 21. Research, demonstrations, and evaluation

Section 650 of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9844), as so redesignated, is amended—

(1)

in subsection (a)(2), by inserting in consultation with the advisory panel established under subsection (g)(1) before the period at the end;

(2)

in subsection (b)(1), by striking public or private entities and inserting other offices of the Department of Health and Human Services, such as the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation, or public or private entities, such as the Institute of Education Sciences;

(3)

in subsection (c)—

(A)

in paragraph (1)—

(i)

by redesignating subparagraph (C) as subparagraph (D);

(ii)

in subparagraph (B)—

(I)

by striking and after the semicolon; and

(II)

by striking programs and individuals and inserting the following: “programs;

(C)
individuals;

(iii)

in subparagraph (D), as so redesignated—

(I)

by striking the semicolon at the end and inserting ; and; and

(II)

by striking other Federal agencies, and individuals and inserting the following: “other offices of the Department of Health and Human Services, such as the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation, and other Federal agencies, such as the Institute of Education Sciences;

(E)
individuals; and

(iv)

by adding at the end the following:

(F)
Indian Tribes and representatives from Native American Head Start agencies;; and

(B)

in paragraph (3), by inserting and particularly minority-serving institutions, as defined in section 648(h)(5) after Higher Education Act of 1965;

(4)

in subsection (d)—

(A)

in paragraph (6), by inserting , including models to simulate a control group before the semicolon at the end;

(B)

in paragraph (9), by striking and after the semicolon;

(C)

in paragraph (10)—

(i)

in subparagraph (A), by striking which include and all that follows through the semicolon and inserting on both children with disabilities and children without disabilities;; and

(ii)

in subparagraph (B), by striking the period at the end and inserting a semicolon; and

(D)

by adding at the end the following:

(11)
examine outreach, enrollment, and retention of eligible families in Head Start programs, including between Early Head Start and Head Start programs;
(12)
examine the processes through which Head Start programs respond to the needs of families and provide family support services; and
(13)
assess the drivers of workforce retention and turnover in early care and education, as it relates to teacher preparation, wages, benefits, and mental health supports.;

(5)

in subsection (g)—

(A)

in paragraph (1)(A)—

(i)

in clause (i), by striking of the Coats Human Services Reauthorization Act of 1998 and inserting of the Head Start for America’s Children Act; and

(ii)

in clause (iii), by striking to comment, if the panel so desires, on and inserting to make recommendations for future research based on;

(B)

in paragraph (5)—

(i)

in subparagraph (A)(iii)(II), by striking enriches the lives of children and families participating in Head Start programs and inserting improves child and family health, well-being, and engagement of children in the Head Start programs and subsequent educational programming;

(ii)

in subparagraph (B)—

(I)

by striking on the date the participants leave Head Start programs, at the end of kindergarten and at the end of first grade (whether in public or private school),; and

(II)

by striking absenteeism; and inserting the following: “absenteeism—

(i)
on the date the participants leave the Head Start program;
(ii)
at the end of kindergarten;
(iii)
at the end of first grade; and
(iv)
during later academic years, which shall examine long-term academic performance, as appropriate;;

(iii)

by redesignating subparagraphs (C) and (D) as subparagraphs (D) and (E), respectively;

(iv)

by inserting after subparagraph (B) the following:

(C)
as applicable, examines the impact of continued participation for children enrolled in both Early Head Start and Head Start programs;; and

(v)

in subparagraph (E), as so redesignated—

(I)

in the matter preceding clause (i), by inserting and models to simulate control groups after comparison groups; and

(II)

in clause (i), by striking day care and inserting child care;

(C)

in paragraph (6)—

(i)

in subparagraph (F)—

(I)

by inserting with respect to Head Start programs before the number;

(II)

by striking program (such as whether and inserting the following: “program, such as—

(i)
whether;

(III)

by striking a full-working-day, full calendar year program, and inserting a full-working-day program, a full calendar year program,;

(IV)

by striking ); and and inserting ; and; and

(V)

by adding at the end the following:

(ii)
increased operational service hours; and; and

(ii)

in subparagraph (G), by inserting , and disaggregated by race, ethnicity, sex, disability status, age, and status as a child developing English proficiency after characteristics; and

(D)

in paragraph (7)(C)—

(i)

by striking September 30, 2009 and inserting September 30, 2027; and

(ii)

by striking and Labor and inserting and Workforce;

(6)

in subsection (h)—

(A)

in the subsection heading, by striking Limited English proficient children and inserting Children who are developing English proficiency;

(B)

in paragraph (1)—

(i)

by striking Improving Head Start for School Readiness Act of 2007 and inserting Head Start for America’s Children Act; and

(ii)

by striking limited English proficient children and inserting children who are developing English proficiency; and

(C)

in paragraph (2)—

(i)

in the matter preceding subparagraph (A)—

(I)

by striking September 30, 2010 and inserting September 30, 2028; and

(II)

by striking and Labor and inserting and Workforce;

(ii)

in each of subparagraphs (A) and (B), by striking limited English proficient children and inserting children who are developing English proficiency;

(iii)

in subparagraph (C), by striking limited English proficient children each place the term appears and inserting children who are developing English proficiency;

(iv)

in subparagraph (D), by striking limited English proficient children and inserting children who are developing English proficiency;

(v)

in subparagraph (F), by striking limited English proficient children each place the term appears and inserting children who are developing English proficiency; and

(vi)

in subparagraph (G), by striking limited English proficient children and inserting children who are developing English proficiency;

(7)

in subsection (i), by striking limited English proficient children and inserting children who are developing English proficiency;

(8)

in subsection (j), by striking limited English proficient each place the term appears and inserting developing English proficiency;

(9)

in subsection (k)—

(A)

in the subsection heading, by striking Indian and inserting Native American;

(B)

by striking Indian Head Start programs each place the term appears and inserting Native American Head Start programs;

(C)

by striking American Indian and Alaska Native each place the term appears and inserting Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian;

(D)

in paragraph (1)—

(i)

in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by striking Indian Head Start collaboration director, and inserting Native American Head Start collaboration director, the Native American Head Start Advisory Committee established under paragraph (3),;

(ii)

in subparagraph (A)—

(I)

by striking focus on issues and inserting the following: “focus—

(i)
on issues;

(II)

by inserting linguistically and culturally before appropriate;

(III)

by striking Children; and inserting children; and; and

(IV)

by adding at the end the following:

(ii)
the implementation and effects of Native American Head Start programs, which shall include consultation with Indian Tribes, representatives of Native American Head Start agencies, and members of Indian tribes and Native Hawaiian communities;; and

(iii)

in subparagraph (E)—

(I)

in clause (i), by striking American Indians and Alaska Natives and inserting Indians, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians; and

(II)

in clause (ii), by striking tribal and inserting Tribal;

(E)

by redesignating paragraphs (3) through (6) as paragraphs (4) through (7), respectively;

(F)

by inserting after paragraph (2) the following:

(3)
(A)
establish an independent panel (to be known as the Native American Head Start Advisory Committee), which—
(i)
shall consist of representatives appointed by the Secretary from Native American Head Start programs, families served by Native American Head Start programs, and other appropriate entities, including Tribal governments, to review, and make recommendations on, the design and plan for the research carried out under paragraph (1); and
(ii)
shall not be subject to section 1013 of title 5, United States Code; and
(B)
in carrying out paragraph (1), consult with the Native American Head Start Advisory Committee and consider the Committee's recommendations;;

(G)

in each of paragraphs (4) and (5), as so redesignated, by striking effective date of this subsection and inserting date of enactment of the Head Start for America’s Children Act; and

(H)

in paragraph (5), as so redesignated, by striking and Labor and inserting and Workforce;

(10)

in subsection (l)—

(A)

by striking Improving Head Start for School Readiness Act of 2007 each place the term appears and inserting Head Start for America’s Children Act;

(B)

in paragraph (1)—

(i)

in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by inserting the Migrant and Seasonal Head Start Advisory Committee established under paragraph (4), after Head Start programs,;

(ii)

in subparagraph (A), by striking and after the semicolon;

(iii)

in subparagraph (B), by striking the period and inserting ; and; and

(iv)

by adding at the end the following:

(C)
undertake a study or set of studies designed to focus on the population eligible for migrant and seasonal Head Start programs, with a focus on issues such as availability and need for services, culturally appropriate research methodologies and measures for these populations, and best practices for teaching and educating children from farmworker families.;

(C)

in paragraph (3), by striking Education and Labor and inserting Education and Workforce;

(D)

by redesignating paragraphs (4) and (5) as paragraphs (5) and (6), respectively; and

(E)

by inserting after paragraph (3) the following:

(4) Migrant and seasonal head start advisory committee
(A) Establishment
The Secretary shall establish an independent panel (to be known as the Migrant and Seasonal Head Start Advisory Committee)—
(i)
to review, and make recommendations on, the design and plan for the research conducted under paragraph (1);
(ii)
to maintain and advise the Secretary regarding the progress of the research; and
(iii)
to make recommendations for future research.
(B) Membership
The Migrant and Seasonal Head Start Advisory Committee shall consist of members appointed by the Secretary from—
(i)
Migrant and Seasonal Head Start programs;
(ii)
families served by Migrant and Seasonal Head Start programs; and
(iii)
other appropriate entities who specialize in serving the children of migrant and seasonal farmworkers.
(C) Non-expiration
Section 1013 of title 5, United States Code, shall not apply to the Migrant and Seasonal Head Start Advisory Committee.
(5) Consultation
The Secretary shall, in carrying out activities described in paragraph (1), consult with the Migrant and Seasonal Head Start Advisory Committee and consider the Committee's recommendations.;

(11)

in subsection (m)—

(A)

in paragraph (2), by striking in the event and all that follows through the period at the end and inserting in the event of a large-scale emergency or other major disaster or emergency declared under section 401 or 501, respectively, of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5170, 5191).; and

(B)

in paragraph (3)—

(i)

in the matter preceding subparagraph (A)—

(I)

by striking Improving Head Start for School Readiness Act of 2007 and inserting Head Start for America’s Children Act; and

(II)

by striking and Labor and inserting and Workforce; and

(ii)

in subparagraph (A), by striking , including those that were developed in response to hurricanes Katrina, Rita, and Wilma; and

(12)

by adding at the end the following:

(n) Discipline
(1) References
In this subsection, a reference to a Head Start program includes an Early Head Start program and a reference to a Head Start agency includes an Early Head Start agency.
(2) Purpose
The purpose of this subsection is to evaluate discipline practices of the Head Start programs and make recommendations for how Head Start programs shall reduce the overuse of discipline practices and improve the use of evidence-based strategies to support children.
(3) Evaluation
The Secretary shall evaluate Head Start programs in the use of discipline practices, including—
(A)
rates of suspensions of children;
(B)
rates of dismissal or replacement to another program;
(C)
rates of corporal punishment or physically abusive behavior, including physical restraint;
(D)
with respect to physical restraint imposed upon children—
(i)
the total number of such incidents;
(ii)
the total number of children upon whom such physical restraint was imposed;
(iii)
in a case in which such physical restraint was imposed more than twice on a child, the number of times such child was so restrained; and
(iv)
the total number of such incidents where the use of physical restraint is referred to law enforcement; and
(E)
rates of emotionally harmful or abusive behavior, including seclusion.
(4) Disaggregation
(A) In general
The data collected and evaluated under paragraph (3) shall be disaggregated by—
(i)
each major racial and ethnic group;
(ii)
sex;
(iii)
status as an economically disadvantaged child;
(iv)
status as a children with a disability or as a child without a disability; and
(v)
status as a child developing English proficiency.
(B) Physical restraint data
With respect to the data collected under paragraph (3)(D) regarding the total number of incidents in which physical restraint was imposed upon a child, such data shall be disaggregated by—
(i)
incidents that resulted in injury;
(ii)
incidents that resulted in death; and
(iii)
incidents in which the program staff imposing physical restraint was not trained and certified by a State-approved crisis intervention training program.
(5) Reports to Congress
(A) In general
Not later than 18 months after the date of the enactment of the Head Start for America’s Children Act and each year thereafter, the Secretary shall prepare and submit to the Committee on Education and Workforce of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate a report containing the results of the evaluation required under paragraph (3).
(B) Contents
The report submitted under subparagraph (A) shall include—
(i)
an analysis of data related to the incidents in Head Start programs described in subparagraphs (A) through (E) of paragraph (3);
(ii)
an analysis of the effectiveness of Federal, State, and local efforts to eliminate seclusion and prevent and reduce the number of physical restraint incidents in Head Start programs;
(iii)
an identification of the types of programs and services that have demonstrated the greatest effectiveness in eliminating and preventing seclusion and preventing and reducing the number of physical restraint incidents in Head Start programs;
(iv)
an identification of evidence-based staff training models with demonstrated success in preventing seclusion and preventing and reducing the number of physical restraint incidents in Head Start programs, including models that emphasize positive behavioral interventions and supports and de-escalation techniques over physical intervention;
(v)
recommendations for improvements to Head Start programs on the use of discipline practices and the plan of the Secretary to implement such recommendations;
(vi)
an evaluation of evidence-based strategies to support children, including multi-tiered systems of support such as systems with positive behavioral interventions and supports, mental health supports, restorative justice programs, trauma-informed care, and crisis and de-escalation interventions in Head Start programs;
(vii)
an evaluation of staff training for such strategies; and
(viii)
an evaluation of procedures for Head Start agencies and the Secretary to coordinate with appropriate Federal, State, and local policies, programs, or activities regarding the overuse of discipline practices.

Sec. 22. Reports

Section 651 of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9846), as so redesignated, is amended—

(1)

by striking and Labor each place the term appears and inserting and Workforce;

(2)

in subsection (a)—

(A)

in the matter preceding paragraph (1)—

(i)

by striking limited English proficient children and inserting children who are developing English proficiency; and

(ii)

by striking Indian and inserting Native American;

(B)

in paragraph (7)—

(i)

by inserting benefits, after salaries,; and

(ii)

by striking the semicolon and inserting the following: “including—

(A)
information on how training programs authorized under this subchapter increases recruitment and retention of Head Start staff;
(B)
information on Head Start staff wage and benefits comparability, taking into account geographic variation, in relation to public elementary school educators and similarly credentialed professionals, and how pay structure and wage ladders influence Head Start staff recruitment and retention; and
(C)
information on the adequacy of the annual base salary applicable for the period of the report to meet the basic needs of Head Start staff, with respect to an annual base salary of the amount determined under section 653(b);;

(C)

in paragraph (8)—

(i)

by striking including information on family income and inserting , disaggregated by family income levels;

(ii)

by inserting status after homelessness; and

(iii)

by striking disability and inserting sex, status as a child with a disability, age, status as a child developing English proficiency;

(D)

in paragraph (13)(B)—

(i)

by striking section 649 and inserting section 650; and

(ii)

by striking and after the semicolon;

(E)

in paragraph (14), by striking the period and inserting a semicolon; and

(F)

by adding at the end the following:

(15)
a study detailing the population of children and families served through the existing eligibility of the Head Start program, as of the date of the study, including the demographics and number of children and families served—
(A)
with an income that is less than 60 percent of the State median income for a family of the same size;
(B)
through the categorical eligibility pathways under section 645(a)(1)(B)(ii);
(C)
who meet the selection criteria under section 645(d)(1) for Native American Head Start programs; and
(D)
who meet the selection criteria under section 645(e) for migrant and seasonal Head Start programs; and
(16)
a survey of Head Start and child care partnerships supported under section 657F that determines the extent of barriers for such entities to enter into partnership agreements, including suggested steps to overcome such barriers, and a detailed description of the degree to which Early Head Start agencies are utilizing the funds provided under this subchapter.;

(3)

in subsection (b), by striking Indian Head Start and all that follows through agencies. and inserting Native American Head Start agencies.;

(4)

in subsection (d)(2), by striking Improving Head Start for School Readiness Act of 2007 and inserting Head Start for America’s Children Act;

(5)

in subsection (e), by striking Improving Head Start for School Readiness Act of 2007 and inserting Head Start for America’s Children Act; and

(6)

by adding at the end the following:

(f) Re-Competition trends
Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of the Head Start for America’s Children Act, the Secretary shall make publicly available a report on the trends of re-competition of Head Start programs (which, for purposes of this subsection, shall include Early Head Start programs) since the implementation of the designated renewal system under section 641, including—
(1)
analyzing changes in Head Start agencies (which, for purposes of this subsection, shall include Early Head Start agencies) and subsequent associations on program quality and outcomes for children, including infants and toddlers;
(2)
identifying the number and the characteristics of agencies whose designations as Head Start agencies have been renewed in accordance with the system for designation renewal under section 641(c) since the implementation of the designated renewal system;
(3)
identifying the number and the characteristics of agencies whose designations as Head Start agencies have not renewed under section 641(c) since the implementation of the designated renewal system and have resulted in an open competition under section 641(d); and
(4)
identifying elements of the designation process that potentially deter new grantees from participating in a competition, including trends in the number of applicants who seek to serve the same community.
(g) Staffing trends
Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of the Head Start for America’s Children Act, the Secretary shall prepare and submit, to the Committee on Education and Workforce of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate, a report detailing the effect that any reduction in staffing at the Administration of Children and Families during the period beginning on January 1, 2025, and ending on the date of the report had on executing the statutorily required activities of this subchapter, including—
(1)
the ability for Head Start centers to remain open and offer day-to-day services to children and their families;
(2)
investigations of child health and safety incidents;
(3)
training and technical assistance to ensure high-quality services for children;
(4)
disbursement of congressionally appropriated funds and grants to local grantees and the review of grant renewal applications and modifications; and
(5)
the ability of Native American Head Start agencies to access timely technical assistance, funding, and services from national and regional offices.

Sec. 23. Head Start staff wages

Section 653 of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9848) is amended—

(1)

by striking the section designation and heading and inserting the following:

653. Head Start staff compensation

;

(2)

by redesignating subsection (b) as subsection (d);

(3)

striking subsection (a) and inserting the following:

(a) References
In this section, a reference to a Head Start program includes an Early Head Start program and a reference to a Head Start agency includes an Early Head Start agency.
(b) Staff wages and benefits
The Secretary shall take such action as may be necessary to ensure that persons employed in carrying out Head Start programs financed under this subchapter shall—
(1)
receive compensation that—
(A)
for Head Start program educational staff, is not less than the higher of—
(i)
the amount required in order for parity to be achieved between—
(I)
the compensation provided to Head Start program educational staff with similar credentials and experience to elementary school educators employed by the local educational agency serving the area of the Head Start program; and
(II)
the compensation provided to such elementary school educators; or
(ii)
includes an annual base salary of—
(I)
for fiscal year 2026, $60,000; and
(II)
for fiscal year 2027 and each subsequent fiscal year (referred to in this subclause as the determination fiscal year), an amount equal to the annual base salary under this clause for the preceding year, increased by the estimated percentage increase (if any), as determined by the Secretary of Health and Human Services, in the Consumer Price Index For All Urban Consumers, issued by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, occurring in the most recent fiscal year ending prior to the beginning of such determination fiscal year;
(B)
establishes or improves a salary scale, wage ladder, or pay structure for all Head Start program staff that increases with qualifications and experience;
(C)
sufficiently provides a livable and competitive salary for all Head Start program staff within the agency’s service area;
(D)
ensures comparability of compensation across Head Start preschool and Early Head Start staff positions; and
(E)
ensures Head Start agencies provide compensation and benefits that are—
(i)
based on staff responsibilities, qualifications, training, and experience; and
(ii)
updated not less than once every 3 years;
(2)
provide or facilitate access to competitive benefits for Head Start program staff working not less than 30 hours per week, such as—
(A)
high-quality, affordable health coverage;
(B)
paid personal leave; and
(C)
access to short-term, free or minimal cost behavioral health services;
(3)
facilitate access to high-quality, affordable health care coverage for staff working less than 30 hours per week; and
(4)
facilitate access to high-quality, affordable child care and to the public service loan forgiveness program under section 455(m) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1087e(m)).
(c) Rebuilding the Head Start Workforce grants
(1) Program authorized
(A) In general
The Secretary shall award grants, on a competitive basis, to Head Start agencies to meet the immediate staff needs and enhance the program quality of Head Start programs.
(B) Duration
A grant award under this subsection shall be for a period of not more than 5 years.
(2) Applications
A Head Start agency desiring a grant under this subsection shall submit to the Secretary an application at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may require. Such application shall include—
(A)
information regarding—
(i)
the current staff of the Head Start agency, as of the date of application, including the number of staff employed, the positions and responsibilities of such staff, the degrees held by such staff (as applicable), and the early childhood education experience of such staff; and
(ii)
the current unfilled staffing needs of the Head Start agency, as of the date of application;
(B)
a description of the recruitment and retention activities proposed to be conducted by the eligible agency under the grant, such as professional development activities and plans to ensure new staff are well-supported and well-compensated; and
(C)
plans to address immediate staff needs to enhance program quality and improve Head Start program services to eligible children and families.
(3) Reservations
From amounts appropriated to carry out this subsection, the Secretary shall reserve not less than a total of 4.5 percent to award grants to—
(A)
American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian Head Start agencies; and
(B)
migrant and seasonal Head Start agencies.
(4) Priority
Subject to paragraph (3), the Secretary shall give priority to applications that propose to, in accordance with paragraph (1)—
(A)
address staffing shortages that are associated with a reduction in funding for the Head Start agency due to chronic underenrollment, in accordance with section 641A(h);
(B)
increase the staff skills and qualifications to meet the diverse (including linguistic and cultural) needs of eligible children (including infants and toddlers with disabilities, children with disabilities, homeless children, children in foster or kinship care, children who receive care during additional hours not typically included in a full calendar year schedule and children who are developing English proficiency) and their families;
(C)
increase capacity to serve children who have been identified as part of underserved populations, rural communities, or areas of persistent poverty; and
(D)
support and incorporate Native American languages and cultural instruction for Native American Head Start programs.
(5) Uses of funds
A Head Start agency that receives a grant under this subsection shall use grant funds for not less than 1 of the following:
(A)
Providing recruitment and retention bonuses for Head Start staff, particularly educators and mental health consultants.
(B)
Supporting the mental health of Head Start staff.
(C)
Delivering or facilitating professional development and instructional coaching for Head Start staff, particularly those who are involved in the direct education and care of children.
(6) Evaluation
The Secretary shall conduct an evaluation to assess the effectiveness of grants under this subsection in—
(A)
attracting and retaining Head Start educators and other staff, particularly—
(i)
in rural communities;
(ii)
to meet linguistically and culturally appropriate needs aligned with community needs assessments; and
(iii)
to support the mental health and well-being of children, families, and staff; and
(B)
expanding the capacity of Head Start agencies to support children and families with health, mental health, educational, nutritional, social, and other services.; and

(4)

in subsection (d)(2), as so redesignated—

(A)

in subparagraph (A)—

(i)

by striking includes salary and inserting the following: “the sum of—

(i)
the base salary, calculated as an annual rate of pay; and; and

(ii)

by striking bonuses, periodic payments, severance pay, and inserting the following:

(ii)
severance pay,; and

(B)

in subparagraph (B), by inserting bonuses, stipends, awards, periodic payments, and before any Head Start agency.

Sec. 24. Nondiscrimination provisions

Section 654(c) of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9849(c)) is amended by striking handicapping condition and inserting disability.

Sec. 25. Centers of excellence in early childhood

Section 657B of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9852b) is amended—

(1)

in subsection (b)(1), by striking Indian and inserting Native American;

(2)

in subsection (c)—

(A)

in paragraph (1)(A)(ii)—

(i)

in the clause heading, by striking Indian and inserting Native American head start; and

(ii)

by striking an Indian and inserting a Native American;

(B)

in paragraph (2), by striking an Indian and inserting a Native American; and

(C)

in paragraph (3), by striking limited English proficient children and inserting children who are developing English proficiency;

(3)

in subsection (d)(1)(B), by striking limited English proficient children and inserting children who are developing English proficiency;

(4)

in subsection (e)(2), by striking Improving Head Start for School Readiness Act of 2007 and inserting Head Start for America’s Children Act; and

(5)

in subsection (f), by striking 2008 through 2012 and inserting 2026 through 2030.

Sec. 26. Community eligibility pilot program

The Head Start Act is amended—

(1)

by redesignating section 657C (42 U.S.C. 9852c) as section 657G; and

(2)

by inserting after section 657B the following:

657C. Community eligibility pilot program
(a) Definitions
In this section:
(1) Community
The term community means—
(A)
a city, county, or multicity or multicounty unit within a State;
(B)
an Indian reservation, including Indians in any off-reservation area designated by an appropriate Tribal government, in consultation with the Secretary;
(C)
an area served by a Native Hawaiian organization or Native Hawaiian educational organization; or
(D)
a neighborhood or other area (irrespective of boundaries or political subdivisions).
(2) Covered agency
The term covered agency means a Head Start agency, including an Early Head Start agency.
(3) Covered program
The term covered program means a Head Start program, including an Early Head Start program.
(4) Pilot program
The term pilot program means the pilot program established under subsection (b).
(b) Establishment of community eligibility pilot programs
(1) In general
From amounts made available to carry out this section, the Secretary shall establish a pilot program under which the Secretary shall provide authority and additional funds to a covered agency serving a local community of high poverty through a covered program to enable the covered agency to enroll all children within the age range served by the covered agency living in such community in the covered program, without regard to the eligibility criteria under section 645 or 645A, as applicable.
(2) Number of participating agencies
The Secretary shall select not more than 10 covered agencies to participate in the pilot program during the period of the pilot program.
(c) Application
A covered agency desiring to participate in the pilot program shall submit to the Secretary an application at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may require.
(d) Considerations
In approving applications for participation in the pilot program, the Secretary shall consider—
(1)
how the covered program supported under the pilot program will be meeting the needs of children in the local community served;
(2)
the demographics of the local community to be served;
(3)
various metrics for determining a high rate of poverty in a local community;
(4)
whether proposed outreach efforts to the local community served are linguistically and culturally inclusive; and
(5)
the plans of the covered agency for prioritizing children with the greatest need in the local community if the capacity of the covered agency or covered program is limited.
(e) Technical assistance
In carrying out the pilot program, the Secretary shall provide technical assistance, training, and materials to covered agencies selected to participate in the pilot program.
(f) Evaluation
The Secretary shall conduct an evaluation of the pilot program to assess the effectiveness of the pilot program in—
(1)
meeting the needs of children and families not otherwise eligible for covered programs;
(2)
improving the identification of children from low-income backgrounds, children facing hardship, and children in local areas of high poverty;
(3)
reducing barriers to participation and enrollment in the covered program;
(4)
ensuring program quality and effectiveness in meeting the standards described in section 641A; and
(5)
providing or connecting families with services to support the health, mental health, educational, nutritional, and social needs of their children and themselves.
(g) Reports
The Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Education and Workforce of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate—
(1)
by not later than the date that is 2 years after the date on which the pilot program is implemented, a report containing information on the initial results of the pilot program, including the demographic and income data of children and families eligible and enrolled in covered programs under the pilot program; and
(2)
during the period beginning on the last day of the pilot program (including any extension authorized under subsection (h)) and ending on the date that is 2 years after such last day, a report containing recommendations to improve the identification of children and families eligible to participate in a covered program residing in local communities of high and persistent poverty.
(h) Termination
The pilot program carried out under this section (except with respect to the report described in subsection (g)(2)) shall cease to have effect on the last day of the 5-year period beginning on the day that the first grant is awarded under this section, except that the Secretary may elect to extend the pilot program for 1 additional period of not more than 3 years.

Sec. 27. Head Start agencies and institutions of higher education partnerships

The Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9831 et seq.) is amended by inserting after section 657C, as added by section 26, the following:

657D. Head Start agencies and institutions of higher education partnerships
(a) Definitions
In this section:
(1) Eligible agency
The term eligible agency means a Head Start agency, including an Early Head Start agency.
(2) Eligible program
The term eligible program means a Head Start program, including an Early Head Start program.
(3) Hispanic-serving institution
The term Hispanic-serving institution has the meaning given such term in section 502(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1101a(a)).
(4) Historically Black college or university
The term historically Black college or university has the meaning given the term part B institution in section 322 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1061).
(5) Minority-serving institution
The term minority-serving institution means an institution described in any of paragraphs (1) through (7) of section 371(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1067q(a)).
(6) Student parent
The term student parent, with respect to an institution of higher education, means an individual who—
(A)
is a parent;
(B)
is enrolled in a program of postsecondary education at such institution; and
(C)
whose child is eligible for an eligible program.
(7) Tribal College or University
The term Tribal College or University has the meaning given the term in section 316(b) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1059c(b)).
(b) Pilot program authorized
(1) In general
From amounts made available to carry out this section, the Secretary shall make grants, on a competitive basis, to eligible agencies to form partnerships with institutions of higher education to support the participation of student parents in on-campus eligible programs.
(2) Duration
An award made under paragraph (1) shall be for a period of 5 years, with an opportunity for renewal for additional 3-year periods in accordance with subsection (f)(2).
(c) Use of funds
Grant funds awarded under subsection (b) shall be used by a partnership between an eligible agency and an institution of higher education to support or establish a campus-based eligible program to serve the needs of student parents enrolled in the institution.
(d) Applications
An eligible agency desiring a grant under this section shall submit an application to the Secretary at such time, in such manner, and accompanied by such information as the Secretary may require. Each application shall—
(1)
describe the partnership with the institution of higher education involved;
(2)
specify the amount of funds requested;
(3)
demonstrate the need of student parents at the institution for campus-based Head Start services by including—
(A)
information regarding student demographics and income;
(B)
information regarding the existence of waiting lists for existing Head Start agencies (including Early Head Start agencies) in the community surrounding the institution;
(C)
information regarding additional needs created by concentrations of poverty or by geographic isolation; and
(D)
other relevant data;
(4)
contain a description of the activities to be assisted, including whether the grant funds will support an existing eligible program (as of the date of application) or a new eligible program;
(5)
identify the resources, including technical expertise and financial support, the Head Start agency will draw upon to support the partnership and the participation of student parents; and
(6)
in the case of an eligible agency seeking assistance for a new eligible program located on an institution’s campus—
(A)
provide a timeline, covering the period from receipt of the grant through the provision of the services, delineating the specific steps the agency and institution will take to achieve the goal of reaching student parents; and
(B)
include a plan for identifying—
(i)
resources needed for the partnership, including space in which to provide the eligible program;
(ii)
community services and partnerships; and
(iii)
technical assistance if necessary.
(e) Priority
The Secretary shall give priority in awarding partnership grants under this section to eligible agencies that propose to support eligible programs that—
(1)
partner with historically Black colleges and universities, Tribal Colleges and Universities, or other minority-serving institutions, including Hispanic-serving institutions;
(2)
meet the needs of underserved children and institutions of higher education with high populations of student parents; or
(3)
serve a high proportion of student parents who are eligible for a Federal Pell Grant under section 401 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1070a).
(f) Reporting requirements; continuing eligibility
(1) Reporting requirements
(A) Reports
Each eligible agency receiving a grant under this section shall submit a report to the Secretary annually.
(B) Contents
The report submitted under subparagraph (A) shall include—
(i)
data on the population served under the grant under this section;
(ii)
information on campus and community resources and funding used to help student parents access the eligible program supported under the grant;
(iii)
information on the impact of the grant on the quality or availability of campus-based early childhood education services at the institution of higher education; and
(iv)
information on how the partnership influences the educational opportunities for student parents at such institution.
(2) Renewal
The Secretary may renew a grant under this section on the basis of the reports submitted under paragraph (1) if the Secretary determines that the institution with which the eligible entity is partnering is making a good-faith effort to ensure that student parents at the institution have access to eligible programs.
(g) Coordination
An eligible agency receiving a grant under this section and the institution of higher education with which the eligible agency is partnering may coordinate services and grant funds provided under this section with campus-based child care services supported under the Child Care Access Means Parents in School program under section 419N of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1070e).

Sec. 28. Extended operation grants

The Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9831 et seq.) is amended by inserting after section 657D, as added by section 27, the following:

657E. Extended operation grants
(a) Definitions
In this section:
(1) Eligible agency
The term eligible agency means a Head Start agency, including an Early Head Start agency.
(2) Eligible program
The term eligible program means a Head Start program, including an Early Head Start program.
(b) Program authorized
From amounts made available to carry out this section, the Secretary shall award grants, on a competitive basis, to eligible agencies to enable the eligible agencies to extend the hours of operation of eligible programs by providing center-based services under this subchapter for full-working-day operations (which may include hours during summer months) during a year.
(c) Applications
An eligible agency desiring a grant under this section shall submit to the Secretary an application at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may require.
(d) Award basis
(1) Reservations
(A) In general
From amounts made available to carry out this section, the Secretary may reserve not less than a total of 4.5 percent of such amounts to award grants, in accordance with subparagraph (B), to—
(i)
Native American Head Start agencies (including Early Head Start agencies); or
(ii)
migrant and seasonal Head Start agencies (including Early Head Start agencies).
(B) Modified grant requirements
A Native American Head Start agency or migrant and seasonal Head Start agency (including a Native American or migrant and seasonal Early Head Start agency) receiving a grant under subparagraph (A)—
(i)
shall use grant funds, in accordance with subsection (e), to provide center-based services under this subchapter for a schedule that includes additional hours; and
(ii)
notwithstanding subsection (b), shall not be required to provide such services for a full-working-day schedule, unless the agency determines it appropriate to do so.
(2) Priority
After carrying out the reservation under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall give priority to applications that propose to, in accordance with subsection (b)—
(A)
extend the hours of operation of the eligible program, as described in such subsection;
(B)
continue high-quality programs and services during the summer months, particularly in communities with limited child care and early education options;
(C)
increase operations to serve children who have been identified as part of underserved populations, from rural communities, or from areas of persistent poverty; and
(D)
provide additional hours of operation that better support the work schedules of local families.
(e) Use of funds
An eligible agency that receives a grant under this section shall use grant funds for the costs of 1 or more of the following:
(1)
Providing compensation for staff of the eligible program, particularly for the extended hours of operation of the eligible program, as described in subsection (b).
(2)
Facility upgrades, furniture, materials, supplies, and other operational costs associated with extending the hours of operation of the eligible program.

Sec. 29. Head Start and child care partnerships

The Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9831 et seq.) is amended by inserting after section 657E, as added by section 28, the following:

657F. Head Start and child care partnerships
(a) Definitions
In this section:
(1) Child care provider
The term child care provider means a center-based or family child care provider.
(2) Eligible agency
The term eligible agency means a Head Start agency, including an Early Head Start agency.
(3) Eligible program
The term eligible program means a Head Start program, including an Early Head Start program.
(b) Program authorized
(1) In general
From amounts made available to carry out this section, the Secretary shall award grants, on a competitive basis, to eligible agencies to enable the eligible agencies to—
(A)
enter into a partnership described in subsection (c) with 1 or more child care providers, particularly child care providers that receive support under the Child Care and Development Block Grant of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 9857 et seq.); and
(B)
coordinate with relevant early education programs in the agency’s service area.
(c) Partnerships
An eligible agency that receives a grant under this section shall enter into a contractual relationship with a child care provider to improve the quality of the child care provider’s child care programs so that the child care provider meets the program performance standards under section 641A, through activities that may include—
(1)
expanding the child care programs of the child care provider through financial support;
(2)
providing support to the child care provider staff with professional development;
(3)
blending funds received by either partner under the Child Care and Development Block Grant of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 9857 et seq.) and the eligible program under this section in order to provide high-quality child care for a full working day, in order to increase the availability of high-quality child care and early education;
(4)
creating a clear and realizable timeline to increase the quality and capacity of a child care provider so that the provider meets the program performance standards under section 641A; and
(5)
aligning activities and services provided through funding under this section with the Head Start Child Outcomes Framework.
(d) Priority
To create a strong continuum of high-quality services for children from birth to school entry, the Secretary shall give priority to eligible agencies who propose to create strong alignment of—
(1)
programs with maternal, infant, and early childhood home visiting programs assisted under section 511 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 711);
(2)
State-funded prekindergarten programs;
(3)
programs carried out under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C. 1400 et seq.); and
(4)
programs carried out under the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 9857 et seq.).
(e) Technical assistance
The Secretary shall provide technical assistance and training under section 648 to eligible agencies and child care providers with respect to the development or implementation of such partnerships.
(f) Standards
Prior to awarding a grant to any eligible agency under this section, the Secretary shall establish standards to ensure the responsibility and expectations of the eligible agency and the partnering child care providers are clearly defined.
(g) Exemption
A child care provider that participates in a partnership under this section and receives assistance through a grant under this section shall be exempt, for a period of 36 months, from the designation renewal requirements under section 641(c).

Sec. 30. General provisions

Subsection (b) of section 657G of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9852c), as so redesignated, is amended to read as follows:

(b) Special rules
(1) Rule of construction regarding curriculum
Nothing in this subchapter shall be construed to authorize a Head Start program or a local educational agency to require the other to select or implement a specific curriculum or program of instruction.
(2) Prohibition on additional eligibility requirements
No child or family shall be determined by the Secretary or a Head Start agency (including an Early Head Start agency) to be ineligible for services provided under this subchapter except on the basis of the eligibility requirements specified under this subchapter.
(3) Nonapplicability for certain programs
Nothing regarding full calendar year requirements in this subchapter shall apply to Native American Head Start programs and migrant and seasonal Head Start programs, consistent with section 642(j)(3).