Schumer Stands with New York Centers Against Proposed Federal Changes to Head Start That Threaten Programs Serving Roughly 40,000 New York Children

New York Providers Warn That Federal Changes Could Weaken Head Start Programs And Put Essential Services For Families At Risk Schumer Leads Senate Democrats Against Changes That Could Lower Head Start Quality Standards And Hurt New York Families Schumer: Head Start Is Under Attack. We Must Protect It. After a new federal proposal was released earlier this summer that threatens Head Start programs in New York and across the country, U.S. Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer today rallied against the proposed rule with the support of providers from across Upstate New York. Schumer explained the proposed rule would dismantle Head Start by gutting quality standards that ensure that America’s most vulnerable children and families have access to educational programs, medical and dental exams, developmental screenings, and nutrition services. In New York, it is estimated that the proposed rule could lead to 2,854 jobs lost, result in a $12.68 million decline in funding for health services for children and families, and force families to pay $862 more per child for additional childcare. “Roughly 40,000 children in New York benefit from access to Head Start and the early childhood education and comprehensive services it provides families. The proposed changes by the administration threaten the quality of these programs and put essential services at risk. From eliminating math and literacy requirements, to rolling back health services and developmental screenings, and reducing the allowable cap on administrative costs, the gutting of Head Start will hurt hundreds of thousands of children across the country. From DOGE to healthcare, the tendency to cut and gut, rather than to boost and build is sadly reflective of this administration’s misguided approach to governing in general,” said Senator Schumer. “That is why I’m leading Senate Democrats in the fight to stand up against this effort that undercuts Head Start and undercuts our children and makes hardworking families pay the price. We must protect Head Start and invest in New York families.” Earlier this summer, the Trump administration released a new proposal that would gut federal performance standards for Head Start. The proposed rule would eliminate federal requirements that ensure low-income families have access to school readiness resources for children from birth to age five, including, but not limited to: Eliminating staff-to-child ratios. The proposed rule eliminates federal group size and staff-to-child ratios, meaning that Head Start staff may be expected to care for up to 32% more children. Significantly reducing program hours. The proposed rule reduces the number of hours that Head Start programs are required to operate, meaning that families will be forced to find care elsewhere and spend $862 more annually per child on care. Removing requirements to provide comprehensive health care services and developmental screenings. The proposed rule removes requirements around connecting children and families with health, mental health, dental, visions, screenings, and other related support services, forcing families to find these services elsewhere and pay higher prices. Lowering the allowable cap on administrative costs from 15% to 5%. The proposed rule lowers the allowable cap that programs can spend on administrative costs from 15% to 5%, meaning that programs will be forced to bring their administrative costs (staff salary and benefits, auditing, accounting, human resources, etc.) down to 5% of their grant amount. Many programs will be forced to institute layoffs and pay cuts, and some programs may no longer find it finally viable to operate, especially small and rural programs. Head Start experts say the proposed changes would weaken the quality of Head Starts services and undermine early childhood education. Currently, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), which runs Head Start programs, is holding a 60-day comment period for its proposed rule. An initial analysis based on HHS data estimate that nationally, the proposed rule means that nearly 40,000 Head Start jobs could be cut, Head Start staff could experience a 6-9% pay cut even while being expected to care for up to 32% more children, and healthcare services for children and families could be reduced by up to $167 million annually. The senator announced he will continue to lead Senate Democrats in the fight to stand up against the proposed changes to Head Start, programs that serve approximately 40,000 children in New York and over 685,000 children nationally every year. The senator said maintaining high-quality standards for Head Start programs is essential for the success of kids in New York and across the country. Schumer’s leadership has garnered the support of providers serving children across Upstate New York. In the Capital Region , there are concerns that the federal requirements could create inconsistent quality and protections across Head Start programs, resulting in different implementation standards. The Fulmont Head Start Program, which is funded to serve 182 three- and four-year-old children every year, served 213 children and families last year. "Head Start standards are not just paperwork or regulations—they are the promise that every child, no matter their ZIP code, deserves a strong start in life. We can reduce unnecessary bureaucracy without lowering the floor of quality that families depend on. That’s why this NPRM matters: the choices we make today will shape the quality, consistency, and access of Head Start for children and families for years to come. Thank you, Senator Schumer, for taking the time to focus on this important issue and for standing up for the children, families, and communities who rely on Head Start. Your leadership and willingness to engage on this issue truly matter. We appreciate your commitment to making sure that every child has the opportunity for a strong start," said Denis Wilson, Sr., Executive Director/CEO of Fulmont Community Action Agency. In Western New York, federal funding reductions have already resulted in cuts, including the loss of jobs and available Head Start slots. “Community Action Organization of WNY’s Head Start and Early Head Start programs are far more than childcare; they are a comprehensive system of education, health, mental health, nutrition, disability, workforce, and family-stability services. CAO serves more than 1,000 children and families in Erie and Niagara counties. The proposed federal cuts and the removal of key Head Start requirements would significantly weaken our program quality, reduce safety and eliminate the individualized comprehensive support services, which are all the hallmark of Head Start. Head Start programs are a proven community investment that strengthens children, families, and the local workforce while promoting long-term stability. Almost 200 slots for children with disabilities would be eliminated. If enacted, cuts will absolutely force us to lay off staff, close classrooms and sites, thereby decreasing access to early childhood education in communities already facing childcare shortages. These proposed cuts are simply unconscionable: they are harmful to children, families, and communities. CAO of WNY is grateful for the continued leadership of Senator Schumer in advocating on the behalf of Head Start and the children, families and communities they serve,” said Dr. Marie Cannon, President and CEO of Community Action Organization of Western New York. "Head Start is far more than a preschool program. It provides children and families with comprehensive services that support school readiness, health, nutrition, developmental screenings, and family stability. At Community Action of Orleans & Genesee, we see every day how these services change lives and strengthen communities. While there is significant discussion about increasing Head Start enrollment, policymakers must recognize the realities facing families in states like New York. A parent working full-time at New York's minimum wage can earn above the federal poverty guidelines used to determine Head Start eligibility, even while struggling to afford housing, childcare, transportation, and basic necessities. If the goal is to serve more children, eligibility standards must better reflect the true cost of living families face today. At the same time, proposals that weaken quality standards and drastically reduce allowable administrative costs would undermine the very elements that make Head Start effective. Our agency is already grappling with a federally imposed $912,000 Head Start funding reduction that has forced painful cuts, including the loss of valued employees. It also reduced our available Head Start slots from 244 to 194. Further weakening the program through the proposed rule would jeopardize services for vulnerable children and families across rural communities like ours. We are grateful to Senator Schumer for his continued leadership in protecting Head Start and advocating for policies that strengthen, rather than diminish, opportunities for children and families,” said Renee M. Hungerford, Executive Director/CEO, Community Action of Orleans & Genesee. In Rochester , there are concerns that changes could compromise program quality and the well-being of families. Last year, Action for a Better Community enrolled 624 children in Head Start and Early Head Start programs. “As CEO of Action for a Better Community, I am in agreement with Senator Schumer and all other elected officials who oppose the proposed Head Start rule changes. Increasing class sizes, lowering teacher qualification standards, eliminating funding for essential medical screenings, and slashing allowable administrative costs from 15% to 5% would weaken a program that is foundational to children and families in Rochester. The current performance standards should be the floor for improvement, not the ceiling. We fully support strengthening Head Start, but never at the expense of program quality or the well being of the children and families we serve,” said Jerome H. Underwood, CCAP, President & CEO, Action for a Better Community. In Central New York , Head Start providers from Syracuse to Cortland are speaking out about the damage this proposed rule could inflict on everything from program operations, outcomes, and financial viability to the health, safety, and well-being of vulnerable children and families in local communities. Last year, the People’s Equal Action and Community Effort (PEACE) and the Cortland County Community Action Program (CAPCO) collectively served more than 1,000 Head Start and Early Head Start children and families across the region. “Like others, we have been closely following the proposed adjustments to Head Start Program Performance Standards. Our core criterion for evaluating reforms that streamline administrative processes is that fewer rules cannot mean fewer results. Head Start makes the same promise to every family: that their child will be safe, healthy, and ready for school - wherever they live. All reforms must align with that promise. Regulatory changes that affect performance standards or administrative expenses must not impede PEACE, Inc.'s ability to serve more than 918 Head Start children and families in the Central New York region. We appreciate Senator Schumer’s advocacy for Head Start, its mission, and its communities,” said Carolyn D. Brown, Executive Director, People’s Equal Action and Community Effort, Inc. “CAPCO stands firmly with Senator Schumer and our fellow Head Start agencies across NY State in opposition to the proposed Reducing Federal Burden for Head Start Programs rule. A core strength of Head Start is that children and families, regardless of geography, are guaranteed access to a comprehensive and evidence-based model that addresses school readiness, health, nutrition, disabilities, and family well-being. If adopted, the proposed rule would significantly weaken federal standards that have long ensured consistent, high-quality Head Start and Early Head Start services nationwide, and that have long operated as essential safeguards for child health and safety, educational quality, and family support in Cortland County and across Central NY. Equally concerning, the proposed 5% administrative cost limit is unrealistically low for most, if not all, Head Start and Early Head Start grantees, including CAPCO. Imposing such a restrictive cap would force grantees to divert resources away from program governance, fiscal oversight, enrollment management, data systems, audit and reporting obligations, and other key infrastructure needed to operate high-quality Head Start programs. Rather than strengthening local programs, this approach would gradually erode agencies operational capacity, make compliance with federal requirements financially unsustainable for many, and ultimately risk dismantling the Head Start system through financial attrition. CAPCO is grateful to Senator Schumer for stepping up to fight for Head Start providers like us, and we join him in urging the Administration to preserve the strong federal performance standards that vulnerable children and families in our community depend upon,” said Greg Richards, Executive Director, Cortland County Community Action Program, Inc. In the Southern Tier , there are increasing concerns that the proposed changes may create unintended consequences for program quality, fiscal stability, workforce capacity, child and family access, and accountability. Last year, Pro Action of Steuben and Yates, Inc. enrolled 340 children and Opportunities for Otsego enrolled 229 children in Head Start programs. “Head Start is not simply a program—it is a promise to children and families that opportunity should not depend on income, geography, or circumstance. At Pro Action of Steuben and Yates, we see every day how Head Start and Early Head Start provide far more than early learning. These programs support school readiness, health and developmental screenings, nutrition, family engagement, and the stability parents need to work, learn, and build a stronger future for their children. While we support efforts to reduce unnecessary bureaucracy, that cannot come at the expense of the quality, safety, and comprehensive services that make Head Start effective. Proposals that increase class sizes, weaken staff qualification standards, reduce access to essential screenings and supports, or drastically limit allowable administrative costs would place significant strain on programs—especially in rural communities where families already face barriers related to transportation, workforce shortages, housing, and access to care. The current Head Start Program Performance Standards should be strengthened as a floor for quality, not lowered in a way that puts children and families at risk. We are grateful to Senator Schumer for his leadership, for listening to providers and families, and for standing up for the children, families, and communities who rely on Head Start. His willingness to engage on this issue matters deeply, and we appreciate his commitment to ensuring every child has the opportunity for a strong start,” said Laura Rossman, CEO / Executive Director of Pro Action of Steuben and Yates, Inc. “While Opportunities for Otsego supports efforts to reduce burdensome and duplicative regulations, it cannot come at the expense of providing quality early childhood education programming for the children and families we serve. The proposed Head Start Performance Standard revisions undermine the core components of comprehensive services that are the foundation of Head Start. The change in the allowable administrative costs, elimination of imperative dental and health requirements, lower teacher ratios coupled with increased class size, and changes to staff qualifications will significantly impact staff retention and the quality of services that we currently offer. The reality is that we transport families over 1.5 hours to get dental services due to lack of providers in our area, get children back on track with their immunization schedules, provide two thirds of a child’s nutrition while in program, provide necessary transportation to access services in our rural county, make referrals for early intervention services and work closely with school districts to transition those services when they enter kindergarten all while providing education with evidence based curriculum that is cross walked with the New York State education system. We are charged with serving the most vulnerable populations in a fiscally responsible and data driven way and the proposed revisions will devastate our ability to employ quality staff, continue to support families holistically, and will certainly impact outcomes of this valuable program that assists families and fosters success by giving them a head start. We applaud Senator Schumer’s efforts on this issue,” said Tanya Shalor, Chief Executive Officer of Opportunities for Otsego . In the Hudson Valley , there are concerns about larger class sizes, reducing staff qualification standards, and providing less federal support. Head Start of Rockland County services more than 1,000 children and families and aims to ensure they can continue delivering the support needed to help children in the community. “Head Start of Rockland, Inc. is deeply concerned about proposed changes to the Head Start Program Performance Standards including larger class sizes, reduced staff qualification standards, and a smaller administrative cap. The more than 1,000 children in Rockland County we serve should not receive a lesser standard of education, care, health, or safety because federal requirements change. We should be strengthening the standard for the next generation by investing in the systems, professionals, and services necessary to help children thrive—not lowering the expectations that will shape our communities and our nation for generations to come,” said Vernex Harding, Executive Director of the Head Start of Rockland. Schumer has long led the fight to protect Head Start in New York State. In the FY24 budget, when the Democrats held the Senate and as the then-Senate Majority Leader, Schumer secured a $275 million increase for Head Start, totaling $12.3 billion for Head Start. Earlier in the Trump administration, Schumer fought to ensure Head Start programs would receive payments amid the federal funding freeze so they could continue their essential services in rural and underserved communities. Schumer has also fought against the Trump administration’s efforts to eliminate Head Start altogether, illegally withhold the nearly $1 billion in federal funding for Head Start, and the decision to shutter the Region 2 Head Start Office serving more than 100,000 children and families across New York, New Jersey, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Additionally, Schumer secured an $85 million increase for Head Start, totaling $12.357 billion, in the most recent FY26 federal budget. ###