Skip to main content


U.S. flag
      An official website of the United States government
              Here’s how you know
        Here’s how you knowDot gov**Official websites use .gov**
                 A **.gov** website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.
                  HTTPS**Secure .gov websites use HTTPS**
                 A **lock** (A locked padlock) or **https://** means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. 
  Menu Close
          Enter the terms you wish to search for.
    Search
        








  
  
    

  
      

                                      About HHS
    
                        
                              
      
      
      Programs & Services
    
                        
                              
      
      
      Grants & Contracts
    
                        
                              
      
      
      Laws & Regulations Breadcrumb
    Home
                              About
                              News
                              Biden-Harris Administration Announces Two Head Start Changes to Serve More Children in Tribal Communities and Children of Agricultural Workers
 Navigate to:
  News
    
                                    
                                            
            
      
      
      
      Blog
    
                                    
                                            
            
      
      
      
      HHS Live
    
                                    
                                            
            
      
      
      
      Podcasts
    
                                    
                                            
            
      
      
      
      Media Guidelines for HHS EmployeesText resize icon

                    




**FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 29, 2024**

        **Contact: 
                                    HHS Press Office**
          202-690-6343media@hhs.gov

          Biden-Harris Administration Announces Two Head Start Changes to Serve More Children in Tribal Communities and Children of Agricultural Workers
    
    

      On March 23, 2024, President Biden signed into law provisions giving Head Start programs additional flexibility to serve children in Tribal communities and children of farmworkers. Both of these new provisions ensure Head Start programs can more effectively serve the families for whom they were designed. First, Tribally run Head Start programs will be able to prioritize enrolling children from the Tribe, or who live with Tribal members, regardless of family income. This change will allow Tribal Head Start Programs—which are a precious source of child care and Native language preservation in hundreds of Native communities—to grow to meet the existing demand in their communities without losing federal funding eligibility. In addition, any child who has at least one family member primarily engaged in agricultural employment is now eligible for Migrant and Seasonal Head Start.

“The Biden-Harris Administration fought for these important changes alongside many Tribal Nations, agricultural community members, and program administrators,” said U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra. “We are grateful to these leaders for raising this important issue and working with us to see it become law. We will work closely with our Tribal partners and with community organizations supporting farmworkers and their families to implement these important changes.”

The change to Tribal Head Start requirements is designed to strengthen the nation-to-nation relationship between the federal government and Tribal Nations and ensure that Tribes have flexibility and decision-making power to determine how they deliver services in their communities. This aligns with the Executive Order on Reforming Federal Funding and Support for Tribal Nations to Better Embrace Our Trust Responsibilities and Promote the Next Era of Tribal Self-Determination, signed by President Biden on December 6, 2023.

The Migrant and Seasonal Head Start program serves children of farmworker families. The program is designed around the unique needs of families that change geographic locations for agricultural work or engage in seasonal agricultural labor. Its design includes elements vital to farmworkers with young children, such as months of service scheduled around harvest seasons, longer operating hours and weeks to accommodate families working in the fields, and dual language services.

“These policy changes will better target Head Start services to children in Tribal communities and children of farmworkers,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary, performing the delegable duties of the Assistant Secretary of the Administration for Children and Families (ACF), Jeff Hild. “ACF is committed to ensuring that children of Tribal Nations, Native communities and migrant and seasonal workers, including farmworkers, obtain the early education and comprehensive services offered in Head Start.”

“This flexibility in Tribal Head Start will increase the number of children in Tribal communities that engage in Native language and culture during their formative years,” said Khari Garvin, Director of the Office of Head Start. “Moreover, this change to Migrant and Seasonal Head Start will ensure that the program can focus on its mission of serving children of farmworkers and providing them with a safe and healthy learning environment.”

The Administration for Native Americans Commissioner Patrice Kunesh added, “As a parent whose children attended Head Start programs, I know how important it is to families and communities that children are cared for and educated in a positive and encouraging learning environment where culture, language, and traditions are respected.”

The new policies are effective immediately. ACF will issue policy guidance for programs to support swift implementation.

Find out more about Head Start eligibility on the ACF website at https://www.acf.hhs.gov/ohs.
  

    ###
    Note: All HHS press releases, fact sheets and other news materials are available at https://www.hhs.gov/news.Like HHS on Facebook, follow HHS on Twitter @HHSgov, and sign up for HHS Email Updates.Last revised: March 29, 2024

  
  
  







  Sign Up for Email Updates

Receive the latest updates from the Secretary, Blogs, and News Releases

Sign Up







  Subscribe to RSS
    

      Receive latest updates







  Related News Releases
    

      HHS Delivers Strategic Framework for National Plan on Aging
  

Biden-Harris Administration Announces Maternal Mental Health Task Force’s National Strategy to Improve Maternal Mental Health Care Amid Urgent Public Health Crisis
  

Biden-Harris Administration Finalizes Rule Expanding Public Agencies Ability to Fund Legal Representation on Behalf of Families Involved in Child Welfare







  Related Blog Posts
    

      Aspiring Leaders Inspire at HHS Children and Youth Resilience Summit
  

Newborn Supply Kit Shows Promising Early Results
  

HHS Announces $350,000 for Innovative, Community-Led Solutions to Promote Resilience in Children and Youth

                    
  


Media Inquiries

For general media inquiries, please contact media@hhs.gov.







  Content created by Administration for Children and Families (ACF) Content last reviewed March 29, 2024 Back to top
    Contact HHS
    
                        
                                            
      
      
      Careers
    
                        
                                            
      
      
      HHS FAQs
    
                        
                                            
      
      
      Nondiscrimination NoticeHHS Archive
    
                        
                                            
      
      
      Accessibility Statement
    
                        
                                            
      
      
      Privacy Policy
    
                        
                                            
      
      
      Viewers & PlayersBudget/Performance
    
                        
                                            
      
      
      Inspector General
    
                        
                                            
      
      
      Web Site Disclaimers
    
                        
                                            
      
      
      EEO/No Fear ActFOIA
    
                        
                                            
      
      
      The White House
    
                        
                                            
      
      
      USA.gov
    
                        
                                            
      
      
      Vulnerability Disclosure Policy
        Sign Up for Email Updates

Receive the latest updates from the Secretary, Blogs, and News Releases.

Sign Up
  HHS Headquarters
          200 Independence Avenue, S.W.
                  Washington, D.C. 20201
                  Toll Free Call Center: 1-877-696-6775​