Head Start NPRM Released: What Programs and Advocates Need to Know
Head Start California

The highly anticipated Head Start NPRM was released last Thursday. In brief, the NPRM removes all of the existing Head Start Program Performance Standards and replaces them with a few short, politically motivated standards.

Instead of evidence-based best practices, the new standards would: 

• Require all classroom instruction be in English only 
• Eliminate evidence-based teacher-child ratio and group size requirements that support classroom quality, safety, and individualized learning.
• Remove key requirements related to serving children with disabilities, raising concerns about equitable access to the services and supports that help children fully participate and thrive alongside their peers.
• Impose new administrative cost caps on local programs that, when combined with years of funding challenges, could force many programs to reduce staffing or services.

OVERVIEW: For a brief overview, see Start Early’s summary here. For more details, watch the August 12 webinar on this Linktree from Start Early. 

PUBLIC COMMENT: Head Start California calls on our fellow advocates to join us in opposing these harmful rules. We urge you and your networks to submit formal comments via the Federal Register before the October 6, 2026 deadline. Resources for commenting will be shared soon. 

CONGRESSIONAL OUTREACH: Congressional outreach is also underway. Mark your calendars for a call in day on Thursday, August 12. For call in materials and regular updates and resources, sign up here for HSC’s NPRM updates. 

TFC SPECIAL HEAD START NEWSLETTER: To support the field during the public comment period, TFC will be compiling relevant updates, action opportunities, and resources into a special newsletter. We’ll work to share and amplify information from Head Start California, federal partners, and other trusted sources to help members stay informed and engaged through the October 6, 2026, public comment deadline.

For additional information and resources directly from federal partners, please scroll down to our Federal Updates section.

Series on Early Childhood and Homeless Education

Transportation for Young Children Experiencing Homelessness: Requirements, Partnerships, and Best Practices

from the CA Head Start Collaboration Office, the California Department of Education, and in partnership with SchoolHouse Connection

Date: Friday, Sept. 11, 2026

Time: 1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. PT

Location: Zoom

Cost: Free

Register

By the end of this webinar, participants will be able to:

• Understand the McKinney-Vento requirements related to transportation for programs serving young children experiencing homelessness.
• Identify strategies for Head Start programs and local educational agencies to partner and to coordinate transportation for young children experiencing homelessness.
• Learn about funding options to support transportation for young children experiencing homelessness.
• Explore examples and promising practices for providing transportation that helps young children access early childhood education.

California State Budget, Legislature & The Capitol

California Budget Updates

To support our field keeping up with budget related information, TFC will host updates and information on our Budget Page. If you have information you would like to have hosted, click here.

Upcoming Budget Hearings

• No upcoming hearings

TFC's Highlighted Bills

SB 902 (Grayson) Childcare: Electronic signatures

Authorizes the use of electronic signatures in child care programs, aligning child care processes with longstanding practices already used in county-administered programs and everyday life.

Status: On consent calendar for the Assembly Appropriations Committee

Click here to sign the SB 902 (Grayson) coalition support letter

• 30+ organizations signed on in support

Click here for a template support letter

• Click here for how to submit a position letter through the Advocacy Portal

Have questions about this bill or the support materials? Please email mckenzie@thrivingfamilies-ca.org

AB 2258 (Ávila Farías) Keeping Dollars in Child Care

Maximizes use of existing child care funds to serve families, ensuring child care dollars that are unspent at the end of a fiscal year are re-directed back to child care programs rather than going back to the General Fund.

Status: Held in the Senate Appropriations Committee. This bill will not be moving forward in the 2024-25 legislative session.

Have questions about this bill or the support materials? Please email mckenzie@thrivingfamilies-ca.org

AB 2314 (Rogers) "The Child Care Stability and Modernization Act"

Maximizes use of existing child care funds to serve families, ensuring dollars are spent efficiently to reduce delays and reach families waiting to receive care.

Status: Passed the Senate Human Services Committee

Click here to sign the AB 2314 coalition support letter

Click here for a template support letter

• Click here for how to submit a position letter through the Advocacy Portal

Have questions about this bill or the support materials? Please email mckenzie@thrivingfamilies-ca.org

SB 1051 (Menjivar) Emergency Child Care Bridge: No Wrong Door

Permits Bridge Navigators to submit referrals to county welfare agencies to approve vouchers for an eligible foster child as another trusted partner and strengthen the original intent of the Bridge program.

Status: Ordered to Assembly Third Reading

Click here for a template support letter

• Click here for how to submit a position letter through the Advocacy Portal

Have questions about this bill or the support materials? Please email JTerry@ccrcca.org.

TFC's Featured Bill of the Week

AB 1981 – The True Cost of Child Care Act

Author: Assemblymember Cecilia Aguiar-Curry

In November 2016, Cecilia Aguiar-Curry was elected to the California Assembly to represent the 4th District, which includes all of Napa, Lake, Yolo, and Colusa Counties and part of Sonoma County.

Cecilia grew up in western Yolo County and has long served her community. After going to school and working in the Bay Area for several years, she moved back to her hometown of Winters, where she almost immediately became active in the local community and a regional leader on several issues. She first served as a planning commissioner, then was elected to the city council, eventually serving as the first female mayor of Winters.


While growing up, Cecilia was surrounded by agriculture. As a youth, she cut apricots in the packing shed and helped her father in the walnut orchards in the area. She is still involved in local agriculture to this day as she and her brothers own an 80-acre walnut orchard.

After earning a degree in business administration from San Jose State University, she launched a consulting firm that specialized in public outreach with government agencies.

As mayor of Winters, Cecilia oversaw improvements in the downtown area and worked to improve local schools, including securing computers for every sixth grader in the city. She also brought broadband internet to rural communities, built senior housing, and helped the area to become an agricultural and food innovation hub for the region.

Important Dates, Deadlines,

Hearings, and Bills

Dates & Deadlines:

• August 14 - Last day for fiscal committees to meet and report bills 
• August 17-31 - Floor Session only. No committee may meet for any purpose except Rules Committee, bills referred pursuant to Assembly Rule 77.2, and Conference Committees.
• August 21 - Last day to amend bills on the floor.
• August 31 - Last day for each house to pass bills. Final recess begins upon adjournment.

Upcoming Hearings for TFC-Tracked Bills:

• None scheduled

Legislative Resources:

• See the tentative 2026-27 Legislative Calendar here.
• Visit TFC's Legislation Page to find a comprehensive list of bills of interest.
• Visit TFC's Budget Page for full budget bill details, as well as budget hearing video archive links.
• Click here to view all the bills that the Assembly and Senate introduced this legislative year.
• Click here to view legislative committee information, rules, and position letter deadlines.

Upcoming Training: 
"Immigrant Rights in Child Care Programs"

The Child Care Law Center has been hosting a training that goes over immigration laws and policies, immigrants’ rights, best practices in child care programs, and resources to support families and child care providers in asserting their rights throughout August.

The next opportunity to participate is on Aug.18th at 6:30 -7:30 p.m. PST via Zoom, with Russian interpretation included. 


While the information is directed toward child care providers, other stakeholders who are interested in staying informed on this topic are welcome.

Sign Up Here

Link to flyers below:

English

Spanish

Simplified Chinese

Russian

Did You Know?

Child Care Q&A's

NOTE: If you have a question you would like answered or researched, please email.

Question: How can advocates submit a public comment for a proposed federal rule?

Answer: When a federal agency publishes a proposed rule, it is generally posted on Regulations.gov, where the public can review the proposal and submit comments. Advocates can search for the rule by its title or Regulatory Information Number (RIN), review the proposed changes and supporting documents, and select “Comment” to submit feedback. Effective comments are most useful when they identify specific provisions, explain how the proposed rule would affect families, providers, or programs, and provide concrete examples or recommendations. Advocates should also be sure to submit comments before the stated deadline, which is listed on the rule’s Regulations.gov page. Here is a visual step-by-step guide.

Federal Update

Updates on CCDF and Federal Proposed Rules Posted to TFC's Webpage

Click here to be directed to our website page that will be continually updated with the latest news.

• Head Start Notice of Proposed Rulemaking - Published August 6, 2026

Upcoming CCDF State Plan Input Sessions

The California Department of Social Services (CDSS) is preparing California’s 2028–2030 Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) State Plan, which outlines how California will administer federal child care funding and programs over the next three years. As part of the development process, CDSS is holding regional input sessions to gather feedback from community partners on various sections of the State Plan.

As the State Plan develops, TFC will create a shared document for members to provide comments and input so we can be intentional and strategic about where the field should weigh in, including where federal waivers may be appropriate. We will also keep the field updated as the process moves forward and share opportunities for engagement.

Federal Update

Click here to read the most recent weekly federal update from the National Women's Law Center.

US Congress Update

Congress is on August recess.

Recently, Rep. Bonamici (D-OR) introduced the Daycare Not Detentions Act to redirect $70 billion of funding for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and U.S. Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) to federal child care programs.

A year ago, Republicans passed H.R.1 and gave the Department of Homeland Security $170.7 billion for immigration enforcement. We have seen how that funding has been used to carry out mass deportations, terrorize communities, and incarcerate thousands of people, many with no criminal records, in detention centers. Earlier this year, instead of lowering costs or improving public safety or the lives of American families, Republicans gave an additional $70 billion of funding to ICE and CBP. 

“It’s shameful that the Trump administration and their allies in Congress are spending billions of dollars on ICE and CBP to tear apart and terrorize families,” said Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici. “Communities will be much safer and stronger if we instead made a generational investment in children and redirect this funding to federal programs that provide care and education for our youngest learners. I will continue doing all I can to fight against funding for dangerous immigration enforcement and advocate for our nation’s children and a brighter future.”

The Daycare Not Detentions Act would provide needed funding to support access to the following early childhood programs:

• $25.5 billion for the Child Care and Development Block Grant (nearly triple current funding);
• $20 billion for the Child Care Entitlement to States (double current funding);
• $24 billion for Head Start (double current funding); and
• $500 million for the Preschool Development Block Grant (nearly double current funding).

The text of the Daycare Not Detentions Act can be read here. 

More: Bonamici Introduces Legislation to Redirect $70B from ICE, CBP to Child Care | Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici 

We continue to urge Congress to invest more than the $10 million increase in CCDBG and Head Start that the House proposed for FY27. More: House Republican 2027 Funding Bills Fall Far Short of What Is Needed to Help Families, Support Core Services | Center on Budget and Policy Priorities 

***

Administration Update (as previously reported)

Trump Admin’s New Head Start Rule Would Advance Its Long-Term Goal of Eliminating Program

The Trump administration proposed rolling back vital Head Start quality and safety standards, taking another step toward the Project 2025 goal of fully abolishing the early education program. 

The proposal — the latest in the administration’s sustained campaign to undermine Head Start — would reduce the number of Head Start teachers, weaken staff and teacher credentials, eliminate health and mental health services, and reduce supports and services for children with disabilities and developmental needs. 

“This proposed rule would eliminate Head Start’s high standards, potentially putting the early learning, health, and safety of our youngest children at risk, and placing the future of the entire program in jeopardy,” said Whitney Pesek, senior director of federal child care policy at the National Women’s Law Center. 

“The administration’s attacks on Head Start are not random. They are part of a coordinated campaign to advance the goals of Project 2025, which seeks to abuse executive power to push women out of public life. For more than 60 years, Head Start has provided foundational early education to millions of our most vulnerable families, giving children the foundation to succeed. It also provides support to help parents, including many mothers, get jobs and remain in the workforce. We will not stand by while this administration tries to dismantle one of our nation’s most successful investments in children and families.”

⇒ Take Action: 

• NEW: MomsRising’s Protect Head Start Call-In Line Social Media Toolkit - Google Docs 
• UPDATED: Protecting Head Start's Future | Linktree (Start Early)
• Head Start NPRM key takeaways - Google Docs (Start Early)
• NEW: A Simple Guide to Submitting a Public Comment (Start Early)
• NEW: Proposed Head Start Rule Eliminates Critical Protections for Children Experiencing Homelessness 
• NEW: What’s in the Trump Administration’s New Head Start Rule? - New America 
• Lowering the Bar: An Analysis of How Replacing Head Start Standards with State Child Care Licensing Weakens Early Learning Across the United States | The Children's Equity Project 
• The race to the bottom: What replacing Head Start ratios standards with state child care minimums will mean for children in poverty | National Institute for Early Education Research 

We’ll also be sharing joint template comments, a comment portal, TPs, and additional materials on an ongoing basis. A sign-on is also forthcoming.

More statements:

• Head Start Proposed Rule Would Weaken the Program’s Core Foundation Under the Guise of “Modernization” | CLASP 
• Trump Attack On Head Start Is An Attack On Our Children, Our Families, Our Future | MomsRising 
• NAFCC Statement on Proposed Changes to the Head Start Program – National Association for Family Child Care 
• NAEYC Statement on Administration’s Proposal Weakening Head Start | NAEYC 
• Start Early Opposes Proposed Changes to Head Start 
• Civil Rights and Disability Organizations’ Joint Statement in Opposition to Administration Efforts to Dismantle Head Start - EdTrust 
• Early Childhood Leaders Sound the Alarm: Babies Can’t Afford Weaker Head Start Standards | ZERO TO THREE 
• Statement on proposed Head Start deregulation from NIEER Director Steven Barnett | National Institute for Early Education Research 
• Senator Murray Slams Trump’s Latest Attack on Head Start, Calls on Teachers and Parents to Protect the Program - Senator Patty Murray 
• WATCH PRESS CONFERENCE HERE, DOWNLOAD HERE 

HHS Press Release: https://www.hhs.gov/press-room/acf-proposes-head-start-reforms-expand-access.html

Federal Register notice (60-day comment period, due October 6th): https://public-inspection.federalregister.gov/2026-16134.pdf

HHS also published a new information memo for programs seeking enrollment reductions: https://headstart.gov/policy/im/acf-ohs-im-26-01

***

Fraud Narrative

Resources:

• What Congress Gets Wrong About Child Care Fraud | UnidosUS 
• Why the Alleged Fraud Narrative is Detrimental to Child Care Programs, Educators, and Families | NAEYC 
• Child Care Fraud Is a False Narrative | Home Grown Child Care 
• TPs on CCDF Accountability Measures & Fraud Claims (NWLC)
• Spring 2026 Message Guidance for Attacks on Child Care (CCEFN)
• Program Integrity and Accountability in the Child Care and Development Fund Program | CLASP 
• Attacks on Somali Communities and Fraud Claims Fact Sheet (CLASP, NILC, ACT)
• 
  

Most Viewed Bills of the Week

1. H.R.6509 [119th] SAFE Drugs Act of 2025
2. H.R.3633 [119th] Digital Asset Market Clarity Act
3. S.2296 [119th] National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026
4. H.R.22 [119th] SAVE Act
5. H.R.1 [119th] An act to provide for reconciliation pursuant to title II of H. Con. Res. 14.
6. H.R.8800 [119th] National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2027
7. S.4668 [119th] Protect College Sports Act of 2026
8. H.R.6500 [119th] Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2027
9. S.Res.817 [119th] An executive resolution authorizing the en bloc consideration in Executive Session of certain nominations on the Executive Calendar.
10. S.5025 [119th] Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia Act of 2026

R&R Network and Thriving Families CA Foundation 2026 Joint Annual Conference

2026 Conference

Save the Date and join your peers for an amazing 2026 Joint Conference!

After thoughtful consideration and reflection on participant and committee feedback, we will be moving to a 100% in-person format for 2026, rather than offering a hybrid option as in previous years. In-person gatherings continue to provide the highest levels of engagement, connection, and overall satisfaction—and we want to ensure the best possible experience for all attendees.


Registration Now Open!

 An email was sent to your agency's ED/CEO, AP Contact and R&R Contact on June 15th from TFC and Network staff with more information on how to register. Once again, there will be a cap on in-person attendance. This approach ensures a fair and equitable opportunity for participation across the memberships and allows agencies of all sizes to be represented. If you are needing the registration link again, please let us know.

Exhibitor and Sponsor Information- Now Available!

There are a variety of ways to sponsor The Joint Conference or show your support. Whether you are interested in one of our many sponsorship opportunities, purchasing ad space in the Conference program or hosting an exhibit booth to showcase new products or launch promotions, there will be ample opportunity for your company to be recognized as a contributor to the early learning and child care field and for you to build visibility and connect with senior management and key decision makers.

See the Exhibitor and Sponsor Packet Here.

Visit the Conference Webpage for more information as it becomes available.

CDSS & CDE Upcoming Events

Reminder: CCDD Monthly Contractor Meeting – Thursday, August 20th, 10am - 11am

Greetings Child Care and Development Contractors,

The California Department of Social Services (CDSS) Child Care & Development Division (CCDD) will host the next CCDD Contractor Meeting on Thursday, August 20th, 2026, from 10:00am to 11:30 a.m. This meeting series is open to CCDD contractors only. The tentative agenda is provided below.

August 2026 Agenda:

Standing Updates

• Child Development Management Information System (CDMIS)
• Child Care Resource and Referral Program
• Child and Adult Care Food Program 
• Program Quality and Improvement​ Branch
• Multilingual Learners & Inclusion 
• Fiscal 
• Funding Application Unit
• Voluntary Temporary Transfer of Funds Process
• Community Care Licensing 
• Policy and Guidance


Please use this Zoom link to register for the meeting.

These meetings will be closed-captioned. The August 2026 presentation slides will be sent out after the meeting. 

RELEASED August 6, 2026: PIN 26-11-CCLD: GUARDIAN TRAINING WEBINAR FOR LICENSEES AND PROVIDERS

CCLD has released a new Provider Information Notice (PIN), PIN 26-11-CCLD: GUARDIAN TRAINING WEBINAR FOR LICENSEES AND PROVIDERS to CCLD Staff.

Primary Audience:

ALL CCLD FACILITY LICENSEES AND PROVIDERS

Program Summary: PIN 26-11-CCLD announces a Guardian webinar for all providers on August 20, 2026, from 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM.

An electronic copy of PIN 26-11-CCLD: GUARDIAN TRAINING WEBINAR FOR LICENSEES AND PROVIDERS, is available for viewing/downloading by clicking on the following link:

PIN 26-11-CCLD: GUARDIAN TRAINING WEBINAR FOR LICENSEES AND PROVIDERS

Previous PINs are available at the CCLD website.

SAVE THE DATES: 2028-30 CCDF State Plan Input Session

Dear California Department of Social Services (CDSS) Child Care and Development Division (CCDD) Community Members, 

This email serves as a save the date for the first three upcoming input sessions for the development of the 2028-2030 Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) State Plan. The goal of these input sessions is to gather regional community input from our partners on various topical sections of the 2028-2030 CCDF State Plan.  

CCDF State Plan Input Sessions: 

• Thursday, September 3, 2026, 10am-12:30pm (in-person) 
  Los Angeles County of Education: 10100 Pioneer Blvd Ste 325,  
  Santa Fe Springs, CA 90670 

Thank you for your interest in participating in these input sessions. Future listserv announcements like this will be sent out with more information about future sessions in August, September and October, once locations are secured in other regions of the state. The future sessions will be either in-person or virtual.  

CDSS & CDE Information & Updates

RELEASED July 16, 2026: Child Care Bulletin (CCB) 26-19: California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids Child Care Reimbursement Report (CCP 2145) Automation

The California Department of Social Services (CDSS) Child Care and Development Division (CCDD) has recently published the following document: Child Care Bulletin (CCB) 26-19: The California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids (CalWORKs) Stage One Child Care Reimbursement Report (CCP 2145) Automation

This Child Care Bulletin (CCB) provides counties and child care and development contractors with instructions and information regarding automation of the California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids (CalWORKs) Stage One Child Care Reimbursement Report (CCP 2145) within the California State Automated Welfare System (CalSAWS) Child Care Portal as pursuant to Assembly Bill (AB) 121 (Chapter 414, Statutes of 2019) and Senate Bill (SB) 80 (Chapter 27, Statutes of 2019).

If you are a Stage One Child Care Program administrator and have any questions regarding the information in this letter, contact the County Child Care Program Operations Section at stageonechildcare@dss.ca.gov.

CDSS Quarterly Achievements At-A-Glance: April – June 2026

As we look back on the second quarter of 2026, I want to thank each of you for your continued dedication to supporting Californians.

Across the California Department of Social Services (CDSS), teams worked diligently on a variety of projects that uplift our mission to serve, protect, and support the people of California experiencing needs in ways that empower wellbeing and disrupt systemic inequities.

As just a few examples, in the second quarter, we launched the third year of the SUN Bucks Food Program, which provides eligible families with $120 per child in food benefits while children are on summer break and without access to free school meals. Also, the American Public Human Services Association honored California for its innovative work in implementing the nation’s first chip-and tap-system for Electronic Benefit Transfer cards. In addition, members of Functional Assessment Service Team supported shelters in Orange County to assist people who evacuated due to a hazardous materials incident in Garden Grove. 

As we progress into the second half of the year, I look forward to continuing to carry out our mission in collaboration with you and our partners.

Access the Quarterly Achievements April – June 2026.

With Respect,

Jennifer Troia

Director

California Department of Social Services

RELEASED August 5, 2026: PIN 26-10-CCLD: COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION PUBLIC PORTAL

CCLD has released a new Provider Information Notice (PIN), PIN 26-10-CCLD: COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION PUBLIC PORTAL to CCLD Staff.

Primary Audience:

ALL COMMUNITY CARE LICENSED CARE FACILITIES AND PROVIDERS

ALL HOME CARE ORGANIZATIONS AND HOME CARE AIDES

ALL CERTIFIED ADMINISTRATORS (PROSPECTIVE AND CURRENT) AND ADMINISTRATOR CERTIFICATION PROGRAM TRAINING VENDORS

Program Summary:

The purpose of this PIN 26-10-CCLD is to provide information about the Community Care Licensing Division Public Portal project and a new project web page.

An electronic copy PIN 26-10-CCLD: COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION PUBLIC PORTAL, is available for viewing/downloading by clicking on the following link:

PIN 26-10-CCLD: COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION PUBLIC PORTAL

Previous PINs are available at the CCLD website.

On Our Reading List

Social Media Spotlight

Follow TFC on social media!

We would love for you to tag us in your posts and use the hashtag #TFC2026

Information & Updates

Happening This Week, August 17 - 21, 2026: 


Monday, August 17th:

• TFC 2026 Annual Board of Director's Retreat- South Lake Tahoe
  

Tuesday, August 18th:

• TFC 2026 Annual Board of Director's Retreat- South Lake Tahoe
  

Thursday, August 20th:

• TFC Membership Committee Meeting @ 9:00am
• Child Care Development Division Contractor Meeting @ 10:00am. Register Here.
• PIN 26-11-CCLD: GUARDIAN TRAINING WEBINAR FOR LICENSEES AND PROVIDERS. 11:00am-12:00pm. Join Webinar Here.

Thriving Families CA Foundation is committed to supporting our field with a coordinated calendar. Click here to see our current calendar of events. If you have an event to add, email us and it will be added.

The Weekly Good

An uplifting way to start the week, for those of us who need a break from the chaos that is our lives.

During this time where we are all stressed, it would be great to celebrate the positive. Each week we will celebrate everyday heroes, inspiring movements and great things happening in our field.