Head Start supports school readiness for children from birth to age 5, including free childcare, nutrition assistance, health screenings, and resources for pregnant women. It’s serving 42,997 people across New York State this year, including thousands of homeless families.
On July 10, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced a policy change to the federal Head Start program that would exclude undocumented immigrant children from enrollment.
The proposal would rescind a 1998 Clinton-era interpretation of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act (PRWORA). It allowed certain children without legal immigration status to access services that were not considered “federal public benefits,” but rather part of the government’s school readiness education program.
The rules are expected to take effect after publication in the Federal Register on Aug. 13, following a 30-day public comment period…