Head Start for America's Children Act

Key Points

• This bill would significantly raise pay for Head Start teachers and staff. Starting in 2026, the minimum base salary for educational staff would be $60,000 a year. The goal is to make sure these teachers earn as much as local elementary school teachers with similar experience, helping programs attract and keep qualified workers.
• More families would qualify for free preschool and support services. The bill opens the program to families earning up to 60% of their state’s median income. It also makes children of Head Start employees, children in foster or kinship care, and children with disabilities automatically eligible for the program.
• Most Head Start programs would be required to offer services all year long instead of just during the school year. By late 2027, programs must provide at least 1,380 hours of service per year. This change is designed to better support working parents who need reliable childcare throughout the entire year.
• The policy adds a major focus on mental health for children, their families, and the staff. It requires regular mental health screenings for kids and provides more support for teachers. It also sets strict rules to limit the use of physical restraints and bans the practice of isolating children in locked rooms.
• To pay for these changes, the bill authorizes $144.8 billion for the first year. It also creates new grants to help Head Start programs partner with colleges to help student parents and with local childcare centers to improve the quality of care in the community.