Raleigh -- October 5, 2026: Governor Josh Stein has formally called on the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to preserve established safeguards for Head Start programs as federal regulators weigh substantial policy revisions.
In an official letter addressed to HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy and Assistant Secretary for Children and Families Alex Adams, Stein urged the agency to retain research- and evidence-based standards that govern early education quality, comprehensive family support, and workforce stability. State officials caution that proposed federal changes could weaken core operational rules that ensure program accountability and effectiveness.
“Head Start has earned bipartisan support for generations because it pairs local leadership with a strong federal commitment to children and families,” said Governor Stein. “Early childhood experiences shape the foundation for future learning, health, and success, and investing in young children is one of the most important things we can do for North Carolina’s future. I urge the federal government to preserve the standards that ensure Head Start programs provide high-quality care to the children and families who depend on them.”
North Carolina Superintendent of Public Instruction Maurice "Mo" Green echoed those concerns, emphasizing the direct connection between early intervention and later academic achievement across the state's school systems.
“Head Start is where many North Carolina children first learn to love school,” Green said. “By the time they reach a kindergarten classroom, they know how to listen, share, and ask questions, and their families already know how to be partners in their child's education. Teachers and principals see the difference. Many Head Start classrooms sit inside our public schools or work alongside our NC Pre-K programs, so when Head Start is strong, our schools start stronger. Small class sizes, qualified teachers, full-day schedules, and health and family supports are what make it work. I join Governor Stein in asking that those standards be kept in place for every child, no matter where in North Carolina that child lives.”
In his submission to HHS, Governor Stein outlined several key priorities:
Retaining federal staff-to-child ratios and group-size caps to maintain direct classroom support.
Preserving comprehensive wraparound services, including developmental screenings, nutritional support, and family health resources.
Supporting a qualified early childhood workforce through established standards for compensation, credentials, benefits, and ongoing professional development.
Maintaining program schedules and durations that align with the practical realities of working parents.
Preserving the statutory 15 percent administrative-cost ceiling rather than imposing a uniform 5 percent cap, which state officials warn could undermine local program operations.
Protecting language access and family engagement standards, including support for dual-language learners.
Stein also noted support for reducing purely duplicative administrative requirements, provided statutory quality protections remain intact. He urged HHS leadership to consult directly with state governors, Tribal nations, local program directors, educators, and participating families prior to finalizing any rule changes.
Currently, Head Start and Early Head Start programs serve more than 17,600 children from birth to age five across North Carolina. The initiatives focus on low-income households, families receiving public assistance, children experiencing homelessness, and children in foster care. Beyond early childhood development, the programs inject more than $290 million in federal funding into local communities across the state, supporting more than 5,600 jobs across school districts, non-profit centers, and community agencies.