Potential changes to Head Start programs in Nebraska are under review after the federal government released a notice of proposed rulemaking on Aug. 7.
Head Start is funded by federal grants that subsidize early education and support family wellness programs for families at or below the poverty level, or families experiencing homelessness. Head Start grants also fund programs for education programs on Omaha, Winnebago and Sioux reservations.
The federal proposal would move regulatory responsibility from federal to state and local levels. It is intended to optimize efficiency and increase parental involvement.
Jill Bomberger, Director of Head Start at Community Action Partnership of Lancaster and Saunders Counties, said that the proposal would cap administrative costs at 5% of total funding, instead of the current 15%.
"We are charged with preventing fraud, misuse of funds, maintaining accurate eligibility records, meeting audit requirements, tracking your outcomes and program performance," Bomberger said. "It's critical for us all to understand that strong accountability requires strong administrative infrastructure."
In an email statement to Nebraska Public Media News, Stephanie Knust, Nebraska Head Start Collaboration Office director at the Nebraska Department of Education, said this could mean "significant changes" to Nebraska’s Head Start program, potentially impacting "program operations, administrative requirements, workforce expectations, compliance processes, and the degree of local flexibility available to programs."
Members of the public can comment on the proposal until Oct. 6. Until the NPRM is final, Head Start programs will continue to operate under existing regulations while leadership monitors potential changes.
The current version of the proposal would remove over 1,400 regulations and replace them with a new framework. Bomberger said she is optimistic about the final guidelines.
"Our goal is really to make sure that the final rule is aligned with what research tells us is most impactful for children and families."