Proposed rule change threatens early childhood development
HOLLYWOOD, CA — Today, August 12, 2026, U.S. Congresswoman Laura Friedman (CA-30) joined local parents, toddlers, infants, teachers, and Head Start administrators at the Los Angeles County Office of Education and Para Los Niños’ Head Start site on Vine Street in Hollywood. This Early Head Start site serves infants and toddlers, 58% of whom qualify as unhoused. Friedman toured classrooms, read to toddlers, and met with staff and teachers. She also heard directly from parents about how the program benefits their families and children.
“The Trump Administration is proposing rollbacks to Head Start that treat our children like financial burdens, but I believe our children and their futures are worth investing in,” said Congresswoman Laura Friedman (CA-30). “I’m proud to help lead the charge pushing back against these rollbacks, because I will not compromise or back down until every child and family has the chance and resources they need to succeed in life.”
WHAT THE TRUMP ADMIN PROPOSED RULE WOULD DO:
- Removes major portions of the current Performance Standards governing how programs and classrooms are run, curriculum use, and staff qualifications.
- Eliminates the federal standard for staff-to-child ratios, deferring instead to state regulations.
- HHS projects $2.2 billion in savings, paid for by cutting teachers and letting class sizes rise.
- HHS concedes that shorter program hours could force parents into “additional financial costs or lost work time.”
FRIEDMAN’S WORK TO DEFEND HEAD START:
- Cosponsor of H.R. 728 the Expanding Head Start Eligibility Act, which expands eligibility for Head Start and codifies existing eligibility rules so no future administration can revoke these inclusions.
- Cosponsor of the bipartisan H.R. 4318 the Head Start for Our Future Act, which makes early education and childhood development jobs like those at Head Start eligible as “community services” under the Federal Work-Study program, allowing undergraduates and graduates with financial need to help staff Head Start facilities.
- Joined opposition led by the Democratic Women’s Cacus to oppose Trump’s most recent proposed rules impacting Head Start staffing.