The proposed FY27 federal budget offers an early look at what the coming year may hold for Head Start and the broader early childhood system. While the proposal maintains flat funding for Head Start, several elements of the budget signal areas the field will want to watch closely as Congress begins its work. 

The Administration proposes $12.357 billion for Head Start, the same level as FY26. With no cost‑of‑living adjustment, programs will be expected to absorb rising operational costs without additional federal support. The budget estimates this funding level would support approximately 635,000 children nationwide, raising questions about how programs will sustain services amid inflation and workforce pressures. 

The proposal includes language suggesting that state child care standards could guide certain operational requirements—such as ratios, licensing, and definitions of quality. While details are limited, this direction could have implications for the consistency and integrity of Head Start’s long‑standing, research‑based Program Performance Standards. 

Several other federal programs important to families and providers also see notable changes:

• Tribal Colleges and Universities Head Start Partnership Program remains level at $10 million.
• Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG) receives no increase, continuing strain on child care access and provider stability.
• IDEA Part C receives a proposed $50 million increase, paired with a broader proposal to consolidate IDEA funding streams, which could reshape how states receive and distribute funds.

The budget calls for ending several programs that support family stability and early learning coordination, including:

• Community Services Block Grant (CSBG)
• Preschool Development Grants Birth to Five
• Child Care Access Means Parents in School (CCAMPIS)

What We Are Watching

A Head Start Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) remains under federal review, congressional hearings are underway, and legal activity continues around recent child care funding freezes. These parallel developments will shape the final outcome.

The President’s budget is the starting point, not the final word. Congressional action in the months ahead will determine funding levels and policy direction, making this an important time for awareness and engagement across the Head Start community.

If you have not already, please reach out to your Congressional Members and share how increased funding for Head Start would provide a meaningful cost‑of‑living adjustment and ensure programs can continue serving the children and families who need support the most. This is an important opportunity to help Congress understand the impact Head Start has in your community.

Visit the FHSA Advocacy Center to learn more about how to tell your Head Start story and help ensure programs receive the resources they need.

April is recognized as Stress Awareness Month.

In Head Start, stress is not an abstract concept. It is something we experience in real time—through the pace of the day, the needs of children and families, the demands of leadership, and the responsibility we carry for others. 

Stress shows up in our work, but it also shows up in our bodies. And our bodies are always communicating with us. The question is whether we are listening. 

In our work, we talk about stress in simple terms: stressors, triggers, and symptoms. Stressors are the everyday conditions we are navigating—pressure, deadlines, conflict, competing responsibilities, and the constant demand to show up for others. Triggers are the moments that cause a spike—an interaction, a comment, a situation that shifts how you feel in an instant. And symptoms are how those stressors and triggers show up in the body: 

A tight chest.

A headache.

A clenched jaw.

A hot face or a hot belly.

Shallow breathing.

Fatigue that does not go away with rest.

 These are not random experiences. They are messages. Your body is telling you: something needs attention. Your nervous system is trying to communicate with you. 

In leadership and in service, we often push past those signals. We tell ourselves to keep going. We focus on the needs of others. We move through the day without pausing to check in with ourselves. But there is a truth we cannot ignore: When there is a choice between your work and your well-being, your well-being will always win. So, when you feel those symptoms occur, I need you to pause and ask yourself: 

How am I feeling?

What is my body trying to tell me?

Do I need to take a moment?

What type of support do I need right now? 

Because how you feel affects how you show up for children. How you feel affects how you support families. How you feel affects how you communicate with others. How you feel affects how your team experiences you. 

And beyond your role in Head Start, how you feel affects the quality of your life. We do not stop being human when we step into our roles. We bring our whole selves with us—our experiences, our responsibilities, our grief, our stress, and our strength. That is why stress-awareness is not a luxury. It is a responsibility. 

Listening to your body is not stepping away from the work. It is how you sustain the work. In Head Start, we care for children. We support families. We show up for our communities. And to do that well, we must also care for ourselves. Because when we take care of ourselves, we create stability. When we are grounded, we make clearer decisions. When we are well, we are better able to support others. 

Stress will always be a part of meaningful work. But ignoring it does not make us stronger. Listening to it makes us more effective. So this month, as we recognize Stress Awareness Month, take a moment to check in with yourself. 

Notice the stressors. Recognize the triggers. Pay attention to the symptoms. And give yourself permission to respond before your body has to respond for you. Because the goal is not to push through at all costs. The goal is to remain well enough to continue the work that matters. We need you to take care of yourself. Because you matter. You are vital to the mission. 

And so is your well-being.

FHSA is now accepting presentation proposals for the 2026 Annual Conference & Expo, happening October 27–29, 2026 in Orlando. This year’s theme, Stronger Together: Building Brighter Futures for Florida’s Families highlights the power of collaboration across Florida’s early childhood community. 

FHSA welcomes proposals from experienced, engaging presenters who can offer practical strategies, fresh ideas, and tools that strengthen Head Start and Early Head Start programs. These 60-minute sessions should support the professional growth of Florida’s early childhood workforce and reflect the needs of today’s programs and families. 

This year, our priority focus areas (Birth to Five):  

• Challenging Behaviors
• Leadership
• Disabilities
• Mental Health & Wellness
• Fiscal
• ERSEA
• Monitoring & Focus Area Review

Presenting at FHSA’s Annual Conference is a chance to share your expertise, inspire colleagues, and contribute to the continued strength of Florida’s Head Start community. 

The deadline to apply is May 11, 2026.

Attention Florida’s Head Start Community! FHSA has opened nominations for the 2026 Annual Awards Program. We want to celebrate the outstanding staff, parents, volunteers, programs, and community partners who have dedicated their lives to strengthening Florida’s Head Start and Early Head Start community by going above and beyond to support children and families across the state. 

There are 18 award categories to choose from, and nominations must reflect contributions made during the July 2025 – June 2026 program year.

We are also hosting a Q&A virtual event to answer your questions about the awards nomination process. 

To support you in preparing a strong, compelling nomination, the awards webpage includes Tips & Tricks for submitting award nominations, along with examples to help guide your submission and highlight what makes a nomination stand out. 

Nominations are due by June 5, 2026.

The Administration for Children and Families will host the National Research Conference on Early Childhood (NRCEC 2026) on June 22 – 24, 2026, at the Crystal Gateway Marriott in Arlington, VA. 

The event brings together researchers, practitioners, and early childhood leaders to explore the latest findings shaping programs for young children and their families. This event, formerly known as the Head Start’s National Research Conference on Early Childhood, has been a long‑standing gathering since 1991. This event continues to highlight cutting‑edge research that informs policy, practice, and innovation across the early learning field.

NHSA, along with 28 national, regional, and state Head Start associations, submitted comments to the Senate HELP Committee on proposed updates to the Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF). 

The draft aims to strengthen program integrity, but several elements—such as shorter eligibility periods, attendance‑based payment requirements, and tying a child’s eligibility to a parent’s immigration status—could unintentionally create new barriers for families and providers. Because CCDF is essential for helping working families maintain stable child care, NHSA emphasized the importance of keeping the program accessible and workable for those it is designed to support. 

As the committee reviews feedback and refines the proposal, NHSA will continue advocating to ensure children and families remain central to all policy decisions.

Important Upcoming Events

FHSA EVENTS

FHSA Directors Affiliate Group Meeting
May 5, 2026
Virtual
Click here for info

FHSA Q&A Lunch and Learn: Award Nominations
May 6, 2026
Virtual
Click here for info

FHSA Professional Development Committee Meeting
May 20, 2026
Virtual
Click here for info

FHSA Annual Conference
October 27 - 29, 2026
Orlando, FL
Click here for info

 STATE TRAININGS or EVENTS

The Department of Children & Families Behavioral Health Interagency Collaboratives
April 23, 2026
Virtual
Click here for info

The Department of Children & Families Behavioral Health Interagency Collaboratives
April 28, 2026
Virtual
Click here for info

DCF Southwest FL Refugee Task Force Meeting
April 29, 2026
Virtual
Click here for info

REGIONAL TRAININGS or EVENTS

RIVHSA Leadership Summit
June 2 - 5, 2026
Atlanta, GA
Click here for info

NATIONAL TRAININGS or EVENTS

Provider Day: Celebrating the Providers Who Make a Difference
May 16, 2026
Virtual
Click here for info

Florida’s Head Start community is full of stories- stories of resilience, opportunity, and life-changing impact. FHSA is collecting stories year-round to celebrate Head Start and elevate the voices of families, staff, and alumni who make our programs extraordinary.

Whether you’re a parent, teacher, leader, or graduate, your story can:

• Show policymakers why comprehensive services matter
• Highlight the dedication of Florida’s early childhood workforce
• Demonstrate Head Start’s long-term impact on families and children

The Florida Head Start Association dashboard is a practical tool for advocacy, created to help inform policymakers and other state leaders about the critical role Head Start programs play in Florida—and the unmet need for additional funding. 

We encourage all programs to take a moment to review their data on the dashboard to ensure its accuracy. Up-to-date and accurate information strengthens our collective voice and ensures your program is represented correctly in statewide advocacy efforts.

USDA released its annual adjustment to the Income Eligibility Guidelines, which will be used in determining eligibility for free and reduced-price meals for the period from July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027.

April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month, and Seminole County CHS reminds us that prevention begins with connection. Their commitment to building strong, supportive relationships shows how strong families create strong futures for children.

Two FHSA members are being recognized nationally for their commitment to outdoor learning and healthy child development. 

Economic Opportunities Council of Indian River County in Vero Beach and You Thrive Florida in Brooksville have been selected as recipients of the 2026 GroMoreGood Garden Grants, awarded by the National Head Start Association and The Scotts Miracle‑Gro Foundation. 

These grants provide garden‑based learning resources that help children and families explore healthy eating, connect with nature, and experience hands‑on outdoor play. 

FHSA celebrates both programs for their leadership in creating enriching environments where children can grow, learn, and thrive!

Dr. Natalya Roby, President and CEO of ECS4Kids, was recognized in March by the Jacksonville Business Journal as one of the Most Influential Women of 2025, an honor that underscores her exceptional leadership and deep commitment to children and families across Northeast Florida. 

Dr. Roby has been a steadfast champion for expanding access to high‑quality early learning, strengthening family supports, and advancing community well‑being. Under her leadership, ECS4Kids continues to elevate the importance of early childhood education and its lifelong impact on children’s success. 

This recognition reflects her vision, advocacy, and dedication to ensuring every child has the opportunity to thrive. FHSA proudly celebrates Dr. Roby’s achievement and the meaningful contributions she brings to Florida’s early childhood landscape.

Children First is celebrating 65 years of service to Sarasota County families, marking the milestone with major achievements that highlight its long-standing commitment to high‑quality early childhood education. 

Founded in 1961, the organization now ranks in the top 1% of more than 1,600 Head Start programs nationwide and has earned its fifth National Head Start Association Program of Excellence designation for 2025–2030. 

President and CEO Philip Tavill is also marking 30 years of leadership, during which he expanded Early Head Start services, strengthened family-centered supports, and built strong community partnerships. 

In 2025, Children First was named one of The NonProfit Times’ Best Nonprofits to Work For for the third time and second consecutive year, ranking No. 28 overall and No. 9 among mid‑sized nonprofits.

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