When the Head Start Program Performance Standards were revised last year, there were changes to community assessment requirements about when a full update to the report is necessary. Programs must complete a comprehensive community assessment once during the five-year grant period, and an update is only required if significant changes are identified during an annual review. How can a program determine if there are significant changes, particularly if only a few data points must be examined in the annual review? Here, we explore this question and provide strategies for how to leverage the annual review as a meaningful planning tool.

The start to fall has been a busy time for Head Start regional conferences. As we’ve been out and about, we’ve heard from experts and professionals from across the field who have offered updates and insights into the current status and future of Head Start. Here, we share some of the highlights we learned. We hope you’ll find them useful!

With the growth of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in recent years, and the prevalence of generative AI in the workplace, we think it is important to share with you how we do and do not use these tools. With that in mind, we developed a Statement on Artificial Intelligence. The statement is posted to the Foundations for Families website and is included below. 

With the fall season comes the start of the Head Start monitoring cycle. While there are some similarities with past years about the timing and purpose of reviews, the format and protocol look different in many ways. It will be important for grant recipients who are expecting a review to be aware of these changes to ensure they are adequately prepared for a successful review.

Last week, Head Start programs from across the country came together at the National Head Start Association (NHSA) Fall Leadership Institute. As always, we enjoyed spending time with Head Start leaders we’ve known for years as well as those we met for the first time. Check out some of our key takeaways from the conference.

Chambers of Commerce span the country, regionally and locally, and are comprised of members that engage in networking, advocacy, and collaboration to address issues and create opportunities for the business community. Chambers have a longstanding history, as the U.S. Chamber of Commerce was created in 1912 – more than 100 years ago! Since then, chambers expanded significantly, with many states and counties having their own chamber of commerce.

Yesterday, August 4, the Office of Head Start (OHS) held a webinar, Accessing One-time Funds for Healthy Eating in Head Start Programs Webinar,  to support the application process for one-time supplemental nutrition and healthy funding for Head Start programs (including Early Head Start programs) that was announced in Program Instruction (PI)  ACF-OHS-PI-25-02 on July 29.  Following a review of the PI, OHS staff responded to questions from participants.  Here, we recap the highlights from the Q&A that we think might be useful to ensure you have what you need to get started on your application as the deadline fast approaches.

On July 29, 2025, the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) issued a Program Instruction (PI), One-time Supplemental Funds for Nutrition and Healthy Eating for Head Start Children and Families ACF-OHS-PI-25-02, providing a description of supplemental funding that will be available to Head Start programs and how to apply. While there will be a webinar offered on Monday, August 4 to learn more about the process for requesting supplemental funds, we strongly encourage interested applicants to begin preparing now as there is a quick turnaround deadline (August 22) and it is unclear how long funding will be available. Here are a few ways you can prepare.

Last month, we presented a webinar, Responding to Federal Priorities, to provide practical ways to operationalize federal guidance and identify strategies to think proactively about program activities. The webinar focused on the primary priorities as identified in Secretary Kennedy’s May testimony about the President’s HHS FY 2026 Budget, as well as two recent IMs – ACF-OHS-IM-25-03​ Promoting Healthy Eating and Nutrition for Head Start Children and Families (March 2025) and ACF-OHS-IM-25-04 ​Expanding Educational Freedom and Opportunities for Families in Head Start Programs (April 2025). Those priorities included increasing parental choice; improving health, education, and employment outcomes; increasing program delivery efficiency; and promoting parental engagement. Thank you to all who joined!