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.
The Information Memorandum (IM) Fiscal Year 2026 Monitoring Process for Head Start Recipients ACF-OHS-IM-25-05 lays the framework for the FY26 review process. Additional information was provided in the FY26 Monitoring Kickoff Webinar, where OHS leadership noted that reviews will feel the same (e.g., data tours, discussions) but that processes were refined to support efficiency and reduce burden. We encourage programs to review the IM and kickoff webinar to understand the nuances of this review cycle. As OHS describes in the IM, in FY26 monitoring, there are changes to process and approach.
OHS has refined the monitoring approach to be more focused, efficient, and responsive to program needs. This year, updates to monitoring reviews include streamlining and clarifying review questions, reducing the total number of questions from 449 in FY25 to 203 for FY26 (54.8 percent decrease overall), and shortening on-site review days from 5 days to 3 or 3.5 days.
When do monitoring reviews begin? Specific start dates were provided in the kickoff webinar: October 13, 2025 for Focus Area 1 (FA1) and Focus Area 2 (FA2) reviews, and October 20, 2025 for CLASS reviews. Other reviews – RAN, Follow Up, and AIAN Re-evaluations – will take place as needed.
How are FY26 monitoring reviews different than FY25 reviews? Check out slides 7 and 10 in the kickoff webinar, as they provide a helpful side-by-side snapshot of the FY26 process compared to FY25. For FA1 reviews, there is a clearly stated focus on program management, safe learning environments, and integrity in fiscal and ERSEA process (as opposed to all content areas in FY25). In addition to a virtual component, these reviews will also now include an on-site visit for the purpose of observation and discussion, which is different from previous years. Activities will also now include a review of child eligibility files. FA1 reviews will be conducted by a team, as opposed to one reviewer in FY25.
Also described in the kickoff webinar, FA2 reviews will be shorter in FY26 – 3.5 days compared to 5 days in FY25 – and will have virtual and on-site activities (as opposed to being entirely on-site). While FY26 FA2 reviews will continue to address all content areas, there is a focus on “quality-of-service delivery and integrity of fiscal and ERSEA processes.”
What resources area available to help programs prepare for a review? The Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 Head Start Monitoring Protocols are a good place to start for an overview of the review process and what to expect. The protocols are much shorter than those in past years. OHS also released Review Guides to help programs prepare, and these are available in the Aligned Monitoring System 2.0 Virtual Expo. There are four review guides for FA1 and six guides for FA2. Review Guides address the topics that will be covered in the review and the monitoring activities that will take place.
OHS planned to provide a Focus Area 1 Review Information Session webinar on October 1 and a Focus Area 2 Review Information Session webinar on October 2. However, the webinars were postponed due to the federal government shutdown. New dates have not yet been announced.
Is there more that programs can do to get ready? Yes! While this year’s monitoring protocols are much shorter than in past years, review guides provide a more detailed look at what to expect. Our team provides federal review prep services that are aligned to OHS tools. This includes mock review sessions, identifying areas that are challenging, and helping to prepare responses. Our team is skilled at assisting programs to identify and correct concerns so that you can successfully demonstrate expertise and program quality.
If your program anticipates a federal monitoring review this program year, we encourage you to explore Foundations for Families’ Consulting Services. If you need assistance preparing for a federal review, please be in touch. Our team of consultants will work with your program to determine a process, timeline, and approach that is the best fit for your needs.
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