‘Restores local flexibility’: Trump publishes rule saving $2 billion for low-income childcare program

The Department of Health and Human Services’ Administration of Children and Families is publishing a new final rule on Friday that will save the federal low-income childcare program more than $2 billion. The final rule, Restoring Flexibility to Support Head Start Program Access, removes the Biden-era mandate for wage equality between Head Start educators and local school districts, which would have taken effect by 2031. These changes will result in over $2 billion in future cost savings for Head Start programs annually starting in 2031. It will also save an additional 84,000 Head Start Preschool slots for children ages 3 to 5, and 22,000 Early Head Start slots for children under 3. The move aims to “restore local flexibility to Head Start programs and improve access to quality services,” according to the rule. The administration posted the proposed rule earlier this year, and public comment closed in June.

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