Caption Text:

Your Head Start story can help shape the future of the program.

The federal government has proposed major changes to Head Start standards, and parents and caregivers have a chance to speak up during the 60-day public comment period.

Nothing is changing about your program right now. These are only proposed changes, no final decisions have been made yet. Your voice during this comment period can help shape what happens next.

Join Start Early, Together for Head Start, Washington State Parent Ambassadors, and MomsRising for a free webinar just for Head Start parents and caregivers:

🗓️ Wednesday, August 12 | 12:00 PM CT

Register here: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_FAFlK1vHS8-n5LylQO2akw#/registration

You'll learn how to:

• Understand what's changing and what it could mean for your program

• Submit an effective public comment (with easy templates!)

• Share your Head Start story in a way that gets heard

Live Spanish interpretation available.

Your voice matters. Let's make sure it's heard.

You know firsthand how Head Start changes lives, and right now, you have a chance to help shape its future.

The federal government has proposed major changes to Head Start standards. Nothing is changing about our program right now, these are only proposed changes, and any updates would take effect months from now at the earliest. But during a 60-day public comment period, parents and caregivers have a real opportunity to share their experiences and help inform the final decision.

We're inviting you to join a free webinar just for Head Start parents and caregivers, hosted by Start Early, Together for Head Start, Washington State Parent Ambassadors, and MomsRising.

- Wednesday, August 12 | 12:00 PM CT
- Free and virtual, register here: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_FAFlK1vHS8-n5LylQO2akw#/registration

- Live Spanish interpretation available

You'll learn how to:

• Understand what's changing and what it could mean for programs like ours

• Submit an effective public comment using simple, easy-to-use templates

• Share your Head Start story in a way that gets heard by policymakers

Whether you've never spoken up before or you're a seasoned advocate, you'll leave with the tools and confidence to make your voice count.

Warmly,
[Director Name]
[Program Name]

https://canva.link/tj5tstccbzvf1rr

Caption:

A quick update on what's happening to Head Start:

The federal government has proposed changes to the rules that guide Head Start programs nationwide. This is part of a normal federal process, and it's open for public review and input for a limited time.

Nothing is changing at our program right now. These are proposals only, and no final decisions have been made.

Swipe through for a quick overview of what's being discussed

If you'd like to learn more, there are free webinars, guides, and resources available any time: linktr.ee/headstartnprm

Want to stay informed on Head Start updates and advocacy opportunities as things develop? Follow our friends at https://www.facebook.com/WisconsinHeadStartAssociation

Visit the NPRM page on the Federal Register here: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/08/07/2026-16134/reducing-federal-burden-for-head-start-programs

To copy and paste the caption, click the 3 dots in the upper right corner and click "Open Post", you can copy & paste from the right column

Caption:

Tomorrow is a national call-in day for Head Start!

Head Start has served over 40 million children over the past 60 years, including many right here in our own community.

A newly proposed federal rule would roll back many of the standards that keep programs like ours safe, high-quality, and accessible. If enacted, these changes could:

❌ Reduce child care access

❌ Increase classroom sizes

❌ Lower protections for children with disabilities

❌ Diminish teacher qualification standards

Tomorrow, Thursday, August 13, join families and advocates across the country in asking Congress to call on HHS to stop these proposed rule changes.

📞 Call: MomsRising's call-in line: https://actionnetwork.org/call_campaigns/tell-congress-to-stop-rfks-attack-on-head-start

📱 Or text HEADSTART to 855-714-1332

It only takes a few minutes, and your voice matters.

#ProtectHeadStart

Dear [Program Name] Families and Friends,

We want to make sure you're aware of a proposed federal rule that could significantly change how Head Start programs — including [Program Name] — operate.

HHS recently proposed sweeping changes to the standards that govern Head Start, including changes to classroom ratios, teacher qualifications, health and safety requirements, and support for children with disabilities. These changes could affect the quality of care and services your children receive.

Head Start has enjoyed strong, bipartisan support for decades because it works. Tomorrow, Thursday, August 13, families and advocates across the country are participating in a national call-in day to ask Members of Congress to urge HHS to reconsider these proposed changes before they take effect.

Here's how you can help, it only takes a few minutes:

Call your Member of Congress: https://actionnetwork.org/call_campaigns/tell-congress-to-stop-rfks-attack-on-head-start

Or Text HEADSTART to 855-714-1332 to be connected

Thank you for being part of the [Program Name] community and for supporting the children and families we serve.

[Signature / Program Name]

Canva Template Link, use this to make changes/personalize: https://canva.link/8uz4dxauhrk5ip4

Next week, NHSA is hosting a special webinar just for parents to talk about the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) and what the proposed changes could mean for Head Start.

Register here: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_XdFO0r6fRWSHMtMeCaYZfA?fbclid=IwY2xjawTr8WNwZG9mAWV4dG4DYWVtAjEwAGJyaWQRMXRJTW5xaGJYangzTTlIa2VzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEetKvcwl0a--KceVkCzDTboqX4mFpNlgNgNwoMxFwoMuh4HvNbwlD1l9gEKpI_aem_HOiyiYiT2Wx6ZQlxWgFo5g#/registration

You can make edits or customize through this link: https://canva.link/3sdp1hlu546ntl3

These slides give context to the NPRM and explain why and how to comment with a general template

Together for Head Start has drafted a sign-on letter for current Head Start parents/caregivers/family members. This post encourages signing on & links to the sign on form.

CAPTION IDEA:

Do you want to take action for Head Start right now? Here's one way.

The US Department of Health and Human Services proposed major changes to the Head Start Performance Standards - changes that could affect teacher quality, disability services, family engagement, health supports, and more for programs like ours.

Do you disagree with these proposed changes?

Together for Head Start has drafted a joint letter urging HHS to withdraw this proposal. Signing takes 2 minutes - parents, grandparents, and caregivers of children currently enrolled in Head Start can add their name by September 25, 2026.

👉 Sign here: https://bit.ly/HS-Family-SignOnLetter

✅ Your name + state added to the letter

✅ Sent to HHS, Congress, and the press

Sign-on instructions available in English & Spanish.

There are many ways to speak out against these proposed changes. This is one way to take action for Head Start today - stay tuned for more.

Thank you for advocating to protect Head Start!

#ProtectHeadStart #HeadStart #TogetherForHeadStart #EarlyChildhoodEducation #StartEarly #WisconsinHeadStart

Subject line ideas:

• Action Needed: Help Protect Head Start by September 25

• Your Voice Can Help Protect Head Start

• Take 2 Minutes to Support Head Start

• 
  

Email Body:

Dear [Program Name] Families,

We want to make sure you're aware of a proposed change that could affect Head Start programs like ours, and let you know about a simple way to make your voice heard.

What's happening:
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) proposed major changes to the Head Start Performance Standards. These changes could:

• Reduce teacher qualifications and teacher-to-child ratios

• Reduce services for children with disabilities

• Require English-only instruction for children, parents, and staff

• Reduce family governance and parent engagement in the program

• Reduce supports for pregnant women and infants

• Reduce health and mental health screenings and supports

• And more

This is a proposed rule, it does not change how our program operates today. But if finalized, it could impact the services we're able to offer.

One way to take action:
Our friends at Together for Head Start have drafted a joint letter urging HHS to withdraw this proposal. Adding your name in support takes about 2 minutes.

👉 Sign here: https://bit.ly/HS-Family-SignOnLetter

• Your name and state will be added to the letter

• The letter will be shared with HHS, Congress, and the press

• Sign now, or by September 25, 2026

Sign-on instructions are available in English and Spanish.

This is one easy way to take action for Head Start now Thank you for standing up for Head Start and for your child's future.

Thank you,

There is a social media post to promote this as well as an email template a few columns over in yellow.

Caption Idea:

Do you currently work at a Head Start? Here's one way to speak up for Head Start.

On August 7, 2026, HHS proposed major changes to the Head Start Performance Standards, changes that could affect teacher qualifications, disability services, family engagement, health supports, and more.

Together for Head Start has drafted a joint comment urging HHS to withdraw this proposal. Current Head Start staff can add their name by September 25, 2026.

👉 Sign here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScCSSXo6vWenmRbFFrfBZ54J-7JZDmgfu1oNaNG7lKXGMSAyg/viewform

This is one way to take action for Head Start. We'll share more ways to get involved soon.

#ProtectHeadStart #Wisconsin #WisconsinHeadStart

Email Body:

Hello,

As you have heard, on August 7, 2026, HHS proposed major changes to the Head Start Performance Standards, the rules that guide quality and safety across every Head Start program. These changes could affect teacher qualifications and class sizes, health and disability services, family engagement, and more.

One way to take action:
Together for Head Start has drafted a joint comment urging HHS to withdraw this proposal. As Head Start staff, your voice carries real weight here, you see every day what these standards mean for the children and families we serve.

👉 Sign here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScCSSXo6vWenmRbFFrfBZ54J-7JZDmgfu1oNaNG7lKXGMSAyg/viewform

• Your name and state will be added to the letter

• The letter will be shared with HHS, Congress, and the press

• Sign by end of day, September 25, 2026

If you'd rather message your officials and submit your own individual comment instead of or in addition to signing the joint letter, Wisconsin Head Start Association has an action alert you can use: https://bit.ly/WHSA-Protect-HS-Standards

These are just a few ways to take action for Head Start. We'll share additional ways to get involved in the coming weeks. These changes have not been finalized and don’t change how our program operates as of today.

Thank you for everything you do for our program and our families.

Head Start is facing the biggest proposed overhaul in its history.

HHS released a proposed rule that would eliminate most of the Head Start Program Performance Standards, the health, safety, and quality protections that Head Start programs follow every day. The proposal cuts the standards from about 50,000 words down to roughly 3,600.

This isn't a done deal. It's open for public comment, and that comment period is how the people who know Head Start best (parents, staff, and community members) get to weigh in before anything is finalized.

Our friends at Wisconsin Head Start Association built one simple tool where you can do two things in about two minutes:

Message your federal and state legislators

Submit an official public comment to HHS

Click here to take action: bit.ly/WHSA-Protect-HS-Standards

Comments are due October 6.

Every voice matters here. Please share this with someone who cares about Head Start too.

Caption Suggestion:

There is a free webinar tomorrow, September 9 at 2:00 PM, hosted by Start Early and Together for Head Start, on the proposed changes to Head Start.

This session goes beyond a high-level overview. It looks closely at specific areas of concern, including services for children with disabilities, child health and safety, and prenatal and maternal health.

You'll walk away with:

- A deeper look at key proposed changes and what they could mean for [Program Name] and the families we serve

- A clearer picture of what's at stake if the rule is finalized

- Practical tools and templates for submitting a public comment before the October 6 deadline

- Tips for using your own experience to make an effective case for protecting Head Start

Whether you're Head Start staff, a parent, or a supporter of our program, this webinar is for you.

Register free here: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_XbmDa8kxTjKNMJjtQ908dg#/registration