The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has completed its reversal of a wage requirement rule for Head Start programs, according to a notice set for publication in the Federal Register. The Biden administration had established this policy in August 2024, mandating that larger Head Start programs raise worker salaries to align with local public school pre-K teacher compensation by 2031, which was projected to increase average Head Start worker earnings by approximately $10,000.
The original rule was designed to address persistent staffing challenges within Head Start programs. Data showed that in October 2023, 15 percent of Head Start program staff positions remained vacant, while Early Head Start programs experienced particularly high turnover, with roughly three in ten staff members departing in 2022. These shortages limited programs’ capacity to serve all eligible children. The Biden administration acknowledged that without additional federal funding, the higher wage requirements could have reduced available slots by around 110,000 children.
The Trump administration proposed rescinding the wage requirements in May and received nearly 300 public comments on the proposal. In its justification, the Health and Human Services Department stated that eliminating the requirements “removes a burdensome unfunded mandate” and restores flexibility to local program operators. Officials emphasized that the rollback did not prohibit Head Start programs from voluntarily raising staff compensation and noted that some programs have made progress in increasing teacher pay since 2024.
Head Start, which originated 61 years ago during President Lyndon B. Johnson’s War on Poverty, serves children under age 5 from low-income families. The program operates with a $12 billion annual budget and provides services to approximately 700,000 children. The wage rollback represents one of several policy changes affecting Head Start operations, as the agency continues to pursue modifications to broader quality standards and other program requirements.
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