H.R. 9958: Head Start Expansion and Improvement Act of 2026

This bill would make several changes to the Head Start program, which provides early childhood education and related services to low-income families.

Who could qualify for Head Start

The bill would broaden the definition of public assistance for Head Start eligibility purposes. In addition to some existing programs, it would explicitly include:

• Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
• Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
• SNAP food benefits
• WIC nutrition assistance
• Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP)

It would also raise the income threshold for some families, allowing children from families earning up to 138% of the poverty level to qualify under the amended rule.

More federal funding for Head Start

The bill would sharply increase the amount of money Congress authorizes for Head Start programs. It would set authorization at $36 billion per year for fiscal years 2027 through 2032, replacing the much lower amounts in current law.

New grants for facilities and infrastructure

The bill would create a new grant program for Head Start and Early Head Start agencies to build, improve, or expand facilities. Priority would go to older or more deteriorated buildings, especially those:

• built before 1970
• that have not been substantially renovated
• with safety, health, air quality, or emergency preparedness problems

Grant money could be used for renovations, classroom expansion, HVAC upgrades, playgrounds, bathroom improvements, removing toxins, plumbing and sewer work, weatherization, emergency systems, and educational technology. The bill would authorize $1 billion per year for this program from 2027 through 2030.

Loan forgiveness for certain Head Start workers

The bill would create a loan cancellation program for workers in Head Start and Early Head Start. A person who works full-time for a Head Start or Early Head Start program and provides care or instruction to children for three years would be eligible to have the balance of certain federal student loans cancelled, including principal, interest, and fees.

The Department of Education would have to create and publish an application process. The bill would also prevent people from getting this same loan benefit twice for the same service under overlapping federal programs.

Pay increases for Head Start employees

The bill would require the Department of Health and Human Services to create a grant program to help Head Start agencies raise employee pay. The grants would be meant to supplement, not replace, existing pay. In deciding grant amounts, the agency would consider:

• how Head Start pay compares with other early childhood employers nearby
• local living costs, including housing and median income
• the number of open staff positions

This pay-support program would be authorized at $6.8 billion per year for fiscal years 2027 through 2032.

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