119-s2819

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 2819 Introduced in Senate

    (IS) ]

<DOC>

119th CONGRESS
 1st Session
 S. 2819

 To amend the Head Start Act to improve the Act.

_______________________________________________________________________

 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

 September 16, 2025

 Mr. Sanders (for himself, Mr. Blumenthal, Mrs. Gillibrand, Mr. 
Fetterman, Ms. Hirono, Mr. Kaine, Mr. Markey, Mr. Merkley, Mr. Kim, Mr. 
 Padilla, Ms. Smith, Mr. Van Hollen, Ms. Warren, Mr. Welch, Mr. Wyden, 
and Mr. Lujan) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and 
 referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

_______________________________________________________________________

 A BILL

 To amend the Head Start Act to improve the Act.

 Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

 This Act may be cited as the ``Head Start for America's Children 
Act''.

SEC. 2. STATEMENT OF PURPOSE.

 

Section 636 of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9831) is amended--

    (1) in paragraph

    (1) , by striking ``children's growth'' and 
 inserting ``the growth of infants, toddlers, and children''; 
 and

    (2) in paragraph

    (2) --
        (A) by striking ``children'' and inserting 
 ``infants, toddlers, children,''; and
        (B) by inserting ``mental health,'' before 
 ``educational''.

SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.

 

Section 637 of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9832) is amended--

    (1) in the paragraph relating to ``full calendar year''--
        (A) by striking ``means all'' and inserting 
 ``means--
 ``
        (A) all'';
        (B) by striking the period at the end and inserting 
 ``; and''; and
            (C) by adding at the end the following:
 ``
        (B) with respect to the provision of Head Start 
 (including Early Head Start) center-based services in a 
 year, a minimum of 1,380 hours during that year.'';

    (2) in the paragraph relating to ``Indian tribe'', by 
 striking ``The term'' and inserting ``
        (A) The term `Indian' 
 means a member of an Indian tribe.
 ``
        (B) The term'';

    (3) in the paragraph relating to ``State''--
        (A) in the first sentence--
            (i) by striking ``The term'' and inserting 
 ``
        (A) The term'';
            (ii) by striking ``and the Commonwealth'' 
 and inserting ``the Commonwealth''; and
            (iii) by striking the period at the end and 
 inserting ``, and each of the Freely Associated 
 States.'';
        (B) by striking the second sentence; and
            (C) by adding at the end the following:
 ``
        (B) The term `Freely Associated States' means the 
 Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Federated States 
 of Micronesia, and the Republic of Palau.'';

    (4) in the paragraph relating to ``interrelater 
 reliability''--
        (A) by striking ``means the extent to which 2'' and 
 inserting ``means the extent to which--
 ``
        (A) 2'';
        (B) by striking the period at the end and inserting 
 ``; and''; and
            (C) by adding at the end the following:
 ``
        (B) such raters or observers are adequately 
 trained to recognize linguistically and culturally 
 appropriate practices.'';

    (5) by striking the paragraph relating to ``limited English 
 proficient'';

    (6) in the paragraph relating to ``professional 
 development''--
        (A) in subparagraph
        (E) , by striking ``as 
 appropriate'' and inserting ``including supporting 
 linguistically and culturally responsive learning 
 outcomes''; and
        (B) in subparagraph
        (G) --
            (i) in clause
            (i) , by inserting ``mental 
 health,'' after ``and development'';
            (ii) in clause
            (iv) 
            (II) --
            (I) by redesignating item

    (bb) as 
 item
            (cc) ; and
            (II) by inserting after item

    (aa) the following:
 ``

    (bb) (for teachers for 
 Native American Head Start 
 agencies) the Native American 
 Child Outcomes Framework 
 described in 

section 640

    (p) ;''; 
 and
            (iii) in clause
            (v) , by striking ``limited 
 English proficient children'' and inserting 
 ``children who are developing English 
 proficiency'';

    (7) by adding at the end the following:
 ``

    (27) The term `annual adjustment percentage', used with 
 respect to appropriations made under this subchapter for a 
 fiscal year (referred to in this paragraph as the 
 `determination fiscal year'), means the estimated percentage 
 increase (if any), as determined by the Secretary of Health and 
 Human Services, in the Consumer Price Index For All Urban 
 Consumers, issued by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, occurring 
 in the most recent fiscal year ending prior to the beginning of 
 such determination fiscal year.
 ``

    (28) The term `assistive technology' has the meaning 
 given the term in 

section 3 of the Assistive Technology Act of 
 1998 (29 U.S.C. 3002).
 ``

    (29) The term `Bureau-funded school' has the meaning 
 given the term in 

section 1141 of the Education Amendments of 
 1978 (20 U.S.C. 2021).
 ``

    (30) The term `chemical restraint' means a drug or 
 medication, used on a student to control behavior or restrict 
 freedom of movement, that is not--
 ``
        (A) prescribed by a licensed physician, or other 
 qualified health professional acting under the scope of 
 the professional's authority under State law, for the 
 standard treatment of a student's medical or 
 psychiatric condition; and
 ``
        (B) administered as prescribed by the licensed 
 physician or other qualified health professional acting 
 under the scope of the professional's authority under 
 State law.
 ``

    (31) The term `developing English proficiency'--
 ``
        (A) used with respect to a child, means a child--
 ``
            (i) 
            (I) who was not born in the United 
 States or whose native language is a language 
 other than English;
 ``
            (II) (aa) who is a Native American or a 
 native resident of Guam, American Samoa, the 
 Virgin Islands of the United States, the 
 Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, 
 or a Freely Associated State; and
 ``

    (bb) who comes from an environment where 
 a language other than English has had a 
 significant impact on the child's level of 
 English language proficiency; or
 ``
            (III) who is migratory, whose native 
 language is a language other than English, and 
 who comes from an environment where a language 
 other than English is dominant; and
 ``
            (ii) whose difficulties in speaking or 
 understanding the English language may be 
 sufficient to deny such child--
 ``
            (I) the ability to successfully 
 achieve in a classroom in which the 
 language of instruction is English; or
 ``
            (II) the opportunity to 
 participate fully in society; and
 ``
        (B) used with respect to an adult, means an adult 
 who is learning English in addition to their native 
 language.
 ``

    (32) The term `mechanical restraint' means any device or 
 equipment that is used to restrict a student's freedom of 
 movement.
 ``

    (33)
        (A) The term `Native American' means an Indian or a 
 Native Hawaiian.
 ``
        (B) The term `Native American Head Start agency', used 
 with respect to a Head Start program (including an Early Head 
 Start program) means--
 ``
            (i) an Indian tribe that operates such a program;
 ``
            (ii) a Native Hawaiian Head Start agency that 
 operates such a program; or
 ``
            (iii) an entity that is designated by an Indian 
 tribe to operate such a program on its behalf.
 ``
            (C) The term `Native American language' has the meaning 
 given the term in 

section 103 of the Native American Languages 
 Act (25 U.S.C. 2902).
 ``

    (34)
        (A) The term `Native Hawaiian' has the meaning given 
 the term in 

section 6207 of the Native Hawaiian Education Act 
 (20 U.S.C. 7517).
 ``
        (B) The term `Native Hawaiian educational organization' 
 has the meaning given the term in 

section 6207 of the Native 
 Hawaiian Education Act (20 U.S.C. 7517).
 ``
            (C) The term `Native Hawaiian Head Start agency' means a 
 Head Start agency (including an Early Head Start agency) 
 operated by a Native Hawaiian organization or a Native Hawaiian 
 educational organization, for the purpose of serving children 
 and families in a manner that is developmentally, 
 linguistically, and culturally appropriate for Native 
 Hawaiians.
 ``
            (D) The term `Native Hawaiian language' has the meaning 
 given the term in 

section 6207 of the Native Hawaiian Education 
 Act (20 U.S.C. 7517).
 ``
        (E) The term `Native Hawaiian organization' has the 
 meaning given the term in 

section 6207 of the Native Hawaiian 
 Education Act (20 U.S.C. 7517).
 ``

    (35) The term `physical restraint' means a personal 
 restriction that immobilizes a student or reduces the ability 
 of a student to move the student's torso, arms, legs, or head 
 freely.
 ``

    (36) The term `seclusion' means the involuntary 
 confinement of a student alone in a room or area from which the 
 student is physically prevented from leaving, except that such 
 term does not include a time out.
 ``

    (37) The term `universal design for learning' has the 
 meaning given the term in 

section 103 of the Higher Education 
 Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1003).''; and

    (8) by reordering the paragraphs of that 

section 637 (as 
 amended by or added by paragraphs

    (1) through

    (7) of this 
 section) to appear in alphabetical order by the first term 
 defined in each paragraph of that 

section 637, and renumbering 
 such paragraphs as so reordered.

SEC. 4. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

 The Head Start Act is amended by inserting after 

section 637 (42 
U.S.C. 9832) the following:

``

SEC. 637A. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

 ``

    (a) In General.--There is authorized to be appropriated, and 
there is appropriated out of any money in the Treasury not otherwise 
appropriated, to the Secretary to carry out this subchapter (other than 
provisions funded under subsection

    (b) )--
 ``

    (1) for fiscal year 2026, $144,872,000,000; and
 ``

    (2) for each succeeding fiscal year, the amount 
 appropriated under this section for the fiscal year preceding 
 that succeeding fiscal year, increased to reflect the annual 
 adjustment percentage.
 ``

    (b) Additional Projects.--There are authorized to be 
appropriated, and there are appropriated out of any money in the 
Treasury not otherwise appropriated, to the Secretary--
 ``

    (1) for the period of fiscal years 2026 through 2030--
 ``
        (A) $5,000,000,000 for improving or purchasing 
 Head Start (including Early Head Start) program 
 facilities under 

section 644

    (g) , based on demonstrated 
 need, in addition to any amounts otherwise available 
 for activities described in this subparagraph; and
 ``
        (B) $91,575,000 to facilitate children's access 
 to Head Start (including Early Head Start) services 
 through age-appropriate transportation, including 
 through the purchase of vehicles under 

section 644

    (g) , 
 based on demonstrated need, in addition to any amounts 
 otherwise available for activities described in this 
 subparagraph;
 ``

    (2) $37,500,000 to fund the Rebuilding the Head Start 
 Workforce Grant program under 

section 653
            (c) for the period of 
 fiscal years 2026 through 2030;
 ``

    (3) $95,000,000 to fund the community eligibility pilot 
 program under 

section 657C for the period of fiscal years 2026 
 through 2030.
 ``

    (4) $500,000,000 to fund the Head Start agency and 
 institutions of higher education partnership activities under 
 

section 657D for the period of fiscal years 2026 through 2030;
 ``

    (5) $863,000,000 to enable Head Start (including Early 
 Head Start) agencies to provide center-based services under 
 this subchapter for more than 1,380 hours (which may include 
 hours during summer months) during a year, through extended 
 operation grants under 

section 657E, based on demonstrated need 
 for the period of fiscal years 2026 through 2030; and
 ``

    (6) $1,625,000,000 to fund the Head Start agency and 
 child care provider partnership activities under 

section 657F 
 for the period of fiscal years 2026 through 2030, in addition 
 to any amounts otherwise available for activities described in 
 this paragraph.''.

SEC. 5. FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE.

 

Section 638 of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9833) is amended--

    (1) by inserting ``

    (a) '' before ``The Secretary'';

    (2) by striking ``which

    (1) will'' and inserting the 
 following: ``which--
 ``

    (1) will'';

    (3) by striking ``readiness; and

    (2) will'' and inserting 
 the following: ``readiness; and
 ``

    (2) will''; and

    (4) by adding at the end the following:
 ``

    (b) The Secretary shall ensure that the financial assistance 
provided under subsection

    (a) sufficiently accounts for the costs 
associated with serving children with disabilities.''.

SEC. 6. REGIONAL OFFICES.

 The Head Start Act is amended by striking 

section 639 (42 U.S.C. 
9834) and inserting the following:

``

SEC. 639. REGIONAL OFFICES FOR THE HEAD START PROGRAM.

 ``

    (a) In General.--The Secretary shall maintain at least 10 
regional offices and 2 program offices of the Office of Head Start and 
ensure that the officers and employees of those offices effectively and 
efficiently serve Head Start programs (including, for purposes of this 
section, Early Head Start programs) by--
 ``

    (1) scaling up effective technical assistance and 
 training activities aligned with 

section 648;
 ``

    (2) supporting such programs at the local level and 
 enabling the programs to comply with requirements, by 
 establishing meaningful program performance standards under 
 

section 641A

    (a) and carrying out monitoring activities under 
 

section 641A
            (c) , including standards and monitoring for child 
 health and safety; and
 ``

    (3) improving the quality of programs and services that 
 best meet the needs of children and families in local 
 communities, including addressing staff recruitment and 
 retention challenges.
 ``

    (b) Regions and Programs.--The Secretary shall--
 ``

    (1) develop proposals for the regions served by regional 
 offices of the Office of Head Start based on factors that 
 include considerations concerning the number of Head Start 
 agencies (including Early Head Start agencies) and eligible 
 children and families covered by a region, capacity of a 
 regional office to coordinate services critical to 
 administration of Head Start programs, and capacity of a 
 regional office to meet any cultural and linguistic expertise 
 needs for a region;
 ``

    (2) seek public comment on the proposals prior to any 
 geographic designations of regions for the regional offices; 
 and
 ``

    (3) designate at least 1 program office for Native 
 American Head Start programs and 1 program office for migrant 
 and seasonal Head Start programs.
 ``
            (c) Adequate Staffing.--The head of each such regional or program 
office shall ensure that all Head Start programs served by the region 
or program shall have adequate staffing to meet the requirements of 
subsection

    (a) .''.

SEC. 7. ALLOTMENT OF FUNDS; LIMITATIONS ON ASSISTANCE.

    (a) Allotment.--

Section 640

    (a) of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 
9835

    (a) ) is amended--

    (1) in paragraph

    (1) , by striking ``

section 639'' and 
 inserting ``

section 637A

    (a) '';

    (2) in paragraph

    (2) --
        (A) in subparagraph
        (B) --
            (i) in clause
            (ii) , by striking ``Indian'' 
 each place it appears and inserting ``Native 
 American'';
            (ii) in clause
            (iv) --
            (I) by striking ``the Republic of 
 Palau,'';
            (II) by inserting ``, and each of 
 the Freely Associated States'' before 
 ``(for''; and
            (III) by adding ``and'' at the end;
            (iii) by striking clause
            (v) ;
            (iv) by redesignating clause
            (vi) as clause
            (v) ; and
            (v) in clause
            (v) , as so redesignated--
            (I) by striking ``Indian'' and 
 inserting ``Native American''; and
            (II) by striking ``2007'' and 
 inserting ``2025'';
        (B) in subparagraph
            (C) 
            (i) --
            (i) in the matter preceding subclause
            (I) , 
 by striking ``

section 639'' and inserting 
 ``

section 637A

    (a) '';
            (ii) in subclause
            (I) , by striking ``and'' 
 at the end;
            (iii) by redesignating subclause
            (II) as 
 subclause
            (III) ;
            (iv) by inserting after subclause
            (I) the 
 following:
 ``
            (II) the Secretary shall set aside not less than 
 $40,000,000 for the Head Start Career Advancement 
 Partnership Program activities under 

section 648

    (h) ; 
 and''; and
            (v) in subclause
            (III) 
            (cc) , as so 
 redesignated, by striking ``and

    (g) '' and 
 inserting ``

    (g) , and

    (h) ''; and
            (C) by striking subparagraph
            (D) and inserting the 
 following:
 ``
            (D) The Secretary shall, subject to consultation with Indian 
tribes, representatives of Native American Head Start agencies, and 
members of Indian tribes and Native Hawaiian communities, reserve not 
less than $40,000,000 to fund research, demonstration, and evaluation 
activities under 

section 650, of which not more than $10,000,000 for 
each fiscal year shall be available to carry out 

section 650

    (k) .'';
            (D) by redesignating subparagraphs
        (F) and
        (G) as 
 subparagraphs
        (G) and
        (H) , respectively;
        (E) by inserting after subparagraph
        (E) the 
 following:
 ``
        (F) The Secretary shall reserve at least $6,000,000 to carry out 

section 639, concerning the regional offices and program offices of the 
Office of Head Start.''; and
        (F) in subparagraph
        (G) , as so redesignated--
            (i) by striking ``

section 639'' and 
 inserting ``

section 637A

    (a) ''; and
            (ii) by striking ``through
        (E) '' and 
 inserting ``through
        (F) '';

    (3) in paragraph

    (3) --
        (A) in subparagraph
        (A) --
            (i) in clause
            (i) --
            (I) in subclause
            (I) , by striking 
 ``and'' at the end;
            (II) in subclause
            (II) --

    (aa) by striking ``Indian'' 
 and inserting ``Native 
 American''; and

    (bb) by adding ``and'' at 
 the end; and
            (III) by adding at the end the 
 following:
 ``
            (III) make awards to Head Start 
 agencies (including Early Head Start 
 agencies) based on demonstrated need, 
 through reservations for fiscal year 
 2026, of--
 ``

    (aa) $300,000,000 for 
 conversions of program slots 
 under subsection

    (f)

    (2)
            (C) ;
 ``

    (bb) $4,404,000,000 for 
 extended operation under 
 

section 642

    (j) , to enable Head 
 Start (including Early Head 
 Start) agencies to provide 
 center-based services under 
 this subchapter on a full 
 calendar year schedule; and
 ``
            (cc) $80,000,000 for 
 mental health support under 
 

section 649;'';
            (ii) in clause
            (ii) --
            (I) by striking subclause
            (I) ;
            (II) by striking ``clause
            (i) --'' 
 and all that follows through ``for 
 fiscal year 2011'' and inserting 
 ``clause
            (i) , for fiscal year 2026'';
            (III) by striking ``Indian'' and 
 inserting ``Native American'';
            (IV) by redesignating items

    (aa) and

    (bb) as subclauses
            (I) and
            (II) and 
 aligning the margins of those 
 subclauses with the margins of 
 subclauses
            (I) and
            (II) of clause
            (i) ; 
 and
            (V) in subclause
            (II) , as so 
 redesignated, by striking ``item

    (aa) '' 
 and inserting ``subclause
            (I) '';
        (B) in subparagraph
        (B) --
            (i) in clauses
            (i) and
            (ii) 
            (I) , by striking 
 ``Indian'' and inserting ``Native American'';
            (ii) in clause
            (i) , by striking 
 ``subclauses
            (I) (aa) and
            (II) (bb) of clause
            (ii) , of subparagraph
        (A) '' and inserting 
 ``clause
            (ii) 
            (II) , of subparagraph
        (A) '';
            (iii) in clause
            (ii) 
            (I) , by striking 
 ``

section 639'' and inserting ``

section 637A

    (a) '';

    (4) in paragraph

    (4) --
        (A) in subparagraph
        (A)
            (iii) , by striking ``(which 
 shall remain available through the end of fiscal year 
 2012)'';
        (B) in subparagraph
        (B) , by striking 
 ``$100,000,000'' each place it appears and inserting 
 ``$200,000,000'';
            (C) in subparagraph
            (C) 
            (ii) , by inserting ``, 
 serving infants and toddlers, and serving children with 
 disabilities,'' before ``and may consider'';
            (D) in subparagraph
            (D) --
            (i) in clause
            (i) , by striking ``clause
            (iv) or
            (v) of paragraph

    (2)
        (B) '' and inserting 
 ``paragraph

    (2)
        (B)
            (iv) '';
            (ii) in clause
            (ii) --
            (I) by striking ``Indian'' and 
 inserting ``Native American'';
            (II) by striking ``3 percent'' and 
 inserting ``4.5 percent''; and
            (III) by striking ``

section 649

    (k) '' and inserting ``

section 650

    (k) '';
            (iii) in clause
            (iii) , by striking 
 ``

section 649
            (l) '' and inserting ``

section 650
            (l) ''; and
            (iv) in clause
            (iv) 
            (I) (aa) --
            (I) by striking ``the covered 
 percentage'' and inserting ``55 
 percent'';
            (II) by striking ``that covered 
 percentage'' and inserting ``that 55 
 percent''; and
            (III) by striking ``the poverty 
 line'' each place it appears and 
 inserting ``60 percent of the State's 
 median income for a family of the same 
 size''; and
        (E) by striking subparagraph
        (E) ;

    (5) in paragraph

    (5) --
        (A) in subparagraph
        (A) , in the matter preceding 
 clause
            (i) , by inserting ``(except that an amount of 
 not less than $3,580,000,000 (referred to in this Act 
 as the `additional compensation amount') shall be used 
 for fiscal year 2026 to enable Head Start agencies to 
 improve that compensation of the personnel, workers, 
 and counselors as described in 

section 653)'' before 
 ``in the manner'';
        (B) in subparagraph
        (B) --
            (i) in the matter preceding clause
            (i) , by 
 inserting ``, not used under subparagraph
        (A) ,'' after ``remaining funds'';
            (ii) in clause
            (i) --
            (I) by striking ``limited English 
 proficient children'' and inserting 
 ``children who are developing English 
 proficiency''; and
            (II) by inserting ``children with 
 disabilities,'' after ``farmworker 
 families,'';
            (iii) by striking clause
            (v) and inserting 
 the following:
 ``
            (v) Ensuring that agencies providing center-based 
 Early Head Start or Head Start programs establish and 
 maintain hours of program operation that meet full 
 calendar year requirements, to the extent required by 
 

section 642

    (j) , including by increasing the number of 
 weeks of operation in a calendar year.'';
            (iv) in clause
            (vii) , by inserting ``and in 
 an age-appropriate manner to facilitate access 
 to services'' after ``safely''; and
            (v) in clause
            (viii) , by striking the 
 period at the end and inserting ``, consistent 
 with the requirements of 

section 653.''; and

    (6) in paragraph

    (7) --
        (A) in subparagraph
        (A) , by striking ``paragraph

    (2)
            (C) 
            (i) 
            (II) (aa) '' and inserting ``paragraph

    (2)
            (C) 
            (i) 
            (III) (aa) '';
        (B) in subparagraph
        (B) --
            (i) by striking ``cost-of-living'' and 
 inserting ``cost of living''; and
            (ii) by striking ``percentage change'' and 
 inserting ``percentage increase (if any)''; and
            (C) in subparagraph
            (C) , by striking ``the 
 Federated'' and all that follows and inserting ``or the 
 Freely Associated States.''.

    (b) Federal Share.--

Section 640

    (b)

    (4) of the Head Start Act (42 
U.S.C. 9835

    (b)

    (4) ) is amended by striking ``major disaster'' and 
inserting ``major disaster or emergency declared under 

section 401 or 
501 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance 
Act (42 U.S.C. 5170, 5191)''.
            (c) Children With Disabilities.--

Section 640
            (d) of the Head Start 
Act (42 U.S.C. 9835
            (d) ) is amended--

    (1) in paragraph

    (1) --
        (A) by inserting ``, in coordination with the 
 Secretary of Education,'' after ``Secretary shall'';
        (B) by inserting ``, subject to such regulations as 
 the Secretary of Health and Human Services may 
 prescribe'' after ``assure that''; and
            (C) by striking ``2009'' and inserting ``2026''; 
 and

    (2) in paragraph

    (3) , by striking ``special needs of such 
 children'' and inserting ``needs of such children with 
 disabilities who are determined to be eligible''.
            (d) Locally Designed or Specialized Service Delivery Models.--

Section 640

    (f) of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9835

    (f) ) is amended--

    (1) in paragraph

    (1) , by striking ``the Improving Head 
 Start for School Readiness Act of 2007'' and inserting ``the 
 Head Start for America's Children Act''; and

    (2) in paragraph

    (2) --
        (A) in subparagraph
        (A) , by striking ``and'' at the 
 end;
        (B) in subparagraph
        (B) , by striking the period at 
 the end and inserting ``; and''; and
            (C) by inserting at the end the following:
 ``
            (C) the conversion of Head Start program slots to 
 Early Head Start program slots and for enabling 
 programs to meet the needs of families in their 
 communities through a simple and streamlined process, 
 such as procedures that relate to enabling the programs 
 to meet those needs through--
 ``
            (i) preparation of staff for teaching, 
 caring for, and supporting the development of 
 infants and toddlers, as applicable;
 ``
            (ii) planning for changes in facilities 
 and outdoor space; and
 ``
            (iii) staff recruitment, training, and 
 professional development.''.

    (e) Expansion Considerations.--

Section 640

    (g) of the Head Start Act 
(42 U.S.C. 9835

    (g) ) is amended--

    (1) in paragraph

    (1) --
        (A) in subparagraph
            (C) 
            (iv) , by inserting ``, 
 including kinship care'' before the semicolon;
        (B) in subparagraph
        (F) , by inserting ``, including 
 whether the applicant is proposing to operate a program 
 within a local area with a high percentage of low-
 income families'' before the semicolon;
            (C) in subparagraph
        (G) , by striking ``and'' at the 
 end;
            (D) in subparagraph
        (H) , by striking the period and 
 inserting a semicolon; and
        (E) by adding at the end the following:
 ``
            (I) the extent to which the applicant will 
 provide for or facilitate the provision of age-
 appropriate transportation for eligible children, 
 including transportation for homeless children, to 
 facilitate their participation in the program; and
 ``
        (J) the extent to which the applicant provides to 
 program staff compensation and benefits that are 
 adequate to attract and retain qualified staff for 
 program quality, consistent with the requirements of 
 

section 653.''; and

    (2) in paragraph

    (2) , by striking ``the poverty line'' and 
 inserting ``60 percent of the State median income for a family 
 of the same size''.

    (f) Hours of Services.--

Section 640

    (k) of the Head Start Act (42 
U.S.C. 9835

    (k) ) is amended by striking ``

    (k) '' and all that follows 
through ``The provisions'' and inserting ``

    (k) The provisions''.

    (g) Migrant and Seasonal Head Start Programs.--

Section 640
            (l) of 
the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9835
            (l) ) is amended--

    (1) in paragraph

    (3) --
        (A) in the matter preceding subparagraph
        (A) , by 
 striking ``Indian'' and inserting ``Indian (including 
 Alaska Native) and Native Hawaiian''; and
        (B) in subparagraph
        (B) , by striking ``Indian'' and 
 inserting ``Native American''; and

    (2) in paragraph

    (4) --
        (A) in subparagraph
        (A) --
            (i) by striking ``tribal'' and inserting 
 ``Tribal''; and
            (ii) by inserting ``and with Native 
 American Head Start agencies (which may be 
 Native Hawaiian Head Start agencies)'' before 
 the semicolon; and
        (B) in subparagraph
        (B) , by inserting ``and Native 
 Hawaiian,'' after ``Alaska Native,''.

    (h) Curricula Generally.--

Section 640

    (o) of the Head Start Act (42 
U.S.C. 9835

    (o) ) is amended by inserting ``(except for curricula for 
Native American Head Start programs)'' before ``be aligned''.
            (i) Curricula and Instructional Materials for Native American Head 
Start Programs.--

Section 640 of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9835) is 
amended by adding at the end the following:
 ``

    (p)

    (1) Notwithstanding subsection

    (o) , the Secretary shall 
consult with Indian tribes, representatives of Native American Head 
Start agencies, and members of Indian and Native Hawaiian communities 
to determine appropriate curricula and instructional materials that--
 ``
        (A) preserve the languages and cultures of Indian tribes 
 and Native Hawaiian communities, as the case may be;
 ``
        (B) align with a Native American Child Outcomes 
 Framework, which shall be developed through consultation with 
 Tribal governments and Native American Head Start agencies and 
 shall include goals concerning Native American languages and 
 linguistically and culturally responsive teaching and learning 
 methods; and
 ``
            (C) provide for instruction in a Native American language 
 and support linguistically and culturally responsive education 
 and learning.
 ``

    (2) Used with respect to a Native American Head Start (including 
an Early Head Start) program, a reference in this subchapter to the 
Head Start Child Outcomes Framework shall be considered to be a 
reference to the Native American Child Outcomes Framework.''.

SEC. 8. DESIGNATION OF HEAD START AGENCIES.

    (a) System for Designation Renewal.--

Section 641
            (c) of the Head 
Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9836
            (c) ) is amended--

    (1) in paragraph

    (7) --
        (A) in subparagraph
        (A)
            (iii) , by striking 
 ``Indian'' and inserting ``Native American''; and
        (B) in subparagraph
        (B) --
            (i) by striking ``tribal'' and inserting 
 ``Tribal'';
            (ii) by inserting ``, or consultation with 
 a Native Hawaiian organization or a Native 
 Hawaiian educational organization and shall 
 engage in consultation with a representative of 
 the Native American Head Start agency,'' before 
 ``for the purpose''; and
            (iii) by striking ``Indian'' each place it 
 appears and inserting ``Native American''; and

    (2) in paragraph

    (10) , by striking ``and Labor'' each place 
 it appears and inserting ``and Workforce''.

    (b) Designation When No Entity Is Renewed.--

Section 641
            (d) (2) of 
the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9836
            (d) (2) ) is amended--

    (1) in subparagraph
        (B) , by inserting ``mental health,'' 
 before ``educational,'';

    (2) in subparagraph
        (E) , by inserting ``linguistically, 
 culturally, and'' before ``developmentally'' each place it 
 appears;

    (3) in subparagraph
        (H) --
        (A) in clause
            (v) , by striking ``and'' at the end;
        (B) by redesignating clause
            (vi) as clause
            (vii) ; 
 and
            (C) by inserting after clause
            (v) the following:
 ``
            (vi) entities supporting the mental 
 health and well-being of children;'';

    (4) in subparagraph
        (J) --
        (A) in clause
            (iii) --
            (i) in subclause
            (I) , by striking ``; and'' 
 and inserting ``, including, in the case of 
 Native American Head Start programs (including 
 Early Head Start programs), services promoting 
 literacy in Native American languages;'';
            (ii) in subclause
            (II) , by inserting 
 ``and'' at the end; and
            (iii) by adding at the end the following:
 ``
            (III) mental health resources;'';
        (B) in clause
            (v) 
            (II) , by inserting ``, including, 
 in the case of Native American Head Start programs 
 (including Early Head Start programs), services 
 promoting literacy and communication in Native American 
 languages'' before the semicolon; and

    (5) in subparagraph
        (K) --
        (A) by striking ``limited English proficient 
 children'' and ``children who are developing English 
 proficiency''; and
        (B) by inserting ``or Native American'' after 
 ``English''.
            (c) Prohibition.--

Section 641

    (e) of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 
9836

    (e) ) is amended--

    (1) by striking the subsection heading and inserting the 
 following:
 ``

    (e) Prohibition Against Non-Native American Head Start Agency 
Receiving a Grant for a Native American Head Start Program.--'';

    (2) in paragraph

    (1) --
        (A) by striking ``non-Indian'' and inserting ``non-
 Native American''; and
        (B) by striking ``an Indian'' and inserting ``a 
 Native American''; and

    (3) in paragraph

    (2) --
        (A) by striking ``no Indian'' and inserting ``no 
 Native American'';
        (B) by striking ``an Indian'' each place it appears 
 and inserting ``a Native American''; and
            (C) by striking ``a non-Indian'' and inserting ``a 
 non-Native American''.
            (d) Community.--

Section 641

    (h) of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 
9836

    (h) ) is amended--

    (1) by striking ``tribal'' and inserting ``Tribal''; and

    (2) by inserting ``an area served by a Native Hawaiian 
 organization or Native Hawaiian educational organization,'' 
 before ``or a neighborhood''.

SEC. 9. STANDARDS AND MONITORING.

    (a) Standards.--

Section 641A

    (a) of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 
9836a

    (a) ) is amended--

    (1) in paragraph

    (1) --
        (A) in subparagraph
        (A) , by inserting ``mental 
 health,'' before ``parental involvement,'';
        (B) in subparagraph
        (B) --
            (i) in clause
            (ix) , by striking ``and'' at 
 the end;
            (ii) in clause
            (x) --
            (I) by striking ``limited English 
 proficient children'' and inserting 
 ``children who are developing English 
 proficiency''; and
            (II) by adding ``and'' at the end; 
 and
            (iii) by adding at the end the following:
 ``
            (xi) abilities related to Native American 
 languages and cultures, in the case of a Head 
 Start program (which may be an Early Head Start 
 program) operated by a Native American Head 
 Start agency, if the Native American Head Start 
 agency elects to focus on the preservation and 
 revitalization of Native American languages and 
 cultures in accordance with the Native American 
 Child Outcomes Framework;''; and

    (2) in paragraph

    (2) --
        (A) in subparagraph
        (A) , by inserting ``services 
 for children with disabilities,'' before 
 ``administration,'';
        (B) in subparagraph
        (B) --
            (i) in clause
            (i) , by striking ``the 
 Improving Head Start for School Readiness Act 
 of 2007'' and inserting ``the Head Start for 
 America's Children Act'';
            (ii) in clause
            (iii) , by striking ``

section 649

    (j) '' and inserting ``

section 650

    (j) '';
            (iii) in clause
            (vi) , by inserting ``and 
 mental health'' before ``services and 
 physical'';
            (iv) in clause
            (ix) , by striking ``and'' at 
 the end;
            (v) in clause
            (x) , by adding ``and'' at the 
 end; and
            (vi) by adding at the end the following:
 ``
            (xi) standards and guidelines related to 
 Native American languages and cultures, in the 
 case of a Head Start program (which may be an 
 Early Head Start program) operated by a Native 
 American Head Start agency, if the Native 
 American Head Start agency elects to focus on 
 the preservation and revitalization of Native 
 American languages and cultures in accordance 
 with the Native American Child Outcomes 
 Framework;'';
            (C) in subparagraph
            (C) 
            (ii) , by striking ``the 
 Improving Head Start for School Readiness Act of 2007'' 
 and inserting ``the Head Start for America's Children 
 Act''; and
            (D) in subparagraph
            (D) --
            (i) by striking ``consult with'' and 
 inserting ``generally defer to'';
            (ii) by inserting ``or Native Hawaiian 
 organizations or Native Hawaiian educational 
 organizations,'' before ``experts'';
            (iii) by inserting ``and Native Hawaiian,'' 
 before ``early childhood education''; and
            (iv) by inserting ``and revitalization, 
 cultural preservation,'' after ``language 
 acquisition''.

    (b) Measures.--

Section 641A

    (b) of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 
9836a

    (b) ) is amended--

    (1) in paragraph

    (1) --
        (A) by redesignating subparagraphs
        (A) through
            (D) as clauses
            (i) through
            (iv) and aligning the margins of 
 those clauses with the margins of the clauses in 
 paragraph

    (5)
        (A) of that section;
        (B) in the matter preceding clause
            (i) , as so 
 redesignated, by striking ``The Secretary, in 
 consultation'' and inserting ``The Secretary shall--
 ``
        (A) in consultation'';
            (C) in subparagraph
        (A) , as so designated--
            (i) in the matter preceding clause
            (i) , by 
 striking ``shall'';
            (ii) in clause
            (ii) , as so redesignated, by 
 striking ``special needs'' and inserting 
 ``disabilities''; and
            (iii) in clause
            (iv) , as so redesignated, 
 by striking the period and inserting ``; and''; 
 and
            (D) by adding at the end the following:
 ``
        (B) in consultation with Indian tribes, 
 representatives of Native American Head Start agencies, 
 and members of Indian tribes and Native Hawaiian 
 communities, use relevant research and practices to 
 inform, revise, and provide guidance to Native American 
 Head Start agencies to support--
 ``
            (i) classroom instructional practices, 
 including incorporating the use of universal 
 design for learning;
 ``
            (ii) community engagement;
 ``
            (iii) program evaluation;
 ``
            (iv) preservation and revitalization of 
 Native American languages and cultures; and
 ``
            (v) compliance by such an agency with 
 performance standards under subsection

    (a) if a 
 corresponding Tribal government integrates 
 funding for Head Start, including Early Head 
 Start, programs under the authorities provided 
 in the Indian Employment, Training and Related 
 Services Demonstration Act of 1992 (25 U.S.C. 
 3401 et seq.), and maintenance of annual 
 funding under this subchapter as a result of 
 that compliance.'';

    (2) in paragraph

    (2) --
        (A) by redesignating subparagraphs
        (G) and
        (H) as 
 subparagraphs
        (H) and
            (I) , respectively;
        (B) by inserting after subparagraph
        (E) the 
 following:
 ``
        (F) include the provision of appropriate services 
 and accommodations, and auxiliary aids and other 
 assistive technology, for children with disabilities;
 ``
        (G) include the provision of appropriate 
 accommodations for children who are developing English 
 proficiency;''; and

    (3) in paragraph

    (3)
        (A) , by striking clause
            (iii) and 
 inserting the following:
 ``
            (iii) identifying the individualized 
 needs of children with disabilities; and''.
            (c) Monitoring.--

Section 641A
            (c) (2) of the Head Start Act (42 
U.S.C. 9836a
            (c) (2) ) is amended, in paragraphs
        (A)
            (i) 
            (II) and
            (C) , by 
striking ``limited English proficient children'' and inserting 
``children who are developing English proficiency''.
            (d) Reductions and Redistributions.--

Section 641A

    (h) of the Head 
Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9836a

    (h) ) is amended--

    (1) in paragraph

    (3)
        (B)
            (iv) , by inserting ``and full 
 calendar year'' after ``full-working-day''; and

    (2) in paragraph

    (6)
        (A)
            (i) --
        (A) by striking the clause heading and inserting 
 the following:
 ``
            (i) Native american head start 
 programs.--''; and
        (B) by striking ``Indian'' each place it appears 
 and inserting ``Native American''.

SEC. 10. POWERS AND FUNCTIONS.

    (a) Authority.--

Section 642

    (b) of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 
9837

    (b) ) is amended--

    (1) in paragraph

    (4) --
        (A) in subparagraph
        (A) , by striking ``and'' at the 
 end;
        (B) by redesignating subparagraph
        (B) as 
 subparagraph
            (C) ; and
            (C) by inserting after subparagraph
        (A) the 
 following:
 ``
        (B) continuous programming to support the health, 
 mental health, and well-being of adults and children; 
 and'';

    (2) in paragraph

    (6) , in the matter preceding subparagraph
        (A) , by striking ``At'' and all that follows through ``offer'' 
 and inserting ``Annually offer'';

    (3) in paragraph

    (11) , by striking ``limited English 
 proficient children'' and inserting ``children who are 
 developing English proficiency'';

    (4) by redesignating paragraph

    (16) as paragraph

    (17) ; and

    (5) by inserting after paragraph

    (15) the following:
 ``

    (16) Establish effective procedures for identifying 
 children with disabilities who are eligible for reasonable 
 accommodations under 

section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 
 1973 (29 U.S.C. 794), and informing parents of such children 
 about their rights and the reasonable accommodations, necessary 
 to help promote the school readiness of such children, that are 
 available through its program.''.

    (b) Collaboration and Coordination.--

Section 642

    (e) of the Head 
Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9837

    (e) ) is amended--

    (1) in paragraph

    (3) , by inserting ``the program under 
 title XIX of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1396 et 
 seq.),'' before ``programs under subtitle B''; and

    (2) in paragraph

    (5) --
        (A) in the matter preceding subparagraph
        (A) , by 
 striking ``the Improving Head Start for School 
 Readiness Act of 2007'' and inserting ``the Head Start 
 for America's Children Act''; and
        (B) in subparagraph
        (A)
            (ii) --
            (i) in subclause
            (IX) , by striking ``and'' 
 at the end;
            (ii) by redesignating subclause
            (X) as 
 subclause
            (XI) ; and
            (iii) by inserting after subclause
            (IX) the 
 following:
 ``
            (X) services provided to children 
 with disabilities under 

section 619 and 
 part C of the Individuals with 
 Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C. 
 1419, 1431 et seq.); and''.
            (c) Quality Standards, Curricula, and Assessment.--

Section 642

    (f) of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9837

    (f) ) is amended--

    (1) in paragraph

    (3) --
        (A) in subparagraph
            (D) , by striking ``and'' at the 
 end; and
        (B) by adding at the end the following:
 ``
        (F) incorporate the principles of universal 
 design for learning;'';

    (2) in paragraph

    (9) , by striking ``and'' at the end;

    (3) in paragraph

    (10) --
        (A) by striking ``children who are limited English 
 proficient'' and inserting ``children who are 
 developing English proficiency''; and
        (B) by striking the period at the end and inserting 
 ``; and''; and

    (4) by adding at the end the following:
 ``

    (11) develop procedures for identifying children with 
 disabilities who are eligible for reasonable accommodations 
 under 

section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. 
 794), and informing parents of such children about their rights 
 and the reasonable accommodations, necessary to help promote 
 the school readiness of such children, that are available 
 through its program.''.
            (d) Extended Operation.--

Section 642 of the Head Start Act (42 
U.S.C. 9837) is amended by adding at the end the following:
 ``

    (j) Extended Operation.--
 ``

    (1) In general.--Except as otherwise provided in this 
 subsection, by September 30, 2027, each Head Start agency 
 (including, for purposes of this subsection, an Early Head 
 Start agency) providing center-based services under this 
 subchapter shall provide the services on a full calendar year 
 schedule.
 ``

    (2) Exemption.--The Secretary may exempt such an agency 
 from operating fewer hours than the hours in a full calendar 
 year schedule only if the Secretary finds reasonable evidence 
 that operation on such a schedule--
 ``
        (A) would cause significant reductions in 
 enrollment in slots; and
 ``
        (B) does not meet the needs of eligible children 
 and families in the area served, and the agency 
 operates a program that meets those needs, which may 
 include a locally designed option to meet the 
 developmental needs of children as demonstrated through 
 a regularly conducted community needs assessment.
 ``

    (3) Exception.--Migrant and seasonal Head Start agencies 
 and Native American Head Start agencies are exempt from 
 paragraph

    (1) .''.

SEC. 11. HEAD START TRANSITION AND ALIGNMENT WITH K-12 EDUCATION.

 

Section 642A

    (a) of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9837a

    (a) ) is 
amended--

    (1) in the matter preceding paragraph

    (1) , by inserting 
 ``(or a Bureau-funded school in the case of children who will 
 attend such school)'' after ``local educational agency'';

    (2) in paragraphs

    (3) ,

    (5) , and

    (10) , by inserting ``(or 
 such Bureau-funded school)'' after ``local educational 
 agency'';

    (3) in paragraphs

    (7) and

    (8) , by striking ``limited 
 English proficient children'' each place it appears and 
 inserting ``children who are developing English proficiency'';

    (4) in paragraph

    (13) , by striking ``and'' at the end;

    (5) in paragraph

    (14) , by striking the period at the end 
 and inserting ``; and''; and

    (6) by adding at the end the following:
 ``

    (15) coordinating activities and collaborating with a 
 coordinator for a full-service community school (which term 
 shall have, for purposes of this paragraph, the meaning given 
 the term in 

section 4622 of the Elementary and Secondary 
 Education Act (20 U.S.C. 7272)) to facilitate the transition 
 for children served by a Head Start agency (which may be an 
 Early Head Start program) into a full-service community school, 
 if such school is located within the agency's service area.''.

SEC. 12. HEAD START COLLABORATION.

 

Section 642B of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9837b) is amended--

    (1) in subsection

    (a) --
        (A) in paragraph

    (1) , by striking ``

section 640

    (a)

    (2)
        (B)
            (vi) '' and inserting ``

section 640

    (a)

    (2)
        (B)
            (v) '';
        (B) in paragraph

    (2)
        (A) , by striking ``Indian'' and 
 inserting ``Native American''; and
            (C) in paragraph

    (4) --
            (i) in subparagraph
        (B)
            (i) , by striking 
 ``limited English proficient children'' and 
 inserting ``children who are developing English 
 proficiency'';
            (ii) in subparagraph
            (C) , by inserting ``, 
 Tribal,'' after ``State''; and
            (iii) in subparagraph
            (D) --
            (I) by inserting ``and Bureau-
 funded schools,'' after ``local 
 educational agencies,''; and
            (II) by striking ``at both the 
 State'' and inserting ``at State, 
 Tribal''; and

    (2) in subsection

    (b)

    (1)
            (C) 
            (vi) , by striking ``Indian'' and 
 inserting ``Native American''.

SEC. 13. SUBMISSION OF PLANS TO GOVERNORS.

 

Section 643 of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9838) is amended, in 
the last sentence, by striking ``Indian'' and inserting ``Native 
American''.

SEC. 14. ADMINISTRATIVE REQUIREMENTS AND STANDARDS.

 

Section 644 of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9839) is amended--

    (1) in subsection

    (f) --
        (A) in paragraph

    (2)
            (C) , by inserting after 
 ``facility'' the following: ``, and a certification 
 that the facility is in compliance with title III of 
 the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 
 12181 et seq.)''; and
        (B) in paragraph

    (3) --
            (i) by inserting ``, Native Hawaiian 
 organizations, or Native Hawaiian educational 
 organizations'' after ``tribes'' each place it 
 appears; and
            (ii) by inserting ``Native American'' 
 before ``Head Start'';

    (2) in subsection

    (g)

    (1) , in the first sentence by striking 
 ``tribes,'' and inserting ``tribes, Native Hawaiian Head Start 
 agencies and communities,''; and

    (3) in subsection

    (h) --
        (A) by striking ``American Indian'' and inserting 
 ``Native American''; and
        (B) by striking ``members of an Indian tribe'' and 
 inserting ``Native Americans''.

SEC. 15. PARTICIPATION IN HEAD START PROGRAM.

    (a) Designation Correction.--

Section 645 of the Head Start Act (42 
U.S.C. 9840) is amended by striking ``

    (a) '' the first place it appears 
and all that follows through ``The Secretary'' the first place it 
appears and inserting ``

    (a)

    (1)
        (A) The Secretary''.

    (b) Eligibility.--Subsection

    (a) , as so designated, of 

section 645 
of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9840) is amended, in paragraph

    (1)
        (B) --

    (1) in the matter preceding clause
            (i) , by striking 
 ``paragraph

    (2) '' and inserting ``paragraph

    (2) and subsections
            (d) (1) and

    (e) '';

    (2) in clause
            (i) , by striking ``if'' the first place it 
 appears and all that follows and inserting ``if--
 ``
            (I) their families' incomes are below 60 percent 
 of the State median income for a family of the same 
 size;
 ``
            (II) their families are eligible or, in the 
 absence of child care, would potentially be eligible 
 for public assistance; or
 ``
            (III) the children previously participated in a 
 full year of a Head Start (which may be an Early Head 
 Start) program;'';

    (3) in clause
            (ii) --
        (A) by striking ``homeless'';
        (B) by striking ``participation;'' and inserting 
 ``participation if the children are--''; and
            (C) by adding at the end the following:
 ``
            (I) homeless children;
 ``
            (II) children in foster care, in kinship care, or 
 who experienced child abuse or neglect as defined under 
 

section 3 of the Child Abuse and Prevention and 
 Treatment Act of 2010 (42 U.S.C. 5101 note);
 ``
            (III) children who are eligible for (whether or 
 not they are receiving)--
 ``

    (aa) benefits under title XVI of the 
 Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1381 et seq.);
 ``

    (bb) assistance under part A of title IV 
 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 601 et 
 seq.);
 ``
            (cc) supplemental nutrition assistance 
 program benefits under the Food and Nutrition 
 Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2011 et seq.);
 ``
            (dd) assistance under a nutrition 
 assistance program under 

section 19 of the Food 
 and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2028) or a 
 commodity distribution program for Indians 
 under 

section 4

    (a) of the Agriculture and 
 Consumer Protection Act of 1973 (7 U.S.C. 612c 
 note);
 ``

    (ee) assistance under 

section 17 of the 
 Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 1786); 
 or
 ``

    (ff) assistance under 

section 8 of the 
 United States Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. 
 1437f);
 ``
            (IV) children with disabilities;
 ``
            (V) children of current (as of the date of the 
 determination of eligibility) staff of a Head Start 
 agency (which may be an Early Head Start agency); and
 ``
            (VI) children who are part of another vulnerable 
 group that would benefit from Head Start services 
 (which may be Early Head Start services), as such group 
 is approved by the Secretary;'';

    (4) in clause
            (iii) --
        (A) in subclause
            (II) , by striking ``from'' and all 
 that follows through ``if--'';
        (B) by striking ``may include--'' and all that 
 follows through ``to a reasonable'' and inserting ``may 
 include, to a reasonable'';
            (C) by striking ``
            (ii) ; and'' and inserting ``
            (ii) , 
 if--'';
            (D) by redesignating items

    (aa) and

    (bb) as 
 subclauses
            (I) and
            (II) , respectively, and aligning the 
 margins of the subclauses with the margins of subclause
            (I) of clause
            (iv) ;
        (E) in subclause
            (I) , as so designated, by striking 
 ``(or subclause
            (I) if the child involved has a 
 disability)''; and
        (F) in subclauses
            (I) and
            (II) , as so designated, 
 by striking ``this subclause'' and inserting ``this 
 clause'';

    (5) in clause
            (iv) --
        (A) by striking ``clause
            (iii) 
            (II) '' each place it 
 appears and inserting ``clause
            (iii) '';
        (B) in subclause
            (II) , by striking ``(or clause
            (iii) 
            (I) if the child involved has a disability)''; and
            (C) in subclause
            (VI) , by striking ``clause
            (iii) 
            (I) ,'';

    (6) in clause
            (v) --
        (A) by inserting ``(which may be an Early Head 
 Start program)'' after ``a Head Start program''; and
        (B) by striking ``through'' and all that follows 
 and inserting ``until kindergarten entry.''.
            (c) Native American Selection Criteria.--

Section 645
            (d) of the Head 
Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9840
            (d) ) is amended--

    (1) in paragraph

    (1) , by striking ``An Indian tribe'' and 
 all that follows and inserting the following: ``An Indian 
 tribe, Native Hawaiian organization, or Native Hawaiian 
 educational organization that operates a Head Start program 
 (which may be an Early Head Start program) may, at its 
 discretion, establish selection criteria, including criteria to 
 prioritize children in families in which a child or a family 
 member is a member of an Indian tribe or is a Native Hawaiian, 
 or in households in which a household member is a member of an 
 Indian tribe or is a Native Hawaiian, to enroll Native American 
 children who would most benefit from such program, but who are 
 not eligible under clause
            (i) or
            (ii) of subsection

    (a)

    (1)
        (B) .'';

    (2) in paragraph

    (2) --
        (A) by inserting ``, Native Hawaiian organization, 
 or Native Hawaiian educational organization'' after 
 ``Indian tribe''; and
        (B) by inserting ``, Native Hawaiian organizations, 
 and Native Hawaiian educational organizations'' after 
 ``Indian tribes''; and

    (3) in paragraph

    (3) , by striking ``or tribes'' each place 
 it appears and inserting ``, Native Hawaiian organization, or 
 Native Hawaiian educational organization''.
            (d) Migrant or Seasonal Selection Criteria.--

Section 645 of the 
Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9840) is amended by adding at the end the 
following:
 ``

    (e) Subject to 

section 640
            (l) and the description of families in 
the definition of `migrant or seasonal Head Start program' in 

section 637, an agency that operates a migrant or seasonal Head Start program 
(which may be an Early Head Start program) may, at its discretion, 
establish selection criteria to enroll children of migrant or seasonal 
farmworker families who would most benefit from such program but who 
are not eligible under clause
            (i) or
            (ii) of subsection

    (a)

    (1)
        (B) , 
giving priority to children of migrant farmworker families described in 
subparagraph
        (A) of the paragraph establishing that definition in 

section 637. The selection criteria shall limit that enrollment to 
children who have at least 1 family member whose income comes primarily 
from agricultural employment as defined in 

section 3 of the Migrant and 
Seasonal Agricultural Worker Protection Act (29 U.S.C. 1802).''.

SEC. 16. EARLY HEAD START PROGRAMS.

    (a) Cognitive Development.--

Section 645A

    (b)

    (1) of the Head Start 
Act (42 U.S.C. 9840a

    (b)

    (1) ) is amended by striking ``intellectual'' and 
inserting ``cognitive''.

    (b) Eligible Service Providers.--

Section 645A
            (d) of the Head Start 
Act (42 U.S.C. 9840a
            (d) ) is amended--

    (1) in paragraph

    (2) , by striking ``Indian'' and inserting 
 ``Native American''; and

    (2) in paragraph

    (3) , by inserting ``partnerships and'' 
 after ``including''.
            (c) Selection.--

Section 645A

    (e) of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 
9840a

    (e) ) is amended by striking ``under this section'' and all that 
follows and inserting ``under this section--
 ``

    (1) on a competitive basis to applicants meeting the 
 criteria specified in subsection
            (d) ; and
 ``

    (2) giving priority to--
 ``
        (A) entities that have a record of providing 
 early, continuous, and comprehensive childhood 
 development and family services; or
 ``
        (B) entities that are operating a Head Start 
 program.''.
            (d) Training and Technical Assistance.--

Section 645A

    (g)

    (2)
        (B)
            (i) of 
the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9840a

    (g)

    (2)
        (B)
            (i) ) is amended by striking 
``

section 640

    (a)

    (2)
            (C) 
            (i) 
            (II) (bb) '' and inserting ``

section 640

    (a)

    (2)
            (C) 
            (i) 
            (III) (bb) ''.

    (e) Center-Based Staff.--

Section 645A

    (h) of the Head Start Act (42 
U.S.C. 9840a

    (h) ) is amended--

    (1) in paragraph

    (1) , by striking ``, not later than 
 September 30, 2010,''; and

    (2) in paragraph

    (2) , by striking ``not later than 
 September 30, 2010,''.

    (f) Staff Qualifications.--

Section 645A
            (i) (2) of the Head Start Act 
(42 U.S.C. 9840a
            (i) (2) ) is amended--

    (1) in subparagraph
            (D) , by striking ``children who are 
 limited English proficient'' and inserting ``children who are 
 developing English proficiency'';

    (2) in subparagraph
        (E) --
        (A) by inserting ``, mental health,'' after ``what 
 health'';
        (B) by striking ``by offering'' and inserting 
 ``by--
 ``
            (i) offering'';
            (C) in clause
            (i) , as so designated, by adding 
 ``and'' at the end; and
            (D) by adding at the end the following:
 ``
            (ii) ensuring that all children receiving 
 such a home visit receive adequate screening 
 and appropriate follow-up for, and families 
 receive referrals to access services for, 
 potential social, emotional, behavioral, or 
 other mental health concerns;''; and

    (3) in subparagraph
        (G) , by inserting ``, mental health,'' 
 after ``health''.

SEC. 17. APPEALS, NOTICE, AND HEARING.

 

Section 646

    (e)

    (1) of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9841

    (e)

    (1) ) is 
amended--

    (1) by striking ``Indian tribe'' each place it appears and 
 inserting ``Indian tribe, Native Hawaiian organization, or 
 Native Hawaiian educational organization'';

    (2) in subparagraph
        (B) , by striking ``the tribe'' the 
 first place it appears and inserting ``the Indian tribe, Native 
 Hawaiian organization, or Native Hawaiian educational 
 organization''; and

    (3) except as described in paragraph

    (2) of this section, 
 by striking ``the tribe'' each place it appears and inserting 
 ``the Indian tribe or Native Hawaiian community involved''.

SEC. 18. TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND TRAINING.

 

Section 648 of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9843) is amended--

    (1) in subsection

    (a)

    (3) --
        (A) in subparagraph
        (A) --
            (i) in clause
            (iii) , by striking ``staff 
 (including instruction'' and inserting the 
 following: ``staff, including--
 ``
            (I) instruction''; and
            (ii) by striking ``families, including 
 training'' and inserting the following: 
 ``families; and
 ``
            (II) training''; and
        (B) in subparagraph
        (B) --
            (i) in clause
            (x) 
            (II) --
            (I) by striking ``limited English 
 proficient children'' and inserting 
 ``children who are developing English 
 proficiency''; and
            (II) by striking ``limited English 
 proficient individuals'' and inserting 
 ``individuals who are developing 
 English proficiency'';
            (ii) by redesignating clauses
            (xii) through
            (xvi) as clauses
            (xiv) through
            (xviii) , 
 respectively;
            (iii) by inserting after clause
            (xi) the 
 following:
 ``
            (xii) assist Head Start agencies and 
 programs to--
 ``
            (I) increase the utilization of 
 evidence-based systemic approaches to 
 positive behavioral interventions and 
 supports in Head Start programs;
 ``
            (II) prevent seclusion, 
 mechanical restraint, and chemical 
 restraint, and prevent and reduce 
 physical restraint, in Head Start 
 programs; and
 ``
            (III) collect data needed to 
 carry out the evaluation under 

section 650

    (n) ;
 ``
            (xiii) assist Head Start agencies in the 
 development of policies and procedures to 
 promote the coordination and timely and 
 appropriate delivery of services, and payment 
 or reimbursement of such services, under title 
 XIX of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 
 1396);''; and
            (iv) in clause
            (xvii) , as so redesignated--
            (I) by striking ``assist Indian'' 
 and inserting ``assist Native 
 American''; and
            (II) by inserting ``, Alaska 
 Native, and Native Hawaiian'' after 
 ``of Indian'';

    (2) in subsection

    (b) --
        (A) in the matter preceding paragraph

    (1) , by 
 striking ``

section 640

    (a)

    (2)
            (C) 
            (i) 
            (II) 
            (cc) '' and 
 inserting ``

section 640

    (a)

    (2)
            (C) 
            (i) 
            (III) 
            (cc) ''; and
        (B) in paragraph

    (2)
        (A) , by striking ``limited 
 English proficient children'' and inserting ``children 
 who are developing English proficiency'';

    (3) in subsection
            (d) --
        (A) in the matter preceding paragraph

    (1) , by 
 striking ``

section 640

    (a)

    (2)
            (C) 
            (i) 
            (II) (aa) '' and 
 inserting ``

section 640

    (a)

    (2)
            (C) 
            (i) 
            (III) (aa) '';
        (B) in paragraph

    (1) --
            (i) in subparagraph
        (B) , by striking 
 ``children and families who are limited English 
 proficient'' and inserting ``children and 
 family members who are developing English 
 proficiency'';
            (ii) by redesignating subparagraph
            (I) as 
 subparagraph
        (K) ; and
            (iii) by inserting after subparagraph
        (H) the following:
 ``
            (I) Activities to provide training necessary to 
 implement evidence-based systemic approaches to 
 positive behavioral interventions and supports, 
 including technical assistance for data-driven 
 decision-making related to behavioral supports and 
 interventions.
 ``
        (J) Activities to improve the implementation and 
 evaluation of strategies and procedures to prevent 
 seclusion, mechanical restraint, and chemical 
 restraint, and prevent and reduce physical restraint, 
 in Head Start programs.''; and
            (C) in paragraph

    (2) --
            (i) in subparagraph
        (B) , by inserting 
 ``and, as appropriate, Native American 
 languages'' before the semicolon at the end; 
 and
            (ii) in subparagraph
            (D) , by striking 
 ``children who are limited English proficient'' 
 and inserting ``children who are developing 
 English proficiency'';

    (4) in subsection

    (e) --
        (A) by striking ``Indian'' each place the term 
 appears and inserting ``Native American'';
        (B) in the matter preceding paragraph

    (1) , by 
 striking ``

section 640

    (a)

    (2)
            (C) 
            (i) 
            (II) (bb) '' and 
 inserting ``

section 640

    (a)

    (2)
            (C) 
            (i) 
            (III) (bb) '';
            (C) in paragraph

    (3) , by striking ``

section 640

    (a)

    (2)
            (C) 
            (i) 
            (II) (bb) '' and inserting ``

section 640

    (a)

    (2)
            (C) 
            (i) 
            (III) (bb) ''; and
            (D) in paragraph

    (4) , by striking ``and Labor'' and 
 inserting ``and Workforce'';

    (5) by redesignating subsection

    (g) as subsection

    (h) ;

    (6) by inserting after subsection

    (f) the following:
 ``

    (g) Disability-Related Services.--The Secretary shall--
 ``

    (1) coordinate with the Secretary of Education and other 
 experts, as appropriate, on the services and supports provided 
 to infants, toddlers, and children with disabilities under 
 

section 619 and part C of the Individuals with Disabilities 
 Education Act (20 U.S.C. 1419, 1431 et seq.) and 

section 504 of 
 the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. 794); and
 ``

    (2) provide training and technical assistance to Head 
 Start agencies (including Early Head Start agencies) to improve 
 its coordination and collaboration as required under 
 subparagraphs
        (H)
            (ii) and
        (N) of 

section 641
            (d) (2) and sections 
 642

    (e)

    (3) , 642B

    (a)

    (2)
        (B)
            (iv) , and 645A

    (b)

    (11) .''; and

    (7) in subsection

    (h) , as so redesignated--
        (A) in paragraph

    (1) --
            (i) in the matter preceding subparagraph
        (A) , by striking ``Hispanic-serving 
 institutions, and Tribal Colleges and 
 Universities'' and inserting ``, Tribal 
 Colleges and Universities, and other minority-
 serving institutions, including Hispanic-
 serving institutions'';
            (ii) in subparagraph
        (B) , by striking ``and 
 costs related to tuition, fees, and books'' and 
 inserting ``, the cost of attendance of the 
 education programs, and other costs associated 
 with in-service learning'';
            (iii) in subparagraph
            (C) --
            (I) in clause
            (ii) , by striking 
 ``children with limited English 
 proficiency'' and inserting ``children 
 who are developing English 
 proficiency'';
            (II) in clause
            (iii) --

    (aa) by inserting ``, 
 Alaska Native, and Native 
 Hawaiian'' after ``Indian''; 
 and

    (bb) by striking ``tribal 
 culture and language'' and 
 inserting ``Tribal culture and 
 Native American languages''; 
 and
            (III) by adding at the end the 
 following:
 ``
            (iv) in the case of other minority-
 serving institutions, to help Head Start agency 
 staff develop skills and expertise needed to 
 teach in programs serving large numbers of 
 Indian, Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian, and 
 Asian American and Pacific Islander children, 
 including programs to develop the linguistic 
 skills and expertise needed to teach in 
 programs serving a large number of children who 
 are developing English proficiency;'';
            (iv) in subparagraph
            (D) , by striking 
 ``Hispanic-serving institutions, or Tribal 
 Colleges and Universities'' and inserting ``, 
 Tribal Colleges and Universities, or other 
 minority-serving institutions, including 
 Hispanic-serving institutions'';
            (v) by redesignating subparagraphs
        (E) and
        (F) as subparagraphs
        (F) and
        (G) , respectively;
            (vi) by inserting after subparagraph
            (D) the following:
 ``
        (E) to provide supportive services, such as 
 transportation, child care, dependent care, assistive 
 technology, and food assistance, that are necessary to 
 enable an individual to participate in activities 
 authorized under this subsection;'';
            (vii) in subparagraph
        (F) , as so 
 redesignated--
            (I) by striking ``technology 
 literacy programs for Indian'' and 
 inserting ``digital literacy programs 
 for Native American''; and
            (II) by striking ``and'' after 
 semicolon;
            (viii) in subparagraph
        (G) , as so 
 redesignated, by striking the period and 
 inserting ``; and''; and
            (ix) by adding at the end the following:
 ``
        (H) to provide opportunities for participants to 
 practice and develop teaching that integrate knowledge 
 from education through classroom-based, paid clinical 
 experiences in which candidates may teach or lead 
 alongside an expert mentor teacher.'';
        (B) in paragraph

    (2) --
            (i) in subparagraph
        (A) , by striking 
 ``and'' after the semicolon;
            (ii) in subparagraph
        (B) , by striking 
 ``under this section.'' and inserting ``and 
 other minority-serving institutions, including 
 Native American-serving nontribal institutions, 
 Alaska Native-serving institutions, and Native 
 Hawaiian-serving institutions under this 
 section;''; and
            (iii) by adding at the end the following:
 ``
            (C) provide appropriate technical assistance to 
 communities interested in establishing campus-based 
 Head Start services at institutions of higher 
 education, including analysis of the economic 
 circumstances of the college education population in 
 the community and potential partnership models that may 
 be appropriate for the community; and
 ``
            (D) provide technical assistance to institutions 
 receiving grants under this subsection on the ability 
 to leverage existing Federal and State funds, such as--
 ``
            (i) State prekindergarten funding;
 ``
            (ii) dedicated State funding for infant 
 and toddler care; and
 ``
            (iii) the Child Care Access Means Parents 
 in School program under 

section 419N of the 
 Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 
 1070e).'';
            (C) in paragraph

    (3) --
            (i) by striking ``Hispanic-serving 
 institution, or Tribal College or University 
 desiring'' and inserting ``Tribal College or 
 University, or other minority-serving 
 institution, including a Hispanic-serving 
 institution, desiring''; and
            (ii) by striking ``Hispanic-serving 
 institutions, or Tribal Colleges and 
 Universities'' and inserting ``Tribal Colleges 
 and Universities, or other minority-serving 
 institutions, including Hispanic-serving 
 institutions'';
            (D) by redesignating paragraphs

    (4) and

    (5) as 
 paragraphs

    (5) and

    (6) , respectively;
        (E) by inserting after paragraph

    (3) the following:
 ``

    (4) Award basis.--In making awards under this subsection, 
 the Secretary--
 ``
        (A) shall consult with the Secretary of 
 Education; and
 ``
        (B) to the extent practicable based on the 
 applications received, shall distribute the grant funds 
 available under this subsection proportionately among 
 institutions designated as historically Black colleges 
 and universities, as Tribal Colleges and Universities, 
 and as other minority-serving institutions, based on 
 the number of institutions designated in each such 
 category in all States, as compared to the total number 
 of designated institutions in all such categories in 
 all States.'';
        (F) in paragraph

    (5) , as so redesignated--
            (i) by redesignating subparagraphs
        (A) ,
        (B) , and
            (C) as subparagraphs
            (C) ,
            (D) , and
        (H) , respectively;
            (ii) by inserting before subparagraph
            (C) , 
 as so redesignated, the following:
 ``
        (A) The term `Alaska Native-serving institution' 
 has the meaning given such term in 

section 317

    (b) of 
 the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1059d

    (b) ).
 ``
        (B) The term `cost of attendance' has the meaning 
 given the term in 

section 472 of the Higher Education 
 Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 108711).''; and
            (iii) by inserting after subparagraph
            (D) , 
 as so redesignated, the following:
 ``
        (E) The term `minority-serving institution' means 
 an institution described in any of paragraphs

    (1) through

    (7) of 

section 371

    (a) of the Higher Education 
 Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1067q

    (a) ).
 ``
        (F) The term `Native American-serving nontribal 
 institution' has the meaning given such term in 

section 371
            (c) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 
 1067q
            (c) ).
 ``
        (G) The term `Native Hawaiian-serving 
 institution' has the meaning given such term in 

section 317

    (b) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 
 1059d

    (b) ).''; and
        (G) in paragraph

    (6) , as so redesignated, by 
 striking ``or shall repay such assistance'' and 
 inserting ``, but shall not be required to repay such 
 assistance if the teaching requirement is not met''.

SEC. 19. STAFF QUALIFICATIONS AND DEVELOPMENT.

 

Section 648A of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9843a) is amended--

    (1) in subsection

    (a) --
        (A) in paragraph

    (1) --
            (i) in subparagraph
        (A) --
            (I) by striking ``development of 
 children'' and inserting ``development 
 of all children by applying the 
 principles of universal design for 
 learning''; and
            (II) by striking ``readiness of 
 children'' and inserting ``readiness of 
 children, including infants and 
 toddlers as applicable,'';
            (ii) in subparagraph
            (C) , by striking 
 ``children; and'' and inserting ``children, 
 including, as applicable, infants and 
 toddlers;'';
            (iii) by redesignating subparagraph
            (D) as 
 subparagraph
        (E) ; and
            (iv) by inserting after subparagraph
            (C) the following:
 ``
            (D) providing linguistically and culturally 
 appropriate instruction; and'';
        (B) in paragraph

    (2) --
            (i) in subparagraph
        (B) --
            (I) in the matter preceding clause
            (i) , by striking ``all''; and
            (II) in clause
            (i) --

    (aa) in the matter 
 preceding subclause
            (I) , by 
 inserting ``all'' before ``Head 
 Start education coordinators''; 
 and

    (bb) in subclause
            (I) , by 
 inserting ``, including 
 linguistically and culturally 
 appropriate instruction and 
 curricula'' before the 
 semicolon; and
            (ii) in subparagraph
            (C) 
            (i) 
            (II) , by 
 striking ``and Labor'' and inserting ``and 
 Workforce'';
            (C) in paragraph

    (5) , by inserting ``, including 
 linguistically and culturally appropriate 
 instruction,'' after ``classroom instruction'';
            (D) in paragraph

    (6) , by striking ``shall--'' and 
 all that follows through ``degree.'' and inserting the 
 following: ``shall teach or work in a Head Start 
 program for a minimum of 3 years after receiving the 
 degree, but shall not be required to repay such 
 assistance if the teaching requirement is not met.''; 
 and
        (E) in paragraph

    (7) --
            (i) by striking ``or 102''; and
            (ii) by striking ``, 1002'';

    (2) in subsection

    (b)

    (1) , by inserting ``to support 
 linguistically and culturally appropriate instruction,'' after 
 ``education services,'';

    (3) in subsection
            (c) (5) , by striking ``(including 
 populations of limited English proficient children)'' and 
 inserting ``, including populations of children who are 
 developing English proficiency and children with 
 disabilities''; and

    (4) in subsection

    (g) , by striking ``tribal'' each place 
 the term appears and inserting ``Tribal''.

SEC. 20. MENTAL HEALTH.

 The Head Start Act is amended--

    (1) by redesignating sections 649 and 650 (42 U.S.C. 9844 
 and 9846) as sections 650 and 651, respectively; and

    (2) by inserting after 

section 648A the following:

``

SEC. 649. MENTAL HEALTH.

 ``

    (a) References.--In this section, a reference to a Head Start 
program includes an Early Head Start program and a reference to a Head 
Start agency includes an Early Head Start agency.
 ``

    (b) In General.--The Secretary, in coordination with the 
Assistant Secretary for Mental Health and Substance Use, shall ensure 
each Head Start agency supports the mental health and well-being of the 
staff of, and parents and children served by, the Head Start program of 
the agency.
 ``
            (c) Requirements.--In order to carry out subsection

    (b) , each 
Head Start agency shall--
 ``

    (1) support adult mental health and well-being, including 
 engaging families in responsive relationships, in home visiting 
 services, and promoting staff health and wellness;
 ``

    (2) encourage positive learning environments for all 
 children, particularly children with disabilities, children who 
 are developing English proficiency, and infants and toddlers;
 ``

    (3) provide adequate mental health screening for all 
 children participating in such programs and mental health 
 consultation services, including--
 ``
        (A) appropriate follow-up and referrals; and
 ``
        (B) information for parents to access services to 
 address potential mental health concerns;
 ``

    (4) facilitate access to a mental health consultant that 
 is trained on evidence-based strategies to prevent, identify, 
 and support children with mental health and social and 
 emotional concerns;
 ``

    (5) ensure all lead teachers receive training on infant 
 and early childhood mental health;
 ``

    (6) promote multitiered systems of support, such as 
 positive behavioral interventions and supports and trauma-
 informed care; and
 ``

    (7) support staff wellness breaks that--
 ``
        (A) considers the number of hours in a shift and 
 the availability of qualified teaching staff;
 ``
        (B) ensures the safety of children; and
 ``
            (C) as applicable, complies with State laws or 
 regulations that are more restrictive.
 ``
            (d) Community Partnerships.--A Head Start agency may establish a 
partnership with community-based services and resource personnel, such 
as behavior coaches, psychologists, and other appropriate specialists, 
to facilitate access to additional mental health resources and services 
as needed under this section.
 ``

    (e) Applicability; Exception.--
 ``

    (1) In general.--Except as provided in paragraph

    (2) , the 
 requirements of this section shall apply to all Head Start 
 agencies, and all Head Start programs, receiving assistance 
 under this subchapter.
 ``

    (2) Exception.--
 ``
        (A) Native american head start agencies.--Except 
 as provided in subparagraph
        (B) , this section shall not 
 apply to Head Start programs operated by Native 
 American Head Start agencies.
 ``
        (B) Supporting culturally responsive mental 
 health and well-being.--A Native American Head Start 
 agency receiving assistance under this subchapter 
 shall, working with members of Indian, Alaska Native, 
 and Native Hawaiian communities (as applicable), 
 establish practices that--
 ``
            (i) support the mental health and well-
 being of Head Start staff and children served 
 by the Native American Head Start program; and
 ``
            (ii) are linguistically and culturally 
 responsive and appropriate.''.

SEC. 21. RESEARCH, DEMONSTRATIONS, AND EVALUATION.

 

Section 650 of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9844), as so 
redesignated, is amended--

    (1) in subsection

    (a)

    (2) , by inserting ``in consultation 
 with the advisory panel established under subsection

    (g)

    (1) '' 
 before the period at the end;

    (2) in subsection

    (b)

    (1) , by striking ``public or private 
 entities'' and inserting ``other offices of the Department of 
 Health and Human Services, such as the Office of the Assistant 
 Secretary for Planning and Evaluation, or public or private 
 entities, such as the Institute of Education Sciences'';

    (3) in subsection
            (c) --
        (A) in paragraph

    (1) --
            (i) by redesignating subparagraph
            (C) as 
 subparagraph
            (D) ;
            (ii) in subparagraph
        (B) --
            (I) by striking ``and'' after the 
 semicolon; and
            (II) by striking ``programs and 
 individuals'' and inserting the 
 following: ``programs;
 ``
            (C) individuals'';
            (iii) in subparagraph
            (D) , as so 
 redesignated--
            (I) by striking the semicolon at 
 the end and inserting ``; and''; and
            (II) by striking ``other Federal 
 agencies, and individuals'' and 
 inserting the following: ``other 
 offices of the Department of Health and 
 Human Services, such as the Office of 
 the Assistant Secretary for Planning 
 and Evaluation, and other Federal 
 agencies, such as the Institute of 
 Education Sciences;
 ``
        (E) individuals''; and
            (iv) by adding at the end the following:
 ``
        (F) Indian Tribes and representatives from Native 
 American Head Start agencies;''; and
        (B) in paragraph

    (3) , by inserting ``and 
 particularly minority-serving institutions, as defined 
 in 

section 648

    (h)

    (5) '' after ``Higher Education Act of 
 1965'';

    (4) in subsection
            (d) --
        (A) in paragraph

    (6) , by inserting ``, including 
 models to simulate a control group'' before the 
 semicolon at the end;
        (B) in paragraph

    (9) , by striking ``and'' after the 
 semicolon;
            (C) in paragraph

    (10) --
            (i) in subparagraph
        (A) , by striking 
 ``which include'' and all that follows through 
 the semicolon and inserting ``on both children 
 with disabilities and children without 
 disabilities;''; and
            (ii) in subparagraph
        (B) , by striking the 
 period at the end and inserting a semicolon; 
 and
            (D) by adding at the end the following:
 ``

    (11) examine outreach, enrollment, and retention of 
 eligible families in Head Start programs, including between 
 Early Head Start and Head Start programs;
 ``

    (12) examine the processes through which Head Start 
 programs respond to the needs of families and provide family 
 support services; and
 ``

    (13) assess the drivers of workforce retention and 
 turnover in early care and education, as it relates to teacher 
 preparation, wages, benefits, and mental health supports.'';

    (5) in subsection

    (g) --
        (A) in paragraph

    (1)
        (A) --
            (i) in clause
            (i) , by striking ``of the 
 Coats Human Services Reauthorization Act of 
 1998'' and inserting ``of the Head Start for 
 America's Children Act''; and
            (ii) in clause
            (iii) , by striking ``to 
 comment, if the panel so desires, on'' and 
 inserting ``to make recommendations for future 
 research based on'';
        (B) in paragraph

    (5) --
            (i) in subparagraph
        (A)
            (iii) 
            (II) , by 
 striking ``enriches the lives of children and 
 families participating in Head Start programs'' 
 and inserting ``improves child and family 
 health, well-being, and engagement of children 
 in the Head Start programs and subsequent 
 educational programming'';
            (ii) in subparagraph
        (B) --
            (I) by striking ``on the date the 
 participants leave Head Start programs, 
 at the end of kindergarten and at the 
 end of first grade (whether in public 
 or private school),''; and
            (II) by striking ``absenteeism;'' 
 and inserting the following: 
 ``absenteeism--
 ``
            (i) on the date the participants leave 
 the Head Start program;
 ``
            (ii) at the end of kindergarten;
 ``
            (iii) at the end of first grade; and
 ``
            (iv) during later academic years, which 
 shall examine long-term academic performance, 
 as appropriate;'';
            (iii) by redesignating subparagraphs
            (C) and
            (D) as subparagraphs
            (D) and
        (E) , 
 respectively;
            (iv) by inserting after subparagraph
        (B) the following:
 ``
            (C) as applicable, examines the impact of 
 continued participation for children enrolled in both 
 Early Head Start and Head Start programs;''; and
            (v) in subparagraph
        (E) , as so 
 redesignated--
            (I) in the matter preceding clause
            (i) , by inserting ``and models to 
 simulate control groups'' after 
 ``comparison groups''; and
            (II) in clause
            (i) , by striking 
 ``day care'' and inserting ``child 
 care'';
            (C) in paragraph

    (6) --
            (i) in subparagraph
        (F) --
            (I) by inserting ``with respect to 
 Head Start programs'' before ``the 
 number'';
            (II) by striking ``program (such as 
 whether'' and inserting the following: 
 ``program, such as--
 ``
            (i) whether'';
            (III) by striking ``a full-working-
 day, full calendar year program,'' and 
 inserting ``a full-working-day program, 
 a full calendar year program,'';
            (IV) by striking ``); and'' and 
 inserting ``; and''; and
            (V) by adding at the end the 
 following:
 ``
            (ii) increased operational service hours; 
 and''; and
            (ii) in subparagraph
        (G) , by inserting ``, 
 and disaggregated by race, ethnicity, sex, 
 disability status, age, and status as a child 
 developing English proficiency'' after 
 ``characteristics''; and
            (D) in paragraph

    (7)
            (C) --
            (i) by striking ``September 30, 2009'' and 
 inserting ``September 30, 2027''; and
            (ii) by striking ``and Labor'' and 
 inserting ``and Workforce'';

    (6) in subsection

    (h) --
        (A) in the subsection heading, by striking 
 ``Limited English Proficient Children'' and inserting 
 ``Children Who Are Developing English Proficiency'';
        (B) in paragraph

    (1) --
            (i) by striking ``Improving Head Start for 
 School Readiness Act of 2007'' and inserting 
 ``Head Start for America's Children Act''; and
            (ii) by striking ``limited English 
 proficient children'' and inserting ``children 
 who are developing English proficiency'';
            (C) in paragraph

    (2) --
            (i) in the matter preceding subparagraph
        (A) --
            (I) by striking ``September 30, 
 2010'' and inserting September 30, 
 2028; and
            (II) by striking ``and Labor'' and 
 inserting ``and Workforce'';
            (ii) in each of subparagraphs
        (A) and
        (B) , 
 by striking ``limited English proficient 
 children'' and inserting ``children who are 
 developing English proficiency'';
            (iii) in subparagraph
            (C) , by striking 
 ``limited English proficient children'' each 
 place the term appears and inserting ``children 
 who are developing English proficiency'';
            (iv) in subparagraph
            (D) , by striking 
 ``limited English proficient children'' and 
 inserting ``children who are developing English 
 proficiency'';
            (v) in subparagraph
        (F) , by striking 
 ``limited English proficient children'' each 
 place the term appears and inserting ``children 
 who are developing English proficiency''; and
            (vi) in subparagraph
        (G) , by striking 
 ``limited English proficient children'' and 
 inserting ``children who are developing English 
 proficiency'';

    (7) in subsection
            (i) , by striking ``limited English 
 proficient children'' and inserting ``children who are 
 developing English proficiency'';

    (8) in subsection

    (j) , by striking ``limited English 
 proficient'' each place the term appears and inserting 
 ``developing English proficiency'';

    (9) in subsection

    (k) --
        (A) in the subsection heading, by striking 
 ``Indian'' and inserting ``Native American'';
        (B) by striking ``Indian Head Start programs'' each 
 place the term appears and inserting ``Native American 
 Head Start programs'';
            (C) by striking ``American Indian and Alaska 
 Native'' each place the term appears and inserting 
 ``Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian'';
            (D) in paragraph

    (1) --
            (i) in the matter preceding subparagraph
        (A) , by striking ``Indian Head Start 
 collaboration director,'' and inserting 
 ``Native American Head Start collaboration 
 director, the Native American Head Start 
 Advisory Committee established under paragraph

    (3) ,'';
            (ii) in subparagraph
        (A) --
            (I) by striking ``focus on issues'' 
 and inserting the following: ``focus--
 ``
            (i) on issues'';
            (II) by inserting ``linguistically 
 and culturally'' before 
 ``appropriate'';
            (III) by striking ``Children;'' and 
 inserting ``children; and''; and
            (IV) by adding at the end the 
 following:
 ``
            (ii) the implementation and effects of 
 Native American Head Start programs, which 
 shall include consultation with Indian Tribes, 
 representatives of Native American Head Start 
 agencies, and members of Indian tribes and 
 Native Hawaiian communities;''; and
            (iii) in subparagraph
        (E) --
            (I) in clause
            (i) , by striking 
 ``American Indians and Alaska Natives'' 
 and inserting ``Indians, Alaska 
 Natives, and Native Hawaiians''; and
            (II) in clause
            (ii) , by striking 
 ``tribal'' and inserting ``Tribal'';
        (E) by redesignating paragraphs

    (3) through

    (6) as 
 paragraphs

    (4) through

    (7) , respectively;
        (F) by inserting after paragraph

    (2) the following:
 ``

    (3)
        (A) establish an independent panel (to be known as the 
 `Native American Head Start Advisory Committee'), which--
 ``
            (i) shall consist of representatives appointed by 
 the Secretary from Native American Head Start programs, 
 families served by Native American Head Start programs, 
 and other appropriate entities, including Tribal 
 governments, to review, and make recommendations on, 
 the design and plan for the research carried out under 
 paragraph

    (1) ; and
 ``
            (ii) shall not be subject to 

section 1013 of 
 title 5, United States Code; and
 ``
        (B) in carrying out paragraph

    (1) , consult with the 
 Native American Head Start Advisory Committee and consider the 
 Committee's recommendations;'';
        (G) in each of paragraphs

    (4) and

    (5) , as so 
 redesignated, by striking ``effective date of this 
 subsection'' and inserting ``date of enactment of the 
 Head Start for America's Children Act''; and
        (H) in paragraph

    (5) , as so redesignated, by 
 striking ``and Labor'' and inserting ``and Workforce'';

    (10) in subsection
            (l) --
        (A) by striking ``Improving Head Start for School 
 Readiness Act of 2007'' each place the term appears and 
 inserting ``Head Start for America's Children Act'';
        (B) in paragraph

    (1) --
            (i) in the matter preceding subparagraph
        (A) , by inserting ``the Migrant and Seasonal 
 Head Start Advisory Committee established under 
 paragraph

    (4) ,'' after ``Head Start 
 programs,'';
            (ii) in subparagraph
        (A) , by striking 
 ``and'' after the semicolon;
            (iii) in subparagraph
        (B) , by striking the 
 period and inserting ``; and''; and
            (iv) by adding at the end the following:
 ``
            (C) undertake a study or set of studies designed 
 to focus on the population eligible for migrant and 
 seasonal Head Start programs, with a focus on issues 
 such as availability and need for services, culturally 
 appropriate research methodologies and measures for 
 these populations, and best practices for teaching and 
 educating children from farmworker families.'';
            (C) in paragraph

    (3) , by striking ``Education and 
 Labor'' and inserting ``Education and Workforce'';
            (D) by redesignating paragraphs

    (4) and

    (5) as 
 paragraphs

    (5) and

    (6) , respectively; and
        (E) by inserting after paragraph

    (3) the following:
 ``

    (4) Migrant and seasonal head start advisory committee.--
 ``
        (A) Establishment.--The Secretary shall establish 
 an independent panel (to be known as the `Migrant and 
 Seasonal Head Start Advisory Committee')--
 ``
            (i) to review, and make recommendations 
 on, the design and plan for the research 
 conducted under paragraph

    (1) ;
 ``
            (ii) to maintain and advise the Secretary 
 regarding the progress of the research; and
 ``
            (iii) to make recommendations for future 
 research.
 ``
        (B) Membership.--The Migrant and Seasonal Head 
 Start Advisory Committee shall consist of members 
 appointed by the Secretary from--
 ``
            (i) Migrant and Seasonal Head Start 
 programs;
 ``
            (ii) families served by Migrant and 
 Seasonal Head Start programs; and
 ``
            (iii) other appropriate entities who 
 specialize in serving the children of migrant 
 and seasonal farmworkers.
 ``
            (C) Non-expiration.--

Section 1013 of title 5, 
 United States Code, shall not apply to the Migrant and 
 Seasonal Head Start Advisory Committee.
 ``

    (5) Consultation.--The Secretary shall, in carrying out 
 activities described in paragraph

    (1) , consult with the Migrant 
 and Seasonal Head Start Advisory Committee and consider the 
 Committee's recommendations.'';

    (11) in subsection
            (m) --
        (A) in paragraph

    (2) , by striking ``in the event'' 
 and all that follows through the period at the end and 
 inserting ``in the event of a large-scale emergency or 
 other major disaster or emergency declared under 
 

section 401 or 501, respectively, of the Robert T. 
 Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act 
 (42 U.S.C. 5170, 5191).''; and
        (B) in paragraph

    (3) --
            (i) in the matter preceding subparagraph
        (A) --
            (I) by striking ``Improving Head 
 Start for School Readiness Act of 
 2007'' and inserting ``Head Start for 
 America's Children Act''; and
            (II) by striking ``and Labor'' and 
 inserting ``and Workforce''; and
            (ii) in subparagraph
        (A) , by striking ``, 
 including those that were developed in response 
 to hurricanes Katrina, Rita, and Wilma''; and

    (12) by adding at the end the following:
 ``

    (n) Discipline.--
 ``

    (1) References.--In this subsection, a reference to a 
 Head Start program includes an Early Head Start program and a 
 reference to a Head Start agency includes an Early Head Start 
 agency.
 ``

    (2) === Purpose ===
-The purpose of this subsection is to 
 evaluate discipline practices of the Head Start programs and 
 make recommendations for how Head Start programs shall reduce 
 the overuse of discipline practices and improve the use of 
 evidence-based strategies to support children.
 ``

    (3) Evaluation.--The Secretary shall evaluate Head Start 
 programs in the use of discipline practices, including--
 ``
        (A) rates of suspensions of children;
 ``
        (B) rates of dismissal or replacement to another 
 program;
 ``
            (C) rates of corporal punishment or physically 
 abusive behavior, including physical restraint;
 ``
            (D) with respect to physical restraint imposed 
 upon children--
 ``
            (i) the total number of such incidents;
 ``
            (ii) the total number of children upon 
 whom such physical restraint was imposed;
 ``
            (iii) in a case in which such physical 
 restraint was imposed more than twice on a 
 child, the number of times such child was so 
 restrained; and
 ``
            (iv) the total number of such incidents 
 where the use of physical restraint is referred 
 to law enforcement; and
 ``
        (E) rates of emotionally harmful or abusive 
 behavior, including seclusion.
 ``

    (4) Disaggregation.--
 ``
        (A) In general.--The data collected and evaluated 
 under paragraph

    (3) shall be disaggregated by--
 ``
            (i) each major racial and ethnic group;
 ``
            (ii) sex;
 ``
            (iii) status as an economically 
 disadvantaged child;
 ``
            (iv) status as a children with a 
 disability or as a child without a disability; 
 and
 ``
            (v) status as a child developing English 
 proficiency.
 ``
        (B) Physical restraint data.--With respect to the 
 data collected under paragraph

    (3)
            (D) regarding the 
 total number of incidents in which physical restraint 
 was imposed upon a child, such data shall be 
 disaggregated by--
 ``
            (i) incidents that resulted in injury;
 ``
            (ii) incidents that resulted in death; 
 and
 ``
            (iii) incidents in which the program 
 staff imposing physical restraint was not 
 trained and certified by a State-approved 
 crisis intervention training program.
 ``

    (5) Reports to congress.--
 ``
        (A) In general.--Not later than 18 months after 
 the date of the enactment of the Head Start for 
 America's Children Act and each year thereafter, the 
 Secretary shall prepare and submit to the Committee on 
 Education and Workforce of the House of Representatives 
 and the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and 
 Pensions of the Senate a report containing the results 
 of the evaluation required under paragraph

    (3) .
 ``
        (B) Contents.--The report submitted under 
 subparagraph
        (A) shall include--
 ``
            (i) an analysis of data related to the 
 incidents in Head Start programs described in 
 subparagraphs
        (A) through
        (E) of paragraph

    (3) ;
 ``
            (ii) an analysis of the effectiveness of 
 Federal, State, and local efforts to eliminate 
 seclusion and prevent and reduce the number of 
 physical restraint incidents in Head Start 
 programs;
 ``
            (iii) an identification of the types of 
 programs and services that have demonstrated 
 the greatest effectiveness in eliminating and 
 preventing seclusion and preventing and 
 reducing the number of physical restraint 
 incidents in Head Start programs;
 ``
            (iv) an identification of evidence-based 
 staff training models with demonstrated success 
 in preventing seclusion and preventing and 
 reducing the number of physical restraint 
 incidents in Head Start programs, including 
 models that emphasize positive behavioral 
 interventions and supports and de-escalation 
 techniques over physical intervention.
 ``
            (v) recommendations for improvements to 
 Head Start programs on the use of discipline 
 practices and the plan of the Secretary to 
 implement such recommendations;
 ``
            (vi) an evaluation of evidence-based 
 strategies to support children, including 
 multi-tiered systems of support such as systems 
 with positive behavioral interventions and 
 supports, mental health supports, restorative 
 justice programs, trauma-informed care, and 
 crisis and de-escalation interventions in Head 
 Start programs;
 ``
            (vii) an evaluation of staff training for 
 such strategies; and
 ``
            (viii) an evaluation of procedures for 
 Head Start agencies and the Secretary to 
 coordinate with appropriate Federal, State, and 
 local policies, programs, or activities 
 regarding the overuse of discipline 
 practices.''.

SEC. 22. REPORTS.

 

Section 651 of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9846), as so 
redesignated, is amended--

    (1) by striking ``and Labor'' each place the term appears 
 and inserting ``and Workforce'';

    (2) in subsection

    (a) --
        (A) in the matter preceding paragraph

    (1) --
            (i) by striking ``limited English 
 proficient children'' and inserting ``children 
 who are developing English proficiency''; and
            (ii) by striking ``Indian'' and inserting 
 ``Native American'';
        (B) in paragraph

    (7) --
            (i) by inserting ``benefits,'' after 
 ``salaries,''; and
            (ii) by striking the semicolon and 
 inserting the following: ``including--
 ``
        (A) information on how training programs 
 authorized under this subchapter increases recruitment 
 and retention of Head Start staff;
 ``
        (B) information on Head Start staff wage and 
 benefits comparability, taking into account geographic 
 variation, in relation to public elementary school 
 educators and similarly credentialed professionals, and 
 how pay structure and wage ladders influence Head Start 
 staff recruitment and retention; and
 ``
            (C) information on the adequacy of the annual 
 base salary applicable for the period of the report to 
 meet the basic needs of Head Start staff, with respect 
 to an annual base salary of the amount determined under 
 

section 653

    (b) ;'';
            (C) in paragraph

    (8) --
            (i) by striking ``including information on 
 family income'' and inserting ``, disaggregated 
 by family income levels'';
            (ii) by inserting ``status'' after 
 ``homelessness''; and
            (iii) by striking ``disability'' and 
 inserting ``sex, status as a child with a 
 disability, age, status as a child developing 
 English proficiency'';
            (D) in paragraph

    (13)
        (B) --
            (i) by striking ``

section 649'' and 
 inserting ``

section 650''; and
            (ii) by striking ``and'' after the 
 semicolon;
        (E) in paragraph

    (14) , by striking the period and 
 inserting a semicolon; and
        (F) by adding at the end the following:
 ``

    (15) a study detailing the population of children and 
 families served through the existing eligibility of the Head 
 Start program, as of the date of the study, including the 
 demographics and number of children and families served--
 ``
        (A) with an income that is less than 60 percent 
 of the State median income for a family of the same 
 size;
 ``
        (B) through the categorical eligibility pathways 
 under 

section 645

    (a)

    (1)
        (B)
            (ii) ;
 ``
            (C) who meet the selection criteria under 

section 645
            (d) (1) for Native American Head Start programs; and
 ``
            (D) who meet the selection criteria under 

section 645

    (e) for migrant and seasonal Head Start programs; 
 and
 ``

    (16) a survey of Head Start and child care partnerships 
 supported under 

section 657F that determines the extent of 
 barriers for such entities to enter into partnership 
 agreements, including suggested steps to overcome such 
 barriers, and a detailed description of the degree to which 
 Early Head Start agencies are utilizing the funds provided 
 under this subchapter.'';

    (3) in subsection

    (b) , by striking ``Indian Head Start'' 
 and all that follows through ``agencies.'' and inserting 
 ``Native American Head Start agencies.'';

    (4) in subsection
            (d) (2) , by striking ``Improving Head 
 Start for School Readiness Act of 2007'' and inserting ``Head 
 Start for America's Children Act'';

    (5) in subsection

    (e) , by striking ``Improving Head Start 
 for School Readiness Act of 2007'' and inserting ``Head Start 
 for America's Children Act''; and

    (6) by adding at the end the following:
 ``

    (f) Re-Competition Trends.--Not later than 1 year after the date 
of enactment of the Head Start for America's Children Act, the 
Secretary shall make publicly available a report on the trends of re-
competition of Head Start programs (which, for purposes of this 
subsection, shall include Early Head Start programs) since the 
implementation of the designated renewal system under 

section 641, 
including--
 ``

    (1) analyzing changes in Head Start agencies (which, for 
 purposes of this subsection, shall include Early Head Start 
 agencies) and subsequent associations on program quality and 
 outcomes for children, including infants and toddlers;
 ``

    (2) identifying the number and the characteristics of 
 agencies whose designations as Head Start agencies have been 
 renewed in accordance with the system for designation renewal 
 under 

section 641
            (c) since the implementation of the designated 
 renewal system;
 ``

    (3) identifying the number and the characteristics of 
 agencies whose designations as Head Start agencies have not 
 renewed under 

section 641
            (c) since the implementation of the 
 designated renewal system and have resulted in an open 
 competition under 

section 641
            (d) ; and
 ``

    (4) identifying elements of the designation process that 
 potentially deter new grantees from participating in a 
 competition, including trends in the number of applicants who 
 seek to serve the same community.
 ``

    (g) Staffing Trends.--Not later than 1 year after the date of 
enactment of the Head Start for America's Children Act, the Secretary 
shall prepare and submit, to the Committee on Education and Workforce 
of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Health, Education, 
Labor, and Pensions of the Senate, a report detailing the effect that 
any reduction in staffing at the Administration of Children and 
Families during the period beginning on January 1, 2025, and ending on 
the date of the report had on executing the statutorily required 
activities of this subchapter, including--
 ``

    (1) the ability for Head Start centers to remain open and 
 offer day-to-day services to children and their families;
 ``

    (2) investigations of child health and safety incidents;
 ``

    (3) training and technical assistance to ensure high-
 quality services for children;
 ``

    (4) disbursement of congressionally appropriated funds 
 and grants to local grantees and the review of grant renewal 
 applications and modifications; and
 ``

    (5) the ability of Native American Head Start agencies to 
 access timely technical assistance, funding, and services from 
 national and regional offices.''.

SEC. 23. HEAD START STAFF WAGES.

 

Section 653 of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9848) is amended--

    (1) by striking the section designation and heading and 
 inserting the following:

``

SEC. 653. HEAD START STAFF COMPENSATION.'';

    (2) by redesignating subsection

    (b) as subsection
            (d) ;

    (3) striking subsection

    (a) and inserting the following:
 ``

    (a) References.--In this section, a reference to a Head Start 
program includes an Early Head Start program and a reference to a Head 
Start agency includes an Early Head Start agency.
 ``

    (b) Staff Wages and Benefits.--The Secretary shall take such 
action as may be necessary to ensure that persons employed in carrying 
out Head Start programs financed under this subchapter shall--
 ``

    (1) receive compensation that--
 ``
        (A) for Head Start program educational staff, is 
 not less than the higher of--
 ``
            (i) the amount required in order for 
 parity to be achieved between--
 ``
            (I) the compensation provided to 
 Head Start program educational staff 
 with similar credentials and experience 
 to elementary school educators employed 
 by the local educational agency serving 
 the area of the Head Start program; and
 ``
            (II) the compensation provided to 
 such elementary school educators; or
 ``
            (ii) includes an annual base salary of--
 ``
            (I) for fiscal year 2026, 
 $60,000; and
 ``
            (II) for fiscal year 2027 and 
 each subsequent fiscal year (referred 
 to in this subclause as the 
 `determination fiscal year'), an amount 
 equal to the annual base salary under 
 this clause for the preceding year, 
 increased by the estimated percentage 
 increase (if any), as determined by the 
 Secretary of Health and Human Services, 
 in the Consumer Price Index For All 
 Urban Consumers, issued by the Bureau 
 of Labor Statistics, occurring in the 
 most recent fiscal year ending prior to 
 the beginning of such determination 
 fiscal year;
 ``
        (B) establishes or improves a salary scale, wage 
 ladder, or pay structure for all Head Start program 
 staff that increases with qualifications and 
 experience;
 ``
            (C) sufficiently provides a livable and 
 competitive salary for all Head Start program staff 
 within the agency's service area;
 ``
            (D) ensures comparability of compensation across 
 Head Start preschool and Early Head Start staff 
 positions; and
 ``
        (E) ensures Head Start agencies provide 
 compensation and benefits that are--
 ``
            (i) based on staff responsibilities, 
 qualifications, training, and experience; and
 ``
            (ii) updated not less than once every 3 
 years;
 ``

    (2) provide or facilitate access to competitive benefits 
 for Head Start program staff working not less than 30 hours per 
 week, such as--
 ``
        (A) high-quality, affordable health coverage;
 ``
        (B) paid personal leave; and
 ``
            (C) access to short-term, free or minimal cost 
 behavioral health services;
 ``

    (3) facilitate access to high-quality, affordable health 
 care coverage for staff working less than 30 hours per week; 
 and
 ``

    (4) facilitate access to high-quality, affordable child 
 care and to the public service loan forgiveness program under 
 

section 455
            (m) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 
 1087e
            (m) ).
 ``
            (c) Rebuilding the Head Start Workforce Grants.--
 ``

    (1) Program authorized.--
 ``
        (A) In general.--The Secretary shall award 
 grants, on a competitive basis, to Head Start agencies 
 to meet the immediate staff needs and enhance the 
 program quality of Head Start programs.
 ``
        (B) Duration.--A grant award under this 
 subsection shall be for a period of not more than 5 
 years.
 ``

    (2) Applications.--A Head Start agency desiring a grant 
 under this subsection shall submit to the Secretary an 
 application at such time, in such manner, and containing such 
 information as the Secretary may require. Such application 
 shall include--
 ``
        (A) information regarding--
 ``
            (i) the current staff of the Head Start 
 agency, as of the date of application, 
 including the number of staff employed, the 
 positions and responsibilities of such staff, 
 the degrees held by such staff (as applicable), 
 and the early childhood education experience of 
 such staff; and
 ``
            (ii) the current unfilled staffing needs 
 of the Head Start agency, as of the date of 
 application;
 ``
        (B) a description of the recruitment and 
 retention activities proposed to be conducted by the 
 eligible agency under the grant, such as professional 
 development activities and plans to ensure new staff 
 are well-supported and well-compensated; and
 ``
            (C) plans to address immediate staff needs to 
 enhance program quality and improve Head Start program 
 services to eligible children and families.
 ``

    (3) Reservations.--From amounts appropriated to carry out 
 this subsection, the Secretary shall reserve not less than a 
 total of 4.5 percent to award grants to--
 ``
        (A) American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native 
 Hawaiian Head Start agencies; and
 ``
        (B) migrant and seasonal Head Start agencies.
 ``

    (4) Priority.--Subject to paragraph

    (3) , the Secretary 
 shall give priority to applications that propose to, in 
 accordance with paragraph

    (1) --
 ``
        (A) address staffing shortages that are 
 associated with a reduction in funding for the Head 
 Start agency due to chronic underenrollment, in 
 accordance with 

section 641A

    (h) ;
 ``
        (B) increase the staff skills and qualifications 
 to meet the diverse (including linguistic and cultural) 
 needs of eligible children (including infants and 
 toddlers with disabilities, children with disabilities, 
 homeless children, children in foster or kinship care, 
 children who receive care during additional hours not 
 typically included in a full calendar year schedule and 
 children who are developing English proficiency) and 
 their families;
 ``
            (C) increase capacity to serve children who have 
 been identified as part of underserved populations, 
 rural communities, or areas of persistent poverty; and
 ``
            (D) support and incorporate Native American 
 languages and cultural instruction for Native American 
 Head Start programs.
 ``

    (5) Uses of funds.--A Head Start agency that receives a 
 grant under this subsection shall use grant funds for not less 
 than 1 of the following:
 ``
        (A) Providing recruitment and retention bonuses 
 for Head Start staff, particularly educators and mental 
 health consultants.
 ``
        (B) Supporting the mental health of Head Start 
 staff.
 ``
            (C) Delivering or facilitating professional 
 development and instructional coaching for Head Start 
 staff, particularly those who are involved in the 
 direct education and care of children.
 ``

    (6) Evaluation.--The Secretary shall conduct an 
 evaluation to assess the effectiveness of grants under this 
 subsection in--
 ``
        (A) attracting and retaining Head Start educators 
 and other staff, particularly--
 ``
            (i) in rural communities;
 ``
            (ii) to meet linguistically and 
 culturally appropriate needs aligned with 
 community needs assessments; and
 ``
            (iii) to support the mental health and 
 well-being of children, families, and staff; 
 and
 ``
        (B) expanding the capacity of Head Start agencies 
 to support children and families with health, mental 
 health, educational, nutritional, social, and other 
 services.''; and

    (4) in subsection
            (d) (2) , as so redesignated--
        (A) in subparagraph
        (A) --
            (i) by striking ``includes salary'' and 
 inserting the following: ``the sum of--
 ``
            (i) the base salary, calculated as an 
 annual rate of pay; and''; and
            (ii) by striking ``bonuses, periodic 
 payments, severance pay,'' and inserting the 
 following:
 ``
            (ii) severance pay,''; and
        (B) in subparagraph
        (B) , by inserting ``bonuses, 
 stipends, awards, periodic payments, and'' before ``any 
 Head Start agency''.

SEC. 24. NONDISCRIMINATION PROVISIONS.

 

Section 654
            (c) of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9849
            (c) ) is amended 
by striking ``handicapping condition'' and inserting ``disability''.

SEC. 25. CENTERS OF EXCELLENCE IN EARLY CHILDHOOD.

 

Section 657B of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9852b) is amended--

    (1) in subsection

    (b)

    (1) , by striking ``Indian'' and 
 inserting ``Native American'';

    (2) in subsection
            (c) --
        (A) in paragraph

    (1)
        (A)
            (ii) --
            (i) in the clause heading, by striking 
 ``Indian'' and inserting ``Native american head 
 start''; and
            (ii) by striking ``an Indian'' and 
 inserting ``a Native American'';
        (B) in paragraph

    (2) , by striking ``an Indian'' and 
 inserting ``a Native American''; and
            (C) in paragraph

    (3) , by striking ``limited English 
 proficient children'' and inserting ``children who are 
 developing English proficiency'';

    (3) in subsection
            (d) (1)
        (B) , by striking ``limited English 
 proficient children'' and inserting ``children who are 
 developing English proficiency'';

    (4) in subsection

    (e)

    (2) , by striking ``Improving Head 
 Start for School Readiness Act of 2007'' and inserting ``Head 
 Start for America's Children Act''; and

    (5) in subsection

    (f) , by striking ``2008 through 2012'' 
 and inserting ``2026 through 2030''.

SEC. 26. COMMUNITY ELIGIBILITY PILOT PROGRAM.

 The Head Start Act is amended--

    (1) by redesignating 

section 657C (42 U.S.C. 9852c) as 
 

section 657G; and

    (2) by inserting after 

section 657B the following:

``

SEC. 657C. COMMUNITY ELIGIBILITY PILOT PROGRAM.

 ``

    (a) 

=== Definitions. ===
-In this section:
 ``

    (1) Community.--The term `community' means--
 ``
        (A) a city, county, or multicity or multicounty 
 unit within a State;
 ``
        (B) an Indian reservation, including Indians in 
 any off-reservation area designated by an appropriate 
 Tribal government, in consultation with the Secretary;
 ``
            (C) an area served by a Native Hawaiian 
 organization or Native Hawaiian educational 
 organization; or
 ``
            (D) a neighborhood or other area (irrespective of 
 boundaries or political subdivisions).
 ``

    (2) Covered agency.--The term `covered agency' means a 
 Head Start agency, including an Early Head Start agency.
 ``

    (3) Covered program.--The term `covered program' means a 
 Head Start program, including an Early Head Start program.
 ``

    (4) Pilot program.--The term `pilot program' means the 
 pilot program established under subsection

    (b) .
 ``

    (b) Establishment of Community Eligibility Pilot Programs.--
 ``

    (1) In general.--From amounts made available to carry out 
 this section, the Secretary shall establish a pilot program 
 under which the Secretary shall provide authority and 
 additional funds to a covered agency serving a local community 
 of high poverty through a covered program to enable the covered 
 agency to enroll all children within the age range served by 
 the covered agency living in such community in the covered 
 program, without regard to the eligibility criteria under 
 

section 645 or 645A, as applicable.
 ``

    (2) Number of participating agencies.--The Secretary 
 shall select not more than 10 covered agencies to participate 
 in the pilot program during the period of the pilot program.
 ``
            (c) Application.--A covered agency desiring to participate in the 
pilot program shall submit to the Secretary an application at such 
time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary 
may require.
 ``
            (d) Considerations.--In approving applications for participation 
in the pilot program, the Secretary shall consider--
 ``

    (1) how the covered program supported under the pilot 
 program will be meeting the needs of children in the local 
 community served;
 ``

    (2) the demographics of the local community to be served;
 ``

    (3) various metrics for determining a high rate of 
 poverty in a local community;
 ``

    (4) whether proposed outreach efforts to the local 
 community served are linguistically and culturally inclusive; 
 and
 ``

    (5) the plans of the covered agency for prioritizing 
 children with the greatest need in the local community if the 
 capacity of the covered agency or covered program is limited.
 ``

    (e) Technical Assistance.--In carrying out the pilot program, the 
Secretary shall provide technical assistance, training, and materials 
to covered agencies selected to participate in the pilot program.
 ``

    (f) Evaluation.--The Secretary shall conduct an evaluation of the 
pilot program to assess the effectiveness of the pilot program in--
 ``

    (1) meeting the needs of children and families not 
 otherwise eligible for covered programs;
 ``

    (2) improving the identification of children from low-
 income backgrounds, children facing hardship, and children in 
 local areas of high poverty;
 ``

    (3) reducing barriers to participation and enrollment in 
 the covered program;
 ``

    (4) ensuring program quality and effectiveness in meeting 
 the standards described in 

section 641A; and
 ``

    (5) providing or connecting families with services to 
 support the health, mental health, educational, nutritional, 
 and social needs of their children and themselves.
 ``

    (g) Reports.--The Secretary shall submit to the Committee on 
Education and Workforce of the House of Representatives and the 
Committee on Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the 
Senate--
 ``

    (1) by not later than the date that is 2 years after the 
 date on which the pilot program is implemented, a report 
 containing information on the initial results of the pilot 
 program, including the demographic and income data of children 
 and families eligible and enrolled in covered programs under 
 the pilot program; and
 ``

    (2) during the period beginning on the last day of the 
 pilot program (including any extension authorized under 
 subsection

    (h) ) and ending on the date that is 2 years after 
 such last day, a report containing recommendations to improve 
 the identification of children and families eligible to 
 participate in a covered program residing in local communities 
 of high and persistent poverty.
 ``

    (h) Termination.--The pilot program carried out under this 
section (except with respect to the report described in subsection

    (g)

    (2) ) shall cease to have effect on the last day of the 5-year period 
beginning on the day that the first grant is awarded under this 
section, except that the Secretary may elect to extend the pilot 
program for 1 additional period of not more than 3 years.''.

SEC. 27. HEAD START AGENCIES AND INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION 
 PARTNERSHIPS.

 The Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9831 et seq.) is amended by inserting 
after 

section 657C, as added by 

section 26, the following:

``

SEC. 657D. HEAD START AGENCIES AND INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION 
 PARTNERSHIPS.

 ``

    (a) 

=== Definitions. ===
-In this section:
 ``

    (1) Eligible agency.--The term `eligible agency' means a 
 Head Start agency, including an Early Head Start agency.
 ``

    (2) Eligible program.--The term `eligible program' means 
 a Head Start program, including an Early Head Start program.
 ``

    (3) Hispanic-serving institution.--The term `Hispanic-
 serving institution' has the meaning given such term in 

section 502

    (a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 
 1101a

    (a) ).
 ``

    (4) Historically black college or university.--The term 
 `historically Black college or university' has the meaning 
 given the term `part B institution' in 

section 322 of the 
 Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1061).
 ``

    (5) Minority-serving institution.--The term `minority-
 serving institution' means an institution described in any of 
 paragraphs

    (1) through

    (7) of 

section 371

    (a) of the Higher 
 Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1067q

    (a) ).
 ``

    (6) Student parent.--The term `student parent', with 
 respect to an institution of higher education, means an 
 individual who--
 ``
        (A) is a parent;
 ``
        (B) is enrolled in a program of postsecondary 
 education at such institution; and
 ``
            (C) whose child is eligible for an eligible 
 program.
 ``

    (7) Tribal college or university.--The term `Tribal 
 College or University' has the meaning given the term in 
 

section 316

    (b) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 
 1059c

    (b) ).
 ``

    (b) Pilot Program Authorized.--
 ``

    (1) In general.--From amounts made available to carry out 
 this section, the Secretary shall make grants, on a competitive 
 basis, to eligible agencies to form partnerships with 
 institutions of higher education to support the participation 
 of student parents in on-campus eligible programs.
 ``

    (2) Duration.--An award made under paragraph

    (1) shall be 
 for a period of 5 years, with an opportunity for renewal for 
 additional 3-year periods in accordance with subsection

    (f)

    (2) .
 ``
            (c) Use of Funds.--Grant funds awarded under subsection

    (b) shall 
be used by a partnership between an eligible agency and an institution 
of higher education to support or establish a campus-based eligible 
program to serve the needs of student parents enrolled in the 
institution.
 ``
            (d) Applications.--An eligible agency desiring a grant under this 
section shall submit an application to the Secretary at such time, in 
such manner, and accompanied by such information as the Secretary may 
require. Each application shall--
 ``

    (1) describe the partnership with the institution of 
 higher education involved;
 ``

    (2) specify the amount of funds requested;
 ``

    (3) demonstrate the need of student parents at the 
 institution for campus-based Head Start services by including--
 ``
        (A) information regarding student demographics 
 and income;
 ``
        (B) information regarding the existence of 
 waiting lists for existing Head Start agencies 
 (including Early Head Start agencies) in the community 
 surrounding the institution;
 ``
            (C) information regarding additional needs 
 created by concentrations of poverty or by geographic 
 isolation; and
 ``
            (D) other relevant data;
 ``

    (4) contain a description of the activities to be 
 assisted, including whether the grant funds will support an 
 existing eligible program (as of the date of application) or a 
 new eligible program;
 ``

    (5) identify the resources, including technical expertise 
 and financial support, the Head Start agency will draw upon to 
 support the partnership and the participation of student 
 parents; and
 ``

    (6) in the case of an eligible agency seeking assistance 
 for a new eligible program located on an institution's campus--
 ``
        (A) provide a timeline, covering the period from 
 receipt of the grant through the provision of the 
 services, delineating the specific steps the agency and 
 institution will take to achieve the goal of reaching 
 student parents; and
 ``
        (B) include a plan for identifying--
 ``
            (i) resources needed for the partnership, 
 including space in which to provide the 
 eligible program;
 ``
            (ii) community services and partnerships; 
 and
 ``
            (iii) technical assistance if necessary.
 ``

    (e) Priority.--The Secretary shall give priority in awarding 
partnership grants under this section to eligible agencies that propose 
to support eligible programs that--
 ``

    (1) partner with historically Black colleges and 
 universities, Tribal Colleges and Universities, or other 
 minority-serving institutions, including Hispanic-serving 
 institutions;
 ``

    (2) meet the needs of underserved children and 
 institutions of higher education with high populations of 
 student parents; or
 ``

    (3) serve a high proportion of student parents who are 
 eligible for a Federal Pell Grant under 

section 401 of the 
 Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1070a).
 ``

    (f) Reporting Requirements; Continuing Eligibility.--
 ``

    (1) Reporting requirements.--
 ``
        (A) Reports.--Each eligible agency receiving a 
 grant under this section shall submit a report to the 
 Secretary annually.
 ``
        (B) Contents.--The report submitted under 
 subparagraph
        (A) shall include--
 ``
            (i) data on the population served under 
 the grant under this section;
 ``
            (ii) information on campus and community 
 resources and funding used to help student 
 parents access the eligible program supported 
 under the grant;
 ``
            (iii) information on the impact of the 
 grant on the quality or availability of campus-
 based early childhood education services at the 
 institution of higher education; and
 ``
            (iv) information on how the partnership 
 influences the educational opportunities for 
 student parents at such institution.
 ``

    (2) Renewal.--The Secretary may renew a grant under this 
 section on the basis of the reports submitted under paragraph

    (1) if the Secretary determines that the institution with which 
 the eligible entity is partnering is making a good-faith effort 
 to ensure that student parents at the institution have access 
 to eligible programs.
 ``

    (g) Coordination.--An eligible agency receiving a grant under 
this section and the institution of higher education with which the 
eligible agency is partnering may coordinate services and grant funds 
provided under this section with campus-based child care services 
supported under the Child Care Access Means Parents in School program 
under 

section 419N of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 
1070e).''.

SEC. 28. EXTENDED OPERATION GRANTS.

 The Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9831 et seq.) is amended by inserting 
after 

section 657D, as added by 

section 27, the following:

``

SEC. 657E. EXTENDED OPERATION GRANTS.

 ``

    (a) 

=== Definitions. ===
-In this section:
 ``

    (1) Eligible agency.--The term `eligible agency' means a 
 Head Start agency, including an Early Head Start agency.
 ``

    (2) Eligible program.--The term `eligible program' means 
 a Head Start program, including an Early Head Start program.
 ``

    (b) Program Authorized.--From amounts made available to carry out 
this section, the Secretary shall award grants, on a competitive basis, 
to eligible agencies to enable the eligible agencies to extend the 
hours of operation of eligible programs by providing center-based 
services under this subchapter for full-working-day operations (which 
may include hours during summer months) during a year.
 ``
            (c) Applications.--An eligible agency desiring a grant under this 
section shall submit to the Secretary an application at such time, in 
such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may 
require.
 ``
            (d) Award Basis.--
 ``

    (1) Reservations.--
 ``
        (A) In general.--From amounts made available to 
 carry out this section, the Secretary may reserve not 
 less than a total of 4.5 percent of such amounts to 
 award grants, in accordance with subparagraph
        (B) , to--
 ``
            (i) Native American Head Start agencies 
 (including Early Head Start agencies); or
 ``
            (ii) migrant and seasonal Head Start 
 agencies (including Early Head Start agencies).
 ``
        (B) Modified grant requirements.--A Native 
 American Head Start agency or migrant and seasonal Head 
 Start agency (including a Native American or migrant 
 and seasonal Early Head Start agency) receiving a grant 
 under subparagraph
        (A) --
 ``
            (i) shall use grant funds, in accordance 
 with subsection

    (e) , to provide center-based 
 services under this subchapter for a schedule 
 that includes additional hours; and
 ``
            (ii) notwithstanding subsection

    (b) , 
 shall not be required to provide such services 
 for a full-working-day schedule, unless the 
 agency determines it appropriate to do so.
 ``

    (2) Priority.--After carrying out the reservation under 
 paragraph

    (1) , the Secretary shall give priority to 
 applications that propose to, in accordance with subsection

    (b) --
 ``
        (A) extend the hours of operation of the eligible 
 program, as described in such subsection;
 ``
        (B) continue high-quality programs and services 
 during the summer months, particularly in communities 
 with limited child care and early education options;
 ``
            (C) increase operations to serve children who 
 have been identified as part of underserved 
 populations, from rural communities, or from areas of 
 persistent poverty; and
 ``
            (D) provide additional hours of operation that 
 better support the work schedules of local families.
 ``

    (e) Use of Funds.--An eligible agency that receives a grant under 
this section shall use grant funds for the costs of 1 or more of the 
following:
 ``

    (1) Providing compensation for staff of the eligible 
 program, particularly for the extended hours of operation of 
 the eligible program, as described in subsection

    (b) .
 ``

    (2) Facility upgrades, furniture, materials, supplies, 
 and other operational costs associated with extending the hours 
 of operation of the eligible program.''.

SEC. 29. HEAD START AND CHILD CARE PARTNERSHIPS.

 The Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9831 et seq.) is amended by inserting 
after 

section 657E, as added by 

section 28, the following:

``

SEC. 657F. HEAD START AND CHILD CARE PARTNERSHIPS.

 ``

    (a) 

=== Definitions. ===
-In this section:
 ``

    (1) Child care provider.-- The term `child care provider' 
 means a center-based or family child care provider.
 ``

    (2) Eligible agency.--The term `eligible agency' means a 
 Head Start agency, including an Early Head Start agency.
 ``

    (3) Eligible program.--The term `eligible program' means 
 a Head Start program, including an Early Head Start program.
 ``

    (b) Program Authorized.--
 ``

    (1) In general.--From amounts made available to carry out 
 this section, the Secretary shall award grants, on a 
 competitive basis, to eligible agencies to enable the eligible 
 agencies to--
 ``
        (A) enter into a partnership described in 
 subsection
            (c) with 1 or more child care providers, 
 particularly child care providers that receive support 
 under the Child Care and Development Block Grant of 
 1990 (42 U.S.C. 9857 et seq.); and
 ``
        (B) coordinate with relevant early education 
 programs in the agency's service area.
 ``
            (c) Partnerships.--An eligible agency that receives a grant under 
this section shall enter into a contractual relationship with a child 
care provider to improve the quality of the child care provider's child 
care programs so that the child care provider meets the program 
performance standards under 

section 641A, through activities that may 
include--
 ``

    (1) expanding the child care programs of the child care 
 provider through financial support;
 ``

    (2) providing support to the child care provider staff 
 with professional development;
 ``

    (3) blending funds received by either partner under the 
 Child Care and Development Block Grant of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 9857 
 et seq.) and the eligible program under this section in order 
 to provide high-quality child care for a full working day, in 
 order to increase the availability of high-quality child care 
 and early education;
 ``

    (4) creating a clear and realizable timeline to increase 
 the quality and capacity of a child care provider so that the 
 provider meets the program performance standards under 

section 641A; and
 ``

    (5) aligning activities and services provided through 
 funding under this section with the Head Start Child Outcomes 
 Framework.
 ``
            (d) Priority.--To create a strong continuum of high-quality 
services for children from birth to school entry, the Secretary shall 
give priority to eligible agencies who propose to create strong 
alignment of--
 ``

    (1) programs with maternal, infant, and early childhood 
 home visiting programs assisted under 

section 511 of the Social 
 Security Act (42 U.S.C. 711);
 ``

    (2) State-funded prekindergarten programs;
 ``

    (3) programs carried out under the Individuals with 
 Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C. 1400 et seq.); and
 ``

    (4) programs carried out under the Child Care and 
 Development Block Grant Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 9857 et seq.).
 ``

    (e) Technical Assistance.--The Secretary shall provide technical 
assistance and training under 

section 648 to eligible agencies and 
child care providers with respect to the development or implementation 
of such partnerships.
 ``

    (f) Standards.--Prior to awarding a grant to any eligible agency 
under this section, the Secretary shall establish standards to ensure 
the responsibility and expectations of the eligible agency and the 
partnering child care providers are clearly defined.
 ``

    (g) Exemption.--A child care provider that participates in a 
partnership under this section and receives assistance through a grant 
under this section shall be exempt, for a period of 36 months, from the 
designation renewal requirements under 

section 641
            (c) .''.

SEC. 30. GENERAL PROVISIONS.

 Subsection

    (b) of 

section 657G of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 
9852c), as so redesignated, is amended to read as follows:
 ``

    (b) Special Rules.--
 ``

    (1) Rule of construction regarding curriculum.--Nothing 
 in this subchapter shall be construed to authorize a Head Start 
 program or a local educational agency to require the other to 
 select or implement a specific curriculum or program of 
 instruction.
 ``

    (2) Prohibition on additional eligibility requirements.--
 No child or family shall be determined by the Secretary or a 
 Head Start agency (including an Early Head Start agency) to be 
 ineligible for services provided under this subchapter except 
 on the basis of the eligibility requirements specified under 
 this subchapter.
 ``

    (3) Nonapplicability for certain programs.--Nothing 
 regarding full calendar year requirements in this subchapter 
 shall apply to Native American Head Start programs and migrant 
 and seasonal Head Start programs, consistent with 

section 642

    (j)

    (3) .''.
 <all>