Head Start Program

The Administration on Children, Youth and Families is amending the Head Start regulations governing policies and procedures on selection and funding of grantees. The amendment removes the section on priority for previously selected Head Start agencies in open competitions for Head Start grants. We are removing this section because of increased confusion among existing Head Start grantees about the meaning of ``priority'' as ACYF acts to replace grantees who have been terminated or relinquish their grant. This change clarifies that the ``priority'' provided under the Head Start Act (``Act'') applies to annual refunding of existing grantees and not to competition to select a grantee to serve an unserved area or an area previously served by a grantee no longer with the program. Removal of this section does not affect the ongoing funding or operation of Head Start grantees.