Murray Applauds New Head Start Program Performance Standards

(Washington, D.C.) – Today, Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), ranking member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, released the following statement on the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)’s comprehensive revision of the Head Start Program Performance Standards. The standards reflect best practices in fostering child development and success, while streamlining requirements so that Head Start programs can spend less time on paperwork, and more time on programming.

“For over 50 years, the Head Start program has delivered high-quality health, education, and family services to children in Washington state and across the country. The new Head Start Program Performance standards reflect this same commitment, while making important changes to improve program quality and streamline requirements to focus on what is working for children and families,” said Senator Patty Murray. “I am glad that the Department of Health and Human Services has listened to stakeholders and developed a final rule that promotes family engagement, increases access to programming for homeless and foster children, and balances high standards with the flexibility necessary to meet the needs of local communities.”

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