As students return to school, educators are focused on creating welcoming classrooms, building new relationships, and preparing students for a successful year of learning. Yet for many children, one of the biggest barriers to success has nothing to do with academics. Food insecurity threatens the health and well-being of millions of children every day, affecting their ability to focus, participate, and thrive in school. Fortunately, Back-to-school season gives teachers, counselors, and school leaders an opportunity to help ensure that every child begins the year with the most essential school supply: access to the nutrition they need to succeed in the classroom and beyond.
For more than 60 years, Head Start has supported young children during their most important phase of growth and development. For families with limited resources, Head Start is a trusted source of care, education, nutritious meals, and health services. Despite Head Start’s long history of bipartisan support, and demonstrated success, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has a proposed new rule that would fundamentally change the program. Reducing Federal Burden for Head Start Programs, released on Aug. 7, 2026, would rescind and replace many current Head Start program requirements and standards, including several that promote child nutrition and healthy eating — even amid the current administration’s focus on nutrition (e.g. Make America Healthy Again).
Last month, FRAC published a blog explaining the new public charge rule, which takes effect on Sept. 18, 2026.
Additional federal guidance released on Aug. 18 by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) provides more information about how the rule will be applied. This update summarizes what the guidance clarifies and what advocates need to know now.