As Head Start prepares for the new school year, NHSA and Head Start state associations are pushing the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to issue a final rule on COVID-19 vaccines and masking. NHSA—along with state, regional, and national Head Start associations—sent a letter to Secretary Xavier Becerra, stating in no uncertain terms that Head Start needs a final rule before the school year begins.

“We hope a final rule that restores the traditional role of local program autonomy will be issued in line with the comments we submitted on December 23, 2021. This is imperative in order for programs to rebuild relationships both with community partners as well as parents.”