On August 16, 2022, NHSA wrote to U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra to follow up on our letter, dated July 29, 2022, on the Head Start Interim Final Rule with Comments (IFC) regarding COVID-19 vaccines and masking.

In our letter, 47 state, regional, and national organizations joined us in asking for a final rule by August 15 to provide clarity as Head Start programs nationwide prepare for the new school year. With significant frustration and disappointment that a final rule, or any additional guidance, has not been released yet, our question is: when can we expect a final rule?

Lack of basic, clear guidance will result in children and families losing further access to the critical services Head Start provides. We again urge the Administration to restore the traditional role of local program autonomy in line with the comments we submitted on December 27, 2021.

Copies of this letter were sent to: the White House; the Chair and Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor & Pensions; the Chair and Ranking Member of the House Committee on Education & Labor.