Announcements

7.14.25 Letter Re: Notice of Interpretaton from the Department of Health and Human Services

“The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issued a Notice of Interpretation on eligibility for federal public benefits under the Personal Opportunity and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act (PRWORA).  In the late 90’s, Head Start was specifically excluded from needing to determine enrolled family’s citizenship status under PRWORA.  In the Notice of Interpretation issued yesterday, HHS stated they believe the previous interpretation was incorrect, and only citizens should be eligible for Head Start and other federal programs.

What does this mean and how does it impact Family Forum, Inc. (FFI)?  Here’s what we know and next steps:  

  • HHS is the umbrella agency for the Office of Head Start (OHS). We have not received any guidance or directives from OHS on this notice of interpretation. When policy changes occur, we normally receive information and instructions directly from the OHS.  

  • Given the lack of clarity around the Notice of Interpretation, FFI will not be making any immediate changes to our enrollment process. Now is the time to pause and take a breath while we wait for more information and the results of legal action.  [Continued in the below attachment]

SCHOOL CLOSINGS

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“Head Start is about giving kids who are disadvantaged the support they need to grow and get ahead.“

Jeanne Myer, Family Forum, Inc.’s Executive Director, shared her story in the Campaign for a Family Friendly Economy’s Storybook on the impact of Head Start in Wisconsin. Read about how Jeanne and other Head Start staff and alumni are navigating recent changes in government, and how important it is for all government entities to know Head Start and the important work we do.