Dear USET/USET SPF Family,
Under the Further Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2024, Tribal Nations will now have the flexibility to set their own Head Start eligibility criteria. Tribal programs will now have the discretion to consider eligibility regardless of income, meaning that Tribal Head Start programs may enroll children who would benefit from Head Start services but do not currently meet income eligibility requirements. The language of the new provision is as follows:
"In this fiscal year and each fiscal year thereafter, notwithstanding the income eligibility requirements of subsections (a) and paragraphs (1) and (2) of subsection (d) of section 645 of the Head Start Act and income eligibility criteria and allowances prescribed in regulations, an Indian tribe that operates a Head Start program may, at its discretion, establish selection criteria, including criteria to prioritize children in families for which a child, a family member, or a member of the same household, is a member of an Indian tribe, to enroll children who would benefit from the Head Start program."
Head Start anticipates anticipate that this increased flexibility will significantly increase the number of Native students in Tribal Head Start programs, principally by allowing more students from families with incomes above the current very low threshold to attend. This provision goes into effect immediately, but the Office of Head Start will release additional guidance for implementation soon.
USET SPF appreciates this new language, as this is an example of the types of changes in program implementation that we are hoping and expecting to see under E.O 14112, "Reforming Federal Funding and Support for Tribal Nations To Better Embrace Our Trust Responsibilities and Promote the Next Era of Tribal Self-Determination."
For more information, please contact Ashton Martin, USET SPF Health Policy Analyst, at amartin@usetinc.org.
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