Short title

This Act may be cited as the

Head Start Expansion and Improvement Act of 2026

Expanding eligibility under public assistance

Section 637 of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9832) is amended by adding at the end the following:

(27)The term public assistance means public assistance programs including temporary assistance for needy families established under part A of title IV of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 601 et seq.), supplemental security income carried out under title XVI of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1381 et seq.), the supplemental nutrition assistance program under the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2011 et seq.), special supplemental nutrition program for women, infants, and children established under section 17 of the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 1786), and the State children’s health insurance programs under title XXI of the Social Security Act (1397aa et seq.).

increase family income threshold

Section 645(a)(a)(1) of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9870(a)(a)(1)) is amended—(1)in paragraph (A) by striking (a)(a)(1)(A) and inserting (a)(1)(A), and(2)in subparagraph (B)—(A)in clause (i) by inserting 138 percent after below, and(B)in clause (iii)—(i)by striking include— (I) and inserting include, and(ii)by striking subclause (II).

Authorization of appropriations

Section 639 of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9834) is amended by striking: (other than section 657B) $7,350,000,000 for fiscal year 2008, $7,650,000,000 for fiscal year 2009, $7,995,000,000 for fiscal year 2010, and such sums as may be necessary for each of fiscal years 2011 and 2012 and inserting (other than sections 657B and 657C) $36,000,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2027 through 2032.

Grants for Head Start infrastructure

The Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9831 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following:

657C.

Grants for Head Start infrastructure

(a)

Establishment of grant program

The Secretary shall establish a program to make grants to Head Start agencies (including Early Head Start agencies to construct or improve facilities to provide Head Start services (including Early Head Start services)).(b)

Eligibility for grants

To be eligible to receive a grant under subsection (a), a Head Start agency shall submit to the Secretary an application in such form, and containing such information as the Secretary may require.(c)

Priority

The Secretary shall give priority for grants requested by eligible applicants respect to facilities that—(1)were built before 1970;(2)have not had a major renovation since its construction;(3)have received 1 or more findings in the safe and clean environments key performance area (KPA);(4)have hazardous conditions, materials, or equipment that may cause harm to children, families, or staff;(5)have an environment that is not free of air pollutants, including mold, smoke, lead, pesticides, and herbicides, as well as soil and water pollutants; and(6)lack preparedness for fire and other emergencies.(d)

Use of funds

Eligible use of grant funds to improve and update Head Start infrastructure include—(1)updates, renovations, and repairs to address structural issues;(2)building or acquiring additional classroom space, common areas, play areas;(3)updating heating, cooling, and ventilation systems;(4)building and expanding playgrounds and outdoor spaces;(5)removing, renovating, and acquiring furnishings;(6)installing and updating bathroom facilities, including the installation of child-size sinks and toilets;(7)reducing or removing toxic industrial compounds;(8)updates to safety and emergency preparedness, such as upgrading sprinkler systems and installing emergency lighting;(9)weatherization;(10)improvements to water, sewer, and plumbing systems; and(11)establishing, expanding, or improving technology to support children’s academic and socio-emotional learning.(e)

Authorization of appropriations

There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $1,000,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2027 through 2030.

Loan forgiveness for Head Start and Early Head Start childcare workers

Part D of title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1087a et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following:

460A.

Loan cancellation for Head Start and Early Head Start childcare workers

(a)

Program authorized

The Secretary shall carry cancel the balance of interest, principal, and fees due, in accordance with subsection (b), on any eligible Federal Direct Loan not in default for a borrower who for a 3-year (consecutive or non-consecutive) period after the date of enactment of the Head Start Expansion and Improvement Act of 2026—(1)has been employed, on a full-time basis, by a Head Start program or an Early Head Start program carried out under the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9831 et seq.); and(2)pursuant to such employment, has provided care or instruction to children enrolled in such program.(b)

Loan cancellation amount

After the conclusion of the 3-year period described in subsection (a), the Secretary shall cancel the obligation to repay the balance of principal, interest, and fees due as of the time of such cancellation, on the eligible Federal Direct Loans made to the borrower under this part.(c)

Ineligibility for double benefits

No borrower may, for the same service, receive a reduction of loan obligations under both this section and section 428J, 455(m), or 460.(d)

Application

The Secretary shall develop and make publicly available an application for borrowers who wish to receive loan forgiveness under this section, which shall—(1)be made readily available for qualifying childcare workers to file for loan forgiveness; and(2)include any certification requirements that the Secretary determines are necessary to verify qualifying service.(e)

Eligible Federal Direct Loan defined

The term eligible Federal Direct Loan means a Federal Direct Stafford Loan, Federal Direct PLUS Loan, or Federal Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loan, or a Federal Direct Consolidation Loan.

Head Start employee salary-increase grant program

(a)

In general

Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Health and Human Services shall establish and carry out a program to make grants for the purpose of supplementing, not supplanting, the compensation paid by Head Start agencies to the employees of such agencies.(b)

Allocation of funds

The Secretary shall develop a formula to determine grant amounts, taking into consideration—(1)the gaps between the compensation paid by the respective Head Start agency to its employees and the employee compensation paid by other early childhood education employers in the relevant geographical area,(2)the cost of living in the geographical area in which such agency is located, including median income and housing costs, and(3)the number of employee vacancies of such agency.(c)

Use of funds

A Head Start agency that receives a grant shall use grant funds to supplement, and not to supplant, the compensation paid to the employees of such agency.(d)

Appropriations

There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $6,800,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2027 through 2032.