On August 7, 2026, the Administration for Children and Families released a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on Head Start – a formal announcement published in the Federal Register when a federal agency intends to add to, remove from, or otherwise change policy through a rule or regulation.
These changes will massively impact Head Start and early childhood education in Mississippi -- not just Farm to ECE, but staffing, safety, and more. We believe the people who know Head Start best should have a voice in shaping what comes next, so the Mississippi Farm to ECE Coalition, Mississippi Farm to School Network, Mississippi Early Learning Alliance, and Policy Equity Group will co-host "Protecting Head Start in Mississippi," a networking & advocacy training event from 1:15-2:15pm CST on Thursday, September 17th, via Zoom.
Please help us get the word out about this important opportunity to protect this vital early childhood education institution in our state!
Other ways you can help:
Share the attached graphic + this registration link with your networks, especially ECE providers and professionals you know
Register for the event and/or share the registration details
Make a public comment by October 6 (Need guidance? Stay tuned for updates from MFSN + PEG)
Sign onto our public statement (TBD -- stay tuned)
Build Head Start for what’s next. Fewer rules cannot equal fewer results. Keep the promise.