Early Head Start

Child advocates warn that proposed changes to the federal Head Start program could eliminate vital child health and safety standards in Ohio and nationally. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced rules that transfer oversight of education, background checks, and ratios to states. Critics argue these reductions risk removing developmental screenings, strict teacher qualifications, and existing low-child-ratio requirements.

Kauaʻi, a Hawaiian island, has faced a severe infant and toddler childcare shortage for over 15 years, with only 10-14 home-based spots available annually for 700 newborns. Parents rely on family support, remote work, or leaving jobs due to the crisis, exacerbated by the pandemic and tourism shutdowns. New infant/toddler slots opened in 2024 and 2025 through grant-funded programs, marking recent progress.