WYNTK June 26, 2023

Congress has returned home for the 4th of July recess and will return the week of July 10th. Congress must hear from families, providers, and advocates about the need for robust, sustained investments in child care and early learning. Now is the time to invite your Congressional members and staff to your programs. Let them see firsthand how YOU and YOUR families need this funding. Use these tools to get started.
On June 26, 2023, the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) will issue Final Rule Removal of the Vaccine Requirements for Head Start Programs in the Federal Register. It removes the COVID-19 vaccine and testing requirements initially included in the November 2021 Interim Final Rule with Comment Period. Specifically, this Final Rule removes the Head Start Program Performance Standards (HSPPS) requirement that all Head Start staff, contractors whose activities involve contact with or providing direct services to children and families, and volunteers working in classrooms or directly with children are fully vaccinated for COVID-19. The HSPPS requirement that staff who are exempt from vaccination have “at least weekly” COVID-19 testing is also removed.
As the outdoor temperatures increase, children and families are spending more time outside. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has developed resources to support the safety of children in early care and education settings during outdoor play.

Please visit our WYNTK resource webpage, which is updated regularly, and theFHSA events list for more information. If there is something else you need guidance on, let us know - we will continue to work with state agencies and partners to answer your questions.