Day 11 of the 20-Day Public Comment Challenge: Parent Committees
Today’s Prompt:
The parent committee is the closest thing Head Start has to a local governing voice, and this proposal would make it optional. Both bodies matter and they do different jobs. The parent committee is where every parent at one center has standing, and it is what carries the site’s experience up to Policy Council. Describe one thing your committee changed, and say what would have happened without it.
Day 11 Prompts for the Action Alert
Staff: “I am a [role] at [program] and I support our parent committee. [What the committee does, and what optional would mean for it.]”
Parent: “I serve on [my center’s parent committee / Policy Council] at [program]. [One decision the committee shaped: a schedule, a menu, a safety issue, an event.] I would not have joined Policy Council without that first step.”
Community Partner: “As [title] at [organization], we have watched parents who started on Head Start committees go on to [other boards, other settings].”
Where it says that: The parent committee requirement is at 45 CFR 1302.66. Policy Council and Governing Body requirements come from the Head Start Act, Section 642(c)-(d).
This is one of 20 daily prompts. You don’t have to wait, browse them all and submit on any prompt that fits your situation, anytime between now and October 6. See the rest on the 20-Day Comment Challenge page.
Wondering how public comments help? Watch a 3-minute explainer
This short video walks through what the proposal would change, why it matters, and exactly how to submit a comment, even if you’ve never done this before.
How to leave an impactful comment
You don’t need to be a policy expert to submit a strong comment, and you don’t need to cover every issue in the proposal. In fact, a comment that focuses on one thing is often more powerful than one that tries to address everything.
- Focus on one area of the proposal you feel most passionate about.
- Add a short, real story about how that change would affect you, your child, or your classroom.
- Submit it before October 6, 2026.
Advocacy Is How Head Start Wins
Advocacy is central to WHSA’s mission. Whether it’s protecting funding, shaping policy, or making sure lawmakers hear directly from the people doing this work, your voice matters. Here’s how to get involved:
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View NPRM Resources from our friends at Together for Head Start
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Complete WHSA's 2-part Action Alert
This Action Alert sends a message directly to your elected officials, and submits a comment! Two very impactful ways to speak up for Head Start, in one.
