S. 2166

119th CONGRESS 1st Session

To amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to include child development and early learning as community services under the Federal work-study program, and for other purposes.

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES · June 25 (legislative day, June 24), 2025 · Sponsor: Mrs. Gillibrand · Committee: Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

Table of contents

• S. 2166
  • SEC. 1. Short title
  • SEC. 2. Child development and early learning community services through Federal work-study programs
  • SEC. 3. Head Start and Early Head Start requirements

SEC. 1. Short title

• This Act may be cited as the Head Start for Our Future Act.

SEC. 2. Child development and early learning community services through Federal work-study programs

• (a) In general
  • Section 441(c)(1) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 () is amended by striking and inserting . 20 U.S.C. 1087–51(c)(1)
• (b) Agreement requirements
  • Section 443(b) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 () is amended— 20 U.S.C. 1087–53(b)
    • in paragraph (10), by striking after the semicolon;
    • by redesignating paragraph (11) as paragraph (12); and
      • provide assurances that any Head Start program, including an Early Head Start program, employing students through a work-study program under this part will comply with the requirements of sections 645A(j) and 648A(h), respectively, of the Head Start Act (, 9843a(h)); and 42 U.S.C. 9840a(j)
    • by adding at the end the following:

SEC. 3. Head Start and Early Head Start requirements

• (a) Early Head Start
  • Section 645A of the Head Start Act () is amended by adding at the end the following: 42 U.S.C. 9840a
  • Early Head Start
    • (j) Students in work-Study programs
      • In the case of a student serving an Early Head Start program through a work-study program under section 441(c)(1) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 ()— 20 U.S.C. 1087–51(c)(1)
        • before the Early Head Start agency involved employs the student, the agency shall comply with the requirements of section 648A(g)(3);
        • the student shall comply with all personnel policies applicable to the Early Head Start program under the Head Start program performance standards issued under this subchapter; and
        • the student shall serve the Early Head Start program as an additional paid staff member but—
          • shall not be left alone with any child through the program, meaning that a paid staff member (not in such a work-study program) shall attend when the student so serves; and
          • shall not count toward the staff included in any staff-to-child ratio applicable to the Early Head Start program under this subchapter.
• (b) Head Start
  • Section 648A of the Head Start Act () is amended by adding at the end the following: 42 U.S.C. 9843a
    • (h) Students in work-Study programs
      • In the case of a student serving a Head Start program (not an Early Head Start program) through a work-study program under section 441(c)(1) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 ()— 20 U.S.C. 1087–51(c)(1)
        • before the Head Start agency involved employs the student, the agency shall comply with the requirements of subsection (g)(3);
        • the student shall comply with all personnel policies applicable to the Head Start program under the Head Start program performance standards issued under this subchapter; and
        • the student shall serve the Head Start program as an additional paid staff member but—
          • shall not be left alone with any child through the program, meaning that a paid staff member (not in such a work-study program) shall attend when the student so serves; and
          • shall not count toward the staff included in any staff-to-child ratio applicable to the Head Start program under this subchapter.