H.R. 9958 — Head Start Expansion and Improvement Act of 2026

This section defines "public assistance" under the Head Start Act to include temporary assistance for needy families, supplemental security income, the supplemental nutrition assistance program, the special supplemental nutrition program for women, infants, and children, and state children’s health insurance programs.

This section increases the family income threshold for Head Start eligibility to 138 percent of the federal poverty level. It also eliminates the prior separate category for families between 100 and 130 percent of the poverty line.

This section authorizes $36,000,000,000 annually for the Head Start program for each of fiscal years 2027 through 2032 (from $7,995,000,000 for fiscal year 2010 and such sums as necessary for fiscal years 2011 and 2012). It excludes an additional section from the authorization.

This section establishes a grant program for Head Start and Early Head Start agencies to construct or improve facilities. It directs the Secretary to prioritize grants for facilities built before 1970 that have not undergone major renovation, have received safety findings, or present hazards including pollutants and inadequate emergency preparedness. Authorized uses include structural repairs, additional classroom and playground space, HVAC and plumbing upgrades, weatherization, and technology improvements. The section authorizes appropriations of $1 billion for each of fiscal years 2027 through 2030.

This section establishes a loan cancellation program under which the Secretary cancels the balance of principal, interest, and fees on eligible Federal Direct Loans for borrowers employed full-time for a 3-year period (consecutive or non-consecutive) after the date of enactment of the Head Start Expansion and Improvement Act of 2026 by a Head Start or Early Head Start program providing care or instruction to enrolled children. It prohibits borrowers from receiving the same benefit under sections 428J, 455(m), or 460.

This section establishes a grant program, to be administered by the Secretary of Health and Human Services, that supplements compensation paid by Head Start agencies to their employees. It requires allocation of funds based on local compensation gaps with other early childhood education employers, cost of living, and vacancies, and authorizes appropriations of $6.8 billion for each of fiscal years 2027 through 2032.