HHS pressed over Head Start word bans
Court filings on Dec. 5 in a lawsuit by Head Start programs in PA, WA, WI and IL reveal emails from HHS directing at least one grantee on Nov. 19 to remove nearly 200 words and phrases — including 'disability,' 'women,' 'accessible,' and 'Black' — from a funding renewal application or risk denial. Plaintiffs argue the Trump administration’s DEI ban conflicts with the Head Start Act’s mandates for inclusive, culturally and linguistically appropriate services; HHS did not comment, and it’s unclear how widely this guidance was applied.
📌 Key Facts
- A Wisconsin Head Start director received two Nov. 19 HHS emails: one returning the grant application and another providing a 'complete list' of nearly 200 words to avoid.
- The list included terms such as 'disability,' 'women,' 'tribal,' 'accessible,' 'race,' 'racial,' and 'racism.'
- The list and emails were submitted to court on Dec. 5 as part of an ongoing suit against HHS and Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
- Plaintiffs say the guidance conflicts with statutory requirements to serve children with disabilities and provide culturally and linguistically appropriate services.
- National Head Start programs serve roughly 750,000 infants, toddlers, and preschool-age children; HHS did not respond to requests for comment.
📊 Relevant Data
In the 2023-2024 program year, 29.4% of Head Start participants were Black or African American, compared to Black individuals comprising 13.5% of the U.S. population.
Office of Head Start - Services Snapshot. National All Programs (2023-2024) — Office of Head Start, US Department of Health and Human Services
In the 2023-2024 program year, 36.8% of Head Start participants were of Hispanic or Latino origin, compared to Hispanics comprising 19.7% of the U.S. population.
Office of Head Start - Services Snapshot. National All Programs (2023-2024) — Office of Head Start, US Department of Health and Human Services
In 2023, the official poverty rate for Black individuals was 17.9%, compared to 7.7% for non-Hispanic White individuals.
Poverty in the United States: 2023 — U.S. Census Bureau
In 2023, the official poverty rate for Hispanic individuals (any race) was 16.6%, compared to 7.7% for non-Hispanic White individuals.
Poverty in the United States: 2023 — U.S. Census Bureau
In the 2023-2024 program year, 14.8% of children enrolled in Head Start were diagnosed with a disability and had an Individualized Education Program (IEP) or Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP).
Office of Head Start - Services Snapshot. National All Programs (2023-2024) — Office of Head Start, US Department of Health and Human Services
In the 2023-2024 program year, 3.6% of Head Start participants were American Indian or Alaska Native, compared to American Indian and Alaska Native individuals comprising 1.2% of the U.S. population.
Office of Head Start - Services Snapshot. National All Programs (2023-2024) — Office of Head Start, US Department of Health and Human Services