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To amend the Head Start Act to authorize block grants to States for prekindergarten education, and for other purposes.

USA115th CongressHR-1921| House 
| Updated: 4/5/2017
Jim Banks

Jim Banks

Republican Representative

Indiana

Cosponsors (3)
Neal P. Dunn (Republican)Jeff Duncan (Republican)Ron DeSantis (Republican)

Education and Workforce Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
Head Start Improvement Act of 2017 This bill amends the Head Start Act to replace the existing Head Start program with block grants to states and Indian tribes for prekindergarten (pre-K) education. Instead of providing direct financial assistance to Head Start agencies, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) shall allot block grant funds for pre-K education among eligible states and Indian tribes in accordance with their relative proportions of children, age five and younger, from low-income households. Grant recipients shall use the grant funds to: (1) award subgrants to eligible entities that provide pre-K education programs; (2) administer such programs; and (3) provide technical assistance, oversight, monitoring, research, and training. Under current law, HHS is authorized to designate, monitor, and establish standards for Head Start agencies. The bill instead shifts pre-K program oversight and control to states and Indian tribes, which shall have full flexibility to use grant funds to finance the pre-K programs of their choice. In addition, grant recipients may use grant funds to establish portable voucher systems that allow costs to be paid for attendance at private pre-K education programs. Under current law, federal financial assistance for a Head Start program is generally limited to 80% of total program costs. The bill maintains this limitation by requiring grant recipients to provide matching funds equal to 20% of the grant amount.
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Timeline
Jan 23, 2017

Latest Companion Bill Action

S 115-185
Introduced in Senate
Apr 5, 2017
Introduced in House
Apr 5, 2017
Referred to the House Committee on Education and the Workforce.
  • January 23, 2017

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    S 115-185
    Introduced in Senate


  • April 5, 2017
    Introduced in House


  • April 5, 2017
    Referred to the House Committee on Education and the Workforce.

Education

Related Bills

  • S 115-185: A bill to amend the Head Start Act to authorize block grants to States for prekindergarten education, and for other purposes.
Congressional oversightEducation of the disadvantagedEducation programs fundingGovernment studies and investigationsPreschool education

To amend the Head Start Act to authorize block grants to States for prekindergarten education, and for other purposes.

USA115th CongressHR-1921| House 
| Updated: 4/5/2017
Head Start Improvement Act of 2017 This bill amends the Head Start Act to replace the existing Head Start program with block grants to states and Indian tribes for prekindergarten (pre-K) education. Instead of providing direct financial assistance to Head Start agencies, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) shall allot block grant funds for pre-K education among eligible states and Indian tribes in accordance with their relative proportions of children, age five and younger, from low-income households. Grant recipients shall use the grant funds to: (1) award subgrants to eligible entities that provide pre-K education programs; (2) administer such programs; and (3) provide technical assistance, oversight, monitoring, research, and training. Under current law, HHS is authorized to designate, monitor, and establish standards for Head Start agencies. The bill instead shifts pre-K program oversight and control to states and Indian tribes, which shall have full flexibility to use grant funds to finance the pre-K programs of their choice. In addition, grant recipients may use grant funds to establish portable voucher systems that allow costs to be paid for attendance at private pre-K education programs. Under current law, federal financial assistance for a Head Start program is generally limited to 80% of total program costs. The bill maintains this limitation by requiring grant recipients to provide matching funds equal to 20% of the grant amount.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline
Jan 23, 2017

Latest Companion Bill Action

S 115-185
Introduced in Senate
Apr 5, 2017
Introduced in House
Apr 5, 2017
Referred to the House Committee on Education and the Workforce.
  • January 23, 2017

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    S 115-185
    Introduced in Senate


  • April 5, 2017
    Introduced in House


  • April 5, 2017
    Referred to the House Committee on Education and the Workforce.
Jim Banks

Jim Banks

Republican Representative

Indiana

Cosponsors (3)
Neal P. Dunn (Republican)Jeff Duncan (Republican)Ron DeSantis (Republican)

Education and Workforce Committee

Education

Related Bills

  • S 115-185: A bill to amend the Head Start Act to authorize block grants to States for prekindergarten education, and for other purposes.
  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
Congressional oversightEducation of the disadvantagedEducation programs fundingGovernment studies and investigationsPreschool education