Restructuring at HHS: What Tribal Child Care Programs Need to Know

The changes unfolding within HHS are moving quickly and carry serious implications for Tribal Nations, child care programs, and Head Start grantees across the country.

New Developments: Closure of ACF Regional Offices

As part of the broader HHS restructuring and federal workforce reduction strategy, it has been reported that staff from both the Office of Head Start and the Office of Child Care in five regional offices have received Reduction in Force (RIF) notices. The affected regions are:

• Region 1 (Boston)

• Region 2 (New York)

• Region 5 (Chicago)

• Region 9 (San Francisco)

• Region 10 (Seattle)

Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Children and Services Regional Offices. Offices in Regions 1, 2, 5, 9, and 10 have been affected.

These RIF notices have resulted in immediate paid leave for impacted staff, who no longer have access to their files or systems. Alarmingly, no transition plan has been shared at this time. There is currently no clear guidance on which offices or individuals will support Head Start grantees, States, or Tribes previously served by these regional teams.

For the Office of Head Start, the situation is particularly urgent. It is unclear who will administer grants moving forward, raising serious concerns—especially for grantees with funding cycles beginning May 1. Without a transition plan, critical issues such as funding continuity, program oversight, and child health and safety are at risk.

CCDF Funding Status

As of now, there have been no announced cuts to the Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF). However, the FY2025 budget remains flat-funded under the most recent Continuing Resolution, which is in effect through the end of the fiscal year.

While funding levels have not decreased, the impact of inflation continues to erode the real value of these funds. This creates growing challenges for Tribal child care programs striving to meet increasing costs and demands while maintaining high-quality services for children and families.

NICCA's Commitment and Call for Collaboration

NICCA will continue to monitor developments closely and advocate for clarity, stability, and transparency in the delivery of federal services and funding. We recognize the strain that uncertainty places on programs and communities, and we remain committed to ensuring that Tribal voices are centered in this critical moment.

If you are aware of developments in your region or have insights that may help us better understand how these changes are affecting Tribal programs, we encourage you to reach out to us directly.

Together, we will continue to protect and strengthen the systems that support Native children and families.