Keep Head Start Funded Act of 2025

This bill would provide continuing funding for Head Start programs during fiscal year 2026 in the event of a government shutdown or a lapse in regular appropriations. It proposes to maintain early childhood education, health, and nutritional services for low-income children at the funding levels established in fiscal year 2025. These emergency appropriations would remain available until regular funding legislation is enacted or until September 30, 2026.

This bill primarily affects low-income children who receive comprehensive early childhood education, health, and nutritional services through Head Start programs. It also impacts the Department of Health and Human Services and the specific organizations authorized to carry out Head Start projects and activities funded in fiscal year 2025.

• Establishment of continuing appropriations for Head Start. The bill provides fiscal year 2026 funding to maintain Head Start programs during any period where regular or interim appropriations are not in effect, such as a government shutdown.
• Continuation of existing projects and activities. Funding is authorized to continue Head Start projects and activities at the levels established during fiscal year 2025.
• Defined funding availability and expiration. The appropriations remain available until the enactment of regular or continuing funding legislation for the program, or until September 30, 2026, whichever occurs first.
• Retroactive effective date. The provisions of the bill are designated to take effect as if they had been enacted on September 30, 2025.

The bill takes effect as if enacted on September 30, 2025. The provided appropriations remain available until the enactment of subsequent funding legislation for Head Start or the Department of Health and Human Services, or until September 30, 2026, whichever occurs first.

This bill provides continuing funding for Head Start programs and activities previously funded in fiscal year 2025 to ensure they remain operational during a lapse in regular or interim federal appropriations for fiscal year 2026.

The bill aims to ensure that Head Start programs continue to operate without interruption during any potential government shutdown in fiscal year 2026. By providing continuing appropriations, the legislation seeks to maintain early childhood education, health, and nutritional services for low-income children until regular funding is enacted.