In 2020, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services updated the Designation Renewal System (DRS). The changes will help to better identify the Head Start grantees for whom competition is most warranted by revising the conditions for competitive designation to target grantees with lower performance or systemic problems. Better identification ensures a more efficient use of federal resources required for the competitive process. It reduces needless uncertainty around the competitive process for local Head Start agencies in communities across America. The changes also increase federal support for grantees to continuously improve the quality of the interactions between Head Start children and their teachers.
Watch these webinars from the Office of Head Start (OHS) to learn more about the changes in the DRS system:
- Head Start Designation Renewal System (DRS) Final Rule Changes (On-demand)
- Head Start Designation Renewal System (DRS) Changes: Answering Your Questions (On-demand)
Flexibility for Head Start Designation Renewals in Certain Emergencies
This interim final rule adds a new provision to the Head Start Program Performance Standards (HSPPS) to establish parameters by which ACF may make designation renewal determinations during a federally declared major disaster, emergency, or public health emergency and in the absence of all normally required data. OHS solicits comments from the Head Start community about the addition of the new standard at 45 CFR §1304.17 until February 5, 2021.
Federal Register Notice on DRS Changes
The Federal Register notice lists the changes to the DRS. It is prefaced by a discussion of the comments received in response to the notice of proposed rule-making and of the various impacts anticipated by the issuance of this rule.
ACF-PI-HS-20-05 Final Rule on DRS Changes
This Program Instruction summarizes the changes to the DRS. It discusses how the rule applies to grantees that have been designated for competition under the prior conditions and for whom a funding opportunity announcement (FOA) has not been posted.
FAQs
Find responses to questions anticipated from the public and the grantee community about DRS changes.
Press Release
This Administration for Children and Families (ACF) announcement of the DRS changes highlights the impact of this rule to the Head Start grantee community.
Revised Head Start Programs Performance Standards on the DRS
Effective November 9, 2020, the Head Start Program Performance Standards at 45 CFR § 1304 Subpart B will read as shown in the PDF.
Preamble to the Final Rule on DRS Changes
The preamble discusses the comments received in response to the notice of proposed rule-making and of the various impacts anticipate by the issuance of this rule.
Last Updated: December 4, 2020