Federal Word Ban Threatens Head Start Funding Applications

A recent mandate from the federal government is prompting some Head Start early childhood programs to eliminate nearly 200 specified words and phrases from their funding applications, raising concerns about the implications for diversity and inclusion within the programs.

Why It Matters

This development has significant ramifications for Head Start programs nationwide, impacting how they provide essential services aimed at fostering inclusive environments for children from diverse backgrounds. The removal of key terminology could undermine the legal framework intended to support children with disabilities and those from minority communities.

Key Developments

• List of Restricted Words: Head Start programs have been directed to remove terms such as "accessible," "belong," "Black," "disability," "female," "minority," "trauma," "tribal," and "women" from their funding applications.
• Lawsuit Filed: Programs in multiple states—including Pennsylvania, Washington, Wisconsin, and Illinois—have filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, challenging this order as conflicting with the Head Start mandate to provide linguistically and culturally appropriate services.
• Internal Communications Revealed: Documents submitted in the lawsuit show that program directors received emails instructing them to omit certain words, directly impacting their ability to comply with existing federal mandates.
• Reactions from Advocates: Disability-rights advocates have condemned the word ban, emphasizing its potential violations of existing laws intended to protect children with disabilities.

Full Report

Lawsuit Details

As part of ongoing legal action, a director from a Wisconsin-based Head Start program, referred to as Mary Roe, noted in her declaration that she was instructed by HHS to avoid using terms essential for describing inclusive services. Despite a mandate for the program to serve children with disabilities, she was told to eliminate words like "disability" and "inclusion" from her application.

Impact on Program Operations

The federal government’s directive has put program directors in a difficult position, as many of the prohibited terms are integral to fulfilling the goals of the Head Start program. The conflicting guidance creates a scenario where compliance with federal funding requirements may inadvertently lead to violations of existing laws designed to support inclusivity.

Response from Advocacy Groups

Jacqueline Rodriguez from the National Center for Learning Disabilities labeled the ban as "morally repugnant," arguing that the prohibition against the use of terms related to disabilities contradicts any claims of support for these children. She framed the situation as a direct hindrance to the programs’ ability to meet their legal obligations.

Further Complications

In additional court documents, it has been noted that a Head Start program located on a Native American reservation was similarly instructed to omit language necessary for prioritizing services for tribal communities, indicating a broader pattern of restriction potentially in violation of federal guidelines.

Government’s Stance

The White House has issued statements asserting that diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies in federal programs contradict traditional American values, which has influenced the recent actions taken by HHS to restrict such language in funding applications.

Context & Previous Events

The legal dispute centers around the Trump administration’s earlier policy moves, which sought to limit diversity initiatives in federal programs, creating a conflict with the statutory aims of programs like Head Start that are designed to promote equity and accessibility for all children. In March, the Office of Head Start communicated that grants for DEI initiatives would no longer be approved, further indicating a shift in policy priorities at the federal level.