Every year, thousands of Hawaiʻi's youngest children rely on Head Start for early education, health screenings, and support that many families couldn't otherwise afford. But a new federal rule change could push some of the most vulnerable children out of the program altogether.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has proposed eliminating self-attestation, the process that currently lets parents confirm their income or housing status without extensive paperwork. For families experiencing homelessness, gathering that kind of documentation can be nearly impossible. HHS itself estimates that 8% of children currently enrolled in Head Start nationwide could lose their eligibility if this change goes through.

In Hawaiʻi, where Head Start served more than 2,300 children and pregnant women last year, this isn't an abstract policy debate. It's a decision that could mean a homeless mother loses access to free early learning, developmental screenings, and health referrals for her child simply because she can't produce the right paperwork fast enough.

"We're talking about potentially the most vulnerable no longer being eligible for these life-changing programs," according to U.S. Rep. Jill Tokuda.

Head Start was built to serve the families who need it most, including those without stable housing. Adding new documentation barriers doesn't make the program more accountable — it just makes it harder for at-risk kids to get help.

Sign this petition urging HHS to keep self-attestation in place, so no Hawaiʻi child loses their spot in Head Start simply because their family doesn't have a permanent address.