A new rule proposed by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services aims to fundamentally alter Head Start, a program that serves thousands of Colorado children and more than 1 million across the nation each year.

The Trump administration has said cutting the program’s more than 100 pages of regulations down to 10 will allow more kids to participate. But Clarissa Hayes, deputy director of child nutrition programs and policy at the Food Research and Action Center, insisted those changes would undermine the program’s role in promoting child nutrition and healthy eating.

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"Head Start provides comprehensive services to young children and their families, with a particular focus on children from households with low income. And this has really been a trusted source of care and meals for over 60 years," Hayes stressed.

Head Start has a long history of bipartisan support and demonstrated success, and the Trump administration has said program quality would remain strong under the proposed changes outlined last month. Officials say the program would continue to serve nutrient-dense, whole foods consistent with Child and Adult Care Food Program standards.

The proposal is open for public comment through October 6.

Hayes noted the new rules remove longstanding nutrition guidance, including serving breakfast to children who arrive without having eaten at home, making safe drinking water available, accommodating children with disabilities and meeting special dietary needs. She said these and other important requirements help kids develop healthy eating habits that support their growth and development.

"This is really key, because there is research that shows children who participate in Head Start are more likely to have better health outcomes through childhood and into adulthood," Hayes said.

Hayes added she is especially concerned about the timing of the proposed changes. Since Congress' passage of Republicans’ signature "One Big Beautiful Bill Act," more than 5 million people have lost Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits.

"We are also seeing huge cuts to the food safety net through SNAP that are taking nutrition away from millions of people, many of whom are children," she pointed out. "So, ensuring that families have access to meals at Head Starts is really critical at this time."