Comment on FR Doc # 2026-09383
Council for Professional RecognitionSupportAdvocacy
Summary: The Council for Professional Recognition supports the proposed rule to increase flexibility for Head Start programs but urges the Administration for Children and Families to ensure that these changes do not weaken the Child Development Associate (CDA) credential requirements. They argue that workforce stability and staff qualifications are essential to program access and recommend pairing the proposed flexibility with concrete workforce development and retention strategies centered on the CDA.
The Council for Professional Recognition submits the attached comments in response to the Administration for Children and Families proposed rule, Restoring Flexibility To Support Head Start Program Access, Docket No. ACF-2026-0364, RIN 0970-AD21.
The Council urges ACF to keep the Child Development Associate Credential, known as the CDA, at the core of Head Start workforce policy. The CDA is a nationally recognized, competency-based credential that supports staff preparation, professional growth, retention, and quality across Head Start and Early Head Start settings.
The attached comments recommend that ACF preserve all CDA-related qualification provisions, pair any workforce flexibility with CDA-centered workforce development and retention strategies, clarify allowable supports for CDA candidates and CDA holders, protect the Family Child Care CDA pathway, and improve workforce data tied to credentials, vacancies, turnover, and access.
Thank you for the opportunity to submit comments. Docket ID: ACF-2026-0364
RIN: 0970-AD21