PRWORA Re-Interpretation Blocked—What It Means for Florida Head Start Programs

September 11, 2025

Late yesterday, a U.S. District Court issued a preliminary injunction halting the Department of Health and Human Services—including the Office of Head Start (OHS)—from enforcing its recent re-interpretation of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act (PRWORA). This reinterpretation would have classified Head Start as a “public benefit,” restricting access for certain immigrant populations.

What This Means for Florida
While the injunction currently applies only to the 21 states (New York, Rhode Island, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oregon, Vermont, Washington, and the District of Columbia) that joined the lawsuit (Florida is not among them), the ruling marks a significant development in the national conversation around Head Start eligibility. 

FHSA’s Position
Given the lack of guidance from OHS and the evolving legal landscape, FHSA recommends that Florida programs continue operations as usual. Do not make changes to enrollment processes at this time. We remain committed to serving all eligible children and families in accordance with longstanding Head Start principles. 

Next Steps
FHSA is closely monitoring this case and its implications. We are in communication with national partners and will provide timely updates as new information becomes available. Our priority is to ensure clarity, protect program integrity, and advocate for the communities we serve.

Thank you for your continued leadership and dedication to Florida’s children and families.

In Partnership,