Overview  
The Administration for Children and Families (ACF) Office of Head Start (OHS) will host its 2026 Tribal Consultation Session on June 18, 2026. The session will provide a forum for Tribal leaders, federal Head Start leadership and staff, and additional partners to discuss how to better meet the unique needs of American Indian and Alaskan Native (AIAN) communities served through Head Start programs.  

Background 
Since 1965, Head Start programs have provided comprehensive early learning and development services to children from birth to five years old and their families who are economically disadvantaged in urban, suburban, and rural areas across the country, with a special focus on helping preschoolers develop the educational and social skills required to be successful in school. 

For Fiscal Year (FY) 2026, ACF OHS is awarding $351 million in funding to support AIAN Head Start programs operated by  governments, Tribal colleges, or Tribal agencies. AIAN Head Start programs deliver culturally relevant and linguistically appropriate services to Indigenous children and families and help Tribal governments develop and implement high-quality early care and education systems that align with local community values, traditions, and priorities. As of April 2026, the funded enrollment for AIAN Head Start is over 19,000 children. 

Visit the AIAN Head Start website for additional information and resources.  

Event Details  
Date: Thursday, June 18th, 2026 
Time: 8:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. PT (Registration Check-in opens at 7:30 a.m.) 
Location: Newport Beach Room, Hilton Costa Mesa – 3050 Bristol St., Costa Mesa, CA 92626 

Registration  
Select the Registration tab and complete the registration form to register by Friday, June 12, 2026. Registrants will receive a confirmation email. 

Speaker Information:  
ACF OHS welcomes elected or appointed leaders of Tribal governments or designated representatives to provide oral and/or written testimony for the Tribal Consultation Session.  

Tribal Leaders or an authorized designee may provide oral testimony at the session. Those who want to provide oral testimony should indicate so on the registration form. An authorized designee must submit a signed letter from the Tribal government specifically authorizing that individual to represent the Tribe at the hearing. Please submit the letter by Friday, June 12, 2026, to OHSTribalConsulation2026@saxmanone.com. 

To provide written testimony to be included in the consultation report, please submit content 3 days prior to but no later than 30 days after the session to AIANHeadStart@acf.hhs.gov. ACF OHS will publish the report within 45 days of the consultation session. Prior Tribal consultation session reports are available.