HHS News Release

The Secretary of Health and Human Services announced today that Head Start programs will have until June 21, 2004 to put in place new transportation safety requirements for Head Start students. The original deadline was January 20, 2004.

"It is very important that Head Start children travel safely to their classrooms," said Secretary Tommy G. Thompson. "We are going to work with Head Start grantees to make sure that they can provide safe transportation for these children in an effective way."

The regulation that was to have gone into effect on January 20, 2004 requires that Head Start children ride to and from school in a vehicle which is equipped with age-appropriate child restraints systems. In addition, a person acting as a monitor would be required on every bus. Since publication of the regulation, the Department has become aware of major issues that make implementation of these requirements difficult.

"We are no less committed to the safety of Head Start children than we ever were," said Wade F. Horn, Ph.D., assistant secretary for children and families. "On the contrary, we are extending this deadline so that we can work with Head Start grantees and our transportation partners to come up with creative solutions that work to everyone's benefit."

Under the interim regulation, grantees are also provided the option to request an extension to not later than January 18, 2006 to comply with the requirements. Grantees would have to demonstrate that this extension is in the best interests of the Head Start children.

Contact: Chris Downing
ACF Press Office (202) 401-9215