LOCALIZE IT: Email reveals HHS plans to cut research of child welfare programs. View targeted grants

By Associated Press

Published May 6, 2025 3:30 pm

EDITORS/NEWS DIRECTORS:

A Department of Health and Human Services employee emailed dozens of people last week, mistakenly including plans to slash more than 150 research projects related to child safety net programs. The email went to dozens of grantees working on research related to children and family well-being, asking them to review and update their contact information in an attached spreadsheet.

The cuts would effectively gut the office dedicated to studying and improving the effectiveness of child welfare programs like Head Start, which has faced mass layoffs and a plan to eliminate its funding altogether in recent months. The Head Start grants facing termination included studies intended to answer key questions and improve its operations, such as how to retain more educators at local Head Start programs.

HHS later recalled the message, but only after recipients had downloaded it. A department spokesperson says it contained “outdated and predecisional information.”

The grant cancellations would add to deep cuts already enacted at HHS’ Administration for Children and Families, which plans to close five regional offices and abruptly fired hundreds of workers one month ago. Its staffing has dropped from approximately 2,400 in January to 1,500, former employees say, and the administration has said it will fold ACF into other parts of HHS.

The document released Wednesday marked the first news of plans for the possible mass terminations of ACF grants, although a department spokesperson later said it was only an outdated draft.

The spreadsheet also listed for termination grants worth millions of dollars for first-of-their-kind centers dedicated to better serving low-income Black and Hispanic children and families, located, respectively, at Morehouse College in Atlanta and at a nonprofit in Maryland.

Dozens of grants related to child care policy, child development, foster care, preventing child abuse, the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program and more were also listed as set for cancellation, reflecting ACF’s widespread portfolio.

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READ AP’S COVERAGE

Email mistake reveals secret plans to end research on Head Start and other child safety net programs

List of child welfare research grants marked for termination in mistaken HHS email

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FIND YOUR STATE: TARGETED HHS GRANTS

Below is a list of the grants that were marked for termination at dozens of universities, nonprofits and other agencies. We have broken them down by state based on where the entity is located, including agencies that are based in a certain state but focus on national work. Just because a grant is listed beneath a state does not mean it only applies to that state. Many grants have wide ranging application or are focused on national issues or programs, but this breakdown may allow you to target reporting to local sources and potential local impacts like layoffs.

Award names may be the same or similar for different agencies, but they are different grants that may be for different years and different types of projects.

Below this list are resources and instructions for quickly finding details on individual grants.

ALABAMA

Secondary Analyses of Child Care and Early Education Data, The University of Alabama

Child Care Policy Research Partnerships Grants 2022, The University of Alabama

Secondary Analyses of Head Start Data, The University of Alabama

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ARIZONA

Prevention Services Evaluation Partnership Grants, Arizona Board of Regents on behalf of Arizona State University

TANF Data Collaborative Equity Analysis Awards, Arizona Department of Economic Security

Secondary Analyses of Head Start Data, Arizona Board of Regents, University of Arizona

Secondary Analyses of Head Start Data, Arizona State University

— — —

ARKANSAS

Secondary Analyses of Head Start and Early Head Start Data, University of Arkansas System

— — —

CALIFORNIA

Behavioral Intervention Scholars, University of California, Los Angeles

Family Self-Sufficiency and Stability Research Scholars Network – 2020, The Regents of the University of California

TANF Data Collaborative Equity Analysis Awards, County of Santa Clara

Secondary Analyses of Child Care and Early Education Data, WestEd (headquarters in San Francisco)

Coordinated Evaluations of Child Care and Development Fund Policies and Initiatives: Implementation Grants, Public Policy Institute of California

Secondary Analyses of Head Start Data, California State University Long Beach Research Foundation

Child Care Policy Research Partnerships Grants 2022, SRI International (Based in Menlo Park)

Secondary Analyses of Child Care and Early Education Data, SRI International

Secondary Analyses of Head Start and Early Head Start Data, SRI International

Secondary Analyses of Head Start Data, SRI International

Secondary Analyses of Head Start Data, RAND Corporation (based in Santa Monica)

— — —

COLORADO

Prevention Services Evaluation Partnership Grants, The Regents of the University of Colorado

TANF Data Collaborative Equity Analysis Awards, Colorado Department of Human Services

Secondary Analyses of Child Care and Early Education Data, Colorado Seminary

Head Start University Partnerships: Building the Evidence Base for ECE Workforce Well-Being, University of Colorado Denver

Secondary Analyses of Head Start Data, University of Colorado Denver

— — —

CONNECTICUT

Secondary Analyses of Head Start and Early Head Start Data, University of Connecticut

Secondary Analyses of Head Start Data, Yale University

Early Care and Education Research Scholars: Head Start Dissertation Grants, University of Connecticut

— — —

DELAWARE

Secondary Analyses of Child Care and Early Education Data, University of Delaware

Child Care Policy Research Partnerships 2024, University of Delaware

Early Care and Education Research Scholars: Child Care Dissertation Grants, University of Delaware

Early Care and Education Research Scholars: Head Start Dissertation Grants, University of Delaware

Secondary Analyses of Head Start Data, University of Delaware

— — —

DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

Career Pathways Secondary Data Analysis Grants 2023, The George Washington University

Child Development Research Fellowship 2019-2024, Society for Research in Child Development Inc.

Child Development Research Fellowship 2025-2029, Society for Research in Child Development Inc.

Child Care Policy Research Partnerships Grants 2022, The Urban Institute

Center to Support Research and Evaluation Capacity of CCDF Lead Agencies, The Urban Institute

Coordinated Evaluations of Child Care and Development Fund Policies and Initiatives: Implementation Grants, The Urban Institute

Child Care Policy Research Partnerships 2024, The Urban Institute

Secondary Analyses of Child Care and Early Education Data, The Urban Institute

Secondary Analyses of Head Start and Early Head Start Data, Urban Institute

— — —

FLORIDA

Early Care and Education Research Scholars: Child Care Dissertation Grants, The Florida International University Board of Trustees

— — —

GEORGIA

The National African American Child and Family Research Center, Morehouse School of Medicine

Secondary Analyses of Head Start and Early Head Start Data, Georgia State University Research Foundation Inc.

Secondary Analyses of Head Start Data, University of Georgia

— — —

ILLINOIS

Secondary Analyses of Data on the National Incidence of Child Maltreatment, Chapin Hall Center for Children at the University of Chicago

Prevention Services Evaluation Partnership Grants, Chapin Hall Center for Children at the University of Chicago

Behavioral Intervention Scholars, University of Chicago

Career Pathways Secondary Data Analysis Grants 2023, Northwestern University

Secondary Analyses of Child Care and Early Education Data, Chapin Hall Center for Children

Secondary Analyses of Child Care and Early Education Data, National Opinion Research Center

Coordinated Evaluations of Child Care and Development Fund Policies and Initiatives: Implementation Grants, The University of Chicago

Early Care and Education Research Scholars: Child Care Dissertation Grants, Northwestern University

Child Care Policy Research Partnerships Grants 2022, Erikson Institute

— — —

IOWA

Secondary Analyses of Head Start and Early Head Start Data, Iowa State University

Early Care and Education Research Scholars: Head Start Dissertation Grants, Iowa State University of Science and Technology

— — —

MARYLAND

TANF Data Analysis, University of Maryland, College Park

Secondary Analyses of Data on the National Incidence of Child Maltreatment, Child Trends Inc. (organization based in Bethesda)

Center for Research on Hispanic Children and Families, Child Trends

Secondary Analyses of Child Care and Early Education Data, Child Trends Inc.

Child Care Policy Research Partnerships Grants 2022, Child Trends Inc.

Coordinated Evaluations of Child Care and Development Fund Policies and Initiatives: Implementation Grants, Child Trends Inc.

Child Care Policy Research Partnerships 2024, Child Trends Inc.

Secondary Analyses of Child Care and Early Education Data, Child Trends Inc.

Secondary Analyses of Head Start and Early Head Start Data, Child Trends

Secondary Analyses of Head Start Data, Child Trends Inc.

— — —

MASSACHUSETTS

Behavioral Intervention Scholars, Massachusetts Institute of Technology

TANF Data Collaborative Equity Analysis Awards, Massachusetts Department of Transitional Assistance

Secondary Analyses of Child Care and Early Education Data, University of Massachusetts Boston

Coordinated Evaluations of Child Care and Development Fund Policies and Initiatives: Implementation Grants, Boston University

Child Care Policy Research Partnerships 2024, Trustees of Boston University

Early Care and Education Research Scholars: Child Care Dissertation Grants, Brandeis University

Secondary Analyses of Child Care and Early Education Data, University of Massachusetts

Secondary Analyses of Head Start and Early Head Start Data, Trustees of Boston University

Early Care and Education Research Scholars: Head Start Dissertation Grants, President and Fellows of Harvard College

Child Care Policy Research Partnerships Grants 2022, Education Development Center, Inc. (based in Waltham)

Coordinated Evaluations of Child Care and Development Fund Policies and Initiatives: Implementation Grants, Education Development Center Inc.

Coordinated Evaluations of Child Care and Development Fund Policies and Initiatives: Implementation Grants, Children’s Hospital Corporation

— — —

MICHIGAN

Family Self-Sufficiency and Stability Research Scholars Network – 2020, Wayne State University

Secondary Analyses of Head Start Data, Michigan State University

Child Care Policy Research Partnerships Grants 2022, Public Policy Associates Inc. (based in Lansing)

Coordinated Evaluations of Child Care and Development Fund Policies and Initiatives: Implementation Grants, Public Policy Associates Inc.

— — —

MINNESOTA

TANF Data Collaborative Equity Analysis Awards, Minnesota Department of Children, Youth and Families

Coordinated Evaluations of Child Care and Development Fund Policies and Initiatives: Implementation Grants, Regents of the University of Minnesota

— — —

MISSOURI

Secondary Analyses of Child Care and Early Education Data, University of Missouri System

— — —

NEBRASKA

Early Care and Education Research Scholars: Child Care Dissertation Grants, Board of Regents, University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Head Start University Partnerships: Building the Evidence Base for ECE Workforce Well-Being, Board of Regents, University of Nebraska-Lincoln

— — —

NEVADA

Secondary Analyses of Child Care and Early Education Data, Board of Regents Nevada System of Higher Education

Secondary Analyses of Head Start Data, Board of Regents, the University of Nevada, Las Vegas

— — —

NEW HAMPSHIRE

Secondary Analyses of Child Care and Early Education Data, University System of New Hampshire

— — —

NEW JERSEY

Family Self-Sufficiency and Stability Research Scholars Network – 2020, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey

Career Pathways Secondary Data Analysis Grants 2023, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey

TANF Data Collaborative Equity Analysis Awards, New Jersey Department of Human Services

— — —

NEW MEXICO

Child Care Policy Research Partnerships 2024, The Regents of the University of New Mexico

— — —

NEW YORK

Career Pathways Secondary Data Analysis Grants 2023, MDRC (organization based in New York City)

Early Care and Education Research Scholars: Child Care Dissertation Grants, New York University

Secondary Analyses of Head Start Data, The New York Academy of Medicine

Secondary Analyses of Head Start Data, Clarkson University

— — —

NORTH CAROLINA

Family Self-Sufficiency and Stability Research Scholars Network – 2020, Duke University

Secondary Analyses of Head Start Data, University of North Carolina at Charlotte

Secondary Analyses of Head Start Data, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

— — —

OHIO

Behavioral Intervention Scholars, Ohio State University

Career Pathways Secondary Data Analysis Grants 2023, Mighty Crow Media (organization based in Columbus)

Child Care Policy Research Partnerships 2024, Ohio State University

Secondary Analyses of Child Care and Early Education Data, Ohio State University

Secondary Analyses of Child Care and Early Education Data, University of Cincinnati

Secondary Analyses of Head Start Data, The Ohio State University

Early Care and Education Research Scholars: Head Start Dissertation Grants, Ohio State University

Secondary Analyses of Head Start Data, Ohio State University

— — —

OKLAHOMA

Prevention Services Evaluation Partnership Grants, Board of Regents of the University of Oklahoma

Head Start University Partnerships: Building the Evidence Base for ECE Workforce Well-Being, Board of Regents of the University of Oklahoma

Secondary Analyses of Head Start and Early Head Start Data, University of Oklahoma

Secondary Analyses of Head Start Data, Board of Regents of the University of Oklahoma

— — —

OREGON

Prevention Services Evaluation Partnership Grants, OSLC Developments Inc.

Family Self-Sufficiency and Stability Research Scholars Network – 2020, Oregon State

Child Care Policy Research Partnerships 2024, Oregon State University

— — —

PENNSYLVANIA

Early Care and Education Research Scholars: Head Start Dissertation Grants, Lehigh University

Secondary Analyses of Head Start and Early Head Start Data, Research for Action Inc. (based in Philadelphia)

— — —

SOUTH CAROLINA

Secondary Analyses of Head Start Data, University of South Carolina

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TENNESSEE

Secondary Analyses of Child Care and Early Education Data, University of Tennessee

— — —

TEXAS

Career Pathways Secondary Data Analysis Grants 2022, University of Texas Arlington

Career Pathways Secondary Data Analysis Grants 2023, Texas Christian University

Child Care Policy Research Partnerships Grants 2022, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston

Head Start University Partnerships: Building the Evidence Base for ECE Workforce Well-Being, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston

Secondary Analyses of Head Start and Early Head Start Data, Southern Methodist University

— — —

VERMONT

Prevention Services Evaluation Partnership Grants, University of Vermont and State Agricultural College

— — —

VIRGINIA

Child Care Policy Research Partnerships Grants 2022, The Rector and Visitors of the University of Virginia

Child Care Policy Research Partnerships 2024, University of Virginia

Secondary Analyses of Head Start and Early Head Start Data, Virginia Commonwealth University

Secondary Analyses of Head Start Data, Rector and Visitors of the University of Virginia

Child Care Policy Research Partnerships 2024, American Institutes for Research in the Behavioral Sciences

Secondary Analyses of Child Care and Early Education Data, American Institutes for Research in the Behavioral Sciences

Child Care and Early Education Research Connections – 2020, ICF Incorporated, L.L.C. (international company based in Fairfax)

Secondary Analyses of Child Care and Early Education Data, American Institutes for Research in the Behavioral Sciences (based in Arlington)

Head Start University Partnerships: Building the Evidence Base for ECE Workforce Well-Being, Rector & Visitors of the University of Virginia

Early Care and Education Research Scholars: Head Start Dissertation Grants, Rector and Visitors of the University of Virginia

Secondary Analyses of Child Care and Early Education Data, Magnolia Consulting, LLC (based in Charlottesville)

Secondary Analyses of Head Start Data, MEF Associates (An office in Alexandria)

Secondary Analyses of Head Start Data, James Bell Associates Inc. (based in Arlington)

— — —

WASHINGTON

Behavioral Intervention Scholars, University of Washington

Secondary Analyses of Child Care and Early Education Data, University of Washington

Head Start University Partnerships: Building the Evidence Base for ECE Workforce Well-Being, Georgetown University

— — —

WISCONSIN

Prevention Services Evaluation Partnership Grants, Evident Change (organization based in Madison)

— — —

WYOMING

Secondary Analyses of Head Start Data, University of Wyoming

Secondary Analyses of Head Start Data, Chapin Hall Center for Children

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GET DETAILS ON THE ABOVE GRANTS

Using the list above, look up grant recipients in this spreadsheet to see corresponding grant ID numbers.

Then go to USA Spending, which offers data on all government spending. It can tell you the funding amount and other details. It also includes a grant description.

— First, check the box that says Grants under the Award Type menu on the left side of the page.

— Copy the grant number from the spreadsheet and enter it into the box that says Award ID, also located in the menu on the left side of the page. Click “submit” at the top or bottom of the menu. That should pull up the specific grant.

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CONSIDER THESE REPORTING THREADS

— Contact agencies and universities located in your state that have grants listed above. Ask what the grants covered and what, if any, the particular impacts the grants had on the state or local communities (for example, were there specific programs or research projects in the works that they can speak to?).

— Ask if anyone was aware these cuts were coming. Have there been preparations because of other recent federal cuts? Will cuts in these grants lead to other layoffs or cutbacks at individual organizations?

— Ask to speak to real people who relied on or successfully used the services where relevant.

— What do state and local officials think about cuts that happened midstream? Are there any programs that jumped out at them as being particularly impactful or having wide support among legislators?

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READ ADDITIONAL AP COVERAGE

Mass layoffs rattle Head Start leaders already on edge over funding problems

Still locked out of federal funding, several Head Start preschools may need to close temporarily

Head Start and Medicaid providers hit glitches as Trump freezes federal money

This preschool in Alaska changed lives for parents and kids alike. Why did it have to close?

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Localize It is a reporting resource produced by The Associated Press for its customers’ use. Questions can be directed to Katie Oyan at koyan@ap.org.