HHS removes nearly one-fifth of sessions from early childhood research conference

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) removed nine research sessions from the National Research Conference on Early Childhood in Arlington, Virginia, less than a week before its scheduled start on June 19, 2024. These removals constituted nearly one-fifth of the 48 sessions planned for the three-day event. Researchers received notification via email on June 16, stating that their presentations were cancelled during HHS's final agenda review. The affected sessions, selected through a peer-review process after proposals were submitted in the fall of 2023, covered a range of critical topics including childcare licensing, kindergarten transitions, infant mental health, and social-emotional development. Presenters were informed only that "several revisions were required" as part of the department's clearance process. A revised conference agenda was posted on June 17, replacing the original. This last-minute cancellation has caused concern among researchers, many of whom described the action as unprecedented so close to a major conference. Lieny Jeon, an associate professor at the University of Virginia, expressed disappointment, noting the lost opportunity to share evidence that could inform policy and practice. One of the removed sessions specifically examined state initiatives to broaden access to early childhood education, while another addressed the administrative challenges faced by childcare providers.