Head Start is at the center of a heated public debate over federal regulations and how best to support families. But what exactly should the federal government do, and what should states be empowered to do, to fix America’s social safety net?

On this episode of Defending Ideas, Nic Dunn speaks with Alex Adams, Assistant Secretary for the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), about his efforts to reduce ineffective federal regulations and give states more room to innovate.

Dunn and Secretary Adams also discuss the 30th anniversary of TANF and what its history can teach us about the future of social welfare reform. The conversation examines broader safety-net reform, federalism, state leadership, and the balance between federal accountability and local flexibility.

Adams argues that, ultimately, federal oversight should focus on outcomes, taxpayer accountability, and preventing fraud, waste and abuse. That gives states and localities greater freedom to decide how to best help their friends and neighbors.

Defending Ideas is a weekly podcast produced by Sutherland Institute. On this show we are committed to renewing the principles of common sense conservatism, equipping listeners to become more effective champions of sound principle and good policy. Visit defendingideas.org.