National Head Start Association

We’re excited about the upcoming Winter Leadership Institute and hope you are, too!

Thursday, January 31 is Capitol Hill Day at the Institute: Institute participants are strongly encouraged to visit their Congressional offices.

Get Scheduled!

• If you aren’t sure who your two Senators and your Representative are, or you need their contact information, visit www.contactingthecongress.org.
   
• If you haven’t already, contact your Members’ offices right away to schedule appointments. Click here for a draft letter you can edit and send to your NEW Members of Congress requesting a meeting; click here to download an letter template asking your RETURNING Members of Congress for a meeting.
   
• Contact information for schedulers can be accessed here. If you plan to visit as part of a group, only one appointment is necessary but be sure someone schedules it in advance.
     
• When scheduling multiple appointments, don’t forget to leave time in between if your representatives have offices in different buildings.
   
• After you have scheduled your visit, please click here and let us know the details.

Prepare!

Be sure to attend the Hill Visit prep session on Wednesday, January 30th from 4:45-5:45 p.m.  We will discuss funding and legislative issues you should be familiar with and will review the packets you will take with you to the visits.

You should have a number of documents with you for your visit. Some of the information we will provide for you to take. Note that some information you should gather and bring with you to Washington.

Materials NHSA will provide:

• A map of Capitol Hill.
   
• Talking points to guide your conversation. These should not be left in the Member's office.
   
• National information about Head Start’s effectiveness.
   
• Recent national news articles about Head Start. 

Materials you should bring with you:

• The current annual report for your program.
   
• A list of local partners (other agencies, businesses, doctors/dentists, etc.).
   
• A fact sheet about Head Start in your state (find yours here).
   
• Copies of local press featuring your program.
   
• An invitation to your Member of Congress or his/her staff representative to come visit your program during their next recess (download a template).

If you cannot attend the Winter Leadership Institute:

If you are unable to join us in Washington, please reach out to your Representatives and Senators over the next few weeks – either to introduce yourself and your programs, or to maintain the relationship. This is the time to tell them about what you do and your impact in the community. If they’ve never been to visit a Head Start program, try to get the Member or their local staff to tour a center.

Click here to download a template for a welcome letter to NEW Members of Congress.

Please contact Tommy Sheridan (tsheridan@nhsa.org or 703-739-7560) with any questions.