NYCU February 24, 2011
News You Can Use
Good News about You- Senator Lisa Murkowski Presented with the National Head Start Association’s Commitment to Opportunity Award
- New Federal Home Visiting Funding Stream for Early Head Start’s Home-Based Programs
- Head Start in the News
- 38th Annual Head Start Conference & Meetings. You Won’t Want to Miss It!
- Special Reception Honoring Head Start Alumni Who are Working in Head Start
- Family Service & Parent Engagement Coordinators!
- The Parent Engagement Facilitator Training Network
- Next State Head Start Association Roundtable
- In the States
- Condolences
- Tommy Sheridan Presented on Head Start Budget Cuts at a Washington, DC Briefing
- Third Annual Edward Zigler Western Research Institute on Dual Language Learning and Diversity
- Upcoming Coalition on Human Needs Webinar about Its New Federal Budget Report
- Urban Institute Webcast on the Credit Needs of Low-Income Families during Tax Season
- Head Start Children in California Make Significant Developmental Gains
- Participate in a National Great Screen-Free Week
- Upcoming National Youth Summit
- Don’t Miss Out on Important Training Topics
| 2011 Head Start Stroll-In Did you participate in the Head Start Stroll-In? If you did, make sure to let us know! We've already heard some wonderful stories about Head Start communities throughout the country visiting their Congressional Representatives asking them to support Head Start. You can see many of the stories that have appeared in the media at our newsfeed. We want to hear your story! Please send your stories to strollin@nhsa.org and tell us
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GOOD NEWS ABOUT YOU
Senator Lisa Murkowski Presented with the National Head Start Association’s Commitment to Opportunity Award
Yasmina Vinci, NHSA’s Executive Director and Mark Lackey, the Alaska Head Start Association’s President, presented Senator Lisa Murkowski with the National Head Start Association’s Commitment to Opportunity Award. To read about this event, click here.
New Federal Home Visiting Funding Stream for Early Head Start’s Home-Based Programs
The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) in collaboration with the Administration for Children and Families issued guidance for the State Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting Program. This guidance reported that Early Head Start Home-Based Program Option is one of seven home visiting models meeting the final criteria for evidence of effectiveness. The other models are Family Check Up, Healthy Families America, Healthy Steps, Home Instruction Program for Preschool Youngsters (HIPPY), Nurse-Family Partnership, and Parents as Teachers. States applying for federal home visiting funds may select the Early Head Start Home-Based Model or any of the other models listed above for its state home visiting program. For additional information, click here.
NHSA’S NEW NEWSFEED
Head Start in the News
NHSA just inaugurated “Head Start in the News,” our website’s rolling newsfeed providing the latest media stories about Head Start, including those about our national Stroll-In to prevent funding cuts. At anytime during the day or night, you can read timely stories about Head Start at www.nhsa.org.
UPCOMING NHSA EVENTS
38th Annual Head Start Conference & Meetings. You Won’t Want to Miss It!
The upcoming Annual Head Start Conference & Meetings offers more than 250 educational sessions on a wide variety of professional development topics. You’ll learn some of the best practices from Head Start Centers of Excellence in Early Childhood, learn about the latest research, discover effective strategies, and be exposed to cutting-edge approaches in the early childhood field.
The conference will be held in Kansas City, MO, April 4-8. To learn more and register, click here.
Special Reception Honoring Head Start Alumni Who are Working in Head Start
MEMBERSHIP SERVICES
Family Service & Parent Engagement Coordinators!
The March NHSA Family Connections newsletter is ready to print. This issue focuses on online safety and privacy and includes helpful information on how Head Start parents can keep themselves and their families safe while using the Internet. It also includes guidelines to consider when posting items that may be connected to a Head Start program or families. Family Connections, an exclusive benefit for NHSA Program Members, is produced by PreschoolFirst. To read the newsletter’s March issue, click here.
AFFILIATE RELATIONS WORKING FOR YOU
Parent Engagement Facilitator Training Network
NHSA is pleased to partner with the national leadership of Abriendo Puertas/Opening Doors, and launch the Facilitator Training Network during our 38th Annual Head Start Conference in Kansas City, Missouri, April 4-6. Facilitator training attendees will be ready to deploy the Abriendo Puertas curriculum in their local communities and at regional and state Head Start/Early Head Start gatherings.
Click here to download applications to participate in the Facilitator Training Network. Selected participants will be awarded a scholarship valued at $1,500. In addition, a stipend of $500 will be provided to the individual's agency to defray related costs. Participants' travel and accommodations must be provided by the local agency.
Two trainings will be offered in April – one in English and one in Spanish.
To learn more about the Abriendo Puertas curriculum and this unique opportunity to become a facilitator, please join us for a conference call, March 7, 2011 at 12:00 PM EST/9:00 AM PST – 1-605-477-3000/code 110394#
For more information go to NHSA’s Abriendo Puertas web page or call Ed Condon, NHSA’s Director of Affiliate Relations at 703-739-7568.
Next State Head Start Association Roundtable
NHSA will be holding a state Head Start association roundtable:
February 28, 2011 @ 2pm Eastern/11am Pacific
Call 605-477-3000, code 110394#
The purpose of this networking session is to support and enhance the operations of national, regional and state associations. Association operational issues, successes, and challenges will be discussed. Special topics will be presented in the areas of communications, connectivity, parent and grassroots engagement, professional development, and State/Federal policy issues. Guests will be invited to provide specific content, and time will be allocated to encourage an informal exchange of ideas. For more information, contact Ed Condon, NHSA’s Director of Affiliate Relations at econdon@nhsa.org or (703) 739-7568.
In the States
During February, Ed Condon participated in three state events. In Nevada, Ed met with the State Head Start Association Board as its members worked to establish new strategic directions and coordinate with their Head Start State Collaboration Office. In Washington, Ed presented a national update and talked with Head Start parents and programs staff about how best to build bridges between NHSA, local program staff and parent advocates. In California, Ed spoke at CHSA’s Public Policy Breakfast.
Condolences
Ms. Laura Harrison, director of the Acelero Learning’s Las Vegas Head Start program and President of the Nevada Head Start Association, passed away suddenly last week. Laura loved Head Start and the many lives she touched. She was a funny and hard working person and a dear colleague to us. We will keep her family, co-workers at Acelero Learning, and families in the Clark County Head Start program in our thoughts.
NHSA IN ACTION
Tommy Sheridan Presented on Head Start Budget Cuts at a Washington, DC Briefing
Tommy Sheridan, NHSA’s Legislative Associate, discussed possible Head Start budget cuts at a Coalition on Human Needs briefing.
RESEARCH SERVICES FOR YOU
Third Annual Edward Zigler Western Research Institute on Dual Language Learning and Diversity
NHSA, the California Head Start Association, and the Region IX Head Start Association held the Third Annual Edward Zigler Western Research Institute on Dual Language Learning and Diversity on February 8 in San Francisco, California. More than hundred practitioners and researchers attended. Ben Allen, NHSA’s Public Policy and Research Director updated attendees on policy and research matters. For information about how to hold a similar research institute in your state or region, please contact Ben Allen at ballen@nhsa.org.
RESOURCES FOR YOU
Upcoming Coalition on Human Needs Webinar about Its New Federal Budget Report
During its February 25th webinar, the Coalition on Human Needs will release its new report titled, “A Better Budget for All: Saving Our Economy and Helping Those in Need.” Donald Mathis, President and CEO of the Community Action Partnership, will be one of the webinar speakers. To register for the webinar, click here.
Urban Institute Webcast on the Credit Needs of Low-Income Families during Tax Season
On March 1st from Noon to 1:30 pm EST, the Urban Institute will hold a video webcast about the credit needs of low-income families. To watch the video webcast, click here.
Head Start Children in California Make Significant Developmental Gains
The California Head Start Association and Child Care Results just published the California Head Start Child Outcomes Bulletin 2011. This brief report demonstrates that three-year-olds attending Head Start programs increase their development by an average of 4 to 8 months in math, literacy, social interpersonal skills, and self-regulation. To read the report, click here.
Participate in a National Great Screen-Free Week
NHSA has endorsed the Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood’s Great Screen-Free Week to be held April 18-24, 2011. For more information, click here.
Upcoming National Youth Summit
On February 26, the Obama administration will be holding a National Youth Summit in Washington, DC. For additional information, click here.
Don’t Miss Out on Important Training Topics
Led by Ted Waters and Zoë Beckerman, the Head Start Legal Advisory Service, a collaboration between Feldesman Tucker Leifer Fidell LLP and the National Head Start Association, has new offerings on important training topics designed with programs like yours in mind. Don’t miss out on these upcoming, cost effective training webinars. Click here to register.
(3/2/11) Conducting Internal Investigations
With all of the additional scrutiny that Head Start programs are receiving externally from the Government Accountability Office, the HHS Office of Inspector General, the Office of Head Start, Congress, the media, and others, there has never been a better time to understand when and how to conduct internal investigations. This webinar will specifically focus on:
- The who, what, why, when and how of internal investigations;
- Factors to consider when you need to begin an internal investigation; and
- The significance and challenges of making disclosures, including legal ramifications.
(3/17/11) Head Start and Health Center Collaborations
Assuring Health services for Head Start children is important. Head Start Program Performance Regulations require programs to assist parents in enrolling their children in an ongoing system of health care and ensuring that each child has an ongoing source of continuous, accessible care But it can be very difficult to do with limited resources. Join us on this webinar to:
- Discuss Information Memorandum, Accessing Professional Medical and Dental Services (ACF-IM-HS-09-05) and some of its suggestions;
- In the context of the new health reform law, learn more about Section 330 funded Federally Qualified Health Centers’ (“FQHCs”) model of care and expected increase in funding over the next few years; and
- Consider how your agency might be able to work with one in your area or whether your agency could become an FQHC.
(3/31/11) Unpacking Federal Employment Laws
Does your Head Start or Early Head Start program need to gain knowledge on federal employment laws? Are there federal, non-Head Start employment laws that you aren't sure about? In addition to Head Start-specific Human Resources laws and rules, agencies running Head Start programs need to ensure compliance with a handful of other federal employment laws. These include: federal Wage and Hour laws, the Americans with Disabilities Act and other laws involving discrimination, and the Family Medical Leave Act. This webinar will:
- Identify the specifics of Federal Wage and Hour laws;
- Help you understand the key points of the Americans with Disabilities Act and other employment laws involving discrimination; and
- Assure you know the details of the Family Medical Leave Act.
Who Should Attend: Executive Directors, Head Start Directors, Human Resources Directors and HR Personnel, but all are welcome.
YOUR NEIGHBORING PROGRAMS ARE ALSO SIGNING UP FOR ON-DEMAND TRAINING, INCLUDING TRAININGS ON:
- Board and Policy Council Member Boot Camp;
- Compliance, Investigations and Audits;
- Grants Issues, such as Cost Allocation, Non-Federal Share, and Time and Effort Reporting;
- Head Start Monitoring;
- Head Start Eligibility;
- And More!
Click here for more information and to register for either our live webinars or our on-demand content.