ADVOCACY

Improving Head Start Act of 2007 (September 7, 2007)

Following passage of the Head Start legislation in both the House and Senate, the Senate named the following conferees Kennedy (D-Mass.), Dodd (D-Conn.), Harkin D-Iowa), Mikulski (D-Md.), Bingaman D-N.M.), Murray D-Wash.), Reed (D-R.I.), Clinton (D-N.Y.), Obama (D-Ill.), Sanders (I-Vt.), Brown (D-Ohio), Enzi (R-Wyo.), Gregg (R-N.H.), Alexander (R-Tenn.), Burr (R-N.C.), Isakson (R-Ga.), Murkowski (R-Alaska), Hatch (R-Utah), Roberts (R-Kan.), Allard (R-Colo.), and Coburn (R-Okla.) to the conference committee to negotiate differences with the House bill. The House Education and Labor committee indicated that they were hopeful in naming the House conferees this week.

As one of the key provisions in the House bill, and not included in the Senate version, Policy Council as a viable vehicle for parent involvement in the education of their children and shared governance of Head Start programs, NHSA has been working closely with Representatives Danny Davis, Donald Payne, and Mark Souder’s offices in securing members of Congress to sign on to a Dear Colleague letter urging the House conferees to support the Policy Council provision – so far there are 72 signatories to the letter.

NHSA urges you and your network of friends and family to call your member of Congress to encourage them to sign on, and if they have signed on, thank them for their continued support. Attached for your information is a copy of the Policy Council Dear Colleague Letter and List of signatories.    

State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP)
The State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP), created in 1997 as part of the Social Security Act, allocating approximately $20 billion over 10 years to help states insure "targeted low-income children" without health insurance coverage. The law authorizes states to provide health care coverage to uncovered children not eligible for Medicaid and uninsured. Congress is considering legislation to reauthorize the SCHIP program, which is scheduled to expire on September 30, 2007. Both the House and the Senate are considering legislation to authorize SCHIP. However, the White House has indicated that it would veto the legislation due to expanded coverage and cost.

The College Cost Reduction and Access Act
The College Cost Reduction and Access Act of 2007 amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 and makes a number of changes to the federal financial assistance programs related to postsecondary education. The action this week by the House and Senate conference committee goes to the House and Senate for final approval. The act would boost college aid by roughly $20 billion through 2011. Under the legislation, Pell Grant scholarships would increase from $4,310 to $5,400. The legislation would also cut interest rates on student loans from 6.8 percent to 3.4 percent. Additionally, the legislation makes repayment of student loans more manageable, offers tuition assistance for undergraduate students who teach in particular subjects and in challenging schools, provides investment for critical support services to Historically Black Colleges and Universities and Hispanic Serving Institutions, and offers  loan forgiveness for college graduates who go into public service professions.

The College Cost Reduction and Access Act combines elements from House and Senate bills that were passed in July. The agreement was negotiated and approved by Congressman Miller (D-Calif.) and Senator Kennedy (D-Mass.). If approved by Congress, the bill goes to the president for his signature.

NHSA National Conference Call Moved to September 10
Due to the Labor Day Holiday, the regularly scheduled NHSA conference call will take place Monday, September 10, at 1 p.m. EST. To join the call, just dial 888-727-6732 and enter the pass code 436552.

Dollar Per Child
NHSA is beginning a new year for the Dollar per Child Campaign. Thank you to everyone who made 2006-2007 donations. We will send out a document in September listing all donations for each program, state and region. 

Please continue to mail checks to NHSA Dollar per Child Campaign, P.O. Box 890080, Charlotte, NC 28289-0080. Be sure to note which program, state, or region your donation is representing. Thank you for all of your support.