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Leadership Institute (October 18, 2007)
NHSA held the fall 2007 Leadership Institute last week in Washington, D.C. Pre-conference activities included an orientation for new state and regional Head Start association presidents and executive directors followed by an open discussion and strategies for Head Start and other issues at the State and Regional Head Start Association Executive Directors meeting.
More than 120 emerging and established Head Start leaders participated in a comprehensive legislative update, received a thorough review of the latest Office of Head Start updates, acquired advocacy skills, visited Capitol Hill, and explored topics such as the latest Head Start research, parent leadership, and braided funding. Other sessions included presentations on Senator Hillary Clinton’s Early Childhood Agenda and a Child Care Legislative. Donald Mathis, President and CEO of the National Community Action Partnership, Ursula Ellis, Director of Campaigns for Every Child Matters, Joan Wodiska, Education, Early Childhood and Workforce Committee Director for the National Governors Association, and Mark Ginsberg, Executive Director for NAEYC all spoke as part of the "Update from Key national Organizations" panel. They each discussed their organizations current agenda and goals, as well as recent accomplishments and new initiatives. NHSA is so thankful for their contribution to the conference critical work they do on behalf of children and families
Discount School Supplies and Lakeshore Learning Materials helped sponsor the institute and offered gift certificates for the Dollar per Child Raffle. $430 was collected for Dollar per Child. NHSA appreciates the Discount School Supplies’ generous and continuous annual commitment to the Dollar per Child campaign and looks forward to a continued partnership with Lakeshore.
This year the Helen H. Taylor Recognition and Partnership reception was held in the Dirksen Senate Office Building to honor Senator Edward Kennedy for his career-long support of Head Start. Sen. Kennedy was presented with the first annual Lady Bird Johnson Award. The award was created by the Massachusetts Head Start Association in memory of the former first lady, who championed Head Start throughout her life and was Honorary Chairman during her White House years and Dr. Edward Zigler, a founding father of the program. Dr. Zigler spoke about the history of Head Start and reflected upon the impact both Sen. Kennedy and Lady Bird Johnson have had on Head Start's success. Sen. Frank Lautenberg (D-New Jersey) spoke as well.
The reception was attended by more than 140 people. Among them were members of the NHSA board, state association presidents and executive directors, Head Start teachers and parents, and congressional staffers. The Massachusetts Head Start Association co-sponsored the event along with many state and regional associations and Lakeshore Learning Materials. Executive Director Nancy Topping-Tailby organized the event and NHSA vice-chairperson Janis Santos presided over it.
The following PowerPoint presentations from the Leadership Institute are available:
Research and Evaluation
Dr. Ben Allen, NHSA’s research and evaluation director, provided a research and assessment update for 2007. He pointed out recent poverty trends for adults and young children, explained that research shows that Head Start is a quality program, discussed the Head Start Impact Study findings, and provided a status report on the National Reporting System and the work of the National Research Council’s Committee on Developmental Outcomes and to access his PowerPoint presentation.
Results from the Building a Strong Head Start Community Survey were presented during the Leadership Institute. An open discussion followed, and many great suggestions were received. As a next step, NHSA will solicit additional comments about this report from state and regional Head Start associations and the NHSA Board of Directors before this report is finalized.
President Vetoed SCHIP
The president vetoed the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) after both the House of Representatives and U.S. Senate passes the bill. The President’s veto took place in the midst of the National Head Start Association 2007 Leadership Institute, held in the nation’s capital, October 2-6, 2007. The Senate passed the bill with a veto proof vote. However, the House of Representatives is still short of a veto override vote by 15 votes. The states that are critical in overriding the president’s veto are: CA, FL, GA, IL, IN, MI, NJ, NY, NC, OH, PA, and VA.
Contact your congressional representatives, House and Senate, and urge them to support children and families by overriding the president’s veto.
The president has also threatened to veto the critically important Labor, HHS & Education appropriations bill which funds Head Start reauthorization and SCHIP. Request as well, that they support the Head Start reauthorization level of $461million. Members of Congress will only act if they hear from their constituents – call (202) 224-3121. We have attached the list of members on the Labor, HHS & Education committees. http://appropriations.senate.gov/members.cfm
Head Start Reauthorization
House and Senate Labor, HHS and Education committee staff continue pre-conference discussions and negotiations on Head Start Reauthorization. NHSA continues to participate in these critical meetings and negotiations. The Senate has named its conferees, while the House, as of this writing, has not named conferees.
Dollar Per Child
Thank you to those of you who have already begun sending your donations for the 2007-2008 Dollar per Child campaign.
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.
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