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January 25, 2008
NHSA Leadership Institute and Board Meeting
January 28 – February 1, 2008 |
This year’s Leadership Institute will bring key federal policy decision makers from the Office of Head Start, Administration for Children and Families, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and they will brief the attendees and provide important information and guidance to the Head Start community on the implementation of the “Improving Head Start for School Readiness Act of 2007.” The program offers institute attendees the opportunity to interact with the Congressional architects of the new law; learn the new legal developments and requirements; learn and better understand the state of the nation’s economy and the FY 2009 budget outlook and their implications for domestic social programs and Head Start in particular; visit with their Members of Congress, to inform, educate and advise them on Head Start, and the challenges faced by the Head Start community including the major challenge of delivering quality programs to the nation’s disadvantaged children and families with less funding.
With a focus on skill building, attendees will learn the latest on federal legislative issues; discuss national policy developments; and acquire new techniques for improving their own leadership development skills back home. The event’s intimate setting is perfect for small group discussions, personalized conversations and networking between Head Start leaders.
We are providing to the attendees and the Head Start community a link to the Office of Head Start’s Early Childhood Learning & Knowledge Center resource website to obtain the most recently issued Information Memorandum (IM) as part of the President signing into law “The Improving Head Start for School Readiness Act of 2007.” A series of new requirements are immediately effective and binding. As a result, grantees are expected and required to fully comply with these requirements. In that regard, the most recent IMs will be available for attendees to review prior to the Office of Head Start’s presentation. |
White House FY 2009 Budget
The White House announced that it will not request full funding for the war in Iraq in FY 2009. The proposed FY 2009 budget, to be presented to Congress on February 4, requests only limited funding for the military in 2009 and will not sustain spending through September 30, 2009. The White House did not provide an actual dollar figure for both the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts for the FY 2009 budget. However, Congressional staffs predict a $70 billion to $80 billion request, considerably less than in past years. The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimates that the deficit will increase to at least $250 billion to $350 billion in FY 2008; taking into consideration the economic stimulus package presently being negotiated in Congress. Moreover, the CBO forecasts a slowing economy, a reduction in business profits and an increase in unemployment.
The Economic Stimulus Proposal
The U.S, House of Representatives economic stimulus proposal offers individuals who earn $75,000, a rebate of $600 and married couples earning up to $150,000 would receive $1,200, plus $300 for each child. The proposal also includes tax incentives for business investments. Democrats in the Senate on the other hand, are calling for an extension of unemployment insurance, more dollars for infrastructure - roads and bridges, and more funding for food stamps.
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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