Government Affairs Update Week of March 11, 2011
Date Posted: 03/11/2011
Appropriations Update:
The Good News:
The U.S. Senate rejected HR1, the House bill that would have cut more than 218,000 children from Head Start and eliminate 55,000 jobs.
The U.S. Senate rejected HR1, the House bill that would have cut more than 218,000 children from Head Start and eliminate 55,000 jobs.
The Bad News:
An alternative Senate bill, which would have preserved funding for Head Start, was also rejected.
An alternative Senate bill, which would have preserved funding for Head Start, was also rejected.
Moving forward:
Negotiations over federal spending will continue among Senate leadership, Vice President Biden, and House leadership. It is important to note that both the House and Senate must act on federal spending prior to March 18th, 2011 in order to avoid a federal government shut down. It is uncertain whether they will come to an agreement, extend the deadline, or shut down the government.
Negotiations over federal spending will continue among Senate leadership, Vice President Biden, and House leadership. It is important to note that both the House and Senate must act on federal spending prior to March 18th, 2011 in order to avoid a federal government shut down. It is uncertain whether they will come to an agreement, extend the deadline, or shut down the government.
NHSA is actively monitoring the latest developments and will keep you updated. For up-to-the-minute information, make sure to follow NHSA on Twitter and like us on Facebook – see below for more details.
Grassroots Advocacy Update:
The Head Start community has done an amazing job over the past several weeks of standing up for Head Start. Since the first of the year, you have sent over 102,000 emails and phone calls to Congress.
Additionally, the 2011 Head Start Stroll-In was a great success! There were Stroll-Ins in at least 20 states and more than 60 news pieces have appeared in local media outlets. As a result of your efforts, the nation is beginning to understand the value of Head Start and the public will to preserve Head Start is growing.
Make sure you keep in touch with your Senators and Representative and stay connected to NHSA for updates as the Congressional budget negotiations continue. Together, we truly are making a difference!
Brand New NHSA News Room and News Feed:
NHSA has added a live news feed to its website’s home page – www.nhsa.org. Check it out to see the latest press about Head Start. We’ve also updated our News Room and added a Head Start Press Archives section where you can view Head Start news pieces by state. Visit http://www.nhsa.org/Head_Start_Press_Archives to take a look. Please send all of your great new media hits to Julia Steinberger at jsteinberger@nhsa.org.
NHSA Social Media
NHSA has been ramping up its social media efforts. If you haven’t already, please “like” the NHSA Facebook page (click here) and follow @natlheadstart on Twitter (click here). Share these links and other Head Start-related links on your own Facebook pages and Twitter accounts!
Head Start Press – Next Steps
NHSA is preparing a series of human interest articles to be placed in local newspapers throughout the country. These pieces will feature successful Head Start alumnae and current Head Start children. If you know Head Start alumnae whom we should contact, please send names and contact information to Julia Steinberger at jsteinberger@nhsa.org.
That’s all for now! Please feel free to contact Tommy Sheridan (703-739-7560) with government affairs-related questions/concerns or Julia Steinberger (703) 962-7082 with press and social media-related questions/concerns. We’re proud to stand with you for the future of Head Start.