National Head Start Association

NHSA LEGISLATIVE UPDATE AND CALL TO ACTION

 

 

Week of August 21, 2009

 

Dear Friends:

 

Please read this email and share it with others in your network. It contains an NHSA Update, a Legislative and Administrative Update, and a Call to Action. 

 

 

NHSA UPDATE

 

Register for the Fall Leadership Institute!

 

Mark your calendars and register today: the NHSA Leadership Institute is on September 21-24 followed by the NHSA Board Meeting on September 24-25.  We look forward to having Head Start leaders from the field--including program directors, parents, senior management, board members, state Head Start association leaders, Policy Council members, and others join us for what should prove to be a full program.  We'll discuss the latest legislative and regulatory action, make educational visits to Members of Congress, hear from key individuals on Capitol Hill and in the Obama administration, and more.  Click here to register: http://www.nhsa.org/?e=events.detail&event_id=38.

 

Of note: NHSA is honored that Ms. Jacqueline Jones, Senior Advisor to Secretary Duncan for Early Learning, has agreed to speak at the NHSA Leadership Institute.

 

Legal Advisory Service Webinar on ARRA Construction and Renovation

 

When Congress passed the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act of 2009 ("ARRA") earlier this year to stimulate the economy, it imposed copious new requirements on recipients of ARRA funds, including Buy American provisions for construction, renovation and alteration for certain public buildings and public works. In addition, Davis Bacon requirements apply. Do you have the tips and know-how to ensure your program stays in compliance?

 

Not to worry! The Head Start Legal Advisory Service, a collaboration between NHSA and Feldesman Tucker Leifer Fidell LLP ("FTLF"), continues our online training series formulated specifically for Head Start grantees with an upcoming webinar, "Construction and Renovation with Recovery Act Funds." Join us Thursday, August 27, 2009 at 3pm eastern time when Ted Waters will lead an online training for you to learn:

• Whether the Buy American ARRA provisions apply to your program;
• The basics of Davis Bacon; and
• Tips on staying in compliance.

 

To learn about NHSA-member discount pricing for both this webinar and the one below and to sign up today, please go to http://www2.eventsvc.com/FTLF/fths/.

 

 

Head Start Eligibility Explained in Upcoming Legal Advisory Service Webinar

 

As many of you know, the Head Start rules for eligibility can be confusing and difficult to follow, including how to handle the new 130% of poverty option and prioritizing homeless. On Tuesday, September 1, 2009 at 3pm eastern time, Ted Waters will untangle the ins and outs of Head Start eligibility compliance. Join us to discuss:

 

• What the rules are;
• Where the pitfalls lie; and
• How to ensure your program is in compliance.

 

NHSA Comments on Proposed Eligibility Form

Please note that NHSA recently submitted comments on the June 16, 2009 Federal Register Notice on the proposed Head Start Eligibility Verification Form based on feedback from leadership in the field. For a copy, please contact Ben Allen at BAllen@nhsa.org. 

 

Head Start Mourns the Death of Eunice Kennedy Shriver

 

NHSA mourns the death of Eunice Kennedy Shriver, the founder of Special Olympics, sister of the late President John F. Kennedy, and wife of Robert Sargent Shriver, Jr. who helped found the Head Start Program. Mrs. Shriver will always be remembered as a champion and advocate for children. To read our press release, please see: http://www.nhsa.org/news_and_advocacy/recent_news/head_start_mourns_the_death_of_eunice_kennedy_shriver

 

Send Us Your Links

 

If you or your program receives a write-up or interview in local media outlets about your proposed or actual uses of ARRA funding, please let us know. Or, if you've had a great news story about something special your program is doing, let us know that too. Send your links to Gregg Porter at NHSA at gporter@nhsa.org. We'd like to post them to our website and help spread the word! 

 

 

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE

 

 

Recess

 

As we mentioned in our last update, the House of Representatives went into August recess (their scheduled "District Work Period") at the end of July. The Senate also went out on their scheduled recess on August 7, 2009. Please see our "Call to Action" to see what you can do while your Representatives and Senators are back in their home states and districts.

 

School Building Fairness Act of 2009

 

Senator Harkin's bill, S. 1121, the School Building Fairness Act, seeks to amend the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965.  The bill would direct the U.S. Secretary of Education to allocate funds to states for competitive matching grants to local educational agencies ("LEAs") for school repair, renovation, and construction. Of particular note to some Head Start and Early Head Start programs is the inclusion of an option for use of funds by LEAs for "repairing, replacing, or constructing early learning facilities at public elementary schools, including renovation of existing facilities to serve children under 5 years of age."  The bill was introduced earlier this year and was referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. We will continue to keep an eye on this legislation and keep you informed of any developments. For more information, please go to http://thomas.loc.gov/ and search by bill number by inserting "S. 1121".  

 

 

ADMINISTRATION NEWS

 

Appointment Updates

 

Prior to the August recess, the Senate did not schedule confirmation votes for some nominees. Unfortunately, Carmen Nazario, President Obama's nominee for Assistant Secretary for Children and Families for the Department of Health and Human Services, was among those. The Head Start community awaits her confirmation when the Senate returns from recess.

 

In addition, NHSA understands that Secretary Sebelius has received letters from across the Head Start community regarding the vacancy for the Director of the Office of Head Start. We understand from HHS that the Secretary's office appreciates the urgency for the Head Start community and is working closely with the White House. The vetting process is occurring and an announcement is expected soon.  Stay tuned for updates!

 

American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 ("ARRA") Reporting Tools Available for Download

 

Programs receiving funds under the ARRA have additional reporting requirements with deadlines beginning early this fall. The full set of recipient reporting tools, including templates and XML Schema, is now available on Recovery.gov. Go to: http://www.recovery.gov/?q=content/recipient-reporting to download these important materials today. 

 

Updated Communication Guidelines under ARRA

 

On July 24, the Administration released a guidance memorandum regarding communications between Federal agency officials and individuals/entities applying for grants and Federal assistance under ARRA. The Administration outlines restrictions placed on communication during the application process (with different rules for oral communications and written communications). The guidance clarifies that these rules apply to both registered lobbyists as well as all other individuals/entities who have submitted competitive applications under ARRA. The guidance also defines the time frame for restrictions (from the time the formal application for grants or financial assistance under the ARRA is submitted up until funds are awarded). The guidance can be downloaded from: http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/asset.aspx?AssetId=1527.

 

 

CALL TO ACTION

 

As we mentioned in the last Legislative Update, the House and Senate are both in recess, which means that August is the ideal time to invite Members who are not currently running for office to come visit your center and see what you're up to! If you aren't a full-year program and you don't have children in your center this summer, plan a trip to your Representative's or Senators' state office! Remind your Members of Congress how important Head Start issues are ? they need to hear from you!

 

When you see them, tell them:

 

• Thank you for your strong and continued support of Head Start and Early Head Start (collectively "Head Start"), the nation's premier early childhood education and care programs providing comprehensive school readiness, education, health, nutrition, and parent involvement services to low-income children ages birth to five and their families.

 

• That continuation of ARRA expansion funding for Head Start and Early Head Start will be important to their community. We don't want to let Head Start children and families fall off the ARRA funding cliff when the ARRA funds are finished!

 

To contact your Senators and Representatives, call the Capitol switchboard at (202) 224-3121 or if you'd like to email them, go to: www.senate.gov and click on your Senator's website or www.house.gov and click on your Representative's website. On each website, there is a contact or feedback form which will allow you to email him/her directly. You can also find out the phone numbers for their local district offices on their websites and call them there directly while they are home for recess. 

 

 

DOLLAR PER CHILD

 

Thanks to all of you who donated to the Dollar per Child Campaign this year. All the work that NHSA did on the ARRA and is doing on other current legislative efforts is paid for by Dollar Per Child funds. That's why we need you to continue to support the Dollar Per Child Campaign. Without a robust source of funds, NHSA can't lead the way in our advocacy efforts that benefit all Head Start programs. It is through these dollars that we can advocate for you and with you on your behalf. Don't wait. Please send your contributions, whatever amount you can afford, whether it is $1 per child, $5 per child, or $10 per child. You can even easily donate online on our new, improved website at: https://www.nhsa.org/get_involved/donate.  

 

Dollar Per Child funds will ensure that NHSA can continue to lead the way in all of the future advocacy efforts coming up-from regulatory issues with the Office of Head Start, to additional fiscal year appropriations, to the next Head Start Act reauthorization, which is not far off. Remember, raise you hand! Use your words! Together we can make a difference.

 

 

Please know that NHSA continues to work for you and with you on your behalf on matters of importance to the Head Start community. 

 

This Legislative E-Update has been sent to Head Start Directors, the NHSA Board, Head Start State and Regional Association Presidents, Executive Directors, and Parents. Please share it with others in your network.