National Head Start Association

NHSA LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
WEEK OF JANUARY 19, 2009

Dear Friends of Head Start:

This week’s Legislative Update includes a summary of our recent day of action and updates on current legislative and administrative news. It also includes bios of some of the new Members of Congress and Senators. Please help Head Start by reading this update, sharing it with ten others in the Head Start community, and taking action.

CURRENT LEGISLATIVE NEWS

Economic Recovery (Stimulus)

Congress is continuing its work on the economic recovery package and things are moving a mile a minute. On January 15, 2009, the House announced the American Recovery and Reinvestment Bill of 2009, its bill for the economic recovery. A summary of included items in the bill is available at: http://appropriations.house.gov/pdf/PressSummary01-15-09.pdf and the text of the bill can be viewed at http://appropriations.house.gov/. The House has included a total of $2.1 billion for Head Start, broken out into $1 billion for Head Start (split over 2 fiscal years) and $1.1 billion for Early Head Start (split over 2 fiscal years; with up to 10% of that amount for T/TA and up to 3% for monitoring). They anticipate voting on the bill in the next 2 weeks.

NHSA, along with State and Regional Head Start associations, is still working hard on your behalf to try and ensure that Head Start does not fall out of the House bill and that we are included in the Senate bill at our requested $4.3 billion. We can’t do this without you. Please help us by taking action as outlined below.

ACT NOW TO ENSURE HEAD START STAYS IN THE BILL

While we are delighted that Head Start is included, our work is far from done. The House heard the Head Start community’s needs and included Head Start in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Bill of 2009, for which we are grateful. The Senate is expected to have their version of a bill out soon too. In any event, the House and Senate are moving very rapidly. Please act now by emailing Congress via the www.saveheadstart.org website or calling your Representatives and Senators through the Capitol Switchboard (202) 224-3121 and getting your community (parents, friends, co-workers, businesses, etc.) to do the same, so that Head Start doesn’t fall out of the House bill and is included in the Senate’s version. Even if you’ve contacted them before, we need to follow up with this second step.

When you email or call your Representatives and Senators, please let them know:

• The Head Start community is very pleased that Head Start is included in the House’s economic recovery bill.

• Infusing funds for Head Start will create more and better jobs.

• Infusing funds for Head Start will help more families get back to work, by ensuring that their children have safe, high-quality programs to attend during the work day.

• It is imperative that Head Start stays in the House bill and is included in the Senate bill as more families and children slip into poverty from the economic crisis;

• We would still like to see Head Start receive $4.3 billion as a down payment on the Obama Administration’s early childhood priorities;

• Thank them for their support and ask them to ensure that Head Start stays in the House package or is included in the Senate package.

Don’t let Head Start down! Help us help you.
We need to ensure that Head Start receives necessary funding.
Please ask 10 others you know to send an email from www.saveheadstart.org

UPDATE ON RECENT JANUARY 12th DAY OF ACTION

Since the start of the Virtual March a few months ago, over 15,900 emails have been sent to Capitol Hill from www.saveheadstart.org (including about 3,000 this past week) asking Congress and the Senate to include $4.3 billion for Head Start in the Economic Recovery Package. We thank you for all of your continued efforts and hope that you will contact your Representatives and Senators again with the messages outlined above.

CURRENT ADMINISTRATION NEWS

Tom Daschle, Secretary of Health and Human Services-Designate and Former Senate Majority Leader, underwent a confirmation hearing before the Health Education Labor and Pensions Committee on January 8th. His written testimony, posted at http://help.senate.gov/Hearings/2009_01_08/2009_01_08.html, states that “HHS plays a vital role in early learning and development through the child care block grant and Head Start as well as Early head Start. We must recognize in these tough economic times, these programs will see an increase in demand as well. We know how important investments are in this area; some studies show way [sic] dollar invested in high quality care at these ages yields $7 in reduced government spending down the road. Ensuring our children’s proper emotional, social and cognitive development is one of the greatest responsibilities of the Department, and I look forward to strengthening the important initiatives that are crucial to our future as a nation.” You can also watch a video of the confirmation hearing, available at the same web link listed above.

Arne Duncan, Education Secretary-Designate, underwent a confirmation hearing before the same Committee on January 13th. His written testimony, posted at http://help.senate.gov/Hearings/2009_01_13/2009_01_13.html, states that “First, we must invest in early childhood education. Too many children show up for kindergarten already behind. Many never catch up. The President-elect’s “Zero-to-Five proposal calls for: Greater supports for working parents with young children. Early-learning challenge grants to states; Voluntary universal pre-school quality enhancements; and More resources to build on the successes of Head Start and Early Head Start. The President–elect also plans to establish a Presidential Early Learning Council to better integrate pre-school programs and resources.” You can also watch a video of the confirmation hearing, available at the same web link listed above.

The Senate will vote on their confirmations in the near future and we will keep you posted.

NEW MEMBERS OF CONGRESS

We continue to introduce you via short bios to the new Members of Congress who were just elected—so that if you are one of their constituents, you can drop a note, make a call, and either introduce them to Head Start or encourage them to continue being Head Start champions.

Representative Parker Griffith (D-AL-5) replaces Bud Cramer. Prior to joining the House, Griffith was a State Senator and is also a radiation oncologist. His new Congressional website is http://griffith.house.gov. His campaign website’s section on the issues states, “We must expand our early education programs to include pre-kindergarten instruction. I have seen several of these programs in action across North Alabama, and they work. The students enter kindergarten and first grade ready to learn, and all students and teachers benefit.” See http://www.griffithforcongress.com/.

Representative Ann Kirkpatrick (D-AZ-1) replaces Rick Renzi. Prior to joining the House, she was a state legislator, and is an attorney. Her new Congressional website is: http://kirkpatrick.house.gov. Her campaign website’s section on the issues states, “In Congress, I will continue to improve our schools by expanding early education.” See http://www.kirkpatrickforarizona.com/content/issues#2.

Representative Mike Coffman (R-CO-6) replaces Tom Tancredo. Prior to joining the House, he was Colorado’s Secretary of State and State Treasurer and is retired from the Army and Marine Corps Reserve. His new Congressional website is: http://coffman.house.gov. His campaign website, http://www.coffmanforcongress.com/, does not mention early childhood education.

Representative Bill Posey (R-FL-15) replaces Dave Weldon. Prior to joining the House, he was a state senator and realtor. His new Congressional website is: http://posey.house.gov. His campaign website, http://www.billposey.com/index.php/, does not mention early childhood education.

Representative Walt Minnick (D-ID-1) replaces Bill Sali. Prior to joining the House, he was co-founder and board member of the Idaho Business Coalition for Education Excellence, Former CEO of TJ International, and Co-founder and CEO of SummerWinds Garden Centers, Inc. His new Congressional website is: http://minnick.house.gov. His campaign website, http://www.waltforcongress.org/, does not mention early childhood education but it does mention his views on education.

Senator Tom Udall (D-NM) replaces Pete Domenici. Prior to joining the Senate, he was a member of the House of Representatives since 1999. In that capacity, he belonged to the New Democrat Coalition and the Congressional Progressive Caucus. He was on the Labor-HHS appropriations subcommittee in the House. His new Senate website is http://www.senate.gov/pagelayout/senators/one_item_and_teasers/udall_tom.htm. His Congressional website and his campaign website are no longer active to view his position on Head Start, but http://www.votesmart.org/issue_keyvote_detail.php?cs_id=16236&can_id=22658 shows that he voted yes on HR. 1429 (Head Start reauthorization) in 2007.

Senator Roger Wicker (R-MS) replaced Trent Lott at the end of 2007 by appointment. Prior to joining the Senate, he was a Member of Congress. In the Senate, he serves on the Armed Services Committee, the Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, and the Veterans’ Affairs Committee. His website, http://wicker.senate.gov/public/, states that “I believe that the federal government should place an emphasis on education, but most decisions should be left to parents and state or local officials.” It does not mention Head Start specifically.

LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE

We are almost fully registered for the the next NHSA Leadership Institute, entitled A New Administration, A New Congress: Head Start on the Horizon on January 26th through January 29th. The updated agenda and registration forms can be found at: http://www.nhsa.org/training/leadership/leadership_January_2009.htm. Please call NHSA to see if there is still room. We have a great line-up of confirmed speakers and look forward to those of you who will be joining us!

DOLLAR PER CHILD

Thanks to all of you who have sent in your donations for the 2008 Dollar Per Child campaign. Your donations are vital for supporting our advocacy efforts and ensuring that the Head Start community is heard. Please continue to mail your donation 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.

If you have questions about the contents of this Legislative Update, please contact Michael McGrady at mmcgrady@nhsa.org.

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.