NHSA Update Week of December 18, 2009
Date Posted: 12/18/2009
Week of December 18, 2009
Dear Friends:
After a productive year and an extremely successful Parent Training Conference in San Jose earlier this month, we at NHSA have so much to be thankful for as 2009 winds to a close. Since this is our last Update until the New Year, we would like to thank our extended membership family and Head Start program community for all that you do. We wish you a joyous, peaceful, and healthy holiday season.
Please read this email and share it with others in your network. It contains information about our upcoming Leadership Institute, a Legislative Update, Administration News, some Additional Resources, and a Call to Action.
NHSA UPDATE: LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE
Mark Your Calendar for the 2010 Leadership Institute
Head Start: Learning from the Past, Innovating for the Future!
Join us at the NHSA Leadership Institute in Arlington, Virginia, January 25, 2010- January 28, 2010 to hear from key federal policymakers and learn how Head Start is innovating in its programming, services, and policies for the future benefit of America's children and families. This Institute is an excellent professional development opportunity for leaders in the early childhood and care community including state and regional Head Start association presidents and executive directors, Head Start-state collaboration directors, Head Start and Early Head Start program directors, parents, teachers, and staff, and members of the NHSA Board of Directors. Don't miss out! To register, Click here.
LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
Senate and House Pass FY 2010 Appropriations Bill
As you recall, we have been keeping an eye on FY 2010 Appropriations as the various bills work their way through Congress. We finally have some results, as both the Senate and House have passed their FY2010 spending bills (despite the fact that FY2010 began back in October). As you know, while both chambers were working on the FY 2010 bills, the House and Senate passed a Continuing Resolution ("CR") to continue funding at FY2009 levels through December 18, 2009. With the CR due to expire at the close of this week, the House passed a massive $447 billion appropriations bill (called an "omnibus" that includes the departmental appropriations bills that had not yet been passed) and the Senate followed with passage this past Sunday.
Of note, the final FY2010 Labor, Health and Education Appropriations total is $163.565 billion, with $7.2 billion specifically included for Head Start. This number is $122 million above the 2009 funding level and is separate from our American Reinvestment and Recovery Act dollars. NHSA was supportive of increasing Head Start's base appropriations, and we are thrilled that Head Start received an increase in the same year that we received significant ARRA funds. With that, it is now time to turn our attention to FY2011 appropriations. Stay tuned!
Jobs Bills
With our national unemployment rate at 10 percent, federal lawmakers are considering legislation to create jobs. NHSA has been working with a wide range of national organizations asking for an additional $1 billion in new funding for Head Start and Early Head Start programs. NHSA estimated that $1 billion invested in Head Start and Early Head Start would add 25,292 jobs for Head Start and Early Head Start teachers and staff and increase Head Start and Early Head Start enrollment by 38,324 slots. The Coalition on Human Needs, First Focus, and the Child Care and Early Learning Coalition have cited these jobs and enrollment figures (see for a copy of the working paper by the Coalition on Human Needs). NHSA has also advocated that new funds be made available for the construction and maintenance of Head Start and Early Head Start facilities.
Health Care Reform
It seems you can't turn on the television or open a newspaper without seeing a new poll or projection as to whether one of President Obama's top priorities, Health Care Reform, will be completed before the holidays. While the House Health Care Reform plan passed some time ago, the Senate bill's supporters are still working hard to achieve a deal that will have enough votes to pass the Senate. Senate Majority Leader Reid has been working with Senators to strike compromises and secure the necessary votes on the bill before the holidays. Failure to do so would push votes into next year. Stay tuned!
The Senate plan (as it currently stands) would establish a new Medicaid coverage threshold for children ages 6-19 and parents with incomes up to 133% of the federal poverty level beginning in January 2014. The Senate bill would disregard asset and resource tests, and would instead base eligibility on "modified adjusted gross income." It would also maintain the current CHIP structure and would require states to maintain income eligibility levels for CHIP and Medicaid through 2019.
To read H.R. 3590,The Patient Protection and Affordable Health Care Act, please go to http://dpc.senate.gov/dpcdoc-sen_health_care_bill.cfm where both the full text and a summary of the legislation are available.
ADMINISTRATION NEWS
ACF: New Program Instructions Issued Regarding Facilities
Recently, the Administration for Children and Families ("ACF") issued new instruction in response to a number of questions concerning allowable and unallowable charges to Head Start grants for facility acquisition, major renovations, rent, and related topics. To read the Program Instruction in its entirety, please click here.
RESOURCES FOR YOU
Positive Research News for Head Start and Early Head Start Programs
Earlier last week, Temple University researchers announced that their national study, published in the December 2009 issue of the Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, has found that Head Start meets and exceeds the requirements to prevent obesity among at-risk children. Congratulations to the wonderful Head Start community for being a role model for other early childhood education and childcare programs throughout the nation.
Further, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services also published a research brief demonstrating the favorable correlation between early implementation of the Head Start Performance Standards and the level of impact in Early Head Start Programs.
For more NHSA news announcements as well as the links to these studies and more, please visit: http://www.nhsa.org/positive_research_news.
Late Breaking Head Start Legal Advisory Service Webinar: Emergency Update on Recovery Act Reporting
In recent weeks, jobs reporting methodology from the use of Recovery Act funds has come under intense public scrutiny. In response, ACF just issued critical new supplemental guidance. This guidance changes how Recovery Act funds for cost-of-living increases and retention bonuses are to be reported and counted. Join Ted Waters who leads the Legal Adviosry Service, a collaboration of NHSA and Feldesman Tucker Leifer Fidell LLP, this week, Thursday, December 17, 2009 at 3 pm eastern time to ensure that you're aware of all of the Recovery Act reporting guidance to date, including the important new guidance that may change your job counts. During this webinar, we'll walk you though the process from notice of funding through quarterly reporting to help your Head Start agency report correctly.
Make sure you're ready for the next round of Recovery Act reporting due January 10, 2010! Please click on http://www2.eventsvc.com/FTLF/fths/ for pricing information and to register now.
Head Start Legal Advisory Service Webinar: Time and Effort Reporting and Record Retention
In the context of multiple funding streams, ARRA transparency, and increased scrutiny, timekeeping has never been more important. To kick off our 2010 webinar season, Ted Waters will explore what should be included in your program's time and effort reporting, break down the importance of correct documentation in the era of ARRA funding, and share insights about what should be in your program's policies. Start your year off right and invite your Program Directors, CFOs, and others involved to learn the in's and out's of this important topic on Wednesday, January 6, 2010 at 3 pm eastern time. In this online training, we'll discuss:
- Requirements for Time and Effort Reporting;
- Why this matters, especially in the context of ARRA funding; and
- Requirements for record retention and what should be in your policies.
To learn about NHSA member discount pricing for this webinar and to sign up today, please go to http://www2.eventsvc.com/FTLF/fths/.
Stay Up To Date on all the Latest Flu Information this Flu and Cold Season
The 2009 H1N1 flu continues to pose significant threats to public health. This virus is particularly affecting pregnant women, children, young adults, and people ages 25 though 64 with medical conditions, such as asthma, heart disease, lung disease, and diabetes.
As the flu season continues, your help is important in spreading the word about the 2009 H1N1 virus, particularly to individuals who are traditionally harder to reach with health messages, including those who do not have access to the internet or have trouble reading. We have included links to several fliers suggested by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services that are ready-to-use and feature information on vaccine safety and healthy habits for a variety of vulnerable populations.
The links below include four fact sheets with multiple versions of each to address Spanish language and race and ethnicity differences. Please choose the ones that work best for your audience.
Protect yourself from H1N1. Get the vaccine. Individual flyers for (a) African American, (b) Asian and Pacific Islander, (c) American Indian and Alaska Native, (d) multicultural audiences, and (e) for non-English speaking Hispanics.
- English for Asian and Pacific Islanders http://www.cdc.gov/flu/freeresources/2009-10/pdf/09_h1n1_vaccine_safety_ver1.pdf
You and the H1N1 flu vaccine. 2009 H1N1 flu vaccine is given in two ways.
Children should get the vaccine. Most children who get 2009 H1N1 flu feel better within a week.
Cover Your Cough. Stop the Spread of Germs that Make You and Others Sick!
- English versionhttp://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/pdf/cdc_cough.pdf
Heard a rumor about H1N1? Visit Myths & Facts to run a fact check and learn the truth. An additional resource is the CDC hotline, 1-800-CDC-INFO (1-800-232-4636), which offers services in English and Spanish, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Please visit Flu.gov for more free resources and one-page handouts available in Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Italian, Korean, Russian, Spanish, Tagalog, and Vietnamese.
CALL TO ACTION
Give to Dollar Per Child
Thanks to all of you who donated to the Dollar per Child Campaign ("DPC") 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. With a difficult budget situation in the coming years, the struggle to maintain the gains of ARRA will arguably be even more arduous. That is why we need you to continue to support the Dollar Per Child Campaign and to get everyone in your program and your community to support DPC. 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 your 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.
© National Head Start Association, 2009. All rights reserved.
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This NHSA Update has been sent to Head Start Directors, the NHSA Board, Head Start State and Regional Association Presidents, Executive Directors, Parents, and Corporate Sponsors.