National Head Start Association

Parents:  Join NHSA on a conference call Monday, March 11 at 7:30 pm Eastern to find out more about sequestration and what you can do about it! The call number is 712-432-0900 code 484503#.

NHSA has a Sequestration FAQ for Head Start Programs

Download the FAQ here. The NHSA Web page Sequestration Action Resources has additional resources.

Early Head Start Home Visiting Leadership Network Webinar

Funding for home visiting through the Affordable Care Act has changed the landscape of home visiting programs and offers opportunities to expand Early Head Start home based services across the country. Join the Early Head Start Home Visiting Leadership Network Monday, March 18th at 4:00 PM EST to hear how Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting (MIECHV) efforts have been designed and implemented at the federal, state, and local levels.

This webinar will feature Libby Doggett, Director of the PEW Home Visiting Campaign; Carolyn Kiefer, Head Start Collaboration Director for the State of Idaho; and David Morgan, Director of the TEAM, Inc. Head Start program.

Register now!

To join the Early Head Start Home Visiting Leadership Network, sign up here today.

Nominations Now Accepted for 2013-2014 Scholarships and Awards

Because of the dedicated involvement of parents, staff, and other concerned individuals Head Start is the high-quality program that it is today. Each year, NHSA seeks to acknowledge those individuals and organizations that have made a significant difference in their Head Start communities through the NHSA Scholarships and Awards program. The nomination process for the 2013 – 2014 Scholarship & Award year is now open. Please go to: http://www.nhsa.org/membership/scholarships_and_awards for more information and link to nomination applications. The National Head Start Association’s Scholarship and Awards Program is open to individual, program and affiliate members of NHSA in good standing.

The President's Early Education Plan

Among this month’s exciting news has been President Obama’s proposal of a new plan to expand early childhood education. While we are waiting to see more details about his proposals when the President’s budget is released later this month, his mentions of early learning in the State of the Union demonstrate commitment to this critical priority. Learn more about his proposal:

• Fact Sheet: President Obama’s Plan for Early Education for all Americans - see the details of what the President is proposing and a blog post from ACF about what it means for Head Start.
  
• President Obama’s Plan for Universal Preschool - read or listen to Nobel Laureate Economist James Heckman explaining the research behind high-quality early childhood education, and how the Impact Study has been misused.
  
• Head Start Leading in Early Childhood Education - an opinion editorial by NHSA’s Executive Director, Yasmina Vinci, outlines the importance of early learning opportunities for the most vulnerable children.     

Sequestration Policy and Strategy Webinar - March 14

If sequestration is allowed to stand, it will have a powerful impact on Head Start and Early Head Start programs nationwide. The Office of Head Start estimates that as many as 70,000 children will lose access to Head Start services because of this funding reduction.

Join NHSA and Acelero Thursday March 14th at 4:00 PM EST for a webinar about sequestration and Head Start. We will discuss the guidance so far and consider what options are available to programs as you work to maintain high-quality services and minimize the disruption to your staff and community.

To register, click here. (Webinar is FREE for NHSA members and SARGE subscribers -- email emagurne@acelero.net for validation and a coupon code).

Coming Up on Wednesday, March 20th: Staff Qualifications and HR Policies and Procedures from 3-5 pm EST. A Head Start Legal Advisory Service Webinar

Does your program’s staff meet Head Start standards? Attend the Head Start Legal Advisory Service’s upcoming webinar, led by Zoë Beckerman of Feldesman Tucker Leifer Fidell LLP, to learn about staff qualification requirements and how to sculpt your policies and procedures on Wednesday, March 20th from 3-5 pm EST. We will share sample checklists, so be sure to sign up for this webinar! At the end of this webinar, you will be able to:

• Distinguish what needs to be in your Head Start personnel policies (and use our tips);

• Assess the ins and outs of your employment Standards of Conduct (by utilizing our checklists); and

• Identify issues surrounding staff qualifications and timelines.
  

Who Should Attend: Executive Directors, Head Start Directors, Human Resources Director and HR Personnel, but all are welcome to attend.

Coming Up on Thursday, April 11th: Unpacking Federal Employment Laws from 3-5 pm EST. A Head Start Legal Advisory Service Webinar

Does your program adhere to federal employment laws? Attend the Head Start Legal Advisory Service’s upcoming webinar, led by Zoë Beckerman and Molly Evans of Feldesman Tucker Leifer Fidell LLP, to learn about federal laws such as those involving discrimination and the Family Medical Leave Act on Thursday, April 11th from 3-5 pm EST. Programs must comply with these laws, so be sure to sign up for this webinar! At the end of this webinar, you will be able to:

• Identify from an HR perspective what to do if an ADA issue arises;

• Distinguish key points of the Americans with Disabilities Act and other employment laws involving discrimination (and know where to look for these rules); and

• Formulate how to analyze issues under the Family Medical Leave Act.

This webinar has been developed to supplement our two other Human Resources in Head Start webinars. It will not cover Head Start-specific human resources issues stemming from the Head Start Act or Program Performance Standards. Please see our other HR in Head Start webinars for that information.

Who Should Attend: Executive Directors, Head Start Directors, Human Resources Directors and HR Personnel, but all are welcome to attend.

The Head Start Legal Advisory Service is a collaboration between the law firm of Feldesman Tucker Leifer Fidell LLP and the National Head Start Association. Click here for the full schedule of Head Start Legal Advisory Service webinars, to learn about our new reduced pricing, and to register for either or both webinars.

Early Childhood Comprehensive Systems Funds Announced

States working to coordinate and increase access to comprehensive services for young children in child care and early education settings have the opportunity to pursue new or renewed Early Childhood Comprehensive Systems (ECCS) funding through a competitive federal grant process announced on March 1.Read the full announcement here, and a summary here.

Registration is NOW OPEN for the 2013 National Early Childhood Inclusion Institute, Opening the Doors to Inclusion, in Chapel Hill, NC, May 13-15.

For the past decade, the Inclusion Institute has been the “don’t miss” event for individuals to learn and problem solve about early childhood inclusion. The conference begins Monday, May 13th at 1:00 and ends on Wednesday, May 15th, at 12:30.

Registration is $250. Pre-Institute Workshops are available on Monday the 13th from 9:00 – 12:00 (lunch included) for only $35.00. For more information on the preliminary program, speakers, lodging and logistics, and registration, go to http://inclusioninstitute.fpg.unc.edu/

NHSA Announces it New Association Management System

NHSA is in the final stages of transitioning to new association management software. The official implementation date is March 30, 2013. The software will help NHSA better track Head Start programs and members. It also includes a new portal for members to access resources, newsletters and webinars. The new portal also provides individuals the ability to log in and print their own membership card! Watch for more information in the coming weeks, and plan to visit our NHSA Marketplace at the  40th Annual Head Start Conference and see the new member portal in action!