Just for Parents Newsletter (SPAN)

Each month the National Head Start Association’s Government Affairs Division publishes on electronic newsletter – Just for Parents, to keep the Head Start parent community up-to-date on legislative issues affecting the program.  The most recent issue appears below. For back issues, simply click here.

Just For Parents

 A Newsletter from NHSA’s
Government Affairs Division
May 2007

Please circulate this document to all Head Start parents

On May 2, 2007, the U.S. House of Representatives, in a bi-partisan effort, approved H.R. 1429, its version of Head Start’s Reauthorization by a vote of 365 to 48.

Religious Discrimination Defeated Again on the House Floor
A piece of legislation we refer to as “Religious Discrimination” was defeated by a vote of 222 to 195 on the floor of the House prior to the approval of H.R. 1429. This piece of legislation, which was also defeated in committee, would have allowed faith-based organizations to discriminate in their hiring practices based on religion.

  H.R. 1429 Highlights of Final Passage, the Improving Head Start Act of 2007.

• Terminates the NRS (the flawed assessment tool used by Head Start programs to assess Head Start children).
• Maintains shared governance, with the exception of hiring and firing of the Head Start director.
• Increases income guidelines to 130% of poverty with some restrictions.
• Requires 50% of Head Start teachers to have baccalaureate degrees but does not penalize programs that have trouble meeting the mandate.
• Makes it easier to serve homeless and foster children in Head Start and increases the number of Migrant and Indian families being served by the program.
• Requires that 50% of training funds be sent directly to local programs and provides guidance on how these funds should be sent.
• Increases Early Head Start set-asides and allows greater flexibility in serving more infants and toddlers.

Will the Senate’s version of Head Start’s reauthorization (S.556) receive the same praises as its House Counterpart? Will parents still enjoy the rights to share governance?

• The language in S.556 currently reduces the role of parents in shared governance to that of an advisory group. It is this type of language that raises some concerns from those in the community who support shared governance in Head Start. Language found in S.556 to be parent-friendly includes an increase in income guidelines to 130% of poverty without restrictions and removes voter registration restriction at Head Start sites.  

What Does It Mean?

• At this point, the House version of Head Start’s reauthorization has been voted on the floor of the House and passed.
• The Senate will now introduce the bill to the floor of the Senate for any amendments (final changes).

Parents Take Action Now!

• Call your members of the Senate by dialing the Capitol switchboard 202-224-3121 and ask to speak with your senator.
• Urge your senator to support the House version (H.R. 1429) of Head Start’s reauthorization.
• Stress the necessity of preserving parental input in shared governance.

Reminders

• Parents, our monthly National Parent Conference Calls are on the 3rd Wednesday of each month. To join the call, just dial 888-727-6732 and enter the pass code 436552#.
• There is still time to get your Dollar Per Child contributions in to the National Head Start Association.

Parents, we urge you to continue your efforts to fully restore shared governance in Head Start. We have enjoyed some success in the House, but the Senate may prove to be an even greater challenge.  Are you up for the challenge?  Join the fight!