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Updates from IHSA Executive Director Lauri Morrison-Frichtl
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"Wishing all of our members and friends - Happy Winter Holidays throughout December!
Christmas / Hanukkah /
Epiphany, or Three Kings Day /
Kwanzaa /
St. Lucia Day /
St. Nicholas Day / Winter Solstice
BELIEVE!
This is my word for the month. It's the holiday season and I can't think of a better time to
BELIEVE
. To
BELIEVE in the spirit, wonder and joy of the season. My wonderful childhood memories are wrapped in the heart of family. A family that did not have money, a family that worked hard, a closeness that many described as similar to the television series, The Walton's. Some of my favorite memories are shopping for my Mom with my Dad. My Dad was a home body and for him to go shopping was a big deal. He would load all of us up and take us shopping and then to lunch. He must have saved all year for this one day. We never ate out and very seldom went shopping. It was one of the best days of the year. My Mom always made each of us our favorite cookies, and a big breakfast on Christmas morning and then a big dinner. I have tried to carry these values of family, a giving heart, and hard work forward into my work and personal life.
BELIEVE! Yes, it looks like Head Start will be getting an increase in funding. Especially nice is the quality improvement funding. Below is the bill language. Although, remember this has not been finalized until approved by Congress and signed by the President.
Quality Improvement Funding for Trauma-Informed Care - The agreement provides $250,000,000 in quality improvement funding, including a prioritization on addressing the rise of adverse childhood experiences attributable to increased prevalence of substance use, economic hardship, home and community violence, and other traumatic experiences that can negatively impact child development and lead to disruptions in classroom environments. The agreement directs the Administration to allow flexibility to meet local needs while focusing these funds on staff training for trauma-informed care and identification of signs of addiction and hardship; mental health consultation services to provide expert care and counseling to families and the Head Start workforce; and additional staffing to 113 Head Start classes in high-risk substance use communities to maintain high-quality learning environments while providing individualized care to children expressing disruptive and challenging behaviors. Designation Renewal System.-ACF is encouraged to continue to consider the unique challenges faced by Head Start grantees in remote and frontier areas when reviewing such grantees' compliance with health and dental screening requirements as part of the designation renewal system.
Early Head Start Expansion (EHS) and EHS-Child Care Partnerships -The agreement modifies bill language to simplify the administration of EHS Expansion and EHS-Child Care Partnerships (EHS-CCP) grants, but does not otherwise change the use of funds provided for such purposes. The agreement continues to strongly support EHS Expansion and EHS-CCPs, and accordingly, the agreement includes at least $905,000,000 for such purposes, an increase of $100,000,000. Since fiscal year 2014, these funds have supported both the expansion of traditional EHS and the establishment of partnerships between EHS providers and local child care programs. The agreement directs ACF to continue to prioritize equally EHS Expansion and EHS-CCP, as determined by the needs of local communities. The agreement expects that any funds used for EHS Expansion and EHS-Child Care-Partnership grants that are re-competed would continue to be used for such purposes. Finally, the agreement directs ACF to include in the fiscal year 2021 Congressional Justification and each Congressional Justification thereafter, the actual and estimated number of funded slots for each of the following: Head Start, EHS, and EHS-Child Care Partnerships.
COLA - 193 mil for cost of living adjustment
(just under a 2% increase)
Preschool Development Grants - The agreement includes an increase of $25,000,000 for Preschool Development Grants and expects these additional funds to be managed in conjunction with funds appropriated in fiscal year 2019 that will be awarded in December 2019.
BELIEVE! Gov. Pritzker Calls on Illinois to Become Best State in Nation for Families Raising Young Children - Governor Increases Reimbursements to Child Care Providers, Appoints 29 Members to Newly Created Illinois Commission on Equitable Early Childhood Education and Care Funding. George Davis, former Head Start Director, Executive Director and IHSA Board President set to co-chair Commission!
"I've asked you to join me today as we set an audacious goal: Illinois will become the best state in the nation for families raising young children, with the nation's best early childhood education and child care," said Governor JB Pritzker. "My promise is this: our work won't be complete until every child in this state enters kindergarten with the cognitive skills to think, learn, read, remember, pay attention, and solve problems, but also the social-emotional skills to communicate, connect with others, resolve conflict, self-regulate, display kindness and cope with challenges. These are the skills that high-quality early learning programs help young children develop, and I'm proud to say that many of the modern standards and model programs were conceived and developed right here in Illinois."
Gov. Pritzker created the Commission to improve access to quality early childhood programs for all Illinois families. Tasked with taking a fresh look at the state's entire ECEC system, the group met for the first time today, and its work will center around establishing funding goals and funding mechanisms to provide equitable access to high-quality early childhood education and care services for all children birth to age five.
Gov. Pritzker appointed the following child care providers, advocates, educators and legislators from around the state to serve on the Illinois Commission on Equitable Early Childhood Education and Care Funding:
Co-Chairs:
* Barbara Flynn Currie, Former House Democratic Majority Leader
* George Davis, Former Executive Director, Rockford Human Services Department
* Andy Manar, Illinois State Senator, D-Bunker Hill
* Jesse Ruiz, Deputy Governor for Education
BELIEVE! IHSA hired a powerful lobbying team who started on December 1st. J & J Legislative, LCC is a dynamic, hardworking legislative affairs and political consulting firm that excels in guiding companies and organizations through the intricacies of Illinois state politics to achieve the goals of their clients. In 2011, Jenni Purdue and Jennifer Ross founded J & J in order to serve the needs of clients in Illinois. Their firm is composed of bi-partisan dedicated professionals providing consulting in the fields of governmental affairs and economic development with over 30 years of experience. Watch out! Head Start is "in the house."
BELIEVE in the season! It is tenderness for the past. Courage for the present. Hope for the future. When you choose joy YOU feel good, and when YOU feel good, YOU do good, and when YOU do good, it reminds others of what JOY feels like, and it just might inspire them to do the same. Here's to a joyous holiday season!
Click
HERE
for the entire (printable) article.
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Updates from Associate Head Start State Collaboration Director Donna Emmons
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Have a wonderful holiday season!
Upcoming Training Events
*Directors' Winter meeting, Jan 9th, IHSA in Springfield
*
Family Services and ERSEA QECs, All Regions, Jan 14th
*
Disabilities, Mental Health & Wellness QECs, All Regions, Jan 15th
*
Health & Nutrition QECs, All Regions, Jan 16th
*
EHS & Home Visiting QECs, All Regions, Jan 17th
*
Education & Coaching QECs, All Regions, Jan 23rd
*
For the QEC Series
(marked above with an asterisk), please register early on the IHSA website -
http://ilheadstart.org/
Upcoming Conferences
Collaboration for Early Childhood Symposium, Feb. 23, Oak Park, IL,
ILASCD Prekindergarten and Kindergarten Conference
March 4-6, Schaumburg, IL
Oakton Infant Toddler Conference, Des Plaines, IL, March 7, 2020
Leadership Connections National Conf., April 29-May 1, Wheeling, IL
SAVE THE DATE
"Equity from the Start: Shifting from Intention to Outcomes"
Partner Plan Act Conference, June 11-12, 2019, Bloomington, IL
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Early Childhood Clearinghouse
Winter Newsletter
This edition of the Clearinghouse's
newsletter has a great article on
"Plan Ahead to Avoid Tantrums and Meltdowns during the Holidays."
Some of the tips adults could use for themselves!
Here's the link:
Early Childhood Funding Commission
On Mon., Dec. 16, 2019, Governor J.B. Pritzker launched the Illinois Commission on Equitable Early Childhood Education and Care Funding (Early Childhood Funding Commission).
The Commission will study and make recommendations to establish funding goals and funding mechanisms to provide equitable access to high-quality
early childhood education and care services for all children birth to age five and advise the Governor in planning and implementing these recommendations. The Commission will submit these recommendations to the Governor on or before January 15, 2021.
The meetings will be held monthly and are open to the public to attend. Also the public may sign up to make comments to the Commission at each meeting.
Click here
for
D
onna's full printable article with all links.
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Upcoming Trainings and Events . . and more!
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Rev
iew Michelle's 2019-2020
"At-A-Glance"
here
.
Don't wait, SAVE THE DATE ..and link!
Get your EARLY-BIRD rate on
Jan. 2nd !!!
Friendly reminder:
READ your event details!
IHSA's standing
no
cancellation policy =
no
refunds granted.
Every submitted online registration form
= expected payment.
However, name changes are gladly accepted up
to 72 hours prior to IHSA training event dates.
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Southern 7 Head Start hosted State Rep. Patrick Windhorst (Dist#118) above. He toured Mounds Early Learning Center, visited Metropolis Head Start, visited one of the newly opened Early Head Start Classrooms, and read a story to the children. Also he visited other Head Start classrooms, as well recited the Pledge of Allegiance with them. Wow - time well spent - way to go!
Thank you, Sen. Peters (Dist#18), for visiting and reading to some of our wonderful El Valor Head Start Children above.
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Have your Orientation Modules yet?
Don't pass up these opportunities, we know you're going to love
using these Modules and creating / tailoring your own!
Look at what you're getting -- great ways for on-boarding staff,
an exciting new format, training available 24/7 ..so much more!
since your 2020 fee structure is EXACT SAME as for 2019!
FREE MONTH: all agencies that take advantage of Early Enrollment will get December as a BONUS!
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Upcoming National Awareness Month for . .
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Upcoming January Awareness Month
Martin Luther King Jr, influential American Civil Rights Leader
Martin Luther King Jr Day is a federal holiday held annually on the 20th.
We celebrate his inspirational life and his many achievements.
National Religious Freedom
Day
January 16th is a day observed through various activities and events in schools and places of worship.
Schools are encouraged to recognize this day during the entire school week preceding January 16. Freedom of religion is considered to be a fundamental human right. Everyone has the right to manifest belief or religion, change religion or not to follow any religion.
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Find upcoming events and the latest
(including occasional job openings)
IHSA fully supports the IL Early Learning Council's
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*Parent Leaders / IHSA
Parent Cafés*
Submit online applications
HERE
asap! MUST
be received by end of TODAY,
Weds., Dec. 18th!
[Best to review the full job description and recruitment flyer
linked here
prior to submitting your application.]
Parent Cafés are "... part of Strengthening Families Through Early Care and Education Illinois (SFI), the Parent Cafés ... were created based on the World Café model, an innovative, yet simple method of hosting conversations about questions that matter. The World Café is a growing global community of people, groups, organizations, and networks..."*
*Excerpt from the Parent Cafés guide
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| Membership Matters -- to the Children, Families and our EHS/HS Teams! |
LOOK for your next Agency Membership invoice in January. Let's meet our 100% GOAL for 2020!
Anna Waters (DMCOC)
Baby Talk Early Head Start
BCMW Community Services, Inc.
CAA of McHenry Co.
CAP of Central Illinois
CAP of Lake County
Catholic Charities, Diocese of Joliet
CEFS Economic Opportunity Council
Centerstone
Champaign Co. Head Start (with CCRPC)
Chicago Commons Early Head Start
Chicago Department of Family Support Services
Child Care Resource & Referral
Childcare Network of Evanston
Children's Home + Aid
Christopher House Early Head Start
City of Rockford Head Start
Community Link/1st Step
East Central IL Community Action
Easter Seals Head Start & Early Head Start
Educare of West DuPage
El Valor - Chicago
ERBA, Inc.
Evanston-Skokie Community SD#65
Governor's State University Early Head Start
Heartland Head Start
Howard Area Community Center
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Illinois Dept. Human Services Migrant & Seasonal Head Start
Illinois Action for Children
Illinois Valley Economic Development Corporation
Kankakee School District #111
Metro Family Services DuPage
Mount Vernon School District #80
NICAA (Northwestern Illinois Community Action Agency)
Ounce of Prevention Fund
PACT (Parents and Children Together)
PCCEO, Inc.
Pillars Community Services
Project NOW, Inc.
Proviso Leydon Council for CA (PLCCA)
Quincy Public Schools
Riverbend Head Start & Family Services
Rock Island-Milan Head Start Program
SIU-Carbondale Head Start
SIU-Edwardsville Head Start
Southern 7 Health Dept./Head Start
Springfield Urban League
Tazewell-Woodford Head Start
Tri-County Opportunities Council
Two Rivers Head Start Agency
Wabash Area Development, Inc.
West Central Community Services
Western Egyptian Economic Opportunities Council
YWCA Metropolitan Chicago
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Renew annually to save budget $$$
for your agency's professional
development and training.
Give a "hoot" and stay fiscally wise!
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Get 100% from your
membership fee benefits
by renewing annually
before upcoming event dates!
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Illinois Head Start Association (contractual):
IHSA Member Agencies:
IHSA M
ember Agencies (individual job positions):
Illinois (working from home with extensive travel): n/a
Out of state
(within the other Region V states of Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio and Wisconsin): n/a
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Spotlighting BRIGHT Innovative Practices . .
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Featuring
the BIG innovative strategies and techniques of RPC Champaign County HEAD START for recruiting new staff - wow!
Use these brilliant ideas for your own agency.
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IHSA Staff
Alumni Project
For Associate Individual Membership Form click HERE.
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You ARE Head Start -- so join us -- today!
Annual Memberships for Staff Alumni are $35; but your first
year = FREE!
G
et word out
to retired
Head Start friends & staff members.
Tell your former colleagues about this project!
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Staff Alumni Mission: to encourage and support former Head Start staff who still love the program to reconnect, become
informed, and receive opportunities to make a difference in local programs and the state association.
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| Every month at IHSA is $2 Per Child month . . |
What's
in
your
basket?
It's not too early to start filling your basket for the 2020 Annual Conference Raffle!
[IHSA Silent Auction FUN-raiser has now been scheduled for our 2020 Annual Conference]
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Read All About It ! [A specific offer within Greater Chicago Area]
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Time is running out to get FREE health screenings at select @CVSHealth stores
Through December 22, anyone* can stop by and get screened FREE for BMI, glucose, cholesterol, blood pressure and more!
We encourage everyone* to take advantage of one of the #ProjectHealth / CVS events located near you.
*(This promotion offered within the Greater Chicago area only.)
Click link below to find out when and where:
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Bottom line: be kind . . Where's YOUR happy place?
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Our Mission Statement:
IHSA mobilizes and strengthens its membership by creating a passion for leadership and advocacy in the interest of our most vulnerable children and families.
IHSA Purposes
- To engage in and to receive, maintain and expend funds for benevolent and charitable purposes.
- To conduct activities designed to upgrade the quality and quantity of Head Start services for children, families and communities and to safeguard, upgrade and promote the social welfare of the children and families in the State of Illinois.
- To develop policies, positions, and statements which reflect a consensus of opinion of Head Start parents, directors, staff and friends.
- To provide a referral of service to maximize the use of community resources and governmental agencies.
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Copyright © 2015. All Rights Reserved.
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