A weekly communication source for keeping you updated on the latest local/state/federal HS/EHS information |
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SPRINGIFELD URBAN LEAGUE HEAD START |
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The Head Start / Early Head Start of the Springfield Urban League was voted Best of Springfield 2024 for their comprehensive services for their vulnerable, at-risk and low income families in Sangamon and Menard Counties.
Read the full article here - and then explore their website here. In addition to their recent winter coat drive, regular reading time fun, and costumes in the classroom activities, there was also quite a wonderful #StemForKids field trip that the children experienced! @SpringfieldUL |
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TAKE TIME TO COMPLETE THE NHSA WORKFORCE SURVEY |
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NHSA’s annual workforce survey is now open! It’s critical we have up-to-date data to make the strongest case possible, especially as we fight on Capitol Hill for funding to support the Head Start workforce. Please take 10 minutes now to respond! Your feedback is vital to our advocacy work and to making Head Start’s voice heard by Congress and the administration – thank you for your participation!
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IHSA will have access to our state's data. We must have good information to better advocate for you. See a copy of the survey here. Please take a minute and take this important survey.
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AUDIO OF RON HERNDON'S OP ED: HEAD START AND DEFICIENCIES |
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Ron Herndon's recently published Op-Ed regarding the OHS misapplication and definition of deficiency is now available to listen to as an audio recording from AFRO News in Baltimore. Here's a link to the audio recording - take a listen HERE. |
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Early Childhood Block Grant Fall 2024 Listening Sessions |
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Early Childhood Block Grant Fall 2024 Request for Proposal Listening Session This is a great opportunity for us to provide input and feedback! Let's make sure our Head Start/Early Head Start voice is heard.
The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) wants to hear your input to inform the development of FY 2026 Early Childhood Block Grant (ECBG) Request for Proposal (RFP). Your input is essential to meeting the goal of Smart Start Illinois – to eliminate preschool deserts in the state, to understand current challenges in accessing the ECBG, and ways ISBE can best support your successful grant application.
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Please join us and register for one of the listening sessions. Who should attend? Current ECBG grantees as well as prospective grantees interested in applying for the FY26 ECBG funds including Preschool for All (PFA), Preschool for All Expansion (PFAE), and Prevention Initiative (PI).
Register HERE for November 19, 2024, 10: 00 am – 11:30 am Register HERE for November 22, 2024, 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm |
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Illinois needs a stronger, better Early Intervention System |
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Raising IL said, "with just a few months left before the Governor shares his budget proposal, we aren't slowing down! We're proud to share that over 40 organizations have signed onto our letter calling for a $60 million budget . . |
| | .. increase in FY26. If your organization would like to sign-on, you can still do so here! You can also still utilize our social toolkit to spread the word with your personal networks that our #babiescantwait and #weneedEI" |
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Looking for more ways to take action for Early Intervention? Sign the parent-led petition - HERE. Share your EI story - HERE.
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THAT'S A WRAP: REGION 5 CONFERENCE A SUCCESS |
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What a week it was! One of the many shared comments by attendees included "We had the right mix of training sessions, both national speakers, regional speakers, and networking made this the best conference yet." Thank you! The successful week was a team effort and we could not have done it without YOU.
We appreciate the support from all six states - and for the splendid participation in both Pre Conference and Conference. We look forward to the next regional conference scheduled for 2026. Again, thank each and every one of you for helping to make this conference a resounding success!
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SAVE THE DATE! Wednesday, Feb. 19th - Friday, Feb. 21st, 2025 / President Abraham Lincoln Hotel - Springfield, IL |
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ELECTION DAY HAS COME AND GONE .. |
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We do not know yet how this will work out for Head Start —a Republican Presidency, Republican controlled Senate, and a Republican House will turn up, along with the pledge to eliminate Head Start and slash education, housing, and social services in Project 2025. We cannot in good faith send out a message to all of you saying don’t worry, we will be fine, and everyone loves children and Head Start. These changes can create uncertainty in our Head Start world.
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We serve as a bulwark that can shield our most vulnerable children and families from the choppy waters ahead. We did our best to meet this standard during the COVID-19 pandemic emergency and we are up to the task again if called upon. Moving forward we pledge to you that we will speak out with a clear voice and make sure families far from opportunity, including our many immigrant families, are not forgotten, targeted, or pushed around even if it is difficult or unpopular.
We will do everything we can to position Head Start in the best possible light, reach out in a bipartisan way with colleagues and friends that share our values even if not our approach, be solution focused and strategic problem solvers, and work together with all of you to unify our community through what might be a tough road ahead. You can count on us to be there for you! |
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DO NOT NEGLECT YOUR SELF-CARE .. IT'S IMPORTANT |
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What Is "Post-Election Stress Disorder" - Managing Stress To Improve Mental Health. Debates about politics can cause significant stress. Regardless of your political beliefs, election stress can be difficult to manage. Taking a step back from political news, connecting with your values, and volunteering your passion may be productive ways to move forward. Consider and share these options to manage and discuss these matters further, if struggles continue.
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Feeling stress? - Here are a few healthy ways to cope. Election anxiety is incredibly common. Elections, specifically presidential elections, can change the amount of freedom we have as citizens. If you feel you are experiencing election anxiety, it is better to learn how to cope with it rather than just ignoring it.
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Fathers in Early Childhood: Understanding past and current engagement practices and renewing our attention on how we include and support fathers |
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Often in our work with young children we are engaged with mothers. Building and designing intentional supports to include fathers is not typically as developed in our programs. Research has helped the education and early childhood professionals learn more about the benefits to children when their fathers are engaged. |
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Together, as systems of care, we can foster ways in which we include fathers and build opportunities for them to strengthen their connection within our programs and with their children. For this seminar, David Pate, PhD is welcomed, who has done extensive work and research in fatherhood, as well as dismantling practices that have created barriers for fathers.
You will also hear from Pat Nakamura and Jeremy Smith, who have extensive experience working with father of young children and will share describe their approaches and successes in engaging fathers. CEUs will be available in SW, Gateways and Early Intervention. Register here now for tomorrow's 1-1/2 hour seminar.
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Do you have a story to share with the Head Start and Early Head Start Community? Share it with IHSA so we may feature it in our next update. Click button to share. |
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| Share 'The Scoop' with your team! |
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