A weekly communication source for keeping you updated on the latest local/state/federal HS/EHS information |
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VANESSA RICH INNOVATION & LEADERSHIP PROGRAM AWARD: MIGRANT & SEASONAL HEAD START |
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IHSA honors the Migrant & Seasonal Head Start (MSHS) Program with the 2025 Vanessa Rich Innovation & Leadership Program Award for embodying the spirit and values exemplified by Vanessa Rich.
Vanessa was relentless in her quest for quality for our most vulnerable children and families and her courageous spirit empowered those around her. Her contributions extend far beyond, an influence that was felt throughout Illinois and across the country. Vanessa acted on her vision and pulled many others along with her, changing the way we thought and acted. Vanessa was a true hero, an inspired visionary.
Under the steadfast leadership of Rosario Wortman, the Migrant & Seasonal Head Start team has exemplified Venessa’s spirit through their unwavering dedication to the migrant and agricultural communities of Illinois. Following the challenges of the pandemic, they have successfully restored enrollment to pre-COVID levels. They have expanded their services by opening two new centers in Beardstown and Rantoul, IL, in 2025. Furthermore, the team conducted a statewide needs assessment of migrant and agricultural workers, providing critical data to guide future partnerships and initiatives.
Despite facing ongoing challenges, they continue to persevere and achieve remarkable accomplishments. Let us extend our heartfelt congratulations to the Migrant and Seasonal Head Start team—an exceptionally deserving recipient of this esteemed award. |
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L to R: Veronica Oropeza (Office Coordinator, TA MSHS Family Services Coordinator), Rosario Wortman (MSHS Director), Alan Escobar (MSHS Accountant), Michelle Wood (Bureau Chief, Quality Initiatives), Bethany Patten (DEC Director) and Lauri Morrison-Frichtl (IHSA Executive Director). |
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CLOSURE OF HS REGIONAL OFFICES |
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Two days after the abrupt closure of the Region V office of Head Start, along with 4 other regional offices, the Central Office of Head Start sent its first communications to the Head Start community.
In it, HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy announced a major restructuring in accordance with President Trump’s Executive Order 'Implementing the President’s ‘Department of Government Efficiency’ Workforce Optimization Initiative.' This restructuring will serve multiple goals without impacting critical services, ultimately saving taxpayers $1.8 billion per year."
OHS declared that their staff will remain fully committed to "supporting Head Start grant recipients and the important work [you] do to serve children and families across the nation. This restructuring will not impact the critical services [you] rely on, and [we] are here to ensure a seamless experience as we move forward together." It has been over a week and we have yet to hear as to what region Illinois will be going to, or if the six states in Region V will remain together. |
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THE “E” IN DOGE … WHAT DOES IT REALLY MEAN? |
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An op-ed, commonly known as "opinion pieces," is when the author gives their opinion about a specific topic often with the intent to persuade the reader toward their way of thinking. Actually, op-ed is short for "opposite the editorial page" as these forms of writing would be from outside contributors in response to the publication's traditional editorial board. Nowadays, op-ed allows for "independent voices a foundation to influence public discourse."
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Democratic and some Republican Congresspeople (remember, Head Start has always had bi-partisan support!) have been busy bringing forth sign-on letters, requesting testimonies, and demanding an investigation to the recent HHS staff cuts and more specifically, the closure of the 5 Regional Head Start Offices. All within the last week! Here's what they've been up to: |
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April 2
34 US House Representatives wrote a letter to HHS Secretary Kennedy demanding responses to 3 key questions. US Representatives from Illinois who signed on include Nikki Budzinski, Mike Quigley, & Eric Sorenson. |
| April 3
Letter from the Senate Committee on Health,
Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) and its Chairman Senator Bill Cassidy and Senator Bernie Sanders called on HHS Secretary Kennedy to testify at an upcoming Senate hearing. |
| April 4
28 US Senators, including Illinois' Senator Tammy Duckworth and Dick Durbin, wrote a letter expressing concerns about the closure of the HS Regional Offices, as well as Office of Child Care. It also asked 8 key questions. |
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CONTACT CONGRESS: HEAD START PROGRAMS LEFT IN THE DARK AMIDST REGIONAL OFFICE CLOSURES |
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Join Start Early, a Head Start Grantee, in its online campaign supporting "Head Start & Other Early Childhood Programs Left in the Dark."
This action puts early childhood programs and the young children [they] serve at risk across the country. Contact your Congressional leaders TODAY and demand that they retract the closures and reinstate staff immediately. |
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IHSA KEEPING MEMBERSHIP INFORMED |
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Huddle with IHSA: Wednesday, April 9 at 4pm.
A 30-minute weekly check-in open to everyone. See you this afternoon! Check out "ADVOCACY: What's Going On Right Now" for Head Start related news, including statements, press releases, articles, and more. |
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KNOW YOUR RIGHTS VIRTUAL TRAINING for HEAD START STAFF |
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April 11, 2025, Friday at 1:30PM.
Hosted by the City of Chicago's Committee on Immigrant & Refugee Rights (CIRR), in partnership with ScaleLIT, The Resurrection Project, and the Illinois Head Start Association (IHSA), a Know Your Rights Virtual Training will take place this Friday, April 11 at 1:30PM. This resource is available for any Head Start staff and families in Illinois.
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IHSA MEMBER PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT & TRAINING NEEDS As we prepare for our upcoming training calendar year, we want to hear from YOU!
What kind of Professional Development or Training would help you and your program enhance the services and support for children and families?
With your feedback we can better support your professional development needs. The survey should take no more than 10 minutes to complete.
We encourage any, every and all level of agency/program staff to participate. Please complete this survey by April 30, 2025. |
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CHILDCARE CAREERS: SAVE TIME & MONEY BY SOLVING STAFFING ISSUES |
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ChildCare Careers (CCC) specializes in the child care field and would love to help fulfill your staffing needs. They are a nationwide company and have been in business for 28 years in 10 states and 26 offices.
CCC is the largest and fastest growing staffing firm dedicated solely to the child care field. Their large substitute staffing pool encompasses entry level aides to teachers to directors, knowledgeable in a wide variety of teaching methods. They can also help fill permanent positions. Their full-time recruiters thoroughly screen each candidate to ensure that they are ready to meet needs at a moments notice. All staff provided by CCC meet or exceed Licensing requirements and arrive at the site with all of the documentation to prove it.
Substitutes are available on an as-needed basis and can place an order 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 650.372.1125. |
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HAPPY BIRTHDAY HEAD START! |
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HOW ARE YOU CELEBRATING HEAD START'S BIRTHDAY THIS YEAR? |
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Start by raising awareness in Head Start gear! Bring out those Head Start conference shirts, hats, and swag, and let the world know that it's Head Start's 60th Birthday this year! And if you need swag, we've got you covered! Order the official Head Start Birthday T-shirt below! |
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Children Sizes 2T-6T Adult Sizes XS-3X
Short Sleeves Long Sleeves |
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QUESTION: Name at least TWO Head Start eligibility categories.
How to play: Respond to this Scoop with your answer! (or email lwang@ilheadstart.org). If correct, you'll be put in a raffle for a prize! Winner and answer will be announced in the next Scoop. Last week's Q&A Question: What does HSPPS stand for?
Answer: Head Start Program Performance Standards.
Winner: Tiffany Dantzler, Professional Development Manager at Chicago Commons Head Start program in Chicago! Look out in the mail for a prize from our friends at Lakeshore Learning! |
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Share your Head Start Impact Story! Click button to share. |
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Share 'The Scoop' with your team! |
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