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Head Start's funding for FY 2020 is in danger...

Congress is making difficult choices about which federal programs (including Head Start) should receive funding increases or decreases for the next fiscal year, which begins October 1st. Head Start badly needs our champions in the Senate to match the investments passed by the House.

That means there are conversations happening right now about how much of a cost-of-living adjustment the Head Start workforce needs or whether trauma-informed care in Head Start should be funded.

You can make an impact!

Take just one minute right now to send a letter to your Senators urging them to address Head Start's needs in fiscal year 2020.

It's quick, easy, and has a real impact.

Send your letter today.

Even though Congress generally understands the importance of the work that Head Start does, there are countless competing priorities, and your Senators need to hear from their constituents as they make lasting decisions about Head Start’s funding for this next year. Speak up to ensure that the Head Start community is heard during this critical time - it will only take less than 30 seconds!

This is the most important time to engage with members of Congress to affect Head Start funding, and reaching out to them has never been easier!

Forward this message to others in your program, family, and community and urge them to send their own letter.

Head Start will need hundreds of letters from every state to make a difference, so every letter counts. Don’t forget to share on Facebook, too!

Questions?

Email us at advocacy@nhsa.org.

This activity is brought to you by the Dollar per Child campaign.

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Head Start's funding for FY 2020 could be in danger

It takes less than 30 seconds to make a difference...

Over the next few weeks, Congress will be making difficult choices about which federal programs (including Head Start) should receive funding increases or decreases for the next fiscal year, which begins October 1st. Head Start badly needs our champions in the Senate to match the investments passed by the House.

That means there are conversations happening right now about funding priorities, such as how much of a cost-of-living adjustment the Head Start workforce needs or whether trauma-informed care in Head Start should get dedicated funding.

In just the past few weeks, the Head Start community has sent 8,000 messages urging Senators to prioritize Head Start’s needs in fiscal year 2020. Thank you to everyone who sent a message already.

Special shout out to Head Start advocates in Missouri and New York for stepping up and sending over 600 messages to date!

We want to make a BIG impact! Our goal is to have 15,000 messages sent in support of Head Start by the time Congress is back in session September 9th!

It takes less than 30 seconds to send your letter!

Already sent a letter? Forward this message to other Head Start advocates in your program, family, and community and urge them to send their own letter. Head Start will need hundreds of letters from every state to make a difference, so every voice counts. And don’t forget to share on social media.

Want to do more as a Head Start advocate? In August, NHSA launched the Families Unite campaign to unify Head Start advocates behind a strong future for vulnerable children and families.

If you haven’t joined the campaign yet, sign up today to get resources and step-by-step tips on effective engagement with your members of Congress.

Questions?

Email us at advocacy@nhsa.org.

Brought to you by the Dollar per Child campaign.

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Action Needed: Sign-on to NHSA's Comments on the Designation Renewal System Today!

Dear Colleague,

Since the administration announced in August that they were considering making changes to the recompetition triggers for the Designation Renewal System (DRS), NHSA has been gathering input from members of the Head Start community from across the country. Thank you to all who have participated so far.

Now, you have the opportunity to change DRS.

The Administration for Children and Families has proposed a number of changes that could directly affect your Head Start program. The largest proposed change is the removal of the CLASS 10% trigger—something the Head Start community and NHSA have been pushing for many years.

The other changes include raising the CLASS absolute thresholds and expanding the scope of the fiscal condition. The proposed fiscal condition trigger includes a finding of ceasing to be a going concern* at any point in the five-year grant cycle and an increased use of audit reports. The administration also called for comments about raising the deficiency trigger from one to two or more.

After gathering feedback and sharing multiple drafts with the Head Start community, we invite you to read our final version of comments.

In this official position statement of the Head Start community, we strongly agree with the removal of the 10% trigger, while pushing for further research on CLASS thresholds. We also propose making changes to the way CLASS observations are conducted, as well as reforms to the broader DRS, such as the creation of an appeals process.

Lastly, we call for a more specific use of audit findings to ensure that audits are used to identify systemic fiscal issues and that fiscally stable Head Start programs are not needlessly put through recompetition.

As a community dedicated to building a stronger, more effective Head Start, let’s unite and join our voices together to, once and for all, eliminate the arbitrary and damaging CLASS 10% trigger.

Voice your support by signing on to the comments today!

You can sign on as an individual, program, organization/association, or all of the above. Just be sure to sign on by next Thursday, September 26th.

Thank you again for your support of the comment process.

In partnership,

Yasmina Vinci
Executive Director
National Head Start Association

*Risk of liquidation within the next 12 months

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Action Needed: Sign-on to NHSA's Comments on the Designation Renewal System Today!

Action needed by Thursday, September 26th

Our window to get rid of the CLASS 10% trigger and to push for raising the deficiency trigger from one to two or more is closing soon! Sign onto NHSA’s comments before it’s too late.

Over the past few weeks, we have heard from hundreds of people about their thoughts on these proposed changes. We brought those voices together and worked with you to draft these final comments.

In this official position statement of the Head Start community, we strongly agree with the removal of the 10% trigger, while pushing for further research on CLASS thresholds. We also propose making changes to the way CLASS observations are conducted, as well as reforms to the broader DRS, such as the creation of an appeals process.

Lastly, we call for a more specific use of audit findings to ensure that audits are used to identify systemic fiscal issues and that fiscally stable Head Start programs are not needlessly put through recompetition.

As a community dedicated to building a stronger, more effective Head Start, let’s unite and join our voices together to, once and for all, eliminate the arbitrary and damaging CLASS 10% trigger.

Sign on today to voice your support!

You can sign on as an individual, program, organization/association, or all of the above. Just be sure to sign on by this Thursday, September 26th.

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Washington needs to hear the collective voice of Head Start!

Whether you can attend the Head Start Rally on Capitol Hill in person or add your support via social media, Head Start needs you.

On Wednesday, September 25th hundreds of Head Start parents, staff, and supporters will descend on Washington, D.C. in a huge, visible display of support for Head Start. This is the most critical time of the year to show Congress the importance of Head Start and how many parents depend on it.

How to participate from home

Add your voice to the conversation online and tag your members of Congress! Your support does not go unnoticed and helps build on the work that Head Start advocates are doing onsite.

You can use one of our suggested posts, or share, retweet, or copy any of the posts made by NHSA tomorrow - find us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

We will also be livestreaming the rally on Facebook - make sure to sign on at 9am to support your colleagues in Washington!

How to participate in person

Join the Families Unite: Head Start Rally on the Hill on September 25th from 9:00 to 10:30 am ET. Find directions here.

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Happening now: Head Start Rally on Capitol Hill

Today hundreds of Head Start parents, staff, and supporters have gathered in Washington, D.C. for a huge display of support for Head Start.

Watch the livestream to take part in this historic event!

This is the most critical time of the year to show Congress the importance of Head Start and how many parents depend on it.

How to participate from home

Add your voice to the conversation online and tag your members of Congress! Your support does not go unnoticed and helps build on the work that Head Start advocates are doing onsite.

You can use one of our suggested posts, or share, retweet, or copy any of the posts made by NHSA tomorrow - find us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

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Last call: Take just one minute to sign-on to NHSA's Comments on DRS Today!

Action needed by midnight tonight, Thursday, September 26th

This is your chance to have your voice heard and change the Designation Renewal System. We want to get rid of the CLASS 10% trigger as quickly as we can, and we need your help.

The best way that you can be involved is by reading our comments and signing on. We want to show just how much everyone in the Head Start community cares about these changes, so feel free to share this sign-on opportunity widely!

Please read our final version of comments.

In our comments, you’ll see that we strongly agree with the removal of the 10% trigger, while pushing for further research on CLASS thresholds. We also propose making changes to the way CLASS observations are conducted, as well as reforms to the broader DRS, such as the creation of an appeals process.

Lastly, we call for a more specific use of audit findings to ensure that audits are used to identify systemic fiscal issues and that fiscally stable Head Start programs are not needlessly put through recompetition.

This is our chance to unite and join our voices together to, once and for all, eliminate the arbitrary and damaging CLASS 10% trigger. Voice your support by signing on to the comments today!

???????You can sign on as an individual, program, organization/association, or all of the above.

???????Just be sure to sign on by midnight tonight!

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It’s that time of year again… Head Start Awareness Month starts tomorrow, October 1st!

Get ready for an exciting month of spreading the word about Head Start’s incredible impact on America’s most vulnerable children and families.

Since it was first established by President Reagan in 1982, Head Start Awareness Month (HSAM) has been our annual opportunity to share Head Start’s success stories and create new champions in our communities and the halls of Congress. Sharing this message far and wide every year is not only fun, but critical for Head Start’s continued success!

What are your plans to celebrate HSAM this October?

Right now, Congress is in the midst of making final decisions about Head Start’s funding for the next fiscal year. Let’s make sure we use this year’s Head Start Awareness Month to show Congress the impact of Head Start—and why it deserves their strong investment!

So, how about getting started by inviting your members of Congress to visit your program! Congress will be back home from the first two weeks of October, returning to their home states to meet with constituents. This is the perfect time to invite them to visit your program and witness firsthand the far-reaching impact of the Head Start advantage!

In all the ways you choose to participate in HSAM, NHSA wants to support you in building knowledge of and support for Head Start’s amazing children, families, and program staff. Throughout the month, we’ll be releasing new resources every week including:

Tips for making the most of the soon-to-be-released Digital Head Start Language Playbook. Be sure to check your email tomorrow to learn about this exciting new tool!
Ideas for advocating and building relationships with your members of Congress
Tips for engaging on social media
Suggestions for working with the media

We look forward to partnering with you for a fun and impactful HSAM!

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Happy Head Start Awareness Month!

How are you celebrating Head Start Awareness Month? Building #HeadStartAwareness is not only critical, but also fun.

Enjoy our surprise tool to help spread awareness...

To help you spread awareness about the life-changing power of Head Start, Team NHSA is proud to share the new digital version of the Head Language Playbook. This new interactive, online version of the Language Playbook can be used by anyone, anywhere, and on any device.

The digital Language Playbook—available in both English and Spanish—is designed to help the Head Start community have better, more effective conversations about our mission with the public.

Explore the Playbook

Interested in learning more?

Join our Facebook Live discussion at 3 p.m. EDT today to hear Team NHSA highlight how the digital Language Playbook can help you solve everyday challenges and improve your program’s outreach to parents, partners, and policymakers.

During the Facebook Live discussion we will also share an exciting new animated video about Head Start. You can use this video with your staff and parent advocates to explain how using “words that work” makes our message about Head Start even more powerful.

Keeping the commitment,
Team NHSA

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Dr. Anthony Abraham Jack: Author, Professor, Head Start Alum

In case you missed it... it's now Head Start Awareness Month! In addition to sharing new resources for spreading awareness of Head Start's impact in our communities, this year we'll also be sharing alumni spotlights each week.

To start us off we have an interview with Dr. Anthony Abraham Jack, an Associate Professor at the Harvard Graduate School of Education, and Head Start alum!

Read about Dr. Jack's journey from Head Start to Harvard.

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Howie Morales: New Mexico Lt. Governor, Head Start Alum

To celebrate Head Start Awareness Month this October, we are highlighting Head Start alumni who are doing amazing work in their fields.

In our latest blog post, we caught up with Lt. Governor Morales to learn about how his Head Start experience contributed to his path to success in New Mexico politics.

"Head Start was a game changer for me to break the cycle of poverty and blaze new paths for me and my family members who followed, and for whom I tried to set an example," he said.

Read now

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Good morning, Washington!

With Head Start Awareness Month in full gear, we were excited to join our local ABC affiliate for a segment on Head Start's impact!

As you can see in the video, NHSA's Ashton Pellom joined Rima Alshawkani, a Head Start Parent Ambassador from Virginia, at the Good Morning Washington studio to spread awareness.

Getting airtime on a local news station is a powerful way to spread your message - keep a look out for more tools and tips to help you engage the media in the coming weeks.

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New Tool: Using Social Media to Spread #HeadStartAwareness

This Head Start Awareness Month, we're sharing tools to help programs and advocates spread awareness of Head Start's far-reaching impact.

One of the most important goals of spreading awareness is to reach beyond the people we typically engage. To truly spread Head Start awareness, we must recruit new champions for Head Start by joining meaningful conversations with those outside our community. We can do that through social media.

Not sure where to start?

Good news! We've created a Head Start Social Media Marketing Guide to share best practices and help the Head Start community build our social media presence from the ground up.

We’ve also created a social media toolkit for Head Start Awareness month with suggested posts that you can use to start spreading awareness.

If you have any questions, suggestions, or need help, please feel free to contact us at marketing@nhsa.org.

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Blog Post: For This CEO, It All Started with Head Start

To celebrate Head Start Awareness Month this October, NHSA is catching up with alumni who are succeeding in their fields thanks to the foundation they received in Head Start.

Cicely Simpson is the founder and CEO of Summit Public Affairs in Washington D.C, a long way from her humble beginnings in the small town of Woodbury, Tennessee.

When Cicely shares her journey from small-town roots to law school, from congressional offices to a lobbying career that led to managing public affairs for a national trade association, and most recently to starting her own company, people often wonder how she made the climb.

???????Cicely credits her Head Start experience as the foundation that made it all possible.

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Blog Post: Head Start Inspires Alum to Become Superintendent, Advocate for Educational Equity

To celebrate Head Start Awareness Month this October, NHSA is catching up with Head Start alumni who are doing amazing work in their fields.

Tyrone Olverson has built an impressive career in the world of public education. His professional journey has taken him down a winding path from a middle school social studies classroom, to the principal’s office of Lincoln Heights Elementary, where he was once a student, and up through many high-level administrative roles in Ohio’s schools.

Olverson shared with us that his early days at Head Start set the foundation for those values, for his career, and for his desire to leave a legacy in education.

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New Toolkit: How to Engage with the Media to Spread Awareness

This Head Start Awareness Month, we're sharing tools to help programs and advocates spread awareness of Head Start's far-reaching impact.

Engaging with the media is a powerful way to to share Head Start’s message with new audiences and bring more people into the community of Head Start supporters.

NHSA's new Head Start Media Toolkit has tips for reaching out to media outlets with story ideas, links to resources highlighting Head Start’s impacts, and more!

Some members of our Head Start community are already doing a great job teaming up with their local news stations to talk Head Start!

NHSA's Ashton Pellom joined Rima Alshawkani, a Head Start Parent Ambassador from Virginia, for a live television interview at the Good Morning Washington studio to spread awareness about Head Start
Washington County, Maryland, Head Start’s HSAM efforts were featured on the online news platform, Local DVM
Calhoun County, Mississippi, Head Start shared their Head Start Awareness Month festivities with their local NBC affiliate station

We hope the new Head Start Media Toolkit will help you keep up the amazing work you’re doing to spread awareness about Head Start in your community.

If you have any questions, suggestions, or need help, please feel free to contact us at marketing@nhsa.org.

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Thank You for Helping Spread #HeadStartAwareness!

As October comes to a close, Head Start Awareness Month, too, reaches its end. It has been an action-packed few weeks of celebrating, advocating, and sharing resources in the Head Start community!

We want to take a moment to thank you for participating with great creativity, brilliant advocacy efforts, and a love of Head Start. Take a look at all that we have accomplished together this month in our latest blog post.

We hope the new resources and alumni stories that we released this month will continue to inspire your Head Start awareness efforts all year long.

Interested in keeping the momentum going?

Please consider contributing to Dollar per Child campaign so that NHSA can continue the push for Head Start’s advocacy goals. You can also continue your engagement by becoming an NHSA member. As a member, you’ll have access to additional resources and discounts on NHSA conferences and events, and you’ll be a part of Head Start’s strong, united voice.

Thank you for helping spread the word about Head Start’s incredible impact on America’s most vulnerable children and families.

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Disneyland Discounts this December!

Next month's Parent and Family Engagement Conference is fast approaching and we're looking forward to spending a week in Anaheim with Head Starters from across the country!

In addition to a full week of engaging content and fun events, we're especially excited to have the conference so close to Disneyland.

Purchase discounted tickets
Click here to purchase specially-priced Disneyland® Resort Theme Park tickets.

These special ticket prices are not available once you arrive at the Resort. Our ticket store closes at 9:00 PM PST on Sunday, Dec 8, 2019.

Make sure to get your tickets for the weekend before or after the conference, or on Tuesday evening so you don't miss exciting events taking place Monday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings!

Hotel deadline

Register for the conference and reserve your rooms by Thursday, November 14th for the discounted hotel rate.

Interested in attending?

Anaheim, CA | December 9 - 12, 2019

Learn more and register today!

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Happy Veterans Day!

Today, we are especially thinking of those in both the Head Start and military communities – our alumni, parents, and other Head Start family members who have served in the US Armed Forces.

Dominic Barnes recently retired after 27 years of service in the Army, but before his military career began, his life was shaped by Head Start.

Check out the story of this inspiring Head Start alum and Army veteran.

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What does the research say about Head Start’s impact on school readiness?

Head Start children have enhanced physical health, improved social skills, and increased math, language, and literacy skills that better prepare them for kindergarten and school.

Head Start parents are more engaged in supporting their children’s learning and success at home and in school.

Want to dive deeper into the facts supporting Head Start’s success?

NHSA has created a one-page resource that will help you communicate the Head Start Advantage to potential partners, new parents, or the public.

Check it out the new brief, "Success in School Readiness" and explore the research citations.

Get the Facts

We encourage you to use this social media toolkit to share the research behind the success of the #HeadStartAdvantage.

Interested in other topics? You can find the full suite of resources here. If you have questions or ideas for other topics, let us know at research@nhsa.org.

-Team NHSA

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What does the research say about Head Start’s impact on children’s social-emotional development?

Head Start children are more prepared to participate in kindergarten classrooms. They show fewer behavioral problems, less hyperactivity, and less aggression.
Head Start children are less likely to engage in criminal activities as young adults.

Want to dive deeper into the facts supporting Head Start’s success?

NHSA has created a one-page resource that will help you communicate the Head Start Advantage to potential partners, new parents, and the public.

Check out the new brief, "Success in Children’s Social-Emotional Development" and explore the research citations.

We encourage you to use this social media toolkit to share the research behind the success of the #HeadStartAdvantage.

Interested in other topics? You can find the full suite of resources here: go.nhsa.org/HSA.

If you have questions or ideas for other topics, let us know at research@nhsa.org.

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This Giving Tuesday Invest in a Strong, United Head Start

Please consider contributing to NHSA's Dollar per Child campaign this Giving Tuesday to help change the lives of more than one million children from at-risk backgrounds.

Every penny helps build a strong, united voice for Head Start in the halls of Congress, in every corner of the White House, and in the minds of influencers across Washington, D.C.

The Dollar per Child campaign strengthens NHSA’s ability to serve as the untiring voice that will not be quiet until every vulnerable child is served with the Head Start model of support for the whole child, whole family, and the community.

Investments in last year’s campaign made the following critical work possible:

Making a Federal Appropriations Push – Ensuring Head Start’s needs are heard by Congress as they make funding decisions for fiscal year 2020 and begin considerations for fiscal year 2021
Protecting Head Start from Threatening Political Agendas – Responding strategically to threats and attacks on Head Start, such as a report released last month that called Head Start “a sinkhole for taxpayers”
Responding to our Nation’s Opioid Epidemic – Leveraging Head Start’s unique multi-generational model to address the opioid crisis and other challenges, including adverse childhood experiences and trauma, that affect many Head Start families
Leading the Families Unite Advocacy Campaign – Providing the Head Start community with the tools and support needed to effectively engage with the nation’s decision makers
Supporting 2020 Census Engagement – Doing our part to make sure every Head Start child is counted in 2020 so their needs are accounted for in the years to come

Our goal is to collect one dollar for each child in a Head Start program across the country each year. Right now, we have only received $0.09 per child. Let’s increase this trajectory and ensure Head Start will be successful in 2020.

Please consider donating to the Dollar per Child campaign today!

Thank you for your support.

Tommy Sheridan
Deputy Director
National Head Start Association

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BREAKING: Celebrating historic investments in Head Start

Congratulations Head Start, we did it! Our members of Congress heard us loud and clear and have made investing in children and families a top priority for the remainder of fiscal year 2020.

This morning, Congress passed a funding bill making historic investments in Head Start.

The bill provides a $550 million increase in funding, with a significant portion specifically for investing in the trauma-informed approaches we have been advocating for over the last several years.

The appropriations bill, which passed the Senate this morning following passage in the House of Representatives earlier this week, includes more than $10.6 billion in funding for Head Start in FY20.

Here are some of the specifics we’re celebrating:

$250 million for Quality Improvement Funding, including increasing mental health services and counseling to families and the Head Start workforce; providing staff training on trauma-informed approaches to service delivery; and adding staff to Head Start classrooms.
An increase of $100 million ($905 million total) for the expansion of Early Head Start and Early Head Start-Child Care Partnerships, adding additional slots for eligible infants and toddlers.
$4 million for re-establishing the Tribal Colleges and Universities Head Start Partnership Program to increase the pool of Native American educators who meet the national standards for qualified Head Start teachers.
$193 million for a cost-of-living adjustment—an increase of just under 2%—to support and retain a qualified Head Start workforce.

Read more in our full press release.

We are thrilled to head into the new year with another strong year ahead for Head Start, thanks to our community of advocates and our congressional champions!

In the new year, we will be holding members-only webinars and releasing resources to give you some ideas on how quality improvement funds can be utilized to help you meet the needs of your community. More to come on those resources next year.

For now, we hope you have a restful and happy holiday season!

Your NHSA Government Affairs Team

P.S. Interested in staying up to date with all things advocacy? Join Families Unite by emailing us at advocacy@nhsa.org and join us at the upcoming Winter Leadership Institute.

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We did it! A Historic Investment in Children and Families - Much Thanks to You!

Dear Head Start Colleagues and Friends,

What a year! As we prepare to sign off for the holidays, I wanted to send one last note of thanks and congratulations.

After a long process and a ton of work, our advocacy efforts this year have paid off in a big way. Last Friday, a funding bill making a historic investment in Head Start was signed into law. The bill provides a $550 million dollar increase in funding, with a significant portion designated to Quality Improvement Funding (QIF) to support trauma-informed approaches - something Team NHSA has been working on throughout the last few years.

This achievement would not have been possible without your contributions to Dollar per Child.

For that and for your hard work this year, we would like to say thank you! At NHSA, we are working tirelessly to ensure that every vulnerable child is served by the Head Start model of support for the whole child, whole family and the community. But we cannot accomplish this without your support of Dollar Per Child.

Dollar per Child is the only source of funding for NHSA’s national advocacy efforts which enabled NHSA to:

Design the effective strategy for our yearlong appropriations campaign with the help of the most effective Washington advisors.
Represent Head Start on Capitol Hill throughout the appropriations calendar to keep the importance of increased funding for Head Start on the radar screen of appropriations staff and Members.
Ensure Head Start staff and parents are able to meet with key members of Congress and their staff to bring District/State influence and reinforce the national messages.
Organize field-wide advocacy activities that demonstrate Head Start’s impact and importance on a national scale (Thank you for over 10,000 letters you recently sent to appropriations Members!)
Convene Head Start practitioners, academics, think tanks, and policymakers to impact future legislation about Head Start. (Which led to a $250 million of QIF increase!)

We still need your support more than ever!

As we look to the next year, will you stand with NHSA to protect and grow Head Start’s funding? Will you be a Dollar Per Child Champion?

Join us by donating to support NHSA’s advocacy efforts

Make your end of year contribution today and let’s start off 2020 strong! Happy holidays from all of us at NHSA and thank you for your support!

Best,

Yasmina Vinci
Executive Director
National Head Start Association

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The Head Start Advantage: Learn More About the Research Validating Head Start’s Success

Over the past two months, NHSA has featured a series of one-page resources, each detailing a different component of the Head Start Advantage. And now you can find them all together in our latest blog post!

Read on to learn about seven different areas where Head Start is creating successful outcomes for children and families.

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Top 10 Things for Head Start in 2019: Reflecting on advancements for the national Head Start field

As we dive into all the work that lies ahead for the Head Start community in 2020, NHSA is taking a moment to reflect on all of our accomplishments of 2019.

It was an eventful, successful, and exciting year for NHSA and the Head Start community! We are proud of the work we did all year long, and proud of the various ways it is supporting Head Start’s administrators, teachers, staff, advocates, and, of course, children and families.

Take a look at our Top 10 Things of 2019 – the 10 achievements that we are most proud of and which we believe have supported you, the Head Start community, the most over the course of the last year.

We look forward to a productive and rewarding 2020!

Team NHSA

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Issue Brief: State Investments in Head Start to Support At-Risk Children and Families

Today, NHSA and Voices for Healthy Kids release a new issue brief: State Investments in Head Start to Support At-Risk Children and Families.

This new resource details the variety of ways state lawmakers fill critical service gaps for children and families from at-risk backgrounds by investing in Head Start, and makes the case for further investments of this kind.

Be sure to check out the issue brief and learn more in NHSA's accompanying blog post.

Key Takeaways:

14 states are investing a total of over $400 million in Head Start programs to help them serve greater than 25,000 additional children, improve the quality of existing opportunities, and make other improvements, such as improving teacher compensation.

A little bit goes a long way–states don't need to invest tens of millions of dollars to make an immediate impact. Even small amounts of funding fill critical service gaps.

Head Start is ready to serve easy to fund–states don’t need to create new programs or build new infrastructure; they can lean on Head Start’s 55-year history.

We Must Address the Surge in Adverse Childhood Experiences

How states can leverage Head Start to help vulnerable children and families

Read the Blog

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Dear Head Start community,

This year’s election was the culmination of a long, divisive campaign season—one that split families, communities, and our country as a whole. Today, as we look to the future, we must turn our attention to the many ties that bind us together, including our nation’s commitment to Head Start.

As we move forward from an election season in which more Americans than ever cast their vote—many for the first time—we must demonstrate that the work does not end on Election Day, but that it begins. We must be prepared to channel this cresting wave of civic engagement by Head Start parents, caregivers, and staff into meaningful actions that make our voices ring clearly in the halls of power. And we’re excited for that opportunity too!

With the retirements of influential congressional champions like Rep. Nita Lowey (D-NY) and Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-TN), we must do our part to ensure new leaders step forward to carry the torch for Head Start in Congress. We must be prepared to welcome, educate, and even push when necessary, to ensure all members of Congress hold fast in their dedication to supporting Head Start’s needs.

Now that the political debates and attacks on our airwaves and in our social spheres cease, we recommit ourselves to finding common ground and building bridges that create new supporters of Head Start. We must strive to heal whatever divisions we may have, while never backing down in our efforts to persuade skeptics of the lasting power of the Head Start Advantage.

Today, as it has done for more than 55 years in times of turbulence and uncertainty, Head Start will lead. Hand in hand, we will build a stronger future for Head Start and open new windows of opportunity for those in our nation who are most at-risk of being left behind. Through unity, we will push our nation closer to realizing its fundamental promise: that all children, regardless of circumstances at birth, have the opportunity to succeed.

I look forward to the next chapter of our journey together.

Keeping the commitment,

Yasmina Vinci
Executive Director
National Head Start Association

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Today is National Voter Registration Day!

Are you registered to vote? Check your voter registration status, get registered, and make a plan to vote today.

Never underestimate the simple act of voting, and of helping others register to vote. NHSA is encouraging the Head Start community to get involved in civic engagement and encourage others in your communities to do the same.

That’s why we’re opening up our session on voter registration, "Make Your Voice Heard: The Power of Voting" at this year''s virtual Fall Leadership Institute to everyone! Please join us this Thursday at 2:45pm ET to discuss the power of individuals to shape our country’s future.

We’ll hear from Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams and speakers from the Head Start field about how you can make a difference in your community through civic engagement.

Don''t forget about the 2020 Census

There are so many ways to be civically involved right now! Time is running out to respond to the 2020 Census. The last day to respond to the Census is next Wednesday, September 30. Make sure your Head Start families get counted!

Take a few minutes to respond to the Census online, over the phone, or by mail. It’s now easier than ever to respond and takes just a few minutes to complete.

Engage your community:

Always lead by example! Make sure you’ve filled out the Census yourself and then share how simple it was.
Spread the word to families, encouraging them to respond. Count All Kids’ toolkit and social media press kit are great resources to help get the message across.
Download the Color to Count Coloring Book! The coloring book and individual coloring sheets are available for free download. Schools, childcare centers and community groups are encouraged to host “coloring parties” with young children.?
Check out NHSA’s Census 2020 webpage for more information and resources.

Make your voice heard, Head Start!

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DON''T MISS OUT:

Access 40+ Hours of NHSA Live Sessions!

The 2020 National Head Start Conference may no longer be “live,” but you can still register!

Register now to get full access to conference recordings and all of the handouts and resources made available by our presenters. These materials will only be available until Sunday, May 31st, so get access while you still can.

Check the full schedule to see all of the sessions you’ll get access to.

Interested in accessing the content?

Get exclusive access to over 40 hours of sessions from the 2020 National Head Start Conference LIVE! until May 31, 2020.

Learn more and register today!

Questions?

Contact us at annual@nhsa.org.

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What can you expect from the virtual conference?

In case you missed it, registration is now open for the 2020 National Head Start Conference LIVE! , taking place April 21 - 23, 2020 from 11 am - 5 pm EST.

Each of our three days together will follow the same basic schedule: a general opening session, multiple sets of breakout sessions to choose from with breaks in between, and a general closing session. We''re excited that with this format you will actually be able to take in more content than you would in a traditional in-person conference!

We have a great lineup of keynote and breakout speakers who will keep you up-to-date on the latest in our community. These topic areas were all chosen based on direct feedback from the field:

0-3 Programming
Teamwork
Leadership
Family Involvement
Data

Social-Emotional
Fatherhood
Challenging Behavior
Self-Care
Trauma

And more, including music and movement, and cooking with children!

Please note that even if you''re not able to attend the conference during the scheduled times, by registering you will have access to many of the session recordings for later viewing.

If you have any questions or concerns about 2020 National Head Start Conference LIVE please feel free to contact us at annual@nhsa.org.

Interested in attending?

April 21 - 23, 2020 | 11 am - 5 pm EST

Learn more and register today!

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Happy Head Start Awareness Month!

Every October during Head Start Awareness Month, we celebrate Head Start’s historical roots, current impact, and lasting legacy by bringing awareness to Head Start’s work nationwide. This year, we are doing so by focusing in particular on the bold leadership exhibited by the Head Start community in 2020.

Born in the heart of the Civil Rights Movement and the War on Poverty, Head Start’s work has always been rooted in equity. This year, Head Start has embraced new calls for racial justice and taken the challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic in stride, continuing to support families to provide equitable, comprehensive services with continued commitment but in necessarily innovative ways. We welcome the start of Head Start Awareness Month as an opportunity to highlight this commitment to the Head Start mission and to celebrate Head Start as a leader in communities across the country.

This Head Start Awareness Month, NHSA is proud to introduce the 2020 BOLD Leadership Initiative, a two-part initiative designed to recognize the extraordinary challenges of 2020 and the extraordinary response by those in the Head Start community. Through 2020 BOLD, we will:

Identify and recognize five Head Start alumni who are making an impact at the national scale.

Recognize and celebrate five current Head Start leaders who exemplify exceptional innovation and dedication to the Head Start mission. These five leaders will receive the BOLD Prize–one $10,000 grand prize winner and four $5,000 runners up.

We look forward to sharing more details about the BOLD Initiative and how you nominate deserving Head Start leaders for the BOLD Prize later in Head Start Awareness Month. In the meantime, to kick off part one of the 2020 BOLD Initiative, we’d love to hear from you with ideas for Head Start alumni who are leading change for a better world (but not working in Head Start).

These Head Start alumni should be working at a national level, taking bold stands and making game-changing decisions, leading in areas critical to meet today’s challenges, and be well-known. Share your ideas with us by emailing 2020BOLD@nhsa.org.

Are you celebrating Head Start Awareness Month in your community? Share on social media with #HeadStartAwareness.

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CAN YOU BELIEVE IT?

May 18^th is the 55^th anniversary of Head Start’s inception.

Mark your calendars to join us in celebration!

WHO: You! The whole Head Start community
WHAT: Celebrating the 55th anniversary of Head Start!
WHEN: May 18 from 3:00 – 4:00 EDT
WHERE: Zoom and Facebook Live
(links will be sent next week)

Please join us on Monday, May 18 at 3:00 pm EDT to kick off our celebration of Head Start’s 55^th anniversary. To honor this milestone, NHSA is launching an anniversary campaign to pay tribute to the impact Head Start has had on millions of lives and to celebrate the unlimited future legacy of Head Start’s current children and families.

On May 18, we will gather online as the Head Start community to take some time to celebrate past, present, and future. During these unique times, with challenges facing our programs, our families, and our staff, it’s important to also take a moment and reflect on the inspiring stories of hope in our communities.

Stay tuned. Later in the year, we will launch the official celebration – “Five and Five” – a campaign to celebrate Head Start’s historic legacy and its future legacy by connecting trailblazing Head Start alumni with small groups of current Head Start children and families.

We’ll share more details on May 18! Watch your inboxes next week for links to participate through Zoom or Facebook Live. Looking forward to celebrating together!

Keeping the commitment,

Team NHSA

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Help secure Head Start the funding needed to safely reopen!

Join your colleagues from across the country in calling your Senators today.

Whether it’s your first time calling Congress or you’re a seasoned advocate, calling today is easy. All you need is a phone and 5 minutes. A script is readily available for you to use!

Program Leaders

Access your Guide

Parents and Staff

Access Your Guide

As you may have heard, the Senate majority leadership released their COVID-19 response package, and it does not include funding for Head Start. At the same time, Head Start needs at least $1.7 billion to operate successfully amidst COVID-19.

In other words, NOW IS THE TIME for the Head Start community to rally together to influence Congress and get Head Start the funding that is needed to respond to COVID-19.

Reach out today to the Senate!

Brought to you by the Dollar per Child campaign

Every day, in different ways, the Dollar per Child campaign enables NHSA to achieve Head Start''s advocacy goals.

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Dear Head Start Colleague,

BOLD leadership is all around us, and we’ve seen so many amazing Head Start examples during 2020. Have you nominated someone (or yourself!) for the 2020 BOLD Leadership Prize yet? Applications are open until December 11, available in both English and Spanish .

Over the course of 2020, the Head Start community has demonstrated truly extraordinary leadership. You have turned challenges into opportunities and centered children and families in every decision you’ve made. At NHSA, we are honoring Head Start’s BOLD leaders who have adapted and led through the challenges of 2020.

The Five 2020 BOLD Leadership Prizes

$10,000

Grand Prize for 2020 BOLD Leadership to one awardee

$5,000

Silver Medal 2020 BOLD Leadership Prizes to four awardees

What defines a 2020 BOLD Leader?

We’re looking for Head Start leaders—current administrators, teachers, or any other Head Start staff members—who found bold, game-changing answers to the daunting challenges of 2020 and exhibited extraordinarily bold leadership.

2020 BOLD Leader Characteristics:

1.

Carried out Head Start’s mission for the whole child, family, and community

2.

Identified and courageously tackled daunting and unprecedented problems

3.

Challenged the status quo and courageously took risks

4.

Stayed driven by results

5.

Led by example, empowered others, and built partnerships

6.

Vocally championed change and lived up to Head Start’s commitment to get better all the time

7.

Saw beyond 2020 and created enduring actions for change

8.

Showed good judgment, acted humbly, ethically, and responsibly

Nominations and applications are open until December 11, 2020.

Prize winners will be selected by a panel of five Head Start alumni—the BOLD Alumni Leaders—and announced at NHSA’s 2021 Winter Leadership Institute.

Apply or nominate someone you know for the 2020 BOLD Leadership Prize any time before December 11! Learn more, including how to submit a nomination or application, on NHSA’s website.

Nominate a BOLD leader

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Great News: Final DRS Rule!

After more than seven years of advocacy by the Head Start community for the removal of several arbitrary and ineffective policies in the Designation Rule System, we can officially claim victory! The Office of Head Start announced today the long-awaited final rule on the Head Start Designation Renewal System (DRS) will be published tomorrow (Aug. 28th), and it includes three changes that will provide a consistent, stable target for Head Start programs to work toward, while also encouraging programs to approach this work through a quality improvement framework, ensuring the highest level of quality for children in Head Start.

The Changes

There are three changes to the conditions used to determine whether local Head Start grantees have to compete for continued funding:

1. The administration removed the CLASS 10% trigger!

In exchange, there will be two sets of thresholds: Quality Thresholds and Competitive Thresholds. Quality Thresholds will initiate additional support from the Office of Head Start to increase classroom quality. Competitive Thresholds will cause grantees to compete.

Competitive Thresholds for Emotional Support and Classroom Organization minimums are 5.
The Competitive Threshold for Instructional Support will have a phased-in increase. At this time, the Competitive Threshold for Instructional Support is 2.3. On August 1, 2025, the Instructional Support minimum will increase to 2.5.

Changes to the use of CLASS in DRS not only provide a consistent, stable target for programs to work toward but also encourage local programs to approach this work through a quality improvement framework, ensuring the highest level of quality for children in Head Start.

2. Now, two deficiencies will trigger competition, rather than just one.

This firmly aligns with Head Start’s focus on quality improvement and using deficiencies to identify systemic issues, rather than just singular missteps.

3. With regard to the fiscal condition,

two audit findings that are material weakness or questioned costs would trigger competitions, and a “going concern” finding at any time triggers competition.

By using our powerful, unified voice we brought on changes to the deficiency and CLASS 10% triggers. Rather than triggers that support a quota of programs entering into competition each year, these new changes make quality services for children and quality improvement of programs the paramount priority. We rejoice in long-awaited progress and pause to recognize just how strong the Head Start community is when we stand together to advocate for our needs.

Successful change of policy is possible, and we look forward to working together to ensure the change initiated today is implemented effectively and supports the continuous quality improvement of programs on behalf of the families served by Head Start.

What’s next?

Over the next few weeks, NHSA will be assessing implications of the changes with experts, data analysts, and other members of the Head Start community. We will share more in-depth analyses and address questions as information becomes available, including at NHSA’s virtual Fall Leadership Institute.

Please share your thoughts, questions, and concerns here.

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Congress is Leaving Head Start Behind.

Contact your Senators in Support of COVID-19 Funding for Head Start

Join us on Tuesday, August 4th for a National Head Start Call-In.

The Senate majority leadership released their COVID-19 response package, and it does not include funding for Head Start. At the same time, Head Start needs at least $1.7 billion to operate successfully amidst COVID-19, and the next two weeks are likely Head Start’s last chance to get additional funding for the rest of the calendar year.

NOW IS THE TIME for the Head Start community to rally together to influence Congress and get Head Start the funding that is needed to respond to the pandemic.

To make the biggest impact we’re asking everyone to participate in a National Head Start Call-In this Tuesday, August 4th.

Will you join your colleagues from across the country in calling your Senators to secure the funding Head Start needs to safely reopen? It takes just a few minutes, and is critical for children and families in your community.

COVID-19 has dramatically affected Head Start services, and we need to unite to spread the word: it will cost $1.7 billion to address Head Start’s unavoidable needs.

Can we count on you to take just a few minutes to help secure Head Start’s future?

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YOU''RE INVITED:

NHSA’s virtual learning series, "So You''re Virtual, Now What?" is just days away!

Over the course of three days, the Head Start community will come together to explore the unprecedented nature of this school year and generate solutions to support staff, children, and families.

You’ll have the opportunity to hear from your colleagues about their virtual learning successes and share your own best practices, covering strategies to address enrollment, technology gaps, parent engagement, and more.

WHO: You, the Head Start community!

WHAT: An opportunity to connect with Head Start colleagues and prepare for a school year like no other.

WHEN: September 8-10, 2020 at 10:00–11:00 am ET

WHERE: Anywhere you have internet access!
Plus, session recordings will be available to view on your own time for 30 days following the event.

Questions? Email us at conferences@nhsa.org.

Interested in attending?

September 8-10, 2020 | Anywhere you have internet access!

Learn more and register today!

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Dear Head Start Family and Friends,

The COVID-19 public health crisis is affecting every community across the country and Head Start families and staff are confronting unprecedented challenges with creativity, bravery, and compassion. NHSA wants to hear about it all – the challenges you are facing and the solutions you are generating day by day.

Please share your experiences with us by completing this survey.

We have already heard from many of you, and we are so moved by your stories of resilience. Our community has a remarkable ability to continue on in our mission and meet families’ needs, no matter how those needs change due to the circumstances.

You can read some of your Head Start colleagues'' stories to learn from one another and not feel so alone in the challenges we are all facing. We look forward to sharing more stories like these in the coming weeks.

Understanding the realities for your programs right now also helps NHSA advocate before Washington''s decision-makers to ensure Head Start receives funds and resources to match the current needs. And your stories will support our efforts to share effective practices widely to our field, supporting every program in learning and acting quickly in this unprecedented time.

We are immensely grateful for your leadership and commitment during these challenging times.

Keeping the commitment,

Team NHSA

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Action Alert

Contact your Representatives in Support of Head Start Funding

Join us in urging Congress to provide Head Start with the funding it needs to safely reopen in the next COVID-19 response bill.

Conservative estimates indicate that Head Start’s supplies and staffing costs specific to COVID-19 amount to $1.7 billion. Now is the time to join together with other powerful Head Start advocates in urging Congress to provide Head Start with the funding needed for personal protective equipment (PPE), cleaning supplies, mental health consultation, increased janitorial and teaching staff, and other unavoidable costs.

Please take one minute to sign a letter to your representatives, urging them to stand up for Head Start by signing onto a bipartisan letter being led by Congresswoman Titus and Congressman Katko in support of providing Head Start with the funding necessary to safely serve children and families amidst COVID-19.

Take just one minute to sign and send your letter now!

With your help, every member of the U.S. House of Representatives will know that Head Start is making a difference in the face of COVID-19 and that we’re counting on their support.

Once you have signed, join the conversation on social media this Wednesday with #UniteforHeadStart.

Use this toolkit to share about your program’s work to reopen and show Congress why Head Start needs their support.

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Action Alert

Contact your Representatives in Support of Head Start Funding

Yesterday, we sent a message asking you to reach out to your members of Congress in order to help Head Start access the funds necessary to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. We just heard today that Congress is moving even more quickly on COVID-19 funding negotiations and we need to act for Head Start now!

Please take one minute before the end of the day tomorrow (Thursday, July 16) to sign a letter to your representatives, urging them to support Head Start by signing onto a bipartisan letter being led by Congresswoman Titus and Congressman Katko in support of providing Head Start with the funding necessary to safely serve children and families amidst COVID-19.

Take just one minute to sign and send your letter now!

With your help, every member of the U.S. House of Representatives will know that Head Start is making a difference in the face of COVID-19 and that we’re counting on their support.

Once you have signed, join the conversation on social media this Wednesday with #UniteforHeadStart.

Use this toolkit to share about your program’s work to reopen and show Congress why Head Start needs their support.

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Silence = acceptance.

We will not be silent in the face of injustice.

As a team we are devastated, overwhelmed with grief, filled with anger, and compelled to speak out.

Head Start was born during another era of fighting for equal justice, an era envisioned by its activists to be the end of racism, discrimination, and oppression.

Unhappily, we have not progressed as far as a nation in the 55 years since as we should have, as we need to. And now, it is up to us, all of us, to make it happen.

Head Start is rooted in the search for justice, equality, and opportunity. Our role as a catalyst for hope serves as a beacon of light in communities once again. Because today’s Head Start children—innocent, inquisitive, and brilliant as they are—deserve a hopeful future where their lives are valued unequivocally.

We are committed to building that better future, not for the next generation, but right now. We support the movement for justice and equality and will lead with bold actions necessary for real change. From encouraging full participation in civic engagement, to protesting acts of racism, NHSA stands with you in this fight.

We must listen to each other with deeper understanding, join together in activism, and stay committed to creating a more just nation.

We are here to listen. How can NHSA make an impact? Write to us at NewEra@nhsa.org.

Keeping the commitment,

Yasmina Vinci and Team NHSA

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Black. Lives. Matter.

At NHSA, we continue to profess this belief as we bear witness to yet another instance of police violence against a Black man. Our hearts are with Jacob Blake and his family, the city of Kenosha, and Black Americans nationwide.

Just last month in the wake of the killings of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and Rayshard Brooks, our Board Chair, Damon Carson, and I wrote to our community expressing our grief, acknowledging the pain in the Black community, and recommitting ourselves to Head Start’s role in disrupting systemic racism. Here we are again, shattered by another act of police violence that brings us to the tragically familiar sense of grief, anger, and desire for change.

As the Head Start community, the shooting of Jacob Blake in front of his young children deepens each of these emotions. We know that childhood trauma can have a lifelong impact, which is why we make it our mission to protect children and to help them heal. No child should bear the burden of trauma inflicted by viewing acts of violence. No child should experience the trauma of living in fear because of the color of their skin.

With the reality of systemic racism in our country top of mind yet again, I share the sentiment that Damon and I imparted last month:

"As individuals and as a Head Start community, we must take responsibility for pointing out the wrongdoings we see around us and shine a light on our own shortfalls. That onus does not end after a certain date, after protests quiet down, or after we have adopted a certain reform. We must commit to never choosing to be silent, to never accepting bigotry....We must commit to the never-ceasing work of making our voices heard in our demand for universal justice, and sustain that chorus until it becomes our nation’s anthem. We have a responsibility to be role models, not only to our children but to our fellow Americans.”

We stand by those words of never being silent and today we ask you to join together as a united Head Start community to take positive and proactive steps to rid any beliefs and practices that hinder our ability to ensure that the children who can benefit the most from Head Start are seen and valued.

To that end, we invite you to explore on our website the many resources for early childhood educators to address racism and injustice including The Unconscious Bias: An Educator''s Self-Assessment, because this moment requires a different response.

What we are seeing on camera is that these acts are not one time occurrences. These events provide further evidence that the hate, pain, fear, and trauma of racism still exist. They are reflective of what many Black families and children experience when interacting with institutions including police, health care, and education. They are windows into the experiences of being Black. That is why we find ourselves again writing to you, our Head Start family, that Black Lives Matter.

After you examine these resources, we encourage you to write to us at newera@nhsa.org and to share the stories about how you are keeping the Head Start promise right now.

Because that is what Head Start is all about.

Keeping the commitment,

Yasmina Vinci
Executive Director
National Head Start Association

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Turning generations of injustice into action for the future of Black children

Every Wednesday, the Head Start community gathers at our “Kitchen Table” for a discussion to share questions, resources, and ideas. This week, due to recent events across the country, NHSA repurposed this time and space for an open dialogue, led by leaders within the Head Start community who have been at the forefront of fighting for social justice in African-American communities for decades.

Watch this video where Damon Carson, the chair of NHSA’s Board of Directors and also the general manager for education, infrastructure, and operations at Neighborhood House Association in San Diego, CA, shares his thoughts.

In opening the discussion, NHSA''s Yasmina Vinci also challenged the Head Start community to continue to be leaders in their communities. “How we as a united community respond can have long-lasting effects on how we progress as a nation and as a world,” she said. “Leading in this moment is not easy—but for you, the Head Start community who have committed to upholding the core premise of Head Start—that commitment to justice, equity and opportunity—we know that you are the leaders to turn to.”

Read Yasmina''s full remarks here.

Visit The Block to watch a recording of the discussion, which also included Cynthia Jackson, executive director of the Educare Learning Network and senior vice president of the Ounce of Prevention Fund; Alyce Dillon, executive director of Parents In Community Action (PICA) in Minneapolis, MN; and Kahree Wahid, state Head Start collaboration director in Louisiana.

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Election Day is next Tuesday, but the 2020 election is already well underway with early and absentee voting. Have you cast your ballot yet? Whether it’s by absentee ballot, early voting, or voting in person on November 3, now’s the time to make a plan!

Make a plan to vote.

Head to Vote.org to find your polling place or a ballot drop box near you, check your voter registration status, and get information about what’s on your ballot. Check in with your colleagues, neighbors, and friends to see if they need help in voting. Right now, voting and helping others to do so is the most powerful action you can take on behalf of your family, community, and country.

Then, spread the word!

Use NHSA’s social media toolkit to reach your friends, family, and Head Start colleagues with the important message about participating in the election.

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Make sure your Head Start families get counted!

The Census self-response end date has been moved up to September 30, 2020, so it’s now more urgent that as many people get counted as possible!

Young children ages 0-5 are the population most likely to be undercounted in the Census, which affects funding for local schools and services such as housing, transportation and medical care, and in some ways Head Start for the next 10 years. Currently only 64% of the population has completed the self-response with just over a month to go before the deadline.

There is still time to respond to the Census online, over the phone or by mail. It’s now easier than ever to respond and takes just a few minutes to complete. The Census Bureau has also begun going door-to-door to collect responses from households that have not yet responded. These Census Takers are currently stopping to ask the Census questions in-person and they are taking all of the necessary health and safety precautions .

Ways to engage your community:

Lead by example! Make sure you’ve filled out the Census yourself and then share how simple it was.
Spread the word to families, encouraging them to respond. Count All Kids’ toolkit and social media press kit are great resources to help get the message across.
Promote the census and engage kids through the Back to School Count All Kids National Art Competition! All kids are welcome to submit an artistic creation of their choosing that is inspired by the theme “Count All Kids in the 2020 Census.” Submissions are being accepted until September 14th.

Check out NHSA’s Census 2020 Webpage for more information and resources.

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For a limited time: Get access to NHSA Live recordings

The 2020 National Head Start Conference may no longer be “live,” but you can still register!

With nearly 5,000 attendees logging into 42 different sessions over just 3 days, NHSA Live showed us all that even when we are most isolated, we can still stay connected, stand united, and meet this challenge together.

Fortunately, because the conference was all virtual this year, you still have a chance to meet the challenge with us!

Register now to get full, immediate access to conference recordings and all of the handouts and resources made available by our presenters. These materials will only be available until Sunday, May 31st, so get access while you still can.

Check the schedule to see all of the sessions you’ll get access to.

This was a new experience for everyone, so you might be unsure of what to expect. Here are some of the comments we’ve received about the virtual conference:

I think the conference was incredible. The speakers were very knowledgeable and able to answer all of our questions. I liked how the handouts were provided so we can review later. This has been one of the best conferences I have been to and I can''t wait to attend more in the future. Thank You.
Well done! Appreciate the flexibility to catch a session later, especially with needing to keep our own programs and families going during this time.
Thank you so much for providing the conference virtually this year! I don''t know how many usually attend, but I do know that this is the first year that teachers in our program have had the opportunity to attend. THANKS!
I am so happy NHSA went virtual. Otherwise, my agency would not have been able to afford to send me with the cost of travel, hotel, and registration. Having it virtually opened it up to people who could not afford to attend face-to-face! Thank you!
I am beyond impressed with how well the conference came together and the amount of information I was able to obtain.
This virtual experience was amazing. No maps to follow to get to class and secure a seat. Working from home, having snacks and meals easily accessible, bathroom down the hall. No sidebar conversations, no interruptions with people arriving late or leaving early. It was wonderful! I love people and I miss being with people but this virtual conference will forever be a memorable one.
If at all possible, you should attend!

Questions?

Contact us at annual@nhsa.org.

Learn more and register today!

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Who should attend next week''s virtual conference?

The short answer is: everyone!

The longer answer: Even though next week''s National Head Start Conference Live! will be entirely virtual, it is still the largest national conference devoted to all things Head Start. Which means that there''s something for everyone!

We are very intentionally designing the online conference to offer valuable content for everyone in Head Start so that no one is left behind. So whether you’re a Director, Administrator, Manager, Teacher, Policy Council Member, Parent, Community Partner, Board Member, or serve Head Start in another role, this conference is for you.

While many in the Head Start community are stuck at home, this is an opportune time to invest in professional development, so register today!

Questions? Contact us at annual@nhsa.org.

Interested in attending?

April 21 - 23, 2020 | 11 am - 5 pm EST

Learn more and register today!

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As we come to the end of Head Start Awareness Month, NHSA wants to honor the heart and soul of Head Start–YOU! In recognition of Head Start leaders–administrators, teachers, and staff members–who found bold, game-changing answers to the daunting challenges of 2020 and exhibited extraordinarily bold leadership, we are pleased to announce the 2020 BOLD Leadership Prize.

Beginning on Nov. 9, NHSA will be seeking applicants and nominations for its 2020 BOLD Leadership Prize: Head Start leaders who have faced the most daunting aspects of 2020, taken risks, moved over and around barriers and obstacles, and found game-changing, innovative solutions.

At NHSA, we know leadership comes from people at all levels of Head Start programs. Leaders adapt to change, motivate and inspire, align people with purpose, and do the right things. Leaders may have been with Head Start for decades or less than a year. They may be in the classroom or behind the scenes, running programs or working in the community.

2020 has been a turbulent storm: the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic, a renewed national reckoning about race, resurgent racism and the need for racial equity, widespread civil unrest, rising unemployment, evictions, increased poverty levels, natural disasters, and an uncertain, confusing future.

NHSA’s 2020 BOLD Leadership Prize winners will be Head Start administrators, teachers, and staff who have boldly led through difficult circumstances this year, as manifested in the classroom, the family, and/or the community.

Start thinking about BOLD Head Start leaders in your community now!

The application will open on November 9 and continue through December 11. The 2020 BOLD Leadership Prize winners will be selected by five notable Head Start alumni who are themselves demonstrating BOLD leadership in their chosen fields. Winners will be announced at the 2021 Winter Leadership Institute.

2020 BOLD Leadership Prizes

Grand Prize for 2020 BOLD Leadership

One awardee

$10,000

Silver Medal 2020 BOLD Leadership Prizes

Four awardees

$5,000 each

Prize winners will also have the opportunity to participate in leadership conversations with each of the 2020 BOLD Alumni Leaders.

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It''s National Census Day!

Today is National Census Day! Nationally, 34.7% of the country has already completed the census. Has your Head Start community been counted? Now’s the time!

When you complete the census, make sure to count everyone who is living in your home today, April 1, 2020. Questions about who you should count in your home?

In the midst of the COVID-19 public health crisis, it’s important to know that it has never been easier to respond to the census without leaving home. You should have received your census invitation in the mail, and you can use it to respond online, over the phone, or by mail, all without having to meet a census taker or even go to the post office.

If you didn’t receive anything in the mail, it’s still easy to respond online - you just have to enter your address as well in order to be counted.

The Census Bureau is adapting operations as needed, but the goal remains the same – to ensure a complete and accurate count of everyone across the country, including children.

Looking to promote the Census in your community? Check out these family-friendly resources:

Sesame Street''s 2020 Census Kit
NALEO''s animated video animated video made especially for English/Spanish speaking households highlighting the importance of the 2020 Census
Explore the Statistics in Schools pre-k materials.
Community Action Partnership’s resources to count young kids

Head to NHSA’s Census webpage to learn more and join us for the census session during NHSA’s upcoming virtual conference.

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Embracing LGBTQ+ members of the Head Start family

NHSA’s mission is to coalesce, inspire, and support the Head Start field with a model of support for the whole child, the family, and the community.

The Head Start community knows that welcoming differences and ensuring equality, respect, and dignity for all—regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity—is critical to fulfilling that mission and ensuring that all children and families thrive.

This Pride Month, we’re proud to celebrate the members of the LGBTQ+ community in Head Start who help make up our diverse, strong, and vibrant family. To that effort, NHSA is sharing resources that support programs in promoting inclusive working and learning environments for Head Start children, families, and staff.

We will continue to update these resources and invite you to share stories and additional resources with us at NewEra@nhsa.org.

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Registration is open!

During this stressful and unpredictable time, the virtual Parent and Family Engagement Conference will be a refreshing opportunity to step back, realign, and take some time to focus on professional development and growth. We have selected 27 hour-long sessions from among the best we have offered at our in-person conferences. There is something for everyone, whether you are a Director, Teacher, Community Partner, Parent, Policy Council Member, or serve Head Start in another role, this conference is for you.

Happiness is running through the streets to find you, even during a pandemic

When our world flips upside down, children need affirming, safe, calming adults. Who, however, helps adults through traumatizing times? By choosing hope over fear, we co-create sanctuaries of healing, trust, humor and promise. On Wednesday, Holly Elissa Bruno will help lead teams in shifting their mindset in turning the worst of times into the best of times. Watch this brief video to see her combine skill building and mindfulness.

Who knew learning could be so reinvigorating?

Register now

We respect your schedule

Sessions are shorter—just an hour. They will be recorded, so you can catch up on those you miss at your leisure. Residents of Alaska and Hawaii, where morning sessions are more like night, receive registration discounts.

We''re easy on your budget

Without expensive travel, hotel, and meals, NHSA’s Parent Conference is really easy! There are discounted registration fees for parents, NHSA members, and residents of states recovering from hurricanes and fires.

We connect you to community

Chat with colleagues and friends in discussion rooms, meet new and old friends at special social events. Upload useful resources you have developed and download those others have developed.

Questions? Email us at conferences@nhsa.org.

Interested in attending?

December 1 - 3, 2020

Learn more and register today!

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1. Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month

National Hispanic Heritage month began this Tuesday, September 15th, and NHSA is celebrating all of the Hispanic and Latino families in our Head Start family! Head Start has so much diversity, and this month is a wonderful opportunity to learn more about some of the cultures that make up our vibrant community. This week, we shared a Hispanic Heritage Month reading list for programs and families to explore with children. Check it out!

2. Getting ready for the Fall Leadership Institute!

NHSA’s Fall Leadership Institute kicks off on Monday, September 21^st, so this week our team was busy putting the final touches on the dozens of learning and advocacy opportunities this virtual event will offer our Head Start community. We hope you’re looking forward to engaging sessions covering strategies for weathering the COVID-19 storm, Head Start’s role in disrupting systemic racism, updates from the Office of Head Start, remarks from U.S. Congressman and House Majority Whip Jim Clyburn, and much more. And while we won’t physically be together on Capitol Hill this year, you will still have many opportunities to engage with members of Congress on Wednesday’s virtual Hill Day.

It’s not too late to join us! You can register here, and remember, you’ll gain access session recordings after the Institute to participate on your own time.

3. Sharing Head Start’s impact in national news

NHSA has been sharing about Head Start’s critical work and remaining COVID-19 related needs on all channels – directly with members of Congress and White House leadership, on social media, with our early education colleagues, and in the media. This week, the message was spread even further when the D.C.-insider publication Politico featured Head Start in its most recent edition of Weekly Education: How the pandemic is upending pre-K.

The article highlighted how despite changes due to COVID-19, Head Start has been there for families. “[Head Start] staff have remained in contact with children and families, delivering food, diapers and school supplies. Many teachers dressed up in costumes, complete with masks and other safety gear, to visit families at their homes,” NHSA’s Director of Government Affairs, Cody Kornack shared in the article that was widely read by congressional staff.

4. Introducing NHSA’s Bias Buster Workshop Series

NHSA has developed a new series for the Head Start community to come together to create positive and proactive anti-bias action plans. The Bias Buster Workshop Series will consist of five webinars and will kick off on Tuesday, September 29^th.

Through these sessions, participants will engage in discussions with experienced national experts, thought leaders, and colleagues to learn how they can build stronger communities through family and child-centered practices that acknowledge and combat biases.

We hope you’ll join us!

Upcoming Events

September 21 - 24: Fall Leadership Institute
September 23 - October 13: Bias Buster Webinar Series
October 13: State Policy Series–Head Start & Early Head Start Advocacy in the States: Strategies that Work
November 30 - December 3: Parent and Family Engagement Conference

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The Courage to be Curious:

How Head Start Laid the Foundation for Eric Motley’s Success

NEW BLOG POST:

As Head Start Awareness Month comes to a close, NHSA is celebrating Head Start alumni like Eric Motley, who show us how the foundations laid by Head Start can propel children toward lifelong success.

Eric Motley attended Madison Park Head Start in Montgomery, Alabama in 1979. Now, he serves as an executive vice president at the Aspen Institute, a world leader in education and policy studies.

Read Eric''s Head Start Story

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Registration is open for NHSA’s virtual conference!

The 2020 National Head Start Conference has gone digital! Although not what we had originally planned, the online conference enables more members of the Head Start community to participate safely and affordably, and even to attend more sessions than they would in a traditional on-site conference.

Learn more and register for the 2020 National Head Start Conference LIVE.

Please note: if you''ve previously registered for the national conference, you will be receiving a separate email with registration links shortly.

We will come together April 21 - 23, 2020 from 11 am - 5 pm EST, for this critical opportunity for everyone to gather, reflect, and discuss how we can best serve our children and families in this difficult time and beyond.

There is so much uncertainty all across the country right now, but what is not uncertain is Head Start’s bedrock commitment to lifting up children and families in our communities.

Now, perhaps more than ever, it is important for our community to stay connected, stand united, and meet this challenge together.

Many of us are isolated, but we are not alone. Will you join your peers from all across the country for this important moment in Head Start’s history?

If you have any questions, please contact us at annual@nhsa.org.

Interested in attending?

April 21 - 23, 2020 | 11 am - 5 pm EST

Learn more and register today!

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Video: Remembering Congressman John Lewis

Congressman John Lewis was a transformative leader and longstanding champion for Head Start children and families across the country. Representative Lewis showed us what it meant to be a true leader, to stick to one''s principles, and to embrace ‘good trouble,’ when it means fighting for what is right.

Watch NHSA’s video tribute to Congressman Lewis and his tremendous legacy.

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Last Chance to Access National Conference Recordings

The 2020 National Head Start Conference may no longer be “live,” but you can still register!

With nearly 5,000 attendees logging into 42 different sessions over just 3 days, NHSA Live showed us all that even when we are most isolated, we can still stay connected, stand united, and meet this challenge together.

Fortunately, because the conference was all virtual this year, you still have a chance to meet the challenge with us!

Register now to get full, immediate access to conference recordings and all of the handouts and resources made available by our presenters. These materials will only be available until Sunday, May 31st, so get access while you still can.

Check the schedule to see all of the sessions you’ll get access to.

Questions?

Contact us at annual@nhsa.org.

Learn more and purchase access today!

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Blog Post: From Head Start to the Halls of Congress

VIDEO: Head Start Alum and Congresswoman Jahana Hayes

Happy Women’s History Month!

Did you know that Congresswoman Jahana Hayes is the first African American Woman to represent Connecticut in Congress, as well as being a fierce advocate for children and families, and a Head Start alum?

Those are just a few of the reasons NHSA is highlighting Congresswoman Hayes in our first Women’s History Month blog feature.

Check out the blog post to learn more about Rep. Hayes’ incredible story and her love of Head Start.

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There is something here for everyone!

The 2020 National Parent and Family Engagement conference will provide many valuable resources for Head Start parents. And NHSA is making it easy for parents to participate by discounting registration for parents by 55%!

Meet Rosalba Barragon, a parent member of NHSA''s Board of Directors. She describes her experience at a recent Parent and Family Engagement Conference:

There will be nearly a dozen sessions during the three-day virtual conference designed specifically with parents in mind. Here are just a few:

Hack Your Snack: Tips for easy, healthy snacks with Megan Bradley
Sleep: Incorporating programs on healthy sleep habits for preschool students and parents for good health, better behavior, and school readiness with Ann Raftery
Discovering JOY! Turning stress into your new SUPER power! with Gloria Sherman
The Reading Party with Stephanie Pasley-Henry
Using our voices for GOOD with LaToya Mothershed
Don''t damage your children''s emotional lives with Paul Levin
Gardening together with Sarah Pounders
Yogapalooza with Bari Koral

Parents'' lives are complicated these days and it is often hard to commit to a set schedule that an in-person conference requires. The 2020 Parent and Family Engagement Conference is a virtual experience and all of our sessions will be recorded and available to registered parents during the conference and for at least 30 days following. So, they can catch up on anything they missed anytime!

Register now

Did you know that NHSA members save 45% at registration? Join now!

We respect your schedule

Sessions are shorter—just an hour. They will be recorded, so you can catch up on those you miss at your leisure. Residents of Alaska and Hawaii, where morning sessions are more like night, receive registration discounts.

We''re easy on your budget

Without expensive travel, hotel, and meals, NHSA’s Parent Conference is really easy! There are discounted registration fees for parents, NHSA members, and residents of states recovering from hurricanes and fires.

We connect you to community

Chat with colleagues and friends in discussion rooms, meet new and old friends at special social events. Upload useful resources you have developed and download those others have developed.

Interested in attending?

December 1 - 3, 2020

Learn more and register today!

Questions? Email us at conferences@nhsa.org.

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Blog post: Head Start Needs Support to Continue Supporting Families During COVID-19

Head Start advocates around the country are speaking up and urging Congress to support Head Start with critically needed COVID relief funding. Michelle Rahl-Lewis, Assistant Director for Early Learning in the Tacoma school district in Washington State makes the need clear in this blog post.

Michelle explains how Head Start programs in Washington have gone above and beyond to support children and families through COVID-19, and what support they need from Congress to continue.

Questions? Contact us at advocacy@nhsa.org.

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Blog: Health screenings are down and Head Start steps up

During Head Start Awareness Month, we’re spreading the word about all of the critical work Head Start does with children and families across the country. One essential piece of Head Start’s comprehensive model is supporting physical health. From health screenings to immunizations to helping families find their medical homes, Head Start’s focus on health is a key factor in preparing children for success in school and in life.

In recent months, COVID-19 has created barriers to accessing necessary medical care and health screenings, which makes Head Start’s commitment to health even more essential.

Read more about how COVID-19 is affecting access to health care, and how Head Start is stepping up, in our latest blog post.

Innovative Ways to Promote the Census

The 2020 U.S. Census is underway and more households across America are responding every day. Over 70 million households have already responded–that’s nearly half the country!

In the 2010 census, children under four were the most likely age group to go uncounted, with an estimated 2.2 million young children missing, resulting in fewer resources for their communities over the past decade.

Let’s make sure we count all kids in 2020!

As a trusted voice in communities, Head Start plays an important role in spreading the word about the importance of filling out the census. With many census promotion measures moved online due to COVID-19, it’s particularly important to find ways to reach families who may not have digital access. How about placing printed materials in students’ grab-and-go lunch bags?

Check out this blog from the National Count All Kids Committee for innovative ways that early education advocates like you can promote the 2020 census right now.

Still have centers open? Head Start California has also done an amazing job of ensuring every kid is counted by setting up tablets in the lobbies of Head Start programs that are still open to serve essential workers, so that when parents come in to drop off their children, they can answer the census online. Read more about their efforts here!

Additional resources to help promote the 2020 Census:

Nickelodeon videos, flyers, and social media tools free to download and share.
Statistics in Schools resources that can be used for at-home and distance learning.
Sesame Street PSAs, flyers, and worksheets.

Learn more about Census Bureau adjustments due to COVID-19.

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Adapting our advocacy efforts–here’s what YOU can do to help

Photo: NHSA’s government affairs team and Head Start California leadership and parent advocates meeting with congressional staff.

We have all experienced countless changes over the past few months, but one thing that remains constant are NHSA’s unrelenting advocacy efforts on behalf of Head Start.

Last week, NHSA held a virtual “Hill Day” and organized meetings between Head Start advocates in several states with congressional staff. We might not be on Capitol Hill in person, but Congress is still hearing first hand about Head Start’s impact and the support we need.

What did we discuss in last Monday’s Hill visits? Head Start parents and advocates shared their stories and expressed what they need from Congress to address their communities’ needs, especially around mental health and technology. At NHSA we are committed to continuing these conversations, lifting up voices in the Head Start field and showing Congress why Head Start needs their increased investment.

Our advocacy efforts are not slowing down, and we need your support to sustain the momentum. Please make your contribution to Dollar per Child online or send a check to the following address before the end of our fiscal year tomorrow, June 30th.

National Head Start Association
Attention: Dollar per Child Campaign Coordinator
P.O. Box 829929
Philadelphia, PA 19182-9929

Keeping the commitment,

Team NHSA

Brought to you by the Dollar per Child campaign

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REMINDER:

40+ Training Sessions Available

The 2020 National Head Start Conference may no longer be “live,” but you can still register!

With nearly 5,000 attendees logging into 42 different sessions over just 3 days, NHSA Live showed us all that even when we are most isolated, we can still stay connected, stand united, and meet this challenge together.

You can still gain access to 40+ training recordings. These materials will only be available until Sunday, May 31st, so get access while you still can. Don’t miss out!

Check the full schedule to see all of the sessions you’ll get access to.

Interested in accessing the content?

Get exclusive access to over 40 hours of sessions from the 2020 National Head Start Conference LIVE! until May 31, 2020.

Learn more and register today!

Questions?

Contact us at annual@nhsa.org.

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ACTION ALERT

Take one minute to contact your Senators in support of Head Start funding

Negotiations over COVID-19 relief funding continue on Capitol Hill, which means there is still time to secure Head Start the funding needed to best operate amidst COVID-19.

Conservative estimates indicate that Head Start’s supplies and staffing costs specific to COVID-19 amount to $1.7 billion, but as it stands, Congress’ next and final COVID-19 response package includes no funding for Head Start.

Email your Senator today!

We must keep up the pressure as a unified Head Start voice and urge Congress to provide Head Start with the funding needed for personal protective equipment (PPE), cleaning supplies, mental health consultation, increased janitorial and teaching staff, and other unavoidable costs.

With your help, every member of the U.S. Senate will know that Head Start is making a difference in the face of COVID-19 and that we’re counting on their support.

Once you''ve signed, continue the effort on social media! Generate posts with this easy-to-use toolkit to show Congress why Head Start needs their support.

It takes less than 30 seconds...

Questions? You can reach us at advocacy@nhsa.org.

Brought to you by the Dollar per Child campaign

Every day, in different ways, the Dollar per Child campaign enables NHSA to achieve Head Start''s advocacy goals.

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Head Start Honors Juneteenth

Head Start Community,

Today we remember and celebrate Juneteenth, a day that marks a moment in American history when a promise of freedom for every man, woman, and child reached the last of our nation’s enslaved people.

This historically under-taught, under-recognized holiday commemorates a monumental moment in American history–the effective end of slavery in every corner of the United States in 1865. While many of us learned in school that slavery ended with the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863, not all enslaved Black people were truly free. For more than two years, slavery persisted in parts of the nation controlled by the Confederacy. Finally, on June 19, 1865, the remaining enslaved Black people in the United States achieved freedom when the Union Army arrived in Galveston Bay, Texas, and enforced the abolishment of slavery.

So today, we recognize Juneteenth by reflecting on the enduring legacy of our nation’s unjust history of slavery of Black people, including all of the windows of opportunity that have been slammed shut by systemic racism.

The significance of this history connects fundamentally to the core premise and commitment that we in Head Start uphold daily–the commitment to ensuring that every child, regardless of circumstances at birth, has the opportunity to succeed. Head Start’s commitment began in 1965, a century after Juneteenth, and it is more important than ever to uphold this promise.

We encourage you to celebrate Juneteenth with Head Start children by sharing this read-aloud of “Juneteenth for Maizie,” a Coretta Scott King Honoree that captures the holiday’s history. This read aloud is part of a series of African American stories shared by Sanofka bookstore, a Washington, D.C.-based bookstore specializing in videos and books about people of African descent around the world.

Today we also look at the long road still ahead in the quest for true social justice and equality. As a trusted voice in every community across the country, Head Start has a responsibility to lead and engage in this quest, and it starts with educating our youngest learners.

Please explore these resources and share with your staff and families: Addressing Racism and Injustice with Young Children.

Keeping the commitment,

Team NHSA

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VIDEO: Congress needs to hear from all of us.

Click to watch the short video explainer

On Tuesday, August 4th NHSA is holding a National Head Start Call-In to encourage as many people as possible to contact their Senators all at once.

Watch our quick video to hear directly from NHSA''s Government Affairs team as they explain why this is such a crucial moment for Head Start.

In short: The Head Start community needs to rally together to influence Congress and get Head Start the funding that is needed to respond to the pandemic.

Can we count on you to take just a few minutes to help secure Head Start’s future?

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Action Alert:

Contact your Senators in Support of Head Start Funding

Take to Twitter today to urge Congress to provide Head Start with the funding it needs to safely reopen in the next COVID-19 response bill.

Last night, the supplemental COVID-19 response funding bill proposed by Senate majority leadership failed to include relief for Head Start. Conservative estimates indicate that Head Start’s supplies and staffing costs specific to COVID-19 amount to $1.7 billion. As it stands, these needs will go unmet by Congress, so Head Start needs to stand together to make a change.

Take just one minute to

SEND YOUR TWEET NOW!

Your voice matters. Thanks to your support, more than 125 members of the U.S. House of Representatives on both sides of the aisle endorsed critical COVID-19 support for Head Start. Next, we need the Senate to prioritize emergency funding to help Head Start meet the unprecedented new costs of serving children and families safely during a global health pandemic.

Now is the time to join together with other powerful Head Start advocates in urging Congress to provide Head Start with the funding needed for personal protective equipment (PPE), cleaning supplies, mental health consultation, increased janitorial and teaching staff, and other unavoidable costs.

With your help, EVERY member of the U.S. Senate will know that Head Start is making a difference in the face of COVID-19. Let your Senator know today that Head Start children and families are counting on their support.

Brought to you by the Dollar per Child campaign

Every day, in different ways, the Dollar per Child campaign enables NHSA to achieve Head Start''s advocacy goals.

Learn more

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Time is running out!

We need the Head Start community to rally together to influence Congress and get Head Start the funding that is needed to respond to COVID-19.

Reach out to get Head Start the funding needed to safely reopen!

Last Chance to Act!

Program Leaders

Access your Guide

Parents and Staff

Access Your Guide

Call Today: All you need is a phone and 5 minutes. A script is readily available for you to use!

Nervous? It''s quick and easy. Listen to advice from our advocacy experts.

Brought to you by the Dollar per Child campaign

Every day, in different ways, the Dollar per Child campaign enables NHSA to achieve Head Start''s advocacy goals.

Learn more

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Happy Holidays from NHSA

This holiday season, we are grateful for you—the united, passionate, and dedicated Head Start community. In this year full of unprecedented challenges, your commitment to the belief that every child has the ability to succeed, and deserves the opportunity to do so has provided a desperately needed sense of stability to children and families.

As we have done for 55 years, from the Civil Rights Movement, through the worst natural disasters, and now in a global pandemic—Head Start continues to be a beacon of hope in communities. And we couldn’t be more proud and humbled to work with you than we are this year.

Our important work will continue in the New Year, and until then, we hope you have a joyful and restful end of the year, and we look forward to brighter days ahead in 2021.

Keeping the commitment,

Yasmina Vinci and Team NHSA

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NEW REPORT:

Broader, Deeper, Fairer: Five Strategies to Radically Expand the Talent Pool in Early Education

Over the summer of 2020, NHSA conducted a 50-state Directors Tour where we spoke with Head Start and Early Head Start directors across the country. In addition to hearing the incredible stories of how programs continue to support families during the pandemic, we heard a common concern voiced by directors on every single call in every single state: the workforce. How do we prepare and support our staff so that they can thrive and be recognized for the life-changing work they do on a daily basis?

While that concern won’t be addressed through a simple or easy solution, we must not stop trying to address it. Today, the National Head Start Association, in partnership with the HeadStarter Network and Bellwether Education Partners, is thrilled to release a groundbreaking report that explores how early childhood educator preparation could be improved for the educators themselves, as well as for the children and families they serve.

Explore the five highlighted promising strategies to improve early educator preparation.

Download now

The strategies outlined in Broader, Deeper, Fairer: Five Strategies to Radically Expand the Talent Pool in Early Education reflect the unique opportunity we have, born out of the pandemic, to capitalize on society’s newfound acknowledgement of the importance of early childhood education. Simultaneously, the national conversation on race empowers early childhood stakeholders to rethink the ways in which 1) preparation and professional advancement can lead with equity, and 2) how a profession that is disproportionately women of color can be valued and compensated for the foundational work they do.

If you missed today’s report launch event, access a recording here.

While the past year has tested the early childhood sector, broadly and all of us personally, it has also revealed to decision-makers and other stakeholders a necessary path forward—one that leverages the early childhood workforce as a catalyst for positive change. At NHSA, we look forward to working with you to create this change.

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Head Start's funding for FY 2020 is in danger...

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Action Needed: Sign-on to NHSA's Comments on the Designation Renewal System Today!

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Washington needs to hear the collective voice of Head Start!

How to participate from home

How to participate in person

Happening now: Head Start Rally on Capitol Hill

How to participate from home

Last call: Take just one minute to sign-on to NHSA's Comments on DRS Today!

It’s that time of year again… Head Start Awareness Month starts tomorrow, October 1st!

What are your plans to celebrate HSAM this October?

Happy Head Start Awareness Month!

Enjoy our surprise tool to help spread awareness...

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Dr. Anthony Abraham Jack: Author, Professor, Head Start Alum

Howie Morales: New Mexico Lt. Governor, Head Start Alum

Good morning, Washington!

New Tool: Using Social Media to Spread #HeadStartAwareness

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New Toolkit: How to Engage with the Media to Spread Awareness

Thank You for Helping Spread #HeadStartAwareness!

Disneyland Discounts this December!

Hotel deadline

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Happy Veterans Day!

What does the research say about Head Start’s impact on school readiness?

Want to dive deeper into the facts supporting Head Start’s success?

What does the research say about Head Start’s impact on children’s social-emotional development?

This Giving Tuesday Invest in a Strong, United Head Start

BREAKING: Celebrating historic investments in Head Start

We did it! A Historic Investment in Children and Families - Much Thanks to You!

The Head Start Advantage: Learn More About the Research Validating Head Start’s Success

Top 10 Things for Head Start in 2019: Reflecting on advancements for the national Head Start field

Issue Brief: State Investments in Head Start to Support At-Risk Children and Families

Key Takeaways:

Today is National Voter Registration Day!

Don''t forget about the 2020 Census

Engage your community:

DON''T MISS OUT:

Access 40+ Hours of NHSA Live Sessions!

Interested in accessing the content?

Questions?

What can you expect from the virtual conference?

Interested in attending?

Happy Head Start Awareness Month!

CAN YOU BELIEVE IT?

May 18th is the 55th anniversary of Head Start’s inception.

Mark your calendars to join us in celebration!

Help secure Head Start the funding needed to safely reopen!

Program Leaders

Parents and Staff

Brought to you by the Dollar per Child campaign

The Five 2020 BOLD Leadership Prizes

$10,000

$5,000

What defines a 2020 BOLD Leader?

2020 BOLD Leader Characteristics:

Great News: Final DRS Rule!

The Changes

1. The administration removed the CLASS 10% trigger!

2. Now, two deficiencies will trigger competition, rather than just one.

3. With regard to the fiscal condition,

What’s next?

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Congress is Leaving Head Start Behind.

May 18^th is the 55^th anniversary of Head Start’s inception.

Silence = acceptance.

We will not be silent in the face of injustice.