ILLINOIS HEAD START ASSOCIATION NEWSLETTER |
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UPDATES FROM EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR |
by Lauri Morrison-Frichtl, IHSA Executive Director |
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It’s summer and hopefully everyone can take some time to relax and unwind. Every summer I try to mark one thing off my bucket list. Just this past week I did just that. What’s on your bucket list? Why have a bucket list? A bucket list keeps you forward-focused. Since it’s the place where you write down all the things you hope to do in the future, this in turn, gives you hope for the future! Never underestimate the joy of anticipating what’s to come. This opens your eyes to what you want out of your life, which can guide you toward creating more of those experiences, even if they’re not the exact experiences on your bucket list!
Just this past week, I hiked a strenuous stretch of dunes in ... (Lauri's full article here)
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| HEAD START STATE COLLABORATION OFFICE |
Donna Emmons, Associate Head Start State Collaboration Director |
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MENTAL HEALTH PLAN 2022-2027 |
Illinois’ children and families are facing a mental health crisis, one that has been building for years and has been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The crisis forced the Illinois Children’s Mental Health Partnership (ICMHP) to act by announcing the Illinois Children’s Mental Health Plan 2022-2027 developed ... |
| Early Head Start Advocacy Site Visits |
Hosting members of Congress (or their staff) at your program is one of the most powerful ways to illustrate the value of Head Start and provide lawmakers with a memorable experience that can shape their decision making. Hear from Head Start programs about their successful program visits and learn how to best advocate for your Early Head Start/Head Start program. |
| Early Childhood & Learning Toolkit |
This toolkit provides seven strategies designed to offer educators a blueprint for success!
Here's the EC & Learning Toolkit with even more related content.
Also, for a two-minute animated video spotlighting the critical window of opportunity during the first five years of life (narrated by Maria Shriver), click button below. |
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TWO SPOTLIGHTS TO WELCOME NEW BOARD MEMBERS
Sue Dierks Tamekia Holman Mercedes Howard Nicole Nincic Dennis Pearson |
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Nicole Nincic is the Quality Assurance Manager Metropolitan Family Services DuPage. She is responsible for ensuring the highest quality services are being provided to our clients and their families through the support of our staff. She achieves this through gathering data, strategic planning, building strong relationships, and innovative thinking. Nicole's passion comes from the idea that what a child learns from birth to 5 will stay with them throughout their whole life!
Nicole has been working with children, families, and staff for 25 years in a variety of early learning settings. Along with work experience, Nicole also studied early learning and received a master's degree in early childhood education from National Louis University.
Nicole lives in the Chicago suburbs with her husband, Rob, and their two rottweilers and two cats. Nicole and her husband enjoy traveling to new places and riding their Harleys. Nicole's bio |
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Dennis L. Pearson has a strong passion and a deep appreciation for Head Start and is enthusiastic about serving on the IHSA Board of Directors. He looks forward to making a meaningful difference in the lives of the Head Start staff, children and families in Illinois. Dennis is currently the Director of ERBA Head Start. He has a deep commitment to Head Start and ensuring that it meets the needs of the children and families in the community. Prior to his directorship, he served as the Mental Health Consultant for the program.
Dennis holds a Bachelor's degree in General Studies with a concentration in Political Science and a minor in Pre-law. During his undergraduate studies, he developed a keen interest in politics and its impact on society. After completing his Bachelor's degree, Dennis pursued a Master's degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. This decision stemmed from his desire
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to make a positive difference in people's lives and provide support to those struggling with mental health issues. Outside of his professional endeavors, Dennis resides in Charleston with his wife Rita and their two sons, Alex and Andrew. He values family time and cherishes moments spent together. In his leisure time, Dennis enjoys tinkering around the house, engaging in home improvement projects, playing golf, and pursuing various hobbies that allow him to relax and unwind. Dennis' bio
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Carla Ford
Dennis Pearson
Ericka Williams
Gene Howell
Kathy Fudge-White
Kevin Bushur
Kyle Hubert (Vice President)
LaChar Crayton (Board Treasurer)
Lea Maue (Board President) |
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Mario Perez
Mercedes Howard
Michelle Wood (Board Secretary)
Mykela Collins
Nicole Nincic
Rachael De Spain
Seth Rich
Sue Dierks
Tamekia Holman
Veneta Wadlow |
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Chicago Recipient Directors Meeting
10/11/2023 |
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Aug 8th: Content Area Expert (CAE) Retreat Aug 9th: Chicago Recipient Director's Meeting Aug 15th & 16th: [virtual] Reinventing Yourself and Your Organization to Succeed in the New World of Head Start Aug 17th: Statewide Directors Meeting |
| Sept 19th: IHSA Board of Directors Meeting Sept 21st: [virtual] Statewide Directors Meeting |
| Oct 11th: Chicago Recipient Director's Meeting Oct 17th: QEC Family Services & ERSEA
Oct 18th: QEC Disabilities / Mental Health & Wellness Oct 19th: QEC Health & Nutrition
Oct 24th: QEC Educ & Coaching Oct 25th: QEC EHS & Home Visiting Oct 26th: QEC Site Mgrs. Oct 27th: [virtual] Friday Vlogs / Podcast |
| Nov 7th: QEC HR/Fiscal Nov 14th: IHSA Board of Directors Meeting Nov 16th: [virtual] Statewide Directors Meeting |
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Anna Waters Head Start/Empowerment Ctr.
- Baby TALK Early Head Start
- BCMW Community Services, Inc.
- Catholic Charities, Diocese of Joliet
- CDI – Serving Vermillion/Iroquois/Ford
- CEFS Economic Opportunity Corporation
- Centerstone Early Head Start
- Child Care Resource & Referral (CCR&R)
- Childcare Network of Evanston
- City of Rockford Early/Head Start
- Community Action Agency of McHenry Co.
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Community Action Partnership of Central IL
- and MORE!
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Other Head Start and EHS Opportunities in Illinois Early Childhood Learning & Knowledge Center (ECLKC) Job Center |
Region V Head Start Association: (No new submissions this month by IN, MI, MN, or OH) |
THE IHSA WEBSITE PROVIDES FOR MEMBER & DELEGATE EMPLOYERS TO POST JOB OPPORTUNITIES BUT IS NOT INVOLVED IN THE COMMUNICATION NOR THE INTERVIEW PROCESS BETWEEN EMPLOYERS AND CANDIDATES. |
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MISSION STATEMENT
IHSA mobilizes and strengthens its membership by creating a passion for leadership and advocacy in the interest of our most vulnerable children and families. IHSA PURPOSES - To engage in and to receive, maintain and expend funds for benevolent and charitable purposes.
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To conduct activities designed to upgrade the quality and quantity of Head Start services for children, families and communities and to safeguard, upgrade and promote the social welfare of the children and families in the State of Illinois.
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To develop policies, positions, and statements which reflect a consensus of opinion of Head Start parents, directors, staff & friends. To provide a referral of service to maximize the use of community resources and governmental agencies.
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