A weekly communication source for keeping you updated on the latest local/state/federal HS/EHS information |
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HEAD START IMPACT STORIES |
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HEAD START STAFF: Wendy Williams - Full Circle Journey |
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I have served the full circle of Head Start. From my humble beginnings as a parent of a three-year-old attending Head Start in Quincy in 1992, I found a sense of community and creativity. My love for DIY projects began in the Parent Welcome Room, where crafting became my stress relief. From 2016 to 2021, I had the privilege of serving as Executive Director of an agency with a Head Start Child Care Partnership, supporting 200 families and 100 Head Start children. While my focus was executing the agency’s vision, building a leadership team, and strengthening community ties, I found joy in showing up for the children—often in costume, bringing laughter and excitement to their day. Now, as Illinois Head Start State Collaboration Director, my journey—from Head Start parent to agency leader—shapes my “broad shoulders” approach. Just like Head Start, I seek the best paths to success while serving others.
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HEAD START ALUMNI: Victor Jones - Transforming Young Lives |
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Victor's Head Start journey began in 1989, where early experiences—field trips, hands-on learning, and teachers who looked like him—left a lasting impact. “Head Start directly impacted my professional trajectory,” he reflects, crediting the program for igniting his passion for serving children. After attending Xavier University, earning a master’s degree from Harvard, and teaching kindergarten, Victor followed his calling to law, specializing in children’s rights and disability advocacy. “I always say I went from ‘Head Start to HBCU to Harvard,’” he shares, emphasizing how Head Start shaped his commitment to justice. Now a father, he wishes his own daughters could have had the same foundational experience. “Head Start is the best investment in a child’s future,” he says, underscoring its holistic approach to learning. His story is a testament to the lifelong impact of Head Start—nurturing not only young minds but future advocates for equity.
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ACLU LAWSUIT AGAINST THE ADMINSTRATION - WHAT IT MEANS FOR HEAD START |
Yesterday, Illinois Head Start Association (IHSA) joined several state Head Start Associations including Pennsylvania, Washington, Wisconsin, and two Parent Voices of Oakland California and Family Forward Oregon, with Ted Waters and the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), to file a lawsuit to prevent the dismantling of Head Start.
This lawsuit against the US Department of Health & Human Services alleges that the actions of this administration to dismantle Head Start piece by piece is contrary to the Head Start Act, violates consitutional separation of powers, spending clause, due process (vagueness), First Amendment and the APA, and is arbitrary and capricious. The lawsuit challenges the adminstration's dismantling of Head Start by taking away vital care from children and families in their community. The President cannot thwart statutory directives by defunding the program.
These state Head Start Associations are asking the court to declare that the federal guidance banning the use of funds is unconstitutional, unlawful, and issued without proper legal authority or procedure. They are also asking the court to invalidate the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) guidance, block its enforcement through a preliminary and permanent injunction, and require the government to notify all Head Start grantees of this injunction. Lastly they are asking the court to declare the Executive’s defunding Head Start a violation of the separation of powers doctrine because the defunding thwarts Congress’ directive that care must be provided to low-income children to make sure they start school on the same footing as their colleagues.
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STATEMENT FROM ILLINOIS HEAD START ASSOCIATION |
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The Illinois Head Start Association Board of Directors spent hours over the last several weeks weighing the pros and cons and decided too much was at stake to not act. It was an extremely difficult decision to make. Its primary goal is to protect Illinois Head Start/Early Head Start programs and the critical services provided for the children and families served.
At the core of this decision to pursue this action was the risk of programs losing their Head Start designation if they fail to meet performance standards. Since the start of the new administration, threats to their work have been relentless: federal funding freeze, loss of regional offices, delaying funding awards, banning initiatives that support community oriented, culturally responsive practices, lack of transparency, and more. The administration is actively working against Head Start grantees.
IHSA chose to take this action to protect current Head Start funding.
IHSA chose to take this action because after extensive review of the Head Start Performance Standards, it felt that there was no path forward that allowed grantees to meet the standards and be in compliance and comply with new executive orders.
IHSA chose to take this action because we have to fight for the rights of children and families in communities. We have to fight for people who have no voice. |
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IHSA has stirred up some awesome sauce: ALLIES! IHSA ALLIES are dedicated Head Start believers and change makers who participate in a wide variety of advocacy efforts. ALLIES are made up of former/retired HS directors, current/former HS staff, current/former HS parents, friends of HS, Head Start allies!
ALLIES meet weekly to strategize advocacy efforts such as the upcoming HS postcard campaign, activating PPC councils by presenting at PPC meetings on current federal news, and more! In addition, they call/email Congressional members, assist in building capacity and awareness, and connect HS parents to IHSA news. If you are interested in taking your advocacy efforts to the next level and have the capacity to join the ALLIES, email lwang@ilheadstart.org. |
| ALLIES at the Kick-off meeting in February 2025 at the
Annual IHSA conference in Springfield. |
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LET EVERYONE KNOW THAT YOU "SUPPORT HEAD START!" |
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| Keep Head Start relevant and in conversations! Showcase to everyone that you "Support Head Start" by proudly displaying "Support Head Start" yard signs or window signs.
IHSA is distributing these to Head Start Program Directors. Contact yours for one and then let the world know that you "Support Head Start!" (soon to be for sale) |
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IHSA KEEPING MEMBERSHIP INFORMED |
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Huddle with IHSA: Wednesday, April 30 at 4pm.
A 30-minute weekly check-in open to everyone. See you this afternoon! Check out "ADVOCACY: What's Going On Right Now" for Head Start related news, including statements, press releases, articles, and more. |
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UPCOMING IHSA 2025 EVENTS in June:
VANESSA RICH LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCE RETREAT &
STATEWIDE DIRECTORS INSTITUTE |
"In Head Start, we don't just stand on the porch, we come all the way into the house," words of the late Vanessa Rich, a dedicated leader and fierce advocate for Head Start. Inspired by her passion, we come together to strengthen our committment to expanding opportunities for children and families. |
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Join us in this space to grow as leaders and embrace bold advocacy. Executive directors, program directors, and leadership teams from across the state come together to learn, share, and grow as a community. |
| June 2-4 Leadership Institute |
| June 4-6
Director's Institute |
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LAST WEEK TO RESERVE YOUR LODGING!
Join us at The Herrington Inn & Spa, a charming AAA 4-Diamond boutique retreat overlooking the Fox River in Geneva, Illinois. With European-style architecture, elegant accommodations, and personalized hospitality, this venue offers a quaint and intimate setting for our event.
Guests will enjoy beautifully designed rooms, each featuring a gas fireplace, deep soaking whirlpool tub, and most with a balcony or patio. Start your day with a Morning Starter in the lobby and unwind at night with homemade cookies and milk delivered to your room.
Call the front desk directly at 630.208.7433. If additional rooms are requested after the cut off date we will do our best to accommodate, but we cannot guarantee availability or contracted rate. |
| Cut off Date: May 5! Group Name: IHSA Directors Institute |
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NATIONAL CACFP ASSOCIATION: Tamir's Pizza Party Dip |
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Looking for a way to incorporate meat alternates into your menu in a way that gets the kids excited? Try Tamir’s Pizza Party Dip for snack!
This delicious recipe combines cottage cheese, Greek yogurt, pasta sauce, cheese and spices to make this dip taste like pizza. |
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HAPPY BIRTHDAY HEAD START! |
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HOW ARE YOU CELEBRATING HEAD START'S BIRTHDAY THIS YEAR? |
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Start by raising awareness in Head Start gear! Bring out those Head Start conference shirts, hats, and swag, and let the world know that it's Head Start's 60th Birthday this year! And if you need swag, we've got you covered! Order the official Head Start Birthday T-shirt below! |
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Children Sizes 2T-6T Adult Sizes XS-3X
Short Sleeves Long Sleeves |
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QUESTION: What is the Infant/Toddler Ratio? How to play: Respond to this Scoop with your answer! (or email lwang@ilheadstart.org). If correct, you'll be put in a raffle for a prize! Winner and answer will be announced in the next Scoop. Last week's Q&A Question: What does PIR stand for?
Answer: Program Information Report.
Winner: Melissa Tschirgi, Health & Nutrition Coordinator at Parent & Child Together (PACT) Head Start/Early Head Start program in Camp Point! Look out in the mail for a prize from our friends at Paper Pie Books - Literacy for a Lifetime! |
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Do you have a Head Start Impact Story or know of someone who does? We would love to hear it! Click or send to cwelsh@ilheadstart.org |
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| Share 'The Scoop' with your team! |
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