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 PARENT: Julnar Shelby-Brown - Empowering Whole Families |
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The ultimate goal of Head Start is to service not just the child, and it's not about the child being there from 6 to the 6 or whatever the timeframe may be for that agency. It's about servicing the family as a whole. So then you're not helping that child at the end of the day. But if you teach that parent how to not only survive but to live, but to thrive, but to be successful in all facets of their life, then you're helping that child from beginning to end. So when they leave you, the whole family is well-rounded. The whole family has a strong foundation, and that child is going to grow, he's going to excel, or she's going to excel in anything that they put their minds to because they have been brought up in a place of love. I cannot begin to tell you how comfortable I felt leaving my child or my children with them. The teachers truly love your kids like that's their own.
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HEAD START PARENT: Aryannis Fernandez - Life-Changing Support |
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Before my child started, things were tough—it was hard to manage everything and find time for anything extra. But since he started in Head Start, I’ve seen so many positive changes. He’s learned so much, and the biggest change has been how much more social and confident he is with his friends.
One Hope United has been a huge help too, providing transportation passes, car seats, and even helping us secure safe housing. The support and resources they’ve given us have really made life easier, and I’m so grateful. I’ve gotten good support along the way, and I can see it making a real difference in my child’s development. Overall, I’m really happy with the program and all the care and attention my child is getting—thank you for all you do!
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SECRETARY KENNEDY TESTIFIED BEFORE SENATE APPROPRIATIONS |
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Senator Britt (R-AL) offered Secretary Kennedy the opportunity to share his support for the Head Start program. Secretary Kennedy thanked OMB Director Russell Vought and said he told him how important Head Start is to children and families. Kennedy said Head Start teaches preschool skills, parenting skills, and has long lasting effects. He went on to say that there are things in Head Start that need to be corrected, including the food, which Kennedy described as “terrible” and poisoning children.
Kennedy also had a heated exchange with Senator Murray over delays in Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF, also called CCDBG) payments to states. |
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CONGRESSMEN BOST & LAHOOD SIGN ON TO THE FY26 APPROPRIATIONS LETTERS |
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A special thank you goes out to Illinois Republican Congressman Mike Bost and Illinois Republican Darin LaHood for signing on to the FY26 Appropriations letters supporting funding for Head Start!
Head Start Program Directors with programs located in Bost and LaHood's districts have been working diligently and advocating heartfully, making office visits and dropping off packets, hosting visits, and most importantly, sitting down with their legislative team in earnest conversation. These Directors shared the current positive impacts of Head Start in their communities, and painted a realistic picture of the negative financial impacts their districts would experience if Head Start was to be eliminated.
It worked! Bost and LaHood, along with 34 other GOP Members of Congress, "...urged [Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies] to provide robust funding for Head Start at the highest level the Subcommittee deems possible." |
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| THE HOUSE PASSES A TAX AND IMMIGRATION BILL |
According to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities (CBPP), this bill would mean: - About 15 million people losing health coverage,
- Millions losing food assistance or having their food assistance cut,
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20 million kids left out of the Child Tax Credit increase,
- The 10% of households with the lowest incomes worse off while the richest get richer by tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars each year,
- Trillions of dollars added to our debt over the decade, worsening our long-term fiscal picture and increasing the risks to our economy.
This bill now heads to the Senate. |
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CHILDREN'S POSTCARD PROJECT: ANOTHER WAY TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE |
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IHSA has been providing Head Start programs with postcards for children to draw and dictate/write what they love about school to send to their Members of Congress. Programs receive 60 postcards along with address labels to the Congressional Member's DC and Illinois offices, postage stamps, and a lesson plan. Our goal is to keep Head Start/Early Head Start in the heart/minds of our Congressional Members. What better way than coming from the children! Below are some amazing examples of our Head Start children sharing what they love about school, featuring Edwards/Wabash Head Start Center in Enfield and Rock Island-Milan Head Start in Rock Island. |
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TAKE ACTION! TELL CONGRESS TO INVEST IN HEAD START |
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As Congress ramps up its work on Fiscal Year 2026 appropriations, it’s critical that they understand the importance of Head Start and prioritize funding for this life-altering program.
In his recent testimony before the House Labor-HHS Appropriations Subcommittee, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. affirmed his commitment to preserving legacy programs like Head Start. This decades-long investment in children and families must be sustained with the resources programs need to serve the next generation. We need Congress to hear in a loud, clear, and unified voice that Head Start needs support! |
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IHSA KEEPING MEMBERSHIP INFORMED |
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Huddle with IHSA: Wednesday, May 28 at 4pm. A 30-minute weekly check-in open to everyone. See you this afternoon!
Check out IHSA's new "ADVOCACY" Tab where you can find more resources, including updates, Calls to Action, Toolkits, Dollar per Child Campaign, and more! |
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OFFICE OF HEAD START: NATIONAL CENTER ON PARENT, FAMILY & COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT |
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| Family Services Workforce Institute 2025
Dates: June 17 & 18, 2025
Are you a program director or family services manager looking for strategies to help you build and maintain a strong, qualified, and skilled family services team in your Head Start program?
Join this free professional development event to learn more about and better support the mission-critical family services workforce. Office of Head Start (OHS) leaders, National Center on Parent, Family, and Community Engagement (NCPFCE) specialists, national organization experts, and featured guests will be on hand to facilitate discussions. Come ready to learn, build community, network, and plan with peers. |
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INFORMATION & RESOURCES ON MEASLES FOR EARLY CHILDHOOD PROVIDERS |
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According to the CDC, there have been over 1,000 measles cases in the U.S. in more than half of the states, including Illinois. For reference, 285 cases were discovered in total during the previous year. Measles is especially dangerous in babies and young children, and two out of the three measles-related deaths this year were in children.
Measles is a preventable disease, and vaccination is the best way to prevent it. It is very important that all children get the measles vaccine (MMR) when they turn 1 year old and again when they turn 4 years old. Early childhood providers, especially Head Start, play an important part in promoting vaccination and reminding parents and caregivers when their child is due to receive the measles vaccine.
We all have the ability to help echo sound information and best practices as trusted partners to parents, caregivers and families across Illinois to help protect everyone. Providing parents with sound information from trusted sources can help make all the difference! |
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Measles: It Isn't Just a Little Rash - INFOGRAPH. |
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Measles:
It Isn't Just a Little Rash -
FACT SHEET (English) |
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Measles:
It Isn't Just a Little Rash - FACT SHEET (Spanish) |
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Do You Think
Your Child Has Measles?
- FACT SHEET. |
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CHICAGO KIDS COMPANY - THEATER FOR CHILDREN! |
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Has your Head Start kids seen a play lately? Chicago Kids Company is now in its 34th year! They have bright colored scenery, lots of catchy songs and tons of audience engagement. Create new memories in theater with them, even grandma will love their shows! This summer they are performing Peter Pan at the Beverly Arts Center in Beverly and Chicken Little at the Apollo Theater in Lincoln Park.
Book a group field trip visit for your Head Start students today! Individual and Family tickets are also available. |
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FOR SALE: "SUPPORT HEAD START" SIGNS & 60TH BIRTHDAY SHIRTS |
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Now available on IHSA's Boutique: - "SUPPORT HEAD START" Yard Signs (18"x24")
- "SUPPORT HEAD START" Window Signs (13"x19")
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Commemorative Head Start 60th Birthday t-shirts.
We're looking to grow our Boutique and bring you fun and functional Head Start items. What would you like to see in our Boutique? Let us know! |
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Children Sizes 2T-6T Adult Sizes XS-3X
Short Sleeves Long Sleeves |
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QUESTION: What percentage of total enrollment in the Head Start program must comprise of children with disabilities? 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 percentage of total enrollment in the Head Start program must comprise of children with disabilities? Answer: 10%.
Winner: Sarah Shirey, Disabilities Coordinator at Metropolitan Family Services Learning & Wellness Center in Chicago! Look out in your email for two free tickets from our friends at Chicago Kids Company! |
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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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