A weekly communication source for keeping you updated on the latest local/state/federal HS/EHS information |
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Moving Up Day at Southern Illinois University - Edwardsville Head Start & Early Head Start |
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It was a day to look ahead. A day to celebrate. A day of moving up!
More than 100 preschoolers experienced their first graduation during Moving Up Days last week at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Head Start/Early Head Start Centers throughout the Metro East.
“Moving Up Day is the day that we recognize all of our Head Start preschoolers’ advancement to kindergarten for the upcoming school year,” said Lisa Tate, Assistant Program Director. “It is likened to having a graduation ceremony.”
Each of the eight HS/EHS centers held its own graduation ceremony with various activities, but with each child receiving a certificate. “It’s a time when all the children, families and staff can celebrate the wonderful opportunities and experiences that Head Start has provided,” added Tate.
The Centers also held Parents Awards ceremonies. Dozens of parents received awards for: Perfect Attendance, Male Involvement, Success Families, Policy Council, and Education/ Training.
“We have the best parents in our program,” said Tate. “We couldn’t do the great work we do with our students, if it weren’t for our amazing parents.”
The SIUE Head Start/Early Head Start Program serves more than 860 families throughout St. Clair County including Belleville, Bluffview, Cahokia, Discovery Center, JJK, Lovejoy, New Life and Lessie Bates Collaboration. |
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FY26 BUDGET RELEASED; HEAD START STAYS LEVELED |
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Last Friday, the President released his FY26 budget. In it, Head Start is proposed to receive "flat" or "level" funding. This means that FY 2026 funds will remain the same as FY 2025. And as you may remember, FY25's budget is a Continuing Resolution (continuation/same as) of FY24's budget. So actually, FY26 numbers will remain the same as two years ago at FY24 funding levels.
This leaves no room for Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) for Head Start staff (two years in a row) and does not account for increased inflation. Programs may be forced to reduce enrollment, shorten program hours, or cut critical services. And prices on everything from the avocados we serve our Head Start students to the numerous operational costs that goes into maintaining a program continues to spike. In other words, flat funding is not enough.
HHS briefly posted a “Budget in Brief,” reiterating flat funding for Head Start as well as the Administration’s desire to reform the program focusing on nutrition and employment support:
"The President’s Budget proposes a set of reform principles to modernize the Head Start program. These reforms aim to increase parental choice, enhance and prioritize efficiency, promote parental engagement, and improve health, education, and employment outcomes. Instead of an overly prescriptive federal approach, the Administration will focus on collaborating with early childhood systems to maximize parental choice. ACFC will also work with grantees to better manage funds, remove DEI, and reduce improper payments to increase financial accountability for the program.”
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MORE CHILDREN'S POSTCARDS SHOWING LOVE FOR HEAD START! |
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Early Head Start children from the Tri-County Opportunities Council (TCOC) Head Start/Early Head Start Home Based program in Rock Falls got right on it to send Congressman LaHood their drawings and words of how much they love Head Start! |
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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 postcards along with address labels to their Congressional Member's DC and Illinois offices, postage stamps, and a lesson plan. We have some left so if your program is interested in participating, please reach out! |
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Please take a moment to contact your local representative. Let them know: Flat funding is not enough for Head Start! |
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No Huddle with IHSA this week! It is the week of Vanessa Rich's Leadership Institute and the Director's Institute so we are "huddling" in person there! |
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BOOM & ZOOM! SUPPORTING BUSY PRESCHOOL BOYS - Free Webinar |
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| June 11, Wednesday from 2PM - 3:30PM EST.
Do you sometimes find yourself overwhelmed in the 3-ring circus that is your healthy preschool classroom? You are not alone.
This eye-opening webinar, presented by Kenneth Sherman, Director of Educational Services at HighScope, will provide you with specific strategies for embracing boys’ natural energy and physical expression and also offers meaningful learning experiences that will succeed in an environment for all learners. Through the concept of active learning, you will gain strategies for using children’s ideas and energy to support and scaffold their learning to the next level.
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2025 EARLY INTERVENTION VISION & HEARING CONFERENCE REGISTRATION |
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| Dates: June 23 & 24, 2025 (Monday & Tuesday) 8:30AM - 4:15PM IN PERSON at the IL State University Alumni Center, Normal IL. FREE Conference for professionals working with infants, toddlers and children up to age 5 who have hearing and/or vision concerns and their families.
If you work with the 0-5 population, specifically with kids who are deaf/hard of hearing, deaf blind, visually impaired or blind, this conference is for you! We will host 2 days of engaging and useful content to meet all your needs to continue to provide excellent services. Hosted by IL School for the Deaf Outreach, IL School for the Visually Impaired, and the ISU College of Education. |
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SPECIALIZED SUPPORT FOR MENTAL HEALTH CONSULTATION MANAGERS & SUPERVISORS |
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The Virginia Frank Child Development Center at JCFS Chicago offers specialized mental health consultation services for Head Start, Early Head Start, and childcare programs. Their relationship-based approach addresses common challenges like classroom disruption, teacher burnout, and limited capacity to handle complex social-
emotional needs. Their master level consultants provide: - Classroom observations with immediate, practical strategies.
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Supportive reflection with teachers that builds confidence and skills.
- Prevention and intervention tools manage challenging classroom behaviors.
- Parent partnership techniques.
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Professional development for program-wide improvement.
For more information or to schedule a consultation, contact Joshua Garvey, Assistant Director, at 773-765-3110. |
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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")
- 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 does COLA stand for? 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: Doh! I didn't post a new one - sorry! |
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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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