A weekly communication source for keeping you updated on the latest local/state/federal HS/EHS information |
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YWCA METROPOLITAN CHICAGO HONORS IHSA'S EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR LAURI MORRISON-FRICHTL WITH THE COMMUNITY CHAMPION AWARD |
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The Impact Celebration is YWCA Metropolitan Chicago’s annual gathering of Board of Directors, major donors, and key stakeholders to honor the collective efforts that power the mission to eliminate racism and empower women.
Each year, YWCA acknowledges and honors outstanding contributions of a few key community leaders without whom YWCA's work would not be possible.
IHSA’s Executive Director, Lauri Morrison-Frichtl, was recognized as one of the recipients of YWCA's Community Champion Awards for her "strong and courageous leadership in safeguarding vital child care services for 28,000 children and families across Illinois." |
(L to R): Lauri Morrison-Frichtl with
Loukisha Pennix, Chief Youth & Family Leader, and Nicole Robinson, CEO. |
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RECONCILIATION BILL PASSES IN THE SENATE |
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Yesterday, the Senate passed its version of the Reconciliation Bill, with three Republican Senators opposing and Vice President JD Vance breaking the tie. The bill now goes back to the House to pass again because the Senate has made changes.
As currently drafted, the bill includes large spending on tax cuts and immigration, offset by unprecedented cuts to the safety net, primarily Medicaid and SNAP. The legislation would result in millions fewer children and families accessing health care and nutrition programs, including those also served by Head Start. It also means that states and health care providers will have fewer resources, as they will receive fewer federal funds. The legislation would have impacts for Head Start programs, as more families would turn to Head Start for these services and some Head Start staff who rely on Medicaid or SNAP for their own families may lose those benefits.
The administration's goal is to have this bill passed before July 4. |
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CONGRESSIONAL HEARING ON CHILD CARE BY THE SUBCOMMITTEE OF EARLY CHILDHOOD, ELEMENTARY, & SECONDARY EDUCATION |
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A recent congressional hearing focused on the growing child care crisis in the US. Lawmakers from both parties emphasized that child care is essential for economic growth, workforce participation, and family stability, especially in rural and underserved communities.
Committee Democrats pointed to the need for significant new funding to address the crisis and Committee Republicans pointed to business and philanthropy to address the problem.
While the hearing did not focus specifically on Head Start, the program was referenced as a vital component of the early childhood system. Dr Ruth Friedman, testifying as an expert witness, spoke about Head Start in an exchange with Congresswoman Summer Lee. Dr. Friedman warned that cutting Head Start would have "devastating consequences", leaving 750,000 families without child care and exacerbating the child care crisis. Congresswoman Lee highlighted Head Start's historical significance and bipartisan support and raised concerns about recent threats to the program.
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See Dr. Friedman's testimony below. |
See former Head Start child and Congresswoman Summer Lee's remarks on Head Start and her exchange with Dr. Friedman at minute 58:26 (above, same video). |
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AWARENESS & ADVOCACY IN ACTION: DC CONGRESSPEOPLE CONTINUE TO RECEIVE HEAD START LOVE |
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Head Start students at the Mary Crane Head Start Centers in Chicago send Head Start love to their Congresspeople in DC. Imagine coming into work to receive such beautiful pictures and words of how much children love their Head Start teachers, friends, and program! Keep up with the advocacy! |
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HEAD START COMMUNITY SUPPORT SIGN-ON LETTER |
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This letter is intended for community partners only; not for Head Start programs themselves. |
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Please join organizations, businesses, and community leaders across the country in urging Congress to stand with and strengthen Head Start for the children, families, and communities who need it most.
This community sign-on letter highlights Head Start’s 60-year legacy of empowering and uplifting children and working families and strengthening local economies—including in rural and underserved areas. It urges Congress to support strong funding for Head Start, including a cost-of-living adjustment for staff and flexibility to meet critical local needs—and to recognize the program as both a launchpad for young learners and a lifeline for working parents.
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HUDDLE with IHSA: Wednesday, July 2 at 4pm. |
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Join IHSA Executive Director Lauri Morrison-Frichtl and your Illinois Head Start community for a weekly 30-minute check-in. This space is for everyone and anyone to ask questions and to learn the latest on what's going on. See you this afternoon! |
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DID YOU KNOW? IHSA OFFERS DIRECT PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT TRAININGS! |
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One of IHSA's Membership Resources and Benefits is its rich library of Professional Development Trainings. It includes: - Head Start 101,
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Mental Health First Aid for Adults,
- Poverty Simulation,
- Spark Your Motivation & Take Action...No Matter How Stuck You Are,
- Becoming a More Trauma-Informed Organization,
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Belonging: Making Equity, Inclusion & Diversity the Forefront of Your Head Start Agency's Culture,
- The Brain Architecture Game,
- Finding Your Why & Bringing it Into Your Life!,
- Taking Care of Yourself: Self-Care is Not Selfish,
- and more!
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| - Available live virtual through zoom or in-person, on site.
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Customized to your agency's needs.
- Can accommodate 10-500 staff for same price.
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TAKING CARE OF YOURSELF: SELF-CARE IS NOT SELFISH! |
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This training is available virtual or on-site, in-person at your program. |
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Taking care of other people is at the core of our work. It can be exhausting and demanding, and this is even truer during stressful times.
Despite the misleading title, self-care isn’t at all about selfishness. Self-care is essential so we are able to keep meeting our personal and professional responsibilities. This training will: - Address the concepts and impact of compassion fatigue, stress, and burnout,
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Explore skills and strategies for effective time management that will provide best practices for prioritizing tasks, overcoming procrastination, improving concentration, and dealing with frequent distractions,
- Provide concrete steps for developing a professional self-care plan,
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Arm your team with a toolbox of ideas to promote their wellness and self-care.
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ASTHMA & PREGNANCY: SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS FOR EXPECTANT MOTHERS |
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| July 17, Tuesday, at 4:00PM Eastern. Asthma is one of the most common chronic conditions affecting pregnancy, and its management requires careful balance to ensure both maternal and fetal well-being. This webinar will provide healthcare professionals with critical insights into the physiological changes of pregnancy that impact asthma control, evidence-based treatment strategies, and practical approaches for educating and supporting expectant mothers. |
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QUESTION: This process is initiated as early as possible after enrollment, and describes the family's goals, timetables and strategies for achieving family goals, as well as documenting progress toward achieving them. What is it called?
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 IFSP stand for?
Answer: Individual Family Service Plan.
Winner: Kat Frerichs, National Sales Manager at McCormick Place in Chicago! Look out in the mail for your prize from our friends at PaperPie Books! |
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How will cuts to Medicaid, SNAP, LIHEAP, and WIC affect you and your family? Share with us the impacts as we highlight the importance of these critical partner programs. |
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