A weekly communication source for keeping you updated on the latest local/state/federal HS/EHS information |
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FIVE ILLINOIS HEAD START PROGRAMS RECEIVE SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION GRANT AWARDS |
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The U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS), through the Administration for Children and Families (ACF), announced over $61 million in supplemental nutrition funding to go to over 290 Head Start programs around the nation to support nutrition services, promote healthy eating habits, and improve access to nutrient dense foods for more than 100,000 children and families. The supplemental nutrition awards will accelerate Head Start programs’ capacity to improve the health and wellbeing of children and families.
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| Congratulations to the
Illinois Head Start program Award Recepients! - Champaign County Regional Planning Commission (RPC): $300,000.
- Illinois Valley Development Corp: $251,260.
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Parent & Child Together (PACT) for West Central Illinois: $45,061.
- Tazewell-Woodford Head Start: $19,398.
- Wabash Area Development, Inc: $10,000.
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FY26 FUNDING: GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN WATCH |
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As we enter the last full week of the fiscal year, all eyes are on Congress to see if they pass a Continuing Resolution (CR) to keep the government functioning at last year’s funding levels. Historically, there are a lot of shifts in the final days of the fiscal year as Congress negotiates a possible CR. In the past, the government has come very close to a shutdown before a last minute breakthrough that averts a shutdown with a CR. |
HEAD START FOR AMERICA'S CHILDREN ACT |
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Senator Bernie Sanders introduced a Head Start vision bill last week after speaking at the National Head Start Association Leadership Conference.
Joined by 15 Democratic Senators, Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Senator Bernie Sanders introduced a bill that seeks to expand Head Start to serve 11 million children annually, improve wages for staff, invest in facilities, expand mental health services, and expand operating hours to match families’ work schedules. While the bill is unlikely to move forward in the Senate because it is controlled by a Republican majority, it provides an opportunity to advance a positive vision for Head Start.
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HEAD START COMMUNITY & CHAMPIONS GATHER ON CAPITOL HILL |
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Illinois Head Start Association, with a team of 22 Illinois superheroes, gathered alongside 200 Head Start advocates in DC last week to visit their Congresspeople, share impact stories, and bring awareness to Head Start! |
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WEBINAR: EMPOWERING HEAD START COMMUNITY TO SUPPORT IMMIGRANT FAMILIES |
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Date: Thursday, September 25 from 2-3PM (Central) With immigration enforcement increasing across the country, Head Start and home visiting play a vital role in supporting children, families, and staff. This webinar will equip Head Start and Early Head Start leaders and staff with the knowledge and tools to respond with confidence and compassion.
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The webinar will cover: -
Recent developments in federal immigration policy,
- Individuals' rights,
- Key policies to adopt and implement in your program,
- Best practices for supporting families and staff,
- Mental health resources for your community.
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| Hosted by Together for Head Start |
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Join to strengthen your program’s readiness to respond to the changing federal landscape and ensure immigrant families feel safe, supported, and welcomed. |
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HUDDLE with IHSA: Wednesday, Sept 24 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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QUALITY ENRICHMENT CIRCLES (QECSs): Frequently Asked Questions (continued) |
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When do QECs happen? QEC sessions take place on Tuesdays from 10AM to 12PM. Each content area meets on a rotating schedule. For specific dates, see PD At-A-Glance. What are the different QECs or Content Areas for 2025-2026? There are six (6) QECs this year, covering a wide range of roles and specialties: -
Education, Disabilities, & Coaching,
- Early Head Start & Home Visiting,
- Family Services & ERSEA
- Health, Safety, & Nutrition
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Mental Health, Wellness, & SEL
- Family Service Workers, Specialists, & Advocates
You can stay with one QEC or move between groups as needed. First QEC is Tuesday, October 14! Sign up now!! |
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Not sure where you fit?
Have more questions? Come to our Kick-Off Meeting
on October 7 at 10AM to learn more! |
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STOP.LOOK.ASK.GO TRAINING: FOOD ALLERGY FOR THE EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION YEARS |
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We want children to: STOP before they eat. LOOK at the food. ASK an adult if it is okay. GO if the adult says so.
This free training provides necessary information, strategies and resources to address food allergies in early childhood spaces. Parents are welcomed too! |
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HEAD START DAY: CELEBRATING 60 YEARS OF LOVE, LEARNING, & LIFTING UP FAMILIES |
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IHSA, in partnership with local Illinois childrens' museums, are finalizing details to the birthday bash of the month!
In alignment with Head Start Awareness Month, local participating childrens museums will offer free admission just for Head Start families and Head Start staff and their families on designated Head Start Days!
We invite ALL Head Start and Early Head Start families and staff to come and explore these renowned childrens' museums with one another, make a unique birthday crown, and send special birthday messages to Washington D.C.!
Each museum has its own registration process and will adhere to a first-come, first-served basis due to capacity. Registration is OPEN! |
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October 1 - 31:
Everyday in October! |
See your HS/EHS Program Staff for a Free Pass. |
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October 1 - 31: Everyday in October! |
No registration required! Check website for times. |
| October 4, Saturday: 9AM - 4PM |
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October 5, 12, 19, & 26: Every Sunday in October! |
Save the date!
Registration coming soon |
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October 9, Thursday: 4:30PM - 7:30PM |
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October 9, 4:30-7:30PM October 11, 10AM-4PM |
| October 11, Saturday:
9:30AM - 2:30PM |
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October 19, Sunday:
10AM - 5PM |
Save the date! Registration coming soon |
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October 23, Thursday: 4PM - 7PM |
Save the date!
Registration coming soon |
| October 23, Thursday: 5PM - 8PM |
Save the date!
Registration coming soon |
| October 23, Thursday: 5:30PM - 7PM |
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October 25, Saturday: 9:30AM - 4PM |
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QUESTION: All children must be served this meal if they have not eaten upon arrival. 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: In what year did President Lyndon Johnson declare "war on poverty"? Answer: 1964. Winner: Teresa Braswell, Program Aide II of Riverbend Head Start & Family Services in Alton! Look out in the mail for your prize from our friends at Open Books! |
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What's going on at your Head Start Program? Share your recent center activities, congressional visits, field trip adventures, staff spotlights, exciting news, and more!
Let's build community by sharing what's going on IN our community! |
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