A weekly communication source for keeping you updated on the latest local/state/federal HS/EHS information |
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HEAD START DAYS CONTINUE AT DUPAGE CHILDREN'S MUSEUM, CHILDREN'S MUSEUM OF OAK LAWN & EDWARDSVILLE CHILDREN'S MUSEUM
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Dupage Children's Museum in Naperville, IL, hosted Head Start Day on Thursday evening, October 9, with families from Two Rivers Head Start, YWCA Metropolitan, Educare West, Metropolitan Family Services, and more! |
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Special thanks to Sweta Sorbin, Sr. Manager, Early Learning and Family Engagement
at Dupage Children's Museum and her amazing staff! |
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Children's Museum of Oak Lawn in Oak Lawn, IL, generously hosted two Head Start Days: Thursday evening, 10/9, and all day Saturday, 10/11!
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| | HS/EHS families and staff visited from Illinois Action for Children Head Start programs, Family Focus, Chicago Commons, El Valor, Metropolitan Family Services, and more! Special thanks to Adam Woodworth - Executive Director, Heather Hendrickson - Director of Educational Experience, and Michelle West - Community Outreach Coordinator, of Children's Museum of Oak Lawn and their incredible staff! |
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Edwardsville Children's Museum in Edwardsville, IL, hosted Head Start Day on Saturday, October 11! |
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| Families and staff from Riverbend Head Start and Southern Illinois University - Edwardsville Head Start joined in on the fun! Special thanks to Kristen Fries, Executive Director, and Sahar Henderson, Executive Assistant at Edwardsville Children's Museum and their great staff! |
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GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN CONTINUES INTO WEEK THREE |
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The Trump Administration fired thousands of federal employees late last week. They are framing that the Reductions of Force (RIFs) are related to the shutdown. However there is no relationship between RIFs and a shutdown. Complete and accurate information on RIFs have been difficult to obtain because many federal staff are currently furloughed. At this time, we are not aware of any RIFs in the Office of Head Start or the Office of Child Care.
Here's what we know: -
All of the people who work for the Office of Elementary and Secondary Education programs (OESE) – except for Directors – were fired. This includes staff who administer the Education for Homeless Children and Youth (EHCY) program, Title I, Title II, Title III, Migrant Education, and other programs within OESE,
- Most staff in the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services also have been fired,
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Litigation challenging the firings has already begun. Additional lawsuits are expected,
- High-ranking Republican legislators have condemned the firings,
- 76% of Department of Labor employees have been furloughed, and the Department of Labor Statistics has shut down completely,
- Services are at risk as almost half of the Department of Health and Human Services employees have been furloughed,
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Public health is at risk with 64% of CDC workers furloughed, halting public guidance and surveillance,
- Public education is at risk, with 87% of Department of Education employees furloughed (even though student loan collection will continue!),
- Affordable housing is at risk, with 71% of Department of Housing and Urban Development employees furloughed,
- Environment is at risk, with 89% of Environmental Protection Agency employees furloughed.
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U.S. SENATE CONFIRMS ALEX ADAMS AS ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF ACF |
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The Senate confirmed Alex Adams as Assistant Secretary of the federal Administration for Children and Families (ACF) on October 7th by a vote of 51 to 47. He is responsible for overseeing all ACF programs, including four early childhood funding streams (Head Start, the Child Care and Development Fund, Preschool Development Grants Birth to Five, and Tribal MIECHV/home visiting). He now serves under Health & Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. |
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WIC UPDATE from ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH SERVICES |
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The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), is operational in Illinois, and it is business as usual. While other states may face different circumstances, Illinois WIC expects to have resources to lead us through October, and our Illinois WIC participants should shop as they normally would. USDA has shared guidance with state WIC programs that they will use every tool in their toolbox to help keep WIC running, including deploying a contingency fund and reallocating unspent FY25 funds. Again, Illinois WIC remains open for business. Illinois WIC clinics will continue to operate during the government shutdown. This includes providing food benefits, nutrition education, breastfeeding support, and referral services. |
| TELL CONGRESS -
Protect Women, Infants, & Children: Make your voice heard!
Contact your members of Congress today! |
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HUDDLE with IHSA: Wednesday, Oct 15 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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SAVE THE DATE: ANNUAL IHSA CONFERENCE in MARCH 17-19, 2026 |
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Every year the Illinois Head Start Association (IHSA) gathers professionals and parents from across the state of Illinois to attend the Annual Conference.
The three-day conference provides training and professional development opportunities and an excellent forum for exploring best practices and connecting with your colleagues. It features IHSA Component Meetings and Board Eletions, the Directors Forum, the Awards Luncheon, the Trade Show & Exhibit Hall, Keynote Presentations and Breakout Sessions.
These opportunities allow Directors, Staff, Parents and Friends of Head
Start/Early Head Start to get the most current approaches to materials in their respective areas. |
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Next Quality Enrichment Circle (QEC): Tuesday, Oct 21 at 10AM-Noon |
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Component - Education, Disabilities & Coaching Not too late to register! Join us now! |
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CREATING A FAMILY PLAN: What Immigrant Parents, and Their Supporters, Need to Know |
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It is crucial for families at risk of deportation to have a clear plan in place for their children’s care.
Below is a Workbook that is aimed to help parents who are facing a possible deportation make a plan for the care of their minor children in the event of a separation, as well as a guide on how to talk with children. |
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CREATING a FAMILY PLAN: A Workbook for Immigrant Parents |
| From the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health + UCLA Wellbeing for LA Learning Center. |
| Handout -
TIPS for TALKING TO YOUR KIDS |
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HEAD START DAYS DURING HEAD START AWARENESS MONTH - Two Weeks Left |
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IHSA has partnered with these amazing children's museums who are offering FREE ADMISSION just for Head Start families
and Head Start staff and their families throughout October! Enjoy a day of family fun and memory making! |
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October 19, Sunday:
10AM - 5PM |
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October 19 & 26: 9AM - 4PM |
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October 23, Thursday: 4PM - 7PM |
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October 23, Thursday: 5PM - 8PM |
See your HS/EHS staff
to sign up! |
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October 23, Thursday: 5:30PM - 7PM |
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October 23-31: Mon 9:30AM-5PM Thu/Fri/Sat 9:30AM-3PM Sun 10AM-3PM |
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October 25, Saturday: 9:30AM - 4PM |
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October 26, Sunday: Noon - 5PM |
| October 1 - 31: Everyday in October! |
See your HS/EHS Program Staff for a Free Pass. |
| October 1 - 31:
Everyday in October! |
No registration required! Check website for times. |
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QUESTION: A program must provide this for children who do not need or want to rest or nap. 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: When does the Federal Fiscal Year end? Answer: September 30. Winner: Ema Parades, Bilingual Office Assistant at City of Rockford Head Start in Rockford! 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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