A weekly communication source for keeping you updated on the latest local/state/federal HS/EHS information |
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CHICAGO HEAD START PROGRAMS SERVE UP THANKSGIVING CHEER FOR THEIR FAMILIES |
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Onward Neighborhood House in the Belmont Cragin neighborhood hosted a Turkey Distribution Day at their food pantry, where they served 351 families ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday. |
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Metropolitan Family Services' Southeast Chicago Center donated over 1,000 food and drink items, ensuring 50 families could enjoy a full holiday meal, plus a gift card for their turkey or favorite protein. |
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At Brightpoint's Annual Turkey Drive, more than 200 families at El Hogar Del Niño Child & Family Center in Chicago's Pilsen neighborhood were provided with turkeys and other holiday foods. |
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Through the incredible support of El Valor's community, one thousand families from their Cantu Family Center, Guadalupe Family Center, Rey Gonzalez Family Center and Cicero Center received Thanksgiving meals. |
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ALL EYES ON FY26 APPROPRIATIONS |
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Both chambers of Congress have returned to DC to wrap up business for the year. With the government now open until January 30, Congress has turned its attention to passing bills to fund the federal government for Fiscal Year 2026. Our Congressional Members will be making major decisions on the FY26 Appropriations bill that includes Head Start, healthcare and other supports that our Head Start families rely on. Right now, the Senate’s funding proposal would provide much higher funding for Head Start than the House bill. Congressional leaders will need to agree on a single bill by January 30 to keep programs funded and open. Otherwise, the chances of another government shutdown is imminent.
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THE DEPARTMENT OF GOVERNMENT EFFICIENCY (DOGE) QUIETLY DISBANDS AHEAD OF SCHEDULE |
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The Trump administration has confirmed the early dissolution of DOGE, the Elon Musk-led initiative originally tasked with reorganization and operational oversight across federal agencies including Head Start. (DOGE is responsible for shutting down five Regional Head Start offices earlier this year as well as laying off all Regional Head Start office staff and multiple staff from the Office of Head Start). With DOGE’s closure eight months before its planned expiration, its remaining functions have been absorbed by the Office of Personnel Management, while many former leaders have transitioned into new roles throughout the federal government. |
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DISMANTLING THE US DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION |
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The Trump Administration began outsourcing major grant programs, including Title I funding for low-income schools, teacher training, English instruction, and college access TRIO programs away from the Department of Education, and instead, to the US Department of Labor, Interior, Health and Human Services, and to the State Departments. This move is way ahead of its schedule and without congressional approval. Student loans and civil rights enforcement remain temporarily under Education’s oversight. |
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SNAP UPDATE: Trump Administration Backs Off Idea to Force SNAP Users to Reapply |
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The Trump administration’s promised overhaul of the nation’s largest food aid program will rely on existing policies rather than forcing people to reapply for benefits. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins initially said that millions of Americans would have to reapply for SNAP as part of an effort to root out alleged fraud, but USDA is now clarifying that it will use current verification processes. |
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SPEAK UP FOR HEAD START: Urge Congress to Strengthen & Increase Funding for Head Start |
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The recent federal government shutdown underscored both Head Start's critical role and the importance of increased and stable funding. It also exposed how much Head Start depends on a deeply committed, yet underpaid and overextended, workforce.
Good News: The shutdown is over. Not-So-Good News: Congress and the President have not yet agreed to funding for the entirety of fiscal year 2026. |
| Email your
Members of Congress & tell them to adequately fund Head Start! |
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HUDDLE with IHSA: Wednesday, December 3 at 4:00PM |
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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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ZERO to THREE: Supporting Young Children Affected by Family Separation Policies |
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There's no age range for the impact of trauma. Babies and toddlers are never too young to experience trauma and stress. In fact, one of the most traumatic experiences a baby or toddler can have is separation from a trusted adult, including caregivers like early childhood educators. And these negative experiences can have a big impact on vulnerable young children, rewiring their brain's neural pathways and altering how they view?their world.
Explore the Trauma-Informed Resource Center that is designed for early childhood professionals supporting families affected by deportation, forced separation or the challenges of mixed-status households. |
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ICYMI: GUIDANCE FOR TIMES OF HEIGHTENED ICE ACTIVITY - Social Media Toolkit |
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This toolkit includes resources and clear, accessible messages and ready-to-use graphics that can be shared on social media to help families:
- Talk with children about what is happening in age-appropriate ways,
- Support children’s emotional and behavioral needs,
- Understand the basics of Psychological First Aid (PFA),
- Access trusted state and community resources,
- Find guidance specific to immigrant families, schools, and licensed child care providers
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| A collaboration of IDEC, DCFS, ISBE, IDHS, IDPH, & the Governor’s Office. |
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NOW: COLLECTING STORIES ON HOW ICE IS AFFECTING OUR HEAD START COMMUNITY |
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IHSA wants to know how ICE activities are affecting your Head Start program, families, and staff. By knowing, we can ensure that the needs and voices of our families and staff are represented and supported.
We're currently building a story bank for these narratives so we can share with congressional members, state legislators, policy makers, change agents, etc. in hopes of better outcomes.
Please note: No need to share any names, personal identifiers, or locations that could put anyone at risk. Stories can be shared anonymously or with limited details. |
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Let's lift up the real experiences of our
families, staff, and communities during these
challenging times. |
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NO COST MOBILE FLU & COVID VACCINE CLINICS NOW AVAILABLE THROUGHOUT ILLINOIS |
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There is a strain of flu that has caused surges in cases in the UK, Japan, and Canada recently, and since our Head Start and Early Head Start children are particularly at high risk of severe flu and COVID, we want to ensure they get vaccinated. It's also been suggested that this winter will be another tough flu season. So host a FREE Mobile Flu & COVID Vaccine Clinic at your Head Start program!
Mobile clinics are available for any location in Illinois. Vaccines will be provided for all people ages 6 months and older (children and adults), regardless of insurance status. This is at no-cost to the program or client. |
In partnership with IDPH & CIMPAR (Chicago Internal Medicine Practice and Research). |
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HEAD START FISCAL MANAGEMENT TRAINING |
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We know Head Start fiscal requirements aren’t getting easier!
This two-part virtual training gives you the clarity you need on the grant cycle, reporting deadlines, Uniform Guidance updates, cost allocation, and non-federal match.
If your team handles budgets, reporting, or compliance, this series will help you move into the new year with more confidence and fewer surprises. Session 1: Dec 16 (Tue) at 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm CT
Session 2: Dec 17 (Wed) at 9:00 am – 12:00 pm CT
$149.00 (IHSA member) / $225.00 (Non-Member) per person covers both sessions and all materials provided.
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| Hosted by Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, & Wisconsin Head Start Associations. |
Presented by
Skyline Advisory Partners. |
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NEXT Quality Enrichment Circle (QEC): Tuesday, Dec 9 at 10AM-Noon |
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| Component -
Mental Health, Wellness, & Social Emotional Learning (SEL)
Not too late to register! Join us now! |
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QUESTION: What is HSELOF? 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 should staff eat during meal times? Answers: The same food as the children!
Winner: Denise Brown, Health Services Program Coordinator at Southern Illinois University - Edwardsville Head Start in East St. Louis! 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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