A weekly communication source for keeping you updated on the latest local/state/federal HS/EHS information |
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HEARTLAND HEAD START - Breakfast with Dad |
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Heartland Head Start, serving McClean and Livingston counties, recently hosted a Breakfast with Dad. Dads, granddads, uncles, cousins, and other father figures came out to support their children. They made this event so special! |
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FY26 APPROPRIATIONS DEADLINE NEARS |
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Congress will soon be in recess for the holidays and the Continuing Resolution expires on January 30. Be sure to reach out to your elected officials to talk about how flat funding for the second year in a row impacts Head Start programs’ ability to serve children and families. Below are tips for talking to members about the impact on your program below. You can use these to structure a conversation or send an email to your Member of Congress and Senators. |
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ACLU FILES MOTION TO SUPPLEMENT THE RECORD ON HEAD START DEI ENFORCEMENT |
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The ACLU filed a motion to supplement the record on behalf of their plaintiffs, which includes four state Head Start associations, including Illinois, and two parent organizations.
The motion documents recent actions by the Office of Head Start to enforce the March guidance on DEI, which include a list of nearly 200 “banned” words that were sent to a Head Start agency from an HHS official to avoid in their Head Start grant application. The list includes words integral to describing services offered by Head Start, including “disabilities,” “women,” and “mental health.”
The motion also documents a program that was instructed to remove a training on supporting children with autism from their application. A Tribal program was instructed to remove a preference for Tribal members stated in their eligibility criteria. The Head Start Act specifically states that AIAN Head Start programs may prioritize based on Tribal membership or any other criteria that the Tribe selects.
ACLU previously asked the court to order a preliminary injunction on enforcing the DEI guidance, which would stop HHS from enforcing the DEI ban while the court hears arguments and prepares a final decision. The government has argued that it has not enforced the DEI guidance and there is no harm done to Head Start recipients as a result of the guidance. |
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ALL VOICES NEEDED: Now is the Time to Advocate for Head Start Funding |
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We know that Head Start programs are facing rising costs with no new funding from Congress - and they can’t do more with less. The next week is critical for communicating with Congress about the need for more investment. |
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HUDDLE with IHSA: Wednesday, December 17 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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UPDATE: PUBLIC CHARGE - Comments Due |
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The Department of Homeland Security recently issued a proposed rule that, if finalized, would allow immigration authorities to consider participation in nearly any publicly funded program or life circumstance during immigration proceedings.
This ruling "is so vague that it has the potential to cause confusion even about programs that are clearly not federal public benefits, including Head Start and Early Head Start. We are particularly concerned that the lack of clarity and transparency into the process that will be used to assess individuals’ public benefit usage will result in confusion for the thousands of families currently enrolled in Head Start and Early Head Start programs as well as those who plan to enroll in the future."
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| The Children Thrive Action Network (CTAN) invites children’s advocacy and provider organizations to sign onto comments. |
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NOW: Collecting Stories on How ICE is Affecting Our Head Start Community |
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ICE activities are still affecting our Head Start programs. IHSA wants to know how. Please take a moment to share interactions and narratives so we can ensure that the needs of our families and staff are represented and supported.
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. |
| Let's lift up the real experiences of our families, staff, & communities during these challenging times. |
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OFFICE HEAD START FOCUS AREA 2: Comprehensive Services Review Information Session |
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December 18, Thursday at 1:00-2:30PM Central
Join the Office of Head Start (OHS) for an informational webinar on the new Focus Area 2: Comprehensive Services Review (FA2). This session will provide an overview of the FA2 approach for fiscal year (FY) 2026. Learn about key components of the review process and what to expect during implementation. |
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DATA TOOL: The American Affordability Tracker - Data on Americans' Finances & Everyday Costs |
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This tracker monitors the most recent available data on earnings, housing, health care, child care, gas, groceries, and various types of loan delinquency.
Toggle between states to compare and contrast the state of affordability amongst thirteen metrics, such as annual average price for childcare for two young children, monthly price of health insurance, and more. This data tool was first published in October 2025 and is updated as new data is available. |
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| ILLINOIS HEAD START ASSOCIATION'S 48th ANNUAL CONFERENCE: Head Start - The Power of Us |
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Our annual conference brings together Head Start and Early Head Start staff, professionals, parents, and partners from across Illinois.
Dates: March 17 (Tues) - March 19 (Thurs) Location: Embassy Suites by Hilton East Peoria Full Conference Registration Pass includes: Welcome Reception, Opening Keynote, All concurrent Breakout Sessions,
Access to the IHSA Conference Exhibit Hall, Thursday Awards & Scholarships Ceremony, Closing Keynote.
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| Registration Opens January 2026. |
Late Registration applies
after February 24. |
Book Rooms by
February 24. |
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48th ANNUAL CONFERENCE: Call for Workshop Presenters! |
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This is a fantastic opportunity to share your expertise, innovative tools, or inspiring success stories that can help Head Start and Early Head Start programs thrive.
We are seeking presentations that focus on connecting, creating, and cultivating the future of Head Start in Illinois. Don't miss your chance to inspire and make a difference! Session Format & Expectations - Standard breakout sessions are 90 minutes,
- Sessions longer than 1.5 hours must include at least a 15-minute break between segments,
- Sessions should be interactive, practical, and participant-centered,
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Presenters are encouraged to include hands-on activities or tools participants can take back and use immediately.
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| Who can Submit a Proposal: - Head Start & Early Head Start staff,
- Higher education partners & consultants,
- Community organizations & Researchers,
- Parents & Alumni sharing success stories.
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Lead presenters receive complimentary full conference registration. |
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NEXT Quality Enrichment Circle (QEC): Tuesday, Jan 6 at 10AM-Noon. |
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| Component -
Education, Disabilities & Coaching Start the New Year with a new cycle of QECs!
QEC is designed so new participants can join at any point. Choose your component but have access to all! |
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QUESTION: What is the name of the tool used to measure child & teacher interaction? 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: How much outdoor time should a Head Start child receive? Answers: At least 60 minutes a day.
Winner: Kimberly Graham, Program Aide/Food Service Worker at Riverbend Head Start & Family Services in Alton! Look out in the mail for your prize from our friends at The Discovery Source! |
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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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