A weekly communication source for keeping you updated on the latest local/state/federal HS/EHS information |
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POWER PLAY GOALS FOR KIDS CAMPAIGN FEATURES RIVERBEND HEAD START AS A FINALIST |
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Riverbend Head Start & Family Services in Alton (right outside of St. Louis, Missouri) are kicking off the New Year with a very fun and very big goal: Attain the most votes in the Power Play Goals for Kids Campaign! The NHL's St. Louis Blues hockey team has partnered with Ameren to host a campaign to support local kids.
It's simple: Each time the Blues score a power play goal during the 2025-2026 regular season, Ameren is donating $500 to one local organization. But which one? Well the public decides! Four local organizations have been selected for the public to vote on, including Riverbend Head Start & Family Services! So take a few seconds and support your fellow Head Start program and colleagues by putting in your vote today! |
| As of yesterday, the Blues have had 19 power play goals, amounting to $9,500! and the season is not yet over! |
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FY 2026 APPROPRIATIONS: Congress Is Back in Session for the First Legislative Week of 2026 |
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Democratic and Republican appropriations leaders are reaching a general agreement on FY26 spending top line levels for the nine remaining bills. Appropriators appear to have settled on moving a series of mini-buses (package that combines a small number of bills) to finish Appropriations before the January 30 government shutdown deadline.
The last minibus would contain the Defense, Labor-HHS-Education (aka Head Start), and Transportation-HUD bills, which account for the bulk of discretionary spending. The White House and Democratic leaders have both signaled a strong desire to avoid a second shutdown and give appropriators wider latitude to cut a deal. |
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HHS FREEZING CHILD CARE PAYMENTS TO FIVE STATES AFTER MINNESOTA FRAUD ALLEGATIONS |
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The reporting on this situation has been "messy". IHSA is doing its best to collect credible and timely information to keep its membership accurately informed. What we know now:
The Trump administration announced pausing childcare funding to five states after allegations of fraud in Minnesota emerged, announcing that funds will be released when states “prove they are being spent legitimately.” Recipients not suspected of fraud must submit administrative data to the Department of Health & Human Services (HHS), while those in any state flagged for possible fraud must also turn over attendance, licensing, inspection, monitoring, complaint and investigation records.
The five Democratic states include California, Colorado, Minnesota, New York, and Illinois.
Illinois received their funding freeze letter from The Administration for Children and Families (ACF) yesterday. The Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) is working their way through this. |
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US Dept of Health & Human Services _01.06.2026 |
| | The Family Frontier_01.01.2026 |
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TAKE ACTION FOR HEAD START! for FY2026 Appropriations Bill |
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As 2026 Appropriations deliberation continue, Congress needs to decide to adequately fund Head Start!
Right now, Congress is landing on flat funding for the second year in a row (meaning using FY2024 budget numbers to run programs in 2026, which also means no COLA or any living adjustments).
Reach out to your elected officials to talk about how this impacts Head Start programs’ ability to serve children and families!
See 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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Stay Up-to-Date: Media Archives |
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HUDDLE with IHSA: Wednesday, January 7 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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48th ANNUAL IHSA CONFERENCE |
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CONFERENCE REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN! Head Start - The Power of Us |
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Date: March 17 (Tuesday) to March 19 (Thursday) Location: Embassy Suites, East Peoria.
Join fellow Head Start and Early Head Start staff, leaders, partners, and parents from across Illinois for three days of learning, connection, and shared problem-solving!
What to Expect - Welcome Events & Opening Luncheon,
- General Sessions and Keynote Presentations,
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Breakout Sessions led by Practitioners and Partners,
- IHSA Component Meetings and Elections,
- Exhibit Hall and Trade Show,
- Awards Luncheon and conference close.
What your registration includes -
Access to all sessions and general events
- Entry to the Exhibit Hall
- Conference meals and refreshment breaks
- Time and space to connect with colleagues statewide
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| Multiple registration
options & rates available. |
Attend on your own or gather a group from your program & make it a road trip! |
Don't forget
to book your rooms! by Feb 23 for group rates. |
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FINAL CALL FOR WORKSHOP PRESENTERS: Share Your Expertise! |
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Share your expertise, innovative tools, or inspiring success stories that can help Head Start and Early Head Start programs thrive! Take this chance to inspire and make a difference! |
| Lead presenters receive complimentary full conference registration. |
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SNAP RULES ARE CHANGING: Outreach Materials |
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Requirements for SNAP, our nation’s most effective food assistance program, will change significantly on February 1, 2026.
In an effort to inform Illinoisans about these upcoming changes, the Illinois Commission to End Hunger has developed awareness and outreach materials available for anyone to use. (Available in both English and Spanish) Share this information and resources with your community! Together, we can keep our neighbors informed and connected to critical nutrition and grocery benefits. |
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Materials include: social media posts/captions; newsletter/website content; posters/fliers to print & distribute, and more! |
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ANNOUNCING NEW PARTNERSHIP: Child and Family Partners (CFP) |
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IHSA is pleased to announce a new partnership with Child and Family Partners (CFP)—a trusted leader in professional development for early childhood professionals. This collaboration brings IHSA members discounted access to two of CFP’s most impactful training programs: |
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Family Partnership Certificate Program
Designed for Family Advocates, Family Service Workers, and Family Partners, this certificate equips participants with the essential skills to build meaningful, goal-oriented relationships with families. The program emphasizes cultural humility, reflective practice, ethical communication, and trauma-informed engagement strategies to enhance the quality of family partnerships in Head Start and Early Head Start programs.
Home Visitor Certificate Program
Created to support Home-Based Educators, this comprehensive program covers all aspects of home visiting services—from planning and facilitating parent-child activities to navigating challenging conversations with empathy and professionalism. The certificate ensures home visitors are equipped to promote both child development and family well-being through strengths-based, family-centered practices. |
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NEXT Quality Enrichment Circle (QEC): Tuesday, Jan 20 at 10AM-Noon. |
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| Component -
Family Services & ERSEA 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 does CACFP stand for? 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. Winner: Cynthia Fielder, Assistant Director at J&L Family Learning Daycare Center #1 in Chicago!
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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