A weekly communication source for keeping you updated on the latest local/state/federal HS/EHS information |
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IHSA & ITS MEMBERS IN DC TO PROTECT FEDERAL FUNDING THAT SUPPORTS ILLINOIS CHILDREN, FAMILIES & HEAD START |
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IHSA was in DC last week with a team of 28 members. They made Congressional Visits on Wednesday and funding was their number one talking point: HS/EHS funding and child care funding freeze. Key message was that child care funding must be reliable, predictable, and timely. Even temporary disruptions cause long-term damage.
The main ask was for Congress to provide robust, sustained funding increases for Head Start that reflects real costs and ensure program stability. In essence: - Protect and strengthen Head Start funding,
- Prevent child care funding freezes and delays,
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Treat early childhood programs as essential infrastructure!
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FY 2026 APPROPRIATIONS: UPDATE |
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Both House and Senate appropriations committees released a bipartisan bill text for the Labor-HHS-Education bill, which includes a $85M increase in Head Start funding. The House passed this bill last week and the Senate voted to pass it just yesterday afternoon.
However, this bill was part of a package with the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) appropriations bill. And after all the tragic happenings with ICE and outcries for justice, Democrats vowed to eliminate any additional DHS funding.
With no compromise in sight, Congress separately pulled out DHS's funding bill from the bill package with Head Start, and rolled it into a two-week Continuing Resolution. This allows funding for Head Start to be approved and move forward (which it did), and also gives Congress another 2 weeks to figure out DHS's appropriations without delaying the Labor-HHS-Education bill. |
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HHS FUNDING FREEZE: Additional 14 Day Extension |
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On Friday, a judge extended the Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) that prevents HHS from freezing child care funds to California, Colorado, New York, Illinois, and Minnesota for three family support programs, including the Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF).
The judge is expected to issue a ruling regarding the plaintiff’s request for a preliminary injunction (PI), which would prohibit HHS from taking further action to freeze funds until the court makes a final decision. Labor unions and small businesses also filed suit against HHS due to the child care freeze. |
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CHANGES TO SNAP: Effective February 1 |
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Food pantries all over Illinois are anticipating increased demand as expanded SNAP times limits come into effect. “We are preparing for an ongoing hunger crisis,” said Camerin Mattson, Communications Manager for the Greater Chicago Food Depository. |
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IHSA JOINS OTHER STATE & REGIONAL HEAD START ASSOCIATIONS |
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IHSA joins State and Regional Head Start Associations in expressing deep concern regarding the impact of recent ICE activities in Minneapolis and other cities and states. Reports of increasingly aggressive tactics have placed Head Start children, families, and staff at risk. When children are fearful, when parents are unable to safely bring their children to our programs, or when staff are concerned about public safety, learning and growth are disrupted. Physical and emotional safety are foundational to early learning—for children and adults alike. |
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ICE DEBATE & PROTECTION FOR HEAD START |
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During our Hill Visits last week, the impact ICE has had on our children, parents, staff and communities were discussed.
Congress is at the center of not just budgeting for immigration enforcement but also defining how ICE operates — from oversight boundaries to enforcement rules and civil liberties safeguards. These developments come amid high public scrutiny following policing actions by ICE that have led to multiple investigations and broad public debate. In 2025, ICE received $10 billion in appropriations. The 2026 bill holds ICE at $10 billion — but last year Congress gave them $75 billion in advance funding. So even if ICE appropriations were eliminated, ICE would still have a 750% increase over last year. |
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DOLLAR-PER-CHILD CAMPAIGN: Annual Raffle Baskets! |
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In support of our Dollar Per Child Campaign - where every dollar raised goes towards IHSA's continued advocacy and awareness efforts - basket raffles will be back at our annual conference bigger and better than ever!
This crowd favorite is such a fun conference tradition. Purchase tickets ($1 each or 6 for $5) and try your chances for any or every basket with goodies or go all-in on that one amazing basket! Winners will be pulled at the Closing Luncheon. Tickets will be sold during the conference.
Dollar Per Child baskets are generously donated by HS/EHS programs like yours. Your program can get in on the fun with a raffle basket contribution, whether it be a themed basket, gift card, or unique item. So get your staff together and create an unforgettable, must-have basket for conference attendees to bid on! |
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HUDDLE with IHSA: Wednesday, February 4 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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INTRODUCING THIS YEAR'S KEYNOTE SPEAKER: Jennifer Shephard Lester |
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As the author of 14 Ways to Find Your Amazing: When Passion and Purpose Collide, Jennifer connects mental health, motivation, and everyday leadership in a way that resonates with those doing frontline work.
Her sessions focus on helping professionals reconnect to their “why,” manage stress without burnout language, and move forward with intention rather than exhaustion.
Her keynote will speak directly to the realities of Head Start and Early Head Start work, including pressure, responsibility, and the need to keep showing up for children and families while also taking care of themselves. |
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REGISTRATION IS OPEN for The Power of Us: Connecting Hearts. Creating Change. Cultivating Futures |
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| March 17 (T) to 19 (R).
Embassy Suites in East Peoria, IL |
| Request-to-Attend Letter: Update & show how going supports your role! |
| Don't forget to
book your rooms! by Feb 23 for group rates. |
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WTTW KIDS ACTIVITY CALENDAR: February 2026 |
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WTTW’s monthly activity calendars were developed to give parents, teachers, and caregivers ideas for activities to do with their children. Several of these activities are simple, no materials needed and provide opportunities for children to build on their current skills. This month the activity calendar focuses on: - Black History Month,
- Fun snacks for Super Bowl,
- Valentine’s Day,
- President’s Day,
- Lunar New Year.
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INDIVIDUALIZED PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT SERVICES |
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Have you met our Director of Learning, Cathy Welsh, aka Guru of Professional Development?! She leads IHSA's professional development services by tailoring and individualizing trainings for your Head Start/Early Head Start program. Work together to develop a topic that is relevant to your programs' needs, choose in-person session or virtual training, decide on a date, and voila! Your program gets an amazing training session. IHSA also has a library of professional development trainings available in-person, on-site or virtual. This week's featured PD is: |
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THE BRAIN ARCHITECTURE GAME
The Brain Architecture Game is an experiential learning tool that builds understanding of the powerful role of experiences on early childhood brain development – what promotes it, what derails it, and what are the consequences for society.
Participants in the Brain Architecture Game will: - Explore how the first five years of life are critical in building brain development for the rest of our life,
- Learn about the powerful role of relationships and the impact of toxic stress on brain development,
- Build a representation of a child’s brain based on the scenarios provided
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NEXT Quality Enrichment Circle (QEC): Tuesday, Feb 10 at 10AM-Noon. |
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Component - Mental Health, Wellness & Socio-Emotional Learning (SEL)
QEC is designed so new participants can join at any point. Choose your component but have access to all! |
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QUESTION: True or False - Staff are often hired from the community (including former parents).
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 does TANF stand for? Answers: Temporary Assistance for Needy Families
Winner: Crystal Jennings, Community Services Coordinator 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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