A weekly communication source for keeping you updated on the latest local/state/federal HS/EHS information |
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CAROLE ROBERTSON CENTER FOR LEARNING MARKS 50 YEARS OF SERVICE |
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The Carole Robertson Center for Learning proudly marks its 50th anniversary in 2026, celebrating a legacy that began in 1976 when community members on Chicago's West Side worked to save a beloved after-school program. Their determination to protect a vital resource for children and working families led to the founding of the Carole Robertson Center for Learning—with a commitment to educating, enriching, and empowering children and families that continue to define the organization today.
From a single site serving a few dozen youth, the Center has grown into one of Chicago’s leading providers of early childhood education and youth development programs. |
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Today, it serves 2,500 children and youth from prenatal to age 17 and reaches nearly 15,000 children and adults annually across 27 Chicago communities through comprehensive education, out-of-school time, and family support services.
“This milestone reflects not just our longevity, but our impact,” said Bela Moté, President and CEO. “It speaks to the dedication of our staff, and to the trust that families and community partners have placed in us over the decades.” |
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IHSA INTRODUCES BILL - SMART START WORKFORCE GRANT: Supporting the Early Childhood Workforce That Serves Illinois’ Most Diverse & At-Risk Children and Families |
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Illinois Head Start Association's advocacy leg has been working hard alongside State Representative Maura Hirschauer and State Senator Graciela Guzman (sponsors) to introduce the bills HB 4791 and SB 3202, respectively, to the 104th General Assembly State of Illinois 2025 and 2026. It amends the Smart Start Illinois Act by expanding eligibility under the Smart Start Child Care Workforce Compensation Program to Head Start and Early Head Start programs. HERE'S WHAT'S GOING ON:
The Problem – Illinois’ Smart Start Workforce Grants were created to stabilize and strengthen the early childhood workforce by improving compensation, recruitment, retention, and program continuity However, Head Start is excluded from Smart Start Workforce Grants, despite: -
Serving 28,000 of Illinois children and families in high-need communities,
- Employing a large, critical segment of the early childhood workforce (over 9,500),
- Facing the same workforce shortages, turnover, and recruitment challenges as other eligible programs.
This exclusion creates inequity in workforce investment and undermines Illinois’ early learning infrastructure.
The Solution – This bill simply makes Head Start programs eligible for Smart Start Workforce Grants. It does not create a new program — it corrects an exclusion so Head Start educators and staff can access the same workforce supports as other early childhood providers. This bill does NOT supplant federal funds. |
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| ILLINOIS HEAD START COMMUNITY STORIES - A Story Bank of ICE Impact on Head Start |
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Illinois Head Start and Early Head Start programs across the state have reported increased immigration enforcement activity in their communities. Programs have shared both publicly reported incidents and community-reported impacts affecting children, families, and staff.
IHSA's new Community Stories parks all those reports and outlines how programs are responding. The purpose of sharing these stories is awareness and understanding. These collections of stories and experiences help illustrate how broader policies and enforcement practices show up in everyday life for children, families, and Head Start programs. |
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AN EXCERPT: "She Thinks School is Dangerous Now" - From a Head Start classroom |
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After a raid near their school, several children began saying things like: “The bad people are coming.” “They take mommies.” “We shouldn’t go outside.”
During play time, a child was overheard saying, “I’ve got to be good or ICE will get.” In some areas, even playground time and neighborhood walks feel too risky. |
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HUDDLE with IHSA: Wednesday, February 25 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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Less Than One Month 'til The Power of Us: Connecting Hearts. Creating Change. Cultivating Futures! |
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Room block is no longer guaranteed. |
| Save the Date!
Recognition Luncheon: Wednesday, March 18. |
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CONFERENCE HIGHLIGHTS: Field Trips!
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| Come see the power of play! Meet with Melissa Sierra, Museum Director and former Head Start child, as she walks you through the exhibits and underlying philosophy of the Peoria PlayHouse Children’s Museum. |
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Our friends at Tazewell-Woodford Head Start are opening their doors for a guided visit! See and hear about this Head Start program's approach to belonging across classrooms and program spaces. |
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MARCH IS ILLINOIS POISON PREVENTION MONTH |
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This month raises awareness about poisoning hazards and risks, especially for children. Illinois Poison Center (IPC) offers a variety of FREE print and promotion items that you can order once you've completed the Poison Prevention Education Course (available in English and Spanish). The promotional Items, such as safety packets, stickers, paint sheets, posters, keychains, compact mirrors and more are available until March 15, 2026, or while supplies last. |
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INDIVIDUALIZED PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT SERVICES |
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Partner with our Director of Learning, Cathy Welsh, to develop a subject matter that is relevant to your programs' needs, choose training style (in-person/virtual), select a date, and poof! Your program gets an amazing learning 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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HEAD START 101 TRAINING: Comprehensive Exploration of Head Start Gain a clear understanding of the mission and lasting impact of Head Start.
Develop a comprehensive knowledge of the program’s historical background, core principles, operations, and governing legislation. Participants will explore the purpose and critical importance of the Early Learning Outcomes Framework (ELOF) and the Parent, Family, and Community Engagement (PFCE) Framework within Head Start and Early Head Start.
Designed for a diverse audience, this training provides a strong foundational understanding of the HS/EHS community. Perfect for staff on-boarding, board trainings, PPC meetings, community leaders, and more. |
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NEXT Quality Enrichment Circle (QEC): Tuesday, April 7 at 10AM-Noon. |
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Component - Family Services & ERSEA |
| QECs will be taking a break in March to prepare and enjoy the Annual Conference on March 17-19. We'll reconvene in April! |
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QUESTION: TRUE or FALSE - If a child enrolls in the last month of the program school year, the 45 day deadlines do not have to be completed.
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: The CACFP is which service/content area? Answers: Health & Nutrition
Winner: Catrina Swanigan, Assistant Director at Chicago Commons Head Start program 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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