A weekly communication source for keeping you updated on the latest local/state/federal HS/EHS information |
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CELEBRATING HEARTLAND HEAD START MOMS - THE HEARTS OF THE COMMUNITY |
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Heartland Head Start in Bloomington recently hosted an “All About Mom” Spa Event to celebrate and honor the amazing mothers in their program.
Moms were treated to hand massages, manicures, and the opportunity to create their own body scrub to take home. The relaxing atmosphere was filled with appreciation, self-care, and well-deserved pampering.
There were also finger foods and special takeaways just for mom, creating a lovely experience to remind Moms how valued and appreciated they truly are.
Thank you to everyone who helped make this event a success and to the wonderful moms who joined — you deserve it!
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NEW DIRECTOR AT THE OFFICE OF HEAD START |
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Dr. Laurie Todd-Smith, the current Deputy Assistant Secretary for Early Childhood Development at the Administration of Children & Family Services (ACF) served as the Acting Director of the Office of Head Start since November 2025.
Last week, it was announced that Lizbeth Casco White has been appointed by this administration as the new Director of the Office of Head Start. Lizbeth Casco-White worked in former Governor Youngkin's cabinet in Virginia. |
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TAKE ACTION TO PROTECT SNAP! |
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The House Agriculture Committee has approved a new Farm Bill proposal that does NOT take immediate action to repeal the devastating cuts and harmful impacts on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) that were included in the budget reconciliation law. The Farm Bill also reauthorizes WIC and CACFP.
Now at the Senate, we urge Congresspeople to vote No on the Farm Bill and to support Modernizing WIC. |
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ILLINOIS HEAD START COMMUNITY STORIES - A Few Excerpts |
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Director Story – Program Stability At Risk
After enforcement activity in the region, one director reported increased staff turnover, rising absenteeism, and families withdrawing children. “This is not just an immigration issue,” she said. “It is a workforce issue, a child development issue, and a community stability issue.” |
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“We Stopped Bringing the Kids to Head Start” – Family Impact
One family pulled their two children out of Head Start for several weeks after raids occurred near their apartment complex. The mother said, “I know Head Start is safe. I know the teachers care. But I can’t risk being seen leaving the house.” The children missed meals, therapy services, and early learning supports they depend on — not because the program failed them, but because fear isolated them from help. |
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HUDDLE with IHSA: Wednesday, March 11 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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NEXT WEEK is The Power of Us: Connecting Hearts. Creating Change. Cultivating Futures! |
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Room block is no longer guaranteed. |
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Get ready to join in on the fun! This exciting tradition supports IHSA's mission while giving you the chance to win incredible baskets.
Tickets available at conference.
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Dollar per Child Raffle Baskets |
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IHSA THANKS OUR PREMIER SPONSORS! Visit Them in the Exhibit Hall during the Conference |
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2-DAY CERTIFIED INFANT MASSAGE INSTRUCTOR TRAINING: Do You Work With Pregnant Families &/or Families with Infants? |
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Consider a certification to teach Infant Massage! Infant massage instruction is an evidence-based strategy for home visitors, infant teachers, and doulas working with families during pregnancy and infancy.
Infant massage helps parents bond with their baby, build confidence in reading cues, and provide responsive care. It can also support parent well-being and give non-carrying parents special one-on-one bonding time. For babies, it may help reduce colic, gas, constipation, teething discomfort, and irritability while supporting sleep, weight gain, tummy time, and attachment. The Training provides the skills and practice to teach infant massage to the families you serve. Register for an upcoming workshop or bring the training to your agency. There will also be a workshop at the IHSA conference! |
| Peoria - May 7 & 8, 2026. St Louis, MO - March 26 & 27, 2026 or June 11 & 12, 2026. |
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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. Decide training style, 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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SPARK YOUR MOTIVATION & TAKE ACTION... No Matter How Stuck You Are Life’s challenges and constant change can sometimes leave us feeling drained, unmotivated, and disconnected from the passion we once felt in our work and daily lives.
When that inner spark fades, it can quickly lead to stress, fatigue, and burnout. During difficult times, it’s easy to underestimate our own power and feel as though life is out of control—but the truth is, we all have the ability to regain our drive and move forward with purpose.
In this training, your staff will: |
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Learn a simple framework to build their own Motivation Engine, including a practical motivation checklist,
- Create personal
SMART goals that reignite motivation, renew passion, and help move life and work in the right direction.
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NEXT Quality Enrichment Circle (QEC): Tuesday, April 7 at 10AM-Noon. |
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| Component -
Family Services & ERSEA |
| QECs is 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: Name a child-tracking system for Head Start children.
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 do we call 24-hour care provided to children who are placed outside their parents’ or guardians’ homes and for whom a state agency assumes placement and care responsibility? Answers: Foster Care.
Winner: Kathy Trainor, Director of Child Services at Heartland Head Start in Bloomington! Look out in the mail for your prize from our friends at Open Books and 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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