A weekly communication source for keeping you updated on the latest local/state/federal HS/EHS information |
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IHSA'S 48TH ANNUAL AWARDS & SCHOLARSHIP NOMINEES |
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This year’s Head Start awards and scholarships brought forward an extraordinary group of nominees who truly represent the best of what we do. We want to recognize every one of these incredible applicants from every corner of the state of Illinois; your brilliance and commitment have truly shone through. Every individual nominated is a powerful testament to why Head Start works. It is clear that our staff and parents are more than just educators and administrators—you are the true heart and soul of this mission. Head Start succeeds in every community because of the collective dedication you bring to your roles every day. Congratulations, and thank you for everything you do! |
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2026 DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR NOMINEES Donna Ashley, Executive Director of
Tazewell-Woodford Head Start in East Peoria Kelly Neidel, Executive Director of Two Rivers Head Start Agency in Aurora
Patricia Johnson, Program/Assistant Director of Family Focus South Shore in Chicago Vickie Roman, Director of Flagship Programs of Carole Robertson Center for Learning in Chicago |
| 2026 TEACHER OF THE YEAR NOMINEES Cameron Bower, Lead Teacher of
YWCA Metropolitan Chicago in Aurora Mary T. Becerra, Associate Teacher of Catholic Charities of Joliet in Joliet Ruthie Davis, Teacher of
Riverbend Head Start & Family Services in Alton
Shannon Fritz-Christman, Teacher of Tazewell-Woodford Head Start in East Peoria |
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2026 SUPPORT STAFF OF THE YEAR NOMINEES Annie Garcia, ERSEA Manager of Chicago Commons in Chicago Janice Hoene, HR Specialist of Riverbend Head Start & Family Services in Alton Julie Mouser, Health Advocate of Riverbend Head Start & Family Services in Alton Kathryn Rife, Parent Family & Community Engagement Coordinator of Two Rivers Head Start in Aurora
Lindsey Obergfel, Family & Community Engagement Manager at Tazewell-Woodford Head Start in East Peoria Maria Melendez, Parent Family Community Engagement Supervisor of Family Focus South Shore in Chicago
Traci Hennings, Early Head Start Manager in SAL Community Services in Moline |
| LEOTA BROWN MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP & MARY ALICE BUCHANAN SCHOLARSHIP NOMINEES Angela Casteel, ERSEA Manager of
SAL Community Services in Moline Belinda Anderson, Infant-Toddler Lead Teacher of Eyes on the Future in Chicago
Brianna Alexis McCoy, Family Advocate of Champaign County RPC in Champaign Estabon Cardoso, Former Head Start Student of Two Rivers Head Start in Aurora Jaire Scott, Head Start Parent of
RIverbend Head Start & Family Services in Alton Kerry Sheppard, Teacher Assistant of Riverbend Head Start & Family Services in Alton
Yevette Kaye Smith, Early Head Start Teacher of SAL Community Services in Moline |
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2026 PARENT OF THE YEAR NOMINEES Contessa Houston, Head Start Parent of Carole Robertson Center for Learning in Chicago Ebony McTizic, Head Start Parent of Riverbend Head Start & Family Services in Altong Mayte Naja, Head Start Parent of City of Rockford Head Start in Rockford Patricia Pepper, Head Start Parent of Tazewell-Woodford Head Start in East Peoria |
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DHS PARTIAL GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN CONTINUES |
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Congress has yet to reach a deal on funding for the Department of Homeland Security, specifically funding levels for ICE. Senate Democrats and the White House are negotiating. Part of the discussion/negotiation continues to be new stories of pregnant and nursing women getting detained. Some early childhood advocates are pushing for language on sensitive locations, which prohibits ICE enforcement in locations such as early childhood settings, schools, and churches. |
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ON THE WATCH: House Ed & Workforce Committee Passes Eight Bills Focused on Fraud |
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The Committee held a mark up the previous week and considered 8 bills focused on fraud in the Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF), all of which ultimately passed. On the whole, these bills provide more authority to the Secretary to withhold funds from states, providers, and families in instances of fraud or improper payments (which can stem from unintentional errors or paperwork issues). They also add more reporting requirements for states. Neither Congress nor the Administration has provided evidence of recent fraud in CCDF, yet these bills would hold CCDF to a higher standard than other state run programs. |
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SPEAK UP FOR HEAD START: Urge Your Member of the House of Representatives to Support Head Start! |
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The next appropriations cycle has begun, and conversations about federal funding priorities in Fiscal Year 2027, which begins on October 1, 2026, are picking up pace on Capitol Hill.
You can influence this process by encouraging your member of the House of Representatives to sign on to one of the two Head Start support letters. Both letters share how members on both sides of the political aisle have long agreed that investing in Head Start to provide high-quality early learning and support for our nation’s underserved children and their families is a fiscally responsible course of action. |
| Email Your Congress Members Today! |
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NO HUDDLE with IHSA this week - We're at conference doing conferenc-y things! We'll reconvene next Wednesday, 3/25 at 4PM. |
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As Democrats demand stricter controls on DHS, Head Start leaders representing 100K young learners look to bar federal agents from their centers. |
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ILLINOIS HEAD START COMMUNITY STORIES - A Few Excerpts |
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"Even Staff are Afraid to Enter and Leave the Building" - Workplace Safety Impact ICE activity was reported at two elementary schools, with agents observed outside classrooms and in surrounding neighborhoods. Helicopters circled during a children’s Halloween event. A community member affiliated with a Head Start site was detained nearby in front of family members. Staff described widespread fear and disruption across programs that day. |
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“She Carries Her Backpack Everywhere — Even to Bed”– Head Start Preschooler
Sofia’s older cousin was detained during an early morning enforcement action. Since then, Sofia sleeps with her backpack packed with clothes and her favorite stuffed animal. Her grandmother says she’s afraid of being taken away suddenly and wants to be “ready.” Teachers report nightmares, regression in potty training, and separation anxiety that didn’t exist before. |
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CHALLENGING BEHAVIORS & BEYOND: A Monthly Webinar Series for Head Start Staff & Consultants |
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Over the past year, Thrive Center conducted a national scan on the state of infant and early childhood mental health consultation, challenging behaviors, and what support is available for programs in Head Start and other settings. They surveyed 400+ staff and interviewed 200+ leaders to understand the reality on the ground. What they heard was consistent across settings: - Teachers are burning out faster than programs can replace them.
- Consultants are asked to do work they were not trained for.
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Programs feel isolated, with too few opportunities to learn from each other.
- Support systems that exist are stretched too thin.
So Thrive Center is collaborating with Head Start programs across the country to try and do something about it. Across six monthly sessions, Thrive will discuss practical strategies from national experts alongside Head Start program leaders sharing what they're trying, what's working, and what they're learning. |
| Designed for Head Start directors, teachers, staff, and consultants working with children ages 0-5. |
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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: How many annual conferences has the Illinois Head Start Association hosted?
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: Name a child-tracking system for Head Start children. Answers: Any of the following - Child Plus, COPA, Salesforce, GoEngage.
Winner: Jennifer Zeller, ERSEA Specialist at Riverbend Head Start & Family Services in Alton! 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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