A weekly communication source for keeping you updated on the latest local/state/federal HS/EHS information |
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2026 PARENT OF THE YEAR:
Contessa Houston, Parent at The Carole Robertson Center for Learning in Chicago |
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Contessa Houston’s journey is a powerful testament to resilience, servant leadership, and an unwavering commitment to the Head Start community.
While raising two young children, Contessa survived a catastrophic car accident that left her wheelchair-bound and facing a grueling recovery. During her most vulnerable moment, the Carole Robertson Center for Learning’s Head Start program became a vital lifeline, providing the safe, high-quality care her son needed so she could focus on her rehabilitation.
Rather than allowing that hardship to define her, Contessa transformed her experience into a mission of advocacy. As she rebuilt her physical strength, she stepped into significant leadership roles, serving as the Chair of the Family & Parent Policy Council and as a parent representative on Carole Robertson’s Board. In these positions, she ensured that parent voices were central to governance and strategic planning. Contessa’s influence extended to the state level, where her personal story was featured at the Illinois State Capitol in Springfield to educate elected leaders on the critical importance of Head Start. |
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An accomplished entrepreneur and government administrator, she balances a successful professional career with tireless civic engagement. By sharing her journey at fundraisers and through advocacy campaigns, Contessa Houston ensures that the "safe spaces" that saved her life continues to be available for every family. Congratulations to Contessa Houston, Head Start Parent at the Carole Robertson Center for Learning in Chicago, as the Illinois Head Start Association’s 2026 Parent of the Year! |
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PRESIDENT'S BUDGET INCLUDES LANGUAGE ON CHANGES TO THE HEAD START PROGRAM PERFORMANCE STANDARDS |
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The Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) has indicated that the Administration will propose changes to the Head Start Program Performance Standards (HSPPS):
“The FY 2027 Budget proposes allowing individual state standards to apply to programs. Under this approach, state child care rules would govern certain aspects of the program, including licensing and monitoring standards, health and safety requirements, child-to-staff ratios, and definitions of quality. These reforms would allow the program to serve more children with the same level of funding.”
At this time, we do not know how HHS plans to implement these changes, specifically whether this language is intended to preview changes to the Head Start Program Performance Standards or signals a legislative proposal that would require Congress to pass legislation. Regardless of how the Administration plans to pursue these changes, the language is deeply troubling and suggests an attempt to undermine quality
In response, IHSA with our partners across the country, are working on a sign on letter to the Hill and the Administration to oppose such efforts to undermine HSPPS. This is our attempt to get ahead of the coming NPRM, which we anticipate will bring significant changes to our HSPPS. |
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ASK YOUR LEGISLATORS TO INVEST IN EARLY INTERVENTION SERVICES IN THE FINAL FISCAL YEAR 2027 STATE BUDGET |
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Contact your legislator(s) now and ask them to ask for and approve a total of $40M in additional funding for Early Intervention this spring to help ensure equitable access to necessary developmental services and supports that are known to dramatically improve a child’s lifelong trajectory. An additional $25 million in funding would allow IDHS to address growing service delays and the program’s pressing workforce crisis more aggressively. Funding can be used immediately to increase compensation for credentialed providers and improve the referral and evaluation process for families. |
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BABIES CAN'T WAIT: Early Intervention Advocacy in Action |
Tuesday, April 21 from 6:00PM
Join Raising Illinois, IL Families for Early Intervention, and the IL EI Grassroots Provider Alliance for an urgent meeting for our final push for increased funding for Early Intervention in FY27.
We must get more funding so the thousands of infants and toddlers on waiting lists for Early Intervention can get their services. Senator Graciela Guzman will join the meeting to talk about why our advocacy right now is so important. |
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HUDDLE with IHSA: Wednesday, April 15 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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JOIN THE FARM TO ECE COMMUNITY OF PRACTICE (CoP) - Spring/Summer 2026 |
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Session Dates from 10AM-Noon (Central) - April 24, Friday.
- May 15, Friday.
- August 14, Friday.
ECE providers are invited to join a 3-part Farm to ECE: Community of Practice focused on strengthening local food procurement and implementation strategies across ECE settings. This interactive series will provide space for peer learning, sharing successes and challenges, and identifying actionable steps to support Farm to ECE efforts in your program. |
| Participants are encouraged to attend all three sessions. Space is limited. |
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LUNCH & LEARN: Visuals Have No Attitude |
Friday, June 19, 2026 at 2PM (Central)
Cues and visuals strengthen learning for both adults and children by engaging more than just words.
In this Lunch & Learn session hosted by The DIscovery Source, we’ll explore simple, practical ways to use visuals to support strong interactions and align with effective interactions and best practices (CLASS). Participants will leave with easy tools and ideas that can immediately plug into daily routines. |
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NEXT Quality Enrichment Circle (QEC): Tuesday, April 21 at 10AM-Noon. |
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| Component - Health, Safety, & Nutrition |
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IHSA's HEAD START BOUTIQUE: Your Go-TO- Shop for Exclusive Head Start Gear |
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Check out IHSA's Boutique! Browse through our latest selection of curated Head Start gear. Every purchase supports IHSA's Dollar Per Child Campaign, where every dollar goes towards IHSA's advocacy and awareness work. |
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THIS WEEK'S FEATURED COLLECTION: Stronger Together B |
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Great to wear with pride, display with purpose, and gift with appreciation! |
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QUESTION: When is Head Start's birth date?
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: When is Head Start's birthday month? Answers: May.
Winner: Sarah Shirey, Disabilities Coordinator at Metropolitan Family Services in Chicago! Look out in the mail for your prize from our friends at Lakeshore Learning. |
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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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