A weekly communication source for keeping you updated on the latest local/state/federal HS/EHS information |
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HEAD START PARENT: Ananya - Finding Community Together |
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Ananya is originally from India and has no family here in the US. The Home Visiting program with Head Start/Early Head Start has given her a community in which her children can grow and learn.
Ananya and her children love participating in family gatherings where she has made many friends. "Through the program I learned how important it was to be patient with my children. They also gave me a lot of information about good food habits for kids."
Ananya is grateful that the program not only found a preschool program for her daughter but prepared her for it. "Our home visitor gave my daughter the confidence to go to school. She also helped me have the confidence to send her there. I also learned how to communicate with the school and teachers." |
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Got a breakthrough moment, classroom win, or family success story? Send it our way to share with the community! |
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BEYOND PRIDE MONTH: BELONGING AT CHRISTOPHER HOUSE EVERY DAY |
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As Pride Month comes to a close, Christopher House's commitment to fostering a community where everyone feels seen, valued, and welcomed remains the same.
The Head Start/Early Head Start program in Chicago believes every child, family, and staff member deserves a true sense of belonging. Its diversity is one of its greatest strengths, and by embracing the unique identities, experiences, and perspectives that make up the community, Christopher House creates a place where everyone can thrive. As CEO Julie Dakers shared, "When children see themselves reflected, respected, and celebrated, they gain the confidence to learn, lead, and thrive. When families feel welcomed and supported, our entire community grows stronger." This month—and every month—Christopher House remains committed to building a culture of respect, compassion, inclusion, and belonging, where everyone knows they have a place and their story matters. |
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EARLY CHILDHOOD RESEARCH CONFERENCE REMOVES SESSIONS AT THE LAST MINUTE |
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The Hechinger Report reports that several researchers who were slated to present at one of the largest early childhood research conferences last week were told at the last minute that their sessions were canceled due to final review within the Department of Health & Human Services. The agency did not provide further information on the rationale. About 20% of sessions were canceled. Researches fear political screening after abrupt cancellations. |
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The Hechinger Report_06.21.2026 |
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BIG CHANGES TODAY FOR EARLY CHILDHOOD IN ILLINOIS |
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Starting today, July 1, 2026, the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE), Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS), and the Department of Child & Family Services (DCFS) merge to become the newly established Illinois Department of Early Childhood (IDEC).
IDEC will consolidate state oversight for Child Care Licensing, the Child Care Assistance Program, the Early Childhood Block Grant, Home Visiting, Early Intervention, and Gateways to Opportunity administered through INCCRRA.
For Head Start and Early Head Start, funding, program standards, monitoring, and regulations continue to come directly from the federal Office of Head Start to local grantees. IDEC will serve as a state-level coordination partner, connecting Head Start programs with the broader Illinois early childhood system.
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IHSA PLANS TO ADDRESS OMB PROPOSED REVISIONS |
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As you know, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) published proposed revisions to the Uniform Guidance, the government-wide framework that establishes how federal grants are awarded, administered, monitored, and audited. Comments are due on July 13th. Here's the plan - -
IHSA will develop written comments and share them with our broader community. We will encourage HS/EHS programs to submit their own comments. We will share a draft with you before releasing it to the broader community.
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Multiple organizations are developing sign on letters. IHSA will share these with our community so they can decide whether to sign on. IHSA will sign on to those that address our concerns. We encourage HS/EHS programs to submit their own comments and sign on to letters.
Public comments help policymakers understand how these proposed changes could affect program operations, staff, children, and families. In other words, Your Head Start voice matters! |
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National Council of Nonprofits_updated 06.08.2026 |
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HUDDLE with IHSA: Wednesday, July 1 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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THIS WEEK'S FEATURED IHSA TRAINING: Belonging - Making Equity, Inclusion, & Diversity the Forefront of Your Program Culture |
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Head Start was founded to empower families and prepare children for lifelong success.
To keep this promise, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) must be at the heart of everything we do. In light of current challenges, programs must adapt and actively strengthen their workplace cultures.
This essential training guides participants through the four key pillars of DEI—improving engagement, counteracting unconscious bias, promoting workplace diversity, and fostering an inclusive environment. By exploring these core components, your program will learn actionable strategies to keep equity and inclusion at the very forefront of your workforce culture. |
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Every purchase supports our IHSA Dollar Per Child Campaign
which supports IHSA's advocacy & awareness work! |
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THIS WEEK'S FEATURED ITEM: Illinois Head Start Association (IHSA) Logo - Polo Shirts |
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An IHSA Member is any Head Start/Early Head Start staff working at an Illinois HS/EHS program. So if that's you, wear this association polo with pride!
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$29, Pick-Up available in Chicago (no shipping charge)
Adult Sizes available: XS, S, M, L, XL, 2X, 3X, 4X. (upcharges for 2X, 3X, 4X)
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Great to Wear with Pride, Display with Purpose, & Gift with Appreciation! |
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QUESTION: Who is the Secretary of the new Illinois Department of Early Childhood (IDEC)?
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: On July 1, 2026, DCFS, IDHS and ISBE will be merged under what new department? Answer: Illinois Department of Early Childhood (IDEC).
Winner: Christine Adamson, Early Head Start Supervisor at Governors State University's Family Develoment Center in University Park! Look out in the mail for your prize from our IHSA Boutique!
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What's going on at your Head Start Program? Share your recent program 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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