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Letter from FHSA President & Executive Director
In the past months, we have been reporting about the President "skinny budget" to his now full FY 2018 budget proposal and the possible affects it could have on Head Start. One minute we are told the plan included a one percent COLA (cost of living adjustment) than later learn quite the opposite.
It has been reported that Head Start could see an $85 million cut in funding for fiscal year 2018 under the proposed budget released last month—from $9.253 billion to $9.168 billion. Reported by Education Week, Congress agreed to a budget deal in April to keep the government operating through this September. In that deal, Head Start received $9.253 billion. The proposed funding would put Head Start back at the same amount that it received in fiscal 2016.
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The National Head Start Association (NHSA), hosted a conference call last month informing us of those changes among other cuts to various programs that are vital to our children and families. Some of these proposed cuts include Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG), TANF (Temporary Assistance to Needing Families) by $21 billon over a decade, reduces funding of SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) shifting approximately 25% of its funding to the states, deep cuts to Medicaid plus more.
Recently we've learned Members of Congress have until June 6, 2017 to submit their official requests in support of Head Start for the FY18 budget.
NHSA has assured they will inform us when action is necessary. Our position at this time is to support those programs being affected by the cuts and continue supporting our children and families.
FHSA has sent letters to the appropriate Representatives to garner their support of Head Start and we will continue to do so until these issues are resolved. As you can image, there has been a lot of reports about how bad this budget really is and urging U.S.Congress to send it back for another look is in all our best interests.
You are why we are here. We need to continue working together for the mission in providing quality services for the children and families we serve.
Sincerely,
Louis A. Finney, Jr., FHSA President
Wanda Minick, FHSA Executive Director
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News from the National Level
Statement Regarding President Trump’s 2018 Budget
The following statement regarding President Trump’s 2018 budget and the effect it will have on babies and families with young children may be attributed to Matthew Melmed, executive director, ZERO TO THREE:
“The President’s budget aims to slash spending for domestic programs at levels not seen in 70 years and it turns its back on infants and toddlers. The negative results for families and our economy will last a lifetime.
The unprecedented cuts to Medicaid, nutrition and discretionary programs on which vulnerable families rely mean that babies and toddlers will not get off to the strong start they need to succeed. Slashing these programs actually undermines the work efforts of many families already striving to provide for their families. When these cuts are combined with a lack of real investment in child care and Early Head Start, the implications are profound, both now and in the future. READ MORE.
President’s Budget Would Shift Substantial Costs to States and Cut Food Assistance for Millions
President Trump’s 2018 budget proposes to cut the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly food stamps) by more than $193 billion over the next ten years — a more than 25 percent cut — through a massive cost shift to states, cutting eligibility for millions of households, and reducing benefits for hundreds of thousands more. The unemployed, the elderly, and low-income working families with children would bear the brunt of the cuts. READ MORE.
NHSA 2017 Fall Leadership Institute
On September 26th and 27th during NHSA Fall Leadership Institute, Head Start parents from across the country, representing every state and hundreds of programs, will head to Washington, D.C. for the Parents as Leaders Training—a unique day and a half educational training that's sure to have a lasting impact. NHSA goal is to have at least 1,000 parents participate throughout the country! Florida's goal is 50 parents!
This is a great opportunity to meet with legislators and educate them about the importance of Head Start and tell your stories about how Head Start empowers parents as your child’s first teacher. READ MORE.
Blood Test Alert
Certain lead tests done by Magellan Diagnostics may show inaccurate results, according to a warning from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Magellan LeadCare Testing using blood drawn from the vein may incorrectly show that the blood lead level is lower than it is. Lead tests using blood from a heel or finger stick (known as a capillary test) have not been included in this warning. READ MORE.
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Legislative Activities at the State Level
Update on Florida's Budget
Tampa Bay Times - June 02, 2017
On Friday, June 2 Governor Rick Scott called for a special session June 7 - 9 to focus on increasing K-12 funding to $100 per student, establishing a job growth grant fund with $85 million, and increasing transparency and funding for Visit Florida to $76 million. A new budget must be in place by start of Florida's fiscial year on July 1. READ MORE.
Florida WatchDog.org - June 01, 2017
Governor Rick Scott has until June 15, 2017 to decide whether to sign the $82.4 billion state budget and how much of it he should reject. On June 1, 2017 the Tampa Tribune reported, "lawmakers are bracing for hefty vetos and many believe they will be back in Tallahassee before the end of June in a special session to rewrite part of the budget or override the governor's veto". READ MORE.
Tampa Bay Times – May 24, 2017
In a report released Wednesday, the National Institute for Early Education Research found Florida second of 44 pre-k programs nationally when it comes to service, but 40th in terms of per-student funding, and meeting just three of 10 quality measures. READ MORE.
NPR – May 24, 2017
In 2016, the report found, 43 states, plus the District of Columbia and Guam, provide publicly funded preschool. They serve about 1.5 million children across the country — mostly 3- and 4-year-olds. Total state spending on preschool is now about $7.4 billion, an eight percent increase over last year.That increase has pushed spending to nearly $5,000 per child. READ MORE.
News Talk Florida - May 23, 2017
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump will unveil a proposed budget this week that would drive millions of people off food stamps and cut Medicaid, targeting the social safety-net programs for the poor in a new wave of spending cuts. Meanwhile, the people in Florida on Medicare and those who are on Food Stamps are bracing for massive cuts.
According to a Kaiser Family Foundation report released in January of this year there are over 4 million Floridians on Medicaid and part of the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) to be precise the number is 4.3 million low-income children, pregnant women, adults, seniors, and people with disabilities in Florida. Medicaid is a major source of funding for safety-net hospitals and nursing homes. Federal policy proposals could fundamentally change the scope and financing of the program. READ MORE.
Greene Publishing, Inc. - May 25, 2017
In a last-minute move by the Florida legislature, the legislators have consolidated much of what they were proposing in individual bills and combined them into one large bill. House Bill 7069 (HB 7069) which started out as a six-page bill titled “Best and Brightest Teachers and Principals,” has now turned into a massive 278 page bill with the same title, but encompassing a wide range of educational issues. One of the many issues included in the bill was funding for public schools. “The cut to the Base Student Allocation (BSA) of $27 means we will receive less money per student. For the entire district, it is a deficit of approximately $72,900. For our public schools, it is a deficit of approximately $59,000,” said Madison County Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Karen Pickles. READ MORE.
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A Journey Toward Strong Programs and Thriving Families: The Story of Three Tribal Home Visiting Grantees
The Tribal Home Visiting Program is pleased to release the following issue brief: A Journey Toward Strong Programs and Thriving Families: The Story of Three Tribal Home Visiting Grantees. This brief describes the experiences of three Tribal Home Visiting grantees across the course of their first 5/6-year grant projects. The brief shares perspectives from grantee staff, stakeholders and families, on the impact the Tribal Home Visiting program has meant for their communities and offers insights for other communities working on home visiting. Featured in this brief are: Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians; Lake Country Tribal Health Consortium, Inc.; and Native American Professional Parent Resources, Inc.
To read the brief and learn more about Tribal Home Visiting implementation click here and here.
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What's Happening Around the State
Join us for the 2017 One Goal Summer Conference
We hope you’re making plans to join us for the One Goal Summer Conference on July 19 - 21 in Tampa at the Hilton Tampa Downtown Hotel.
The conference begins with keynote speaker, Elizabeth “Liz” Huntley, a committed child advocate, and a passionate and inspirational speaker with a message of encouragement. The Closing General Session features keynote speaker, Kevin Carnes, a motivating, thought-provoking speaker, who will send us on our way feeling energized and knowing that we can make a difference!
We have 96 exciting and educational presentations! To see a complete listing, please download the Conference Schedule below. The Conference Book will be on the web site in early July.
Registration for the conference is only $75 per person and made possible by so many generous sponsors who work so hard to keep our costs low so that everyone can benefit.
If you have any questions or need assistance registering, please do not hesitate to call the Conference office at (850) 893-6270.
We hope you’ll plan to join us – we look forward to seeing you there!
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Susan Main, CEO/President Early Learning Coalition of Duval County Receives Lifetime Achievement Award from LSF |
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Susan Main, CEO and President of Early Learning Coalition of Duval received a Lifetime Achievement Award from LSF Head Start for her 17 years of service. Main has served thousands of families and children across Duval County in her role and has been a resolute champion for early childhood education initiatives such as Head Start and Early Head Start. Over the course of her career, Main has held leadership roles with several organizations and committees including the Association of Early Learning Coalitions and the Duval Early Learning Director’s Network. READ MORE.
2017 Disaster Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday
The 2017 Disaster Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday begins at 12:01 a.m. on Friday, June 2, 2017, and ends at 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, June 4, 2017. During this holiday period, qualifying items related to disaster preparedness are exempt from sales tax. However, the sales tax holiday does not apply to the rental or repair of any of the qualifying items. Additionally, the sales tax holiday does not apply to sales in a theme park, entertainment complex, public lodging establishment, or airport. Check out what quantifies. Also, download the 2017 Florida Disaster Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday FAQ's.
FL needs your help! FL has the 2nd largest # of Accredited Family Child Care Homes in the Nation! but we need more Observers!! so NAFCC is offering this 2 DAY training for a special rate of only $150 (usually $250) NAFCC Accreditation Observer Training by Roseline Philippe and Jenny Turnquest June 21-22 at FFCCHA conference in Kissimmee, Florida
NAFCC Observers play an integral part in helping providers achieve this important professional development goal. Now is your chance to become an NAFCC Accreditation Observer! During this two day (16 hour) training participants receive specific information about their roles as observers and NAFCC observation procedures. Observer training incorporates a variety of adult learning techniques and practicum. Potential observers will leave NAFCC Observation Training confident they have the knowledge, skills, and tools necessary to provide the accreditation commission with reliable observations. Attendance during the full two days is required.
You must meet the eligibility requirements to attend - Family Child Care Providers must be NAFCC Accredited. Click here for eligibility requirements.
FAIMH Highlights Infant Mental Health at Children First Conference
FAIMH is partnering with the Early Learning Coalition of Miami-Dade/Monroe on their "Children First: Healthy Families. Healthy Communities." Conference on Friday Sept. 8th and Saturday Sept. 9th, 2017.
This year Children First will focus on Infant Mental Health, with expert presenters, engaging keynote speakers, and community panelists showcasing best practices in infant and early childhood mental health.
NEW this year is a Friday addition--with tracks for early childhood specialists and mental health professionals working with children, families and in early learning settings. Tracks will be offered for child and family support providers (e.g., Head Start/Early Head Start), early intervention and developmental specialists, and mental health professionals.
Registration info will be announced here -- Stay tuned!
Interested in Presenting at Children First?
We especially encourage FAIMH Members to present a session on a topic related to young children's mental health, from your specific perspective or within your particular discipline. Sessions can be for a variety of audiences, such as mental health and developmental specialists, program administrators and policymakers, as well as early learning teaching staff.
Submit your conference proposal now!
Orange County Head Start Gardens
OCHS continues to partner with Nemours to produce great results in our gardens and our children. Studies have shown that school gardens encourage children to taste various fruits and vegetables, increase parental support and involvement, and improve children’s enthusiasm about preschool, teamwork skills and learning through real life experiences. Our gardens at Orange County Head Start have allowed us to see the same positive trends. We have had increased parent engagement, teamwork, and children learning through hands on experiences. We have enjoyed harvesting fruits and vegetables for our children to taste. READ MORE.
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Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation (IECMHC) Toolbox
The Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation (IECMHC) Toolbox offers free interactive planning tools, guides, videos, and other resources to support IECMHC efforts in your state, tribe, or community.
Adults who work with young children can broadly support children’s healthy development, from infancy through the transition to school, by incorporating IECMHC and the resources in the Toolbox into all early childhood programs.
A first-of-its-kind resource for the field of IECMHC, the Toolbox comprises nearly 60 original resources, including PDFs, interactive products, and videos. READ MORE.
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Job posting is a benefit for all Florida Head Start Association members. Members wishing to submit a job posting should do so by sending all applicable information (including the application closing date for the position being advertised) to Info@FLHeadStart.org
Mid Florida Community Services, Inc
Lutheran Services Florida Children & Head Start Services
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| I Am Moving, I Am Learning Team Trainings Aug. 8–10, 2017
Boston/Cambridge, MA The National Center on Early Childhood Health and Wellness invites early care and education (ECE) teams to attend a three-day training event where participants will immerse themselves in the IMIL content. It is being presented by Dr. Linda Carson, founder of Choosy Kids. Programs interested in increasing physical activity, healthy nutrition choices, and quality teaching in the classroom are encouraged to apply. Discover strategies and materials to incorporate healthy activity in the classroom and to share with families to use in their home. IMIL is a dynamic training event where participants are able to truly experience active, integrated learning through movement and song. READ MORE.
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