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Letter from FHSA President & Executive Director Happy New Year! We trust everyone had a safe and joyous holiday season. New Year means another year to add to our relationship more strength and vigor. May 2018 bring along lots of opportunities for us to serve you with greater excellence.
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As we kick off the new year, FHSA is already Creating Connections | Enhancing Lives through relocation of its office. We have officially moved in with the Ounce of Prevention Fund of Florida along with Florida Children's Council, Healthy Families of Florida, Prevent Child Abuse Florida, Florida Children's Council and Florida Afterschool Network. Our new address is 111 N. Gadsden Street, Suite 200, Tallahassee, FL 32301. If you are in the area, please feel free to stop by.
January 9 begins Florida 2018 Legislative Session and FHSA is hosting a webinar with NHSA on their Parent Gauge web-based platform that measures parent experiences and the impact of early childhood programs’ engagement efforts. The webinar start at 2:30 p.m. (eastern time). Click here to register.
Children's Week begins Sunday January 21 with the annual ‘Hanging of the Hands’. Children’s Day at the Capitol to be held on Tuesday, January 23. We hope you have made your plans to attend and look forward to seeing you there! Exhibitor and conference registration is open for FHSA 2018 Conference & Expo. This year's theme "Creating Connections | Enhancing Lives" will focus on our commitment in Community, Families, Children and Collaboration. You can learn more about this year's conference in this newsletter or visit the conference webpage. Don't forget, FHSA is always looking to highlight our members. Please send us news articles, photos and copies of your newsletters. In partnership,
Louis A. Finney, Jr. Wanda Minick
FHSA, President FHSA, Executive Director
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On December 08, 2017 the Office of Head Start (OHS) invited public comment on changes being considered for the CLASS Condition of the Designation Renewal System (DRS) as outlined in the Head Start Performance Standards. Comment deadline is February 6, 2018. NHSA hosted conference calls with National and State partners along with a webinar to keep HS/HS community apprised of their efforts on this issue. Since 2012, NHSA has been working to ensure our voices are being heard and welcomes the Administrations review of DRS. It's NHSA goal to represent us on this issue as one powerful, united Head Start voice through submission of only one comment. To capture the consensus in the field on this issue, a survey was sent last month. We hope you were able to participate and provide feedback. Next steps, NHSA is hosting a webinar January 9 at 1:00 p.m.(eastern time) to discuss their first draft and solicit input. You can register to attend this webinar here. If you did not get a chance to attend the initial webinar you can view it here. There are links below to read the Federal Register proposed rule change. by the Children and Families Administration on 12/08/2017.
OHS invites public comment on several specific changes being considered for the CLASS condition of the Designation Renewal System (DRS) as outlined in the Head Start Program Performance Standards. We are considering changes to the CLASS condition with a goal of improving implementation and transparency of the DRS. Changes being considered...
The Administration for Children and Families (ACF) at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HS) seeks approval to collect descriptive information for the Study of Coaching Practices in Early Care and Education Settings (SCOPE) project. The study tasks will include gathering information to inform selection of states in which to conduct the study, designing and conducting a descriptive study to examine the occurrence and variability of coaching features in ECE classrooms, and conducting case studies to examine program or systems-level drivers of coaching and the features being implemented. READ MORE.
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Priorities Report for FY 2017
The Office of Child Care (OCC) is pleased to announce the release of the priorities report for fiscal year (FY) 2017. The law and final rule require the Administration for Children and Families to issue an annual report making a determination of whether states have met provisions related to the priority of services for children of families with very low family incomes, children with special needs, and children experiencing homelessness. The new priorities report is available on this OCC Web page.
New Information Memoranda on Emergency Preparedness, Response, and Recovery
The Office of Child Care (OCC) is pleased to announce the release of two new Information Memoranda (IM) related to emergency preparedness, response, and recovery (EPRR). The first IM focuses on ensuring that states, territories, and tribal grantees have adequate guidance to develop and implement their disaster plans (or disaster plans for tribal grantees’ service areas). The second IM helps clarify federal policies on the flexible use of Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) program funds in the event of extraordinary circumstances. The new IMs are available on OCC Web page.
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Call for Papers Extended - January 19, 2018 FHSA Professional Development committee decided to extend its call for papers for the 2018 conference & expo to Friday, January 19, 2018. The extension should allow ample time for those wishing to submit a paper but was unable due to the holidays.
FHSA is seeking presenters with experience in the Head Start | Early Head Start and early childhood community who can bring thoughtful, solutions-based presentations that are the cornerstone of our mission. We welcome proposals on a variety of topics that will enhance attendees professional development, technical assistance and overall training to enhance their knowledge and information they can add to their toolbox.
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| Registration has opened for Exhibitors and Conference attendees to FHSA 2018 Conference & Expo. This year our event will take place at the DoubleTree in Orlando, FL on April 16-19. We hope you are making plans to attend. REGISTER TODAY & SAVE!
Regular registration rates are valid now through February 23, 2018. Book now to lock in this price before they increase.
Member Rate: $325/per person Non-Member Rate: $425/per person
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Become a Sponsor or Exhibitor
Set yourself apart from the competition and become a Sponsor or Exhibitor at the Florida Head Start Association annual conference & expo. Sponsoring and/or exhibiting builds brand awareness and visibility. Come and connect with the Florida HS, EHS, Migrant and Seasonal HS and CCP grantee agencies' staff, parents, policy council and board members as well as community and state partners. Let's began Creating Connections | Enhancing Lives together.
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Hotel Information
FHSA room block is available first-come, first-serve. Reservations made after the Thursday, March 15, 2018 deadline or after the room block is at capacity are not eligible for the discounted group rate.
Group Discounted Rate from: $121 /per night++
Standard Rooms 2 Queen Beds; Non-Smoking
DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel at the Entrance to Universal Orlando
5780 Major Blvd. | Orlando, Florida 32819
Tel: +1-407-351-1000
Fax: +1-407-363-0106
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FHSA Thanks Our 2018 Corporate Partners & Sponsors Silver Level
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News from the National Level
Make your plans to join Head Start leaders from across the country on Capitol Hill January 22-25, 2018 to keep ahead of the whirlwind of policy proposals and budget scenarios that Head Start may face in the coming year. Reserve your spot today!
NHSA recently released a new toolkit that is the result of a yearlong partnership with the Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO). This publication, New Early Childhood Coordination Requirements in the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), was designed to provide guidance for school districts in developing coordination agreements with Head Start programs.
The toolkit came to fruition when Congress reauthorized the Head Start Act in 2007, and concerns regarding the one-way aspect of this law’s requirement for Head Start programs to form Memoranda of Understanding (MOU) with school districts, with many districts not coordinating with Head Start programs because that statute didn’t also require school districts to enter into these agreements. ESSA made the coordination agreement requirement reciprocal. This new toolkit is designed to help districts and other local educational agencies (LEAs) make these agreements a reality throughout the nation. Click to read more.
One of the best ways to show elected officials the importance of Head Start is to invite them to visit your local program. Make it your New Year’s resolution to show your elected officials—firsthand—the outstanding work your staff does every single day. Witnessing the positive impact Head Start has on children as they grow and develop crucial skills like reading and sharing, can turn even the greatest of skeptics into true champions for Head Start and early childhood education.
The first recess in 2018 for both the House of Representatives and the Senate is from Saturday February 17th to Sunday February 25th. This is the perfect opportunity to invite them to meet the children in their own community who attend Head Start, their parents, and the educators and staff who serve them! Check out NHSA quick and easy steps to guide you through the process.
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2016 CLASP Head Start/EHS Factsheets Available
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FHSA Head Start and Early Head Start Networks
Let's build a Florida Head Start and Early Head Start online community hosted on the MyPeers platform. To learn more about this FREE tool there are two webinars being held this month. This is a great way for our FHSA community to collaborate and share resources, best practices, engage in conversations, and ask questions. If you are not already a member of MyPeers, you will need to register first. If you are a member of MyPeers, find the Florida Head Start and/or Early Head community under "All Communities" and select the blue "Join" button. Let's collaborate!
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Florida Legislative Session 2018: Five issues to watch
...Bullies, texting, hurricanes and juvenile detention facilities are some of the issues that will get attention when the legislative session begins Jan. 9. Gov. Rick Scott and legislative leaders always have different spending priorities...Read More.
(Tampa Bay Times)
Proposed Opioid Funding, Reforms Circulating Through Florida Legislature
...Several proposals to combat the opioid epidemic are circulating through the Florida House and Senate. They include $50 million in funding for resources, and a three-day limit on prescribed opioids, unless strict conditions are met...Read More.
(WLRN)
Gaetz the lone vote against human trafficking bill in Congress
...Northwest Florida congressman Matt Gaetz on Wednesday cast the lone vote in the U.S. House of Representatives against a bill aimed at combating human trafficking. Human trafficking remains a major concern in Northwest Florida...Read More.
(The Pulse)
Bill would create a fair system for Florida’s early learning funds
...The Office of Early Learning’s method of dishing out hundreds of millions of school readiness funds has been described by auditors as both “outdated and unexplained,” and it is not based on current demographics. Attempts to...Read More.
(Herald Tribune)
How families in Florida would be impacted by the proposed tax bill
...Working families with children in Southwest Florida will see a tax break in 2018 if the House and Senate approve a final tax plan agreed upon on Thursday. Florida Senator Marco Rubio played a large part in landing the...Read More.
(NBC 2)
Stephanie Murphy CHIP reauthorization bill lining up as Democrats’ offering...With the federal Children’s Health Insurance Program and other health programs expiring, U.S. Rep. Stephanie Murphy has introduced a reauthorization bill that is becoming the Democrats’ favored vehicle facing Republican alternative measures. Murphy introduced House Resolution 4541...READ MORE.
(Orlando Rising)
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What's Happening Around the State
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East Coast Migrant Head Start Project is committed to preparing the children of migrant and seasonal farm workers for success. The farmworker families we serve entrust their children to ECMHSP centers while they toil in the fields every day to feed America. But many of these same families live with the fear of separation, afraid that today will be the last day they will get to hold their children when they drop them off at our centers. The undocumented families we serve are in need of permanent immigration solutions that can ensure unity and safety of their families. Now more than ever, it is important we uplift their stories and highlight how our farmworker families are woven into the fabric of our country.
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Families of the Early Head Start Program at Children’s Home Society in Jacksonville enjoyed a field trip to the zoo. Lunch was provided by Chik-Fil-A for all the families. Pictured below is Audrey Rose, Home Visitor with her family, Salwa Abdullah Karl and her toddler, Sahar Azrag, Sut Ring Lazum feeding the giraffe and his mom, Roi Twang Maru. One very interesting part of this experience was learning from the families the different authentic plants from Africa and Asia along with stories of the animals in their natural habitat.
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A New Journey Begins
Congratulations to Elizabeth Young, Deputy Director, Community Services and Economic Development Division, on her recent retirement. Although Mrs. Young retired as of July 28, 2017, she will continue working for ALPI as a consultant, through December 31, 2017.
Elizabeth Young’s ALPI journey began as what she describes “a magical way.” She picked up information in a grocery store parking lot in Haines City, Florida. The information read “A Project in Progress: A Status Report on the Agricultural and Labor Project of the Coca-Cola Company Food Division.” Being a non-traditional thinker with experience in community based projects, she knew she had found her place.
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Sarasota Bay Rotary Club brings cheer to children this holiday season
SARASOTA, FL (WWSB) - The Sarasota Bay Rotary Club brought seasonal cheer and gifts to the students at Children First, Sarasota County’s Head Start provider.
Many of the children at Children First come from low-income families, and may not be able to receive gifts this season without the generosity of the community.
Club members also joined the kids in singing Christmas songs, reading, and crafting.
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Did you know the Early Learning Coliation of Maimi-Dade/Monroe County has a free monthly bookclub for all children ages 3 in Miami-Dade County?
On the childs third birthday, all children are eligible to receive a free book every month, delivered to their home. Children may be registered for The Children's Trust Read to Learn Book Club up to six months before they turn three, and on the month of their third birthday, their year of fun and learning begins. Watch this video to learn more.
The Read to Learn Book Club is funded and administered by The Children's Trust, Miami-Dade Family Learning Partnership and Early Learning Coalition of Miami-Dade/Monroe.
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| Nominate a Superhero Over the past 25 years, the Children's Campaign has seen many great individuals and organizations make amazing strides for Florida's children. They are currently seeking nomiations for their Super Heroes for Super Kids award. Deadline to submit nominations is January 15. We know you know someone who deserves to be recognized and celebrated for their efforts in helping Florida lead the way in transformation of changes in juvenile justice, child welfare, children's health, early learning, special needs and other policies and practices. Click here to read more about their nomination process.
New STEAM website for early childhood educators
The Institute of Excellence in Early Care & Education at Palm Beach State College launched its new STEAM website! The website houses the latest information and resources for teaching STEAM to children in early childhood education programs and at home. Learn more here.
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Children's Week 2018 Schedule Children's Week is right around the corner There are many exciting events taking place at the State Capitol January 21-26, 2018! Make sure you keep up to date by visiting www.childrensweek.org for full event details.
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Are you hirinig? Submit your job posting to FHSA to ensure you attract the top applicants in state. This is a free member benefit.
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| | Don't forget... Follow FHSA on Twitter and Like us on Facebook!
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To enhance and support the capability of local Head Start programs
in the delivery of high quality services for our children and families.
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