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Letter from FHSA President & Executive Director
During the month of July, the FHSA Board of Directors meet in Tampa on the 17th prior to the One Goal Conference. The Board received training to refresh themselves on the important responsibilities and roles of a director and their governing duties to the association. The Board has empowered the Finance committee to further develop a complete Policy and Procedures Manual which will provide the association board and staff guiding principles secondary to the associations Bylaws. The Bylaws committee presented the Board with streamlining the Bylaws in which the Board approved and amended during this meeting. Click here for a complete copy of FHSA Bylaws. Below is a brief review of some changes in the Bylaws.
The Board also approved the association to move forward with establishing its very first office space with the One Ounce Prevention Fund in Tallahassee. This will be a great move and a collaborative approach in advancing the association. The Board also approved an association management group to assist with its strategic planning efforts. Ms. Elizabeth Young, Deputy Director, Child Development & Family Services Division, The Agricultural and Labor Program provided the association with a check for $831.00 towards the Dollar per Child Campaign.
FHSA Directors Group met the following day with a host of guest speakers. Yasminia Vinci, Executive Director, National Head Start Association, (NHSA) provided a political update from D.C. and the current affairs from a national perspective. She touched upon NHSA strategy and goals to protect funding with an optimistic increase, prevent block granting and keep the field united. For a complete review of her presentation, click here.
Captain Robert Bialas, HS Regional Program Manager Region IV addressed the group on updates regarding the grant process and empowered directors to take an in-depth look at their yearly funding and encouraged them to put theirs funding into places where they can receive the most benefit. Line monitoring 2.0 protocols are being put in place to align with the new standards. Captain Bialas also touched upon TA training for your Board and Policy Councils and the importance in keeping them involved. Obesity prevention and the opioid epidemic was also discussed. If you have stories to share about what your centers are doing regarding prevention, now is a great time to be heard.
The Head Start State Collaboration office as on hand to provide an update on the Infant Toddler retreat October 10-11 in Orlando as well as the new Florida Pathway development tool to assist users with next steps to further their credentialing goals.
We hope to see you all in D.C. in September 25-27 at NHSA Fall Leadership Institute and Spirit Rally. Florida has a goal of 50 parents in attendance at this Rally. We hope to exceed our goal as well as increase our stance as a united front.
Keep doing the great work you are doing,
Louis A. Finney, Jr. Wanda Minick
Louis A. Finney, Jr. Wanda Minick
FHSA, President FHSA, Executive Director
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News from the National Level
Have you Registered Yet?
Registration is still open to attend NHSA Fall Leadership Institute, September 25 - 28, 2017 in Washington, D.C. Join your peers from across the country in laying the groundwork for the next 50 years!
Institute sessions will focus on pressing policy issues and advocacy challenges, including changes in the Fair Labor Standards Act, Reauthorization of the Head Start Act, and influencing the new Administrations agenda. There will be opportunities to hear from senior staff from the Office of Head Start (OHS) and to meet with your Members of Congress. The 2017 Leadership Institute will offer an unparalleled opportunity to get the most up-to-date information straight from the source in Washington, D.C. Read More.
In-conjunction with NHSA Fall Leadership Institute, parents from across the county will rally in Washington D.C. for Families Unite for Head Start Spirit Rally and Hill Day on September 27. At least 1,000 parents from around the nation will make their voices heard by participating in a Head Start spirit rally on Capitol Hill which will feature Head Start Ambassadors, Members of Congress, and other special guests! Following the rally, participants will walk to the US House of Representatives and the US Senate to meet with their Members of Congress. Click here to learn more about this event and registration.
Statement on the National Association of Counties’ Head Start ResolutionJuly 24, 2017
WASHINGTON, DC – The National Association of Counties voted in favor of the Head Start Resolution, their proposed resolution to maintain Head Start’s federal-to-local funding structure. Read More.
Statement on FY 2018 Funding Bill approved by the House Appropriations Committee
July 21, 2017
WASHINGTON, DC – The House Appropriations Committee approved a FY 2018 funding bill for the Labor, HHS, Education and Related Agencies accounts. Head Start and Early Head Start were given $9,275,000,000 in the bill, which represents an increase of $22 million for workforce investments through a cost of living adjustment. Read More.
NHSA Statement on “Opportunities for State Leadership of Early Childhood Programs” Hearing at the United States House of Representatives July 13, 2017
WASHINGTON, DC – The United States House of Representatives Education and the Workforce Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education held a hearing titled “Opportunities for State Leadership of Early Childhood Programs. Read More.
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Theme FHSA 2018 Annual Conference Contest
FHSA Professional Development Committee is looking for your input. The committee would like to hear from you in crafting our 2018 annual confernce theme.
The winning idea and its author will be announced during our Awards Luncheon in October and will receive a prize. Submissions will be accepted until September 08, 2017. To submit your entry select the "Click to Begin" button below.
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Update from the Office of Head Start
On July 28, 2017 Ann Linehan, Acting Director with the Office of Head Start sent a letter to all Head Start and Early Head Start Programs regarding next steps on the Head Start Program Performance Standards and FY 2018 Monitoring Protocols. OHS realizes some requirements need additional guidance to support implementation in which they are working to further develop resources to support your efforts. OHS has revised its monitoring protocols and processes to align with the new standards. OHS will begin a formal roll-out of the aligned system in early September. To view a copy of the letter, click here.
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National Outreach for Child Care NOW Story Collection Campaign
There are lots of stories about child care out there. We need YOURS.
Have you struggled to find or afford high-quality child care for your infant, toddler, or older children? Are you a parent with a story to share about how your child care has benefitted you and your child? Or are you a child care provider who finds it hard to make ends meet?
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Legislative Activities at the State Level
Stephanie Murphy introduces new bill to help families pay for child care
...Florida congresswoman Stephanie Murphy introduced a bipartisan bill that could make child care more affordable for lower income and middle class families. The Promoting Affordable Care for Everyone (PACE) Act...READ MORE.
With Council behind him, Lenny Curry introduces Jax children’s program reforms
...After months of deliberation, Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry rolled out long-promised reforms of the Jacksonville Children’s Commission and Jacksonville Journey this week. After a summer of bumpy news cycles for the JCC...READ MORE.
(Florida Politics)
New Florida bill would tighten law on leaving kids in hot cars
...It’s illegal to leave a child unattended for 16 minutes or longer in a hot car in Florida. But 15 minutes is a whole different story. Under Florida law, leaving a child in a car for a shorter period of time is legal as long as the car's engine is...READ MORE.
(Sun-Sentinel)
Tax reform can help families get needed high-quality childcare
...Tax reform has been on Congress’ agenda since President Trump was elected. But while much of the ink dedicated to discussing reform efforts has focused on topics like border adjustability or closing loopholes, lawmakers...READ MORE.
(Miami Herald)
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What's Happening Around the State
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| Children's Week Save the Date
The initial planning processes are in place for the 2018 Children's Week. This event will take place January 21-26, 2018 in Tallahassee, FL. The event will kick off with the customary "Hanging of the Hands" ceremony along with it's annual awards dinner and reception on Monday, January 22 at the University Center
Club. The committee is currenlty seeking local event submission. Click here to submit yours.
Children's Day at the Capitol will be on Tuesday, January 23. The next Statewide Conference Call will be August 30 at 10:00 a.m. Please dial (763) 957-6400 use passcode 2107624.
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Florida Early Learning and Developmental Standards Public Input Closing
Over the last few months, the Office of Early Learning, (OEL) has worked with national and state experts to begin revising the 2011 Florida Early Learning and Developmental Standards--Birth to Kindergarten and the Florida Early Learning and Developmental Standards for Four-Year-Olds (2011). These standards and benchmarks reflect the knowledge and skills that a child on a developmental trajectory (progression) should know and be able to do at the end of the age-related timeframe.
OEL hosted a variety of webinars on the draft proposal and provided opportunities for public input regarding the content of the draft revised standards through rule development workshops. Click here to view slides from the webinar. The deadline to provide input is today, August 4, 2017. To read the draft proposals, click here.
Classroom Assessment Scoring System (CLASS®) and Early Learning Classroom Support System Monthly Webinar
The Office of Early Learning will host a CLASS Initiative Technical Assistance webinar on Monday, Aug. 21, at 10:30 a.m. EDT. Please plan to participate for updates and technical assistance on Florida’s voluntary CLASS implementation and the Early Learning Classroom Support System. To register for the CLASS updates on August 21, click here . After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about accessing the webinar.
Creating an “Imagination Station”
By Michelle McCaleb, Central VPK Associate Regional Facilitator
Looking for new ways to provide opportunities for children to experience art and express themselves creatively? Consider adding an “Imagination Station” to deepen their exploration. Read about the new assessment that will be used for FLKRS for the 2017-2018 school year. Find out how to join in on the My First Day of VPK social media campaign. Read this article and more in the July VPK Snapshots.
RFQ - Registered Dietician Services for the Early Head Start-Child Care Partnership Program
The Early Learning Coalition of Palm Beach County, Inc. is requesting a quote for the delivery of the specified services, as part of the EHS-CCP Program requirements. The Coalition must provide nutrition support services to families and childcare providers. The Coalition seeks a registered dietician, either from a firm, or an independent consultant to perform these nutrition services, in compliance with the USDA Food Program and EHS-CCPP standards. Click here to download RFQ.
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Call for Newsletters and Articles
FHSA encourages members to share what you are doing in your programs. Submit articles, photos, information on events you are hosting and/or your send us your monthly newsletters.
All members in good standing with FHSA are invited to submit photos and/or fully written and edited articles on noteworthy news and events regarding the Florida Head Start community.
FHSA e-Newsletter will be sent on the 5th of the month to our FHSA community.
Please submit your articles in a Word document and photos in a JPEG format.
Deadline to submit articles is the 20th of each month. Articles received after due date, and those that are not time-sensitive, may be printed in a subsequent newsletter.
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BUILD Initiative and the QRIS National Learning Network hosted its 2017 QRIS National Meeting
The BUILD Initiative and the QRIS National Learning Network hosted the 2017 QRIS National Meeting Expanding Reach, Enhancing Impact, Advancing Equity in June, in Dallas, Texas. This meeting shared the latest research, effective practices, innovations and big ideas in the development, implementation and revision of Quality Rating and Improvement Systems. Access the conference materials here.
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