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Letter from FHSA President & Executive Director
The month of September was fraught with Hurricanes in Texas, Florida and Puerto Rico. We are still in need of photos and stories to assist NHSA in their advocacy efforts to seek assistance for our Florida centers requiring Hurricane aid. Also, if you have families in need of items please advise us of a distribution center address and what items are needed so we may assist in the facilitation process. While still in recovery mode Florida was well represented at NHSA Families Unite Spirit Rally in Washington D.C. Visit photo gallery. A huge shout out goes to all of you who could participate in this nation-wide event. We understand September brought a lot of heart and headaches to our state, family and friends while dealing with the aftermath of Hurricane Irma and Maria and now our friends in Las Vegas deal with one of the most horrific tragedies on American soil. We send prayers of peace and solace to all families affected by this senseless act. Let's try to move onward with some positive news as we kick off October Head Start Awareness Month. President Ronald Reagan declared October as Head Start Awareness Month back on October 22, 1982. His proclamation recognized the success of Head Start and the importance of involving the whole family. NHSA has provided us with some great ideas to celebrate. Be sure to read about it under News from the National Level.
Membership renewals were due October 1. If you have not initiated your programs renewal, please contact Wanda Minick . With paid membership renewal, you will gain access to download the statewide Wage Comparability Study. FHSA will honor award recipients during an awards luncheon later this month in West Palm Beach. We hope you have secured your ticket. If you are unable to join us, please help us recognize and congratulate our honorees by visiting our awards webpage. FHSA Directors group is hosting a meeting later this month as well. Don't forget to RSVP your attendance.
We hope you have already put April 16-19, 2018 on your calendar for FHSA Annual Conference. This event is being held back at the DoubleTree by Hilton at the Entrance to Universal Orlando. This property just recently went under renovations. The FHSA team is working diligently to get exhibitor and event registration opened soon. Currently, we are seeking 2018 Corporate Partners and Sponsors to help offset registration costs and secure top training talent to showcase at our 2018 event. We are also accepting call for papers until December 31, 2017. Check below for additional details about these opportunities.
There is a lot of things happening in the State as well as in the Head Start community. We encourage you to read this newsletter in its entirety to stay abreast of what's happening as this is the sole purpose of this publication- to keep you informed. We are glad you are part of the Florida Head Start community. Let's stay #FloridaStrong and unified.
Hope to see you later this month at one of FHSA events,
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
October is Head Start Awareness Month. Throughout the month of October, NHSA has many exciting activities planned to help you celebrate Head Start Awareness Month! NHSA is launching Books Building Bridges. This national initiative will enable your program to build new partnerships with your local police department through an ongoing reading program. The aim is to build new relationships and improve existing ones by inviting police to read with your children on a consistent basis. NHSA also developed a Head Start Awareness Month webpage to help with planning your celebrations. Click to get started.
Last week, September 25-28 was NHSA 2017 Fall Leadership Institute, Parents as Leaders Training and Families Unite for Head Start Spirit Rally. It was an amazing week of learning with Ann Linehan and her team from the Office of Head Start among other leaders in the Head Start Industry. There were plenty of breakout sessions on topics such as local school district coordination, the state of our healthcare system, and the effects of immigration on Head Start. Office of Head Start returned to close the Institute with special remarks from the Administration for Children and Families’ Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary Steven Wagner.
To kick off the rally, attendees were provided purple Families Unite shirts to promote a unified Head Start voice. To set the event in motion a visit from Congressman Bobby Scott (D-VA), Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR) and Congresswoman Dina Titus (D-NV) provided inspiration and support. Myra Ingram, Executive Director of Region IV Head Start Association pumped up the crowd along with NHSA Board President Damon Carson reminding us of why we are here and why every child should have the Head Start advantage. The remainder of the day was packed with Hill meetings with Congressmen and women to spread the message of how Head Start works by providing parent testimonials and beautifully decorated blocks to leave with each Representative as a reminder of Head Start.
NHSA’s 34th Annual Parent and Family Engagement Conference registration is now open. This event will be held at the JW Marriot in Austin, Texas December 4th - 7th, 2017. This national event focuses on how communities, parents, families, and Head Start program staff can best partner to promote both parent and family engagement and children’s learning and development.
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The Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting Program (MIECHV) is set to expire on September 30 of this year without reauthorization, and unfortunately Congress failed to reauthorize the program before the deadline. NHSA is working with partners on the Home Visiting Coalition to ascertain the full impact this lapse will have for programs on the ground.
Just as way of background, the House passed its version of MIECHV reauthorization (HR 2824) last week which contains a handful of controversial provisions including a state match requirement and an offset that has alienated Democrats. Attention now moves to the Senate, where we have its version (S. 1829), which has received bipartisan support and is endorsed by the Home Visiting Coalition. The advocacy push now is to get the Senate version to be taken up on the floor.
Click here to view a side-by-side analysis of both bills if you are interested. Things will move quickly so if you have any questions, reach out to Anna White, NHSA, Director of State Affairs.
Since 2010, Congress has invested in the MIECHV program to help states expand and implement evidence-based home visiting. The National Home Visiting Resource Center partnered with the Association of State and Tribal Home Visiting Initiatives to ask states how they would use additional MIECHV funding. On September 25, they released a one- page summary on how states responded to how additional funding would be utilized. Their results concluded serving more families, building infrastructure, creating jobs, and generally strengthening their states and communities. To view a copy of their research, click here.
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Update from the Office of Head Start
The Office of Head Start (OHS) hosted a webcast on September 28 for programs affected by the 2017 Hurricanes. Acting Director, OHS Anne Linehan was joined by her OHS colleagues Belinda Rinker, Senior Policy Analyst; Colleen Rathgeb, Division Director, Planning, Oversight, and Policy; Fran Majestic Division Director, Program Operations Division; Marco Beltran, Senior Program Specialist and Sangeeta Parikshak, Social Science Analyst. View a copy of the slide deck presented during the webcast. A copy of the webcast will be made available in 3-4 weeks. If you have questions about the webcast please send them to: hurricanewebcast@hsicc.org.
OHS issued an Information Memorandum on September 21 regarding recovery efforts and actions you can take. In case you missed it, here is a copy.
On Thursday, September 28 a notice posted on the Federal Register from the Office of Head Start (OHS), Administration for Children and Families (ACF), Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) indicating OHS will delay the compliance date for background check procedures and the date for programs to participate in their state or local Quality Rating and Improvement
Systems (QRIS) until September 30, 2018. OHS believe programs and states will benefit from more time to fully implement these changes. Click to view the notice in its entirety.
Grant Opportunities - Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Children and Families - OHS
Head Start Early Learning Outcomes Framework Implementation Toolkit Now Available on the ECLKC!
The ELOF Implementation Toolkit assists Head Start program leaders and education staff through the alignment process. It also helps strengthen practices to promote children's development in all ELOF domains. The toolkit includes four implementation guides, an introductory video, and an overview of each guide. After completing the toolkit, Head Start leaders and staff will be able to plan and implement program and teaching practices that support children's learning and development outcomes.
The ELOF Implementation Toolkit Guides include:
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The Benefits of Early Childhood Education and Health Programs May Last Longer Than a Lifetime
By Ben Leubsdorf , The Wall Street Journal
Updated Sept. 25, 2017 7:26 a.m. ET
New research suggests programs aimed at helping low-income U.S. children, such as Head Start early childhood education and Medicaid health coverage, may have benefits not only for participating children but for their children as well. Read Article.
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Legislative Activities at the State Level
Scott to propose $50 million for opioid fight
...Gov. Rick Scott and legislative leaders signaled Tuesday that addressing Florida’s deadly opioid epidemic will be a high-profile issue during the 2018 session, with Scott saying he will propose spending $50 million on programs... READ MORE.
(The Ledger)
State lawmakers making opioid abuse session priority
...This year the lawmaking session begins in January. It also happens to be an election year and that means state officials are staking out policy positions a bit earlier than usual. Governor Rick Scott—widely rumored to be mulling a US... READ MORE.
(Florida Trend)
Florida needs CHIP to insure children
...Florida has positive momentum in its efforts — supported by the federal government — to reduce the number of children not covered by some form of health insurance. As the Georgetown University Center for Children and...READ MORE.
(The Herald Tribune)
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FHSA 2018 Partnership & Sponsor Opportunities Available
Have you signed up to support FHSA through our 2018 Corporate Partners and Sponsorship Program? FHSA is offering some great options for you to gain exposure in Florida by partnering with us to help support our mission. These packages are designed to help increase your visibility in the Head Start community.
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What's Happening Around the State
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Lilli J. Copp Resigns
Ms. Lilli J. Copp served as the Head Start State Collaboration Office Director for over 11 years announced her resignation from her position effective September 29, 2017.
During her 11 years, Ms. Copp created the State Advisory Council on Early Education and Care; served on the first State of Florida Child Abuse Prevention and Permanency Advisory Council; served on the FL Interagency Coordinating Council for Infants and Toddlers (FICCIT) and the Expanding Opportunities for Inclusion workgroup. Through her efforts on serving on the Oral Health Florida Leadership Council and the Dental Home Initiative in Orange County, PIR oral health data improved and scored better than the national data in several indicators.
FHSA and the Collaboration Office teamed up for the first statewide Wage Comparability Study, the Teacher Retention Study and the Transition to kindergarten project. Ms. Copp has served on numerous committees during her tenure and will be truly missed by her colleagues.
FHSA honored Ms. Copp for her service with a commemorative vase thanking her for 25 years of service to Early Childhood and Head Start Programs.
The Office of Early Learning Florida VPK hosted a conference call September 20 and covered a lot of information regarding Early Learning Standards - Birth to Kindergarten Revisions updates; Post- Hurriance Resources for Children and Families and provided a rules update regarding recently passed Rule 6M-8.610, Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK) Director Credentials for Private Providers - effective October 15, 2017 by the State Board of Eduction to align with the Performance Standards. The rule added 2 additional online courses to include education on Mathematical Thinking for Early Learners and Language and Vocabulary in the VPK Classroom. To view all action regarding this rule, click here.
In case you missed OEL Expulsion, Suspension and Dismissal Training Webinars they have been uploaded to YouTube and available to view. Click the links below to watch the webinars.
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Miami-Dade County Public Schools Million Dollar Community Literacy Challenge Family Program
Le Jardin Early Learning Academy was again awarded the Family Literacy grant for 25 families with school-age children.
The grant involves families in literacy activities and participants are given the opportunity to learn about community resource.
Notice of Meeting/Workshop Hearing: Department: Department of Children and Families
Division: Refugee Services
Subject: The purpose of the Miami-Dade Refugee Task Force meeting is to increase awareness of the refugee populations, share best practices, spot trends in refugee populations, build collaborations between agencies, help create good communication among service providers, get informed about upcoming community events, and discuss refugee program service needs and possible solutions to meeting those needs.
Date/Time: Friday, October 13, 2017; 10:00 AM-11:00 AM
Location: Miami-Dade College Wolfson Campus 500 NE 2nd Avenue, Bldg. 3, Room 3208-09 Miami, FL 33132. Click to view notice.
Notice of Emergency Rule
Department: Department of Children and Families
Division: Substance Abuse Program
Rule No.: 65DER17-2
Rule Titles: Standards for Medication-Assisted Treatment for Opioid Addiction
SPECIFIC REASONS FOR FINDING AN IMMEDIATE DANGER TO THE PUBLIC HEALTH, SAFETY OR WELFARE: On May 3, 2017, the Governor of the State of Florida signed Executive Order Number 17-146 declaring that the opioid epidemic threatens the State with an emergency and that, as a consequence of this danger, a state of emergency exists. Also, in the executive order, the Governor directed the State Health Officer and Surgeon General to declare a statewide public health emergency, pursuant to its authority in section 381.00315, F.S. On June 29, 2017, the Governor signed Executive Order Number 17-177 to extend the state of emergency declaration.
The department was recently awarded a two-year grant to address this opioid epidemic. The department will use these funds in part to expand methadone medication-assisted treatment services in needed areas of the state as part of a comprehensive plan to address the opioid crisis. Revising the licensure requirements through an emergency rule is necessary to accommodate the critical need for more methadone medication-assisted treatment providers. Due to the impact of Hurricane Irma on providers and individuals in treatment, the department has determined that extending the submission dates for applicants is necessary. Click to view notice
Final Adopted Version in F.A.C.
Department: Department of Children and Families
Division: Departmental
Rule No.: 65-29.001
Rule Titles: Financial Penalties for a Provider's Failure to Comply With a Requirement for Corrective Action (Contracts Not Subject to Rule 65-29.002) Click to view notice
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Children's Week is celebrating its 23rd anniversary in 2018. There are a lot of activities planned that week. If you would like to take part and get in on all the action visit their website for more details.
Hanging of the Hands
Tens of thousands of pieces of ‘hand art” will be hung throughout the Capitol Rotunda Sunday, January 21 – Friday, January 26, 2018 creating an amazing display of children’s art. ‘Hand art” is decorated by children and their teachers, and collected at child care centers and schools across the state. The hands hang in the Capitol Rotunda as a reminder to legislators and advocates that we must take care of our most precious commodity – our children. If you would like to take part in this activity download instruction sheet.
Reserve your spot to attend the Children's Capitol for a Day on Tuesday, January 23. Registration is now open. From 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. the Capitol Courtyard is full of fun and free activities for teachers, parents, advocates, students and children to enjoy. Visit the schedule of events for more details on each of these wonderful, FREE activities for children, youth and advocates to attend!
The next statewide conference call is Wednesday, October 18th, 2017 at 10 a.m. To join the call please dial (712) 775-7031 and use ID# 151-157-135.
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2nd Annual M.E.G.A. Training Conference
REGISTRATION for 2017 2nd Annual M.E.G.A. Training Conference is NOW OPEN! This training event will be held at the Broward County Convention Center in Sunny Ft. Lauderdale, FL on December 12 – 14, 2017.
There are 9 exciting tracks to choose from. See poster to the right highlighting their first track – Organizational Design & Change Leadership targeted for Executive Directors, Head Start Directors & Early Head Start Directors.
Please use this link to register for the conference. It is important that each individual staff member registers for the Conference and selects their desired Track in order to receive updates leading up to the MEGA Conference and access to the MEGA Conference App.
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FHSA is seeking call for papers for its 2018 Annual Conference April 16-19, 2018 at the DoubleTree by Hilton at the Entrance to Universal Orlando
Deadline to submit is December 31, 2017.
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Fiscal Manager | Okaloosa County Comprehensive Head Start Child Development, Inc.
Fort Walton Beach, Florida
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Call for Newsletters and Articles
FHSA wants to spotlight our members and share the wonderful work you are doing at your centers. Consider submitting articles, photos, information on events you are hosting and/or send add us to your monthly newsletter distribution list.
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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