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Letter from FHSA President & Executive Director
We hope everyone had a safe Labor Day holiday and gearing up to celebrate the positive impact our programs make on children and families by attending Families Unite for Head Start Spirit Rally & Hill Day later this month. If you have not yet registered your parents, hurry up before time runs out.
We understand how hard it can be to celebrate while there are so many people in the U.S. dealing with the recent devastation left by Hurricane Harvey in Texas and Louisiana. Harvey dumped an estimated 27 trillion gallons of water and looks to be one of the most damaging natural disasters in U.S. history. Our thoughts and prayers go out to all the families and children affected by these recent events. Rescue efforts have been underway and will take some time. In the meantime, please keep these families in your thoughts and prayers. If you can, consider donating to NHSA Disaster Relief Fund. These funds go to assist Head Start and Early Head Start programs who become victims of natural disasters like Harvey. Let's help and join the efforts of our colleagues’ to rebuild their programs and their communities.
FHSA is hosting a Governance and Family Engagement training in West Palm Beach, FL October 24 & 25, 2017. This event is almost sold out. If you have not secured your seat yet, click here to get registered. We will also celebrate our State award winners during an awards luncheon October 25. Tickets are available by clicking here. Come hep us celebrate!
Membership renewal is currently underway. The FHSA office emailed data collection forms to all current FHSA members. If you have not completed and returned your forms, please do so today to ensure uninterrupted member benefits. The forms can be sent to Wanda@FLHeadStart.org. Membership runs October 1 - September 30.
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
NHSA sent out an survey wanting and better understanding costs associated with Head Start programs data management systems. If you have not already, click here to complete the survey. NHSA wants to learn more about what systems you are utilizing reports and data accessibilities.
Exclusive New Resource: Quality Improvement Toolkits!
NHSA has created an exclusive, members-only toolkit to guide you through the process of creating and developing your own staff wellness program. This resource is the first in our series of Quality Improvement toolkits.
Quality Improvement toolkits are “how-to” guides designed for programs to reference when developing or improving services. The toolkits include step-by-step guidance, case studies, practical tools, and additional resources. Through the quality improvement lens, these toolkits promote measurement, evaluation, and continuous improvement. READ MORE.
Parent Gauge
NHSA is now offering a web-based instrument that measures parent experience and the impact of early childhood programs’ engagement efforts. This innovative new tool aligns with the Office of Head Start’s Parent, Family, and Community Engagement Framework. Programs can use this tool to identify the needs of their families, the strengths of their PFCE efforts, and areas for improvement. Easy-to-read results provide baseline data and measure growth throughout the year. Click here to learn more.
Senator Tim Scott visits North Charleston Head Start program
NORTH CHARLESTON (WCSC) - United States Sen. Tim Scott getting into the back-to-school spirit. He visited Mary Ford Child and Family Development Center in North Charleston to hear about its Head Start and Early Head Start programs. Head Start South Carolina is a federal program that promotes school readiness for low-income families.
Sen. Scott visited classes at Mary Ford's campus Tuesday morning. This campus currently serves 86 students. It can also serve up to 25 adults. Click here to read more.
In late July, the Department of Labor (DOL) issued a Request for Information (RFI) regarding the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) “minimum wage and overtime requirements for certain executive, administrative, professional, outside sales and computer employees.” NHSA convened an FLSA Work Group to understand the impact of the proposed changes and keep the Head Start community informed of the implications. The Work Group’s efforts involved surveying the field, gathering specific input from across Head Start, analyzing input, providing in-person educational opportunities pertaining to the changes, and developing resources to support programs’ implementation of the changes. The 2016 update to the FLSA overtime regulations was stalled by a court ruling before the changes ever took effect, meaning that the changes never became enforceable. Now, the DOL has essentially restarted the process of changing the FLSA regulations by issuing an official Request for Information (RFI) that invites input from the public. The RFI was issued on July 26, 2017, and public comments are due September 25, 2017. Here is a link to the RFI.
NHSA FLSA Work Group reviewed the RFI and aware changes to the overtime rules that will impact both our Head Start staff and parents. These impacts will vary across programs, depending on organization type, state, and many other factors. Due to this local variations, the Work Group’s goal is to share information with the Head Start community and invite individual grantees to submit comments based on what will best serve the interests of each individual program’s parents, staff, and agency.
Follow this link to read the RFI. Review the 11 questions outlined and assess whether your individual agency has feedback or answers to any or all of the questions posed. If your agency decides to submit comments, be certain that you follow DOL’s directions for submitting comments which can be found on the bottom of the first column of page 34616 of the Federal Register. Click here to submit your comments electronically . If you chose to attach a PDF, feel free to use NHSA sample template.
What Did the GAO Find About Early Childhood Programs?
Yasmina Vinci, Contributor | NHSA Executive Director
Effective use of federal funding is imperative to meet the needs of America’s most vulnerable early learners. To ensure those precious public resources are efficiently spent, Congressional leaders regularly (and rightly) ask about potential fragmentation, overlap and duplication of the various federal programs providing early care and education. Last month, Congress’ oversight arm, the Government Accountability Office (GAO), examined these questions and reported back to lawmakers, revealing some very encouraging and promising findings...READ MORE.
(Huff Post)
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Update from the Office of Head Start
Federal Reporting of Standard Forms (SF) 425 and 428
All Head Start grantees are required to submit financial reports detailing the cash transactions made for its federal award(s) and separate reports detailing the expenditures made for the same award(s). For most grantees, filing requirements are satisfied using the same report, Federal Financial Report SF-425. READ MORE.
Electronic Submission of Real Property Standard Form (SF)-429 and Attachments
In accordance with 45 CFR § 75.343, non-federal entities are required to submit reports at least annually on the status of real property in which the federal government retains an interest. As such, beginning July 1, 2017, the following Office of Management and Budget (OMB)-approved real property and request forms, OMB Control No. 3090-0296, are included in this electronic submission requirement: READ MORE.
Reopening; Applications for New Awards; Personnel Development to Improve Services and Results for Children with Disabilities—Early Childhood Personnel Center
On April 19, 2017, we published in the Federal Register (82 FR 18447) a notice inviting applications (NIA) for the Personnel Development to Improve Services and Results for Children with Disabilities—Early Childhood Personnel Center competition. The NIA established a deadline date of June 5, 2017, for the transmittal of applications. This notice reopens the competition until September 11, 2017. Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: September 11, 2017. READ MORE.
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FHSA 2018 Conference Theme Contest - Deadline Friday
If you have not already submitted your ideas for FHSA 2018 Annual Conference, deadline is this Friday, September 8. The Professional Development Committee is looking for your input. The committee would like to hear from you in crafting our 2018 annual conference theme.
The winning idea and its author will be announced during our Awards Luncheon October 25 and will receive a prize. Submissions will be accepted until this Friday, September 08, 2017. To submit your entry select the "Click to Begin" button below.
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The call for papers is now open for the Florida Head Start Association 2018 Annual Conference. This years conference will be held at the DoubleTree by Hilton in Orlando, FL on April 16-19, 2018.
FHSA is currently 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. Click here to learn more.
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Update from the National Center on Early Childhood Development, Teaching and Learning
Early childhood workforce
Text4Teachers supports Head Start and Early Head Start teachers, staff members, and others who care for and teach young children in center-based and family child care settings. You can sign up to receive two free text messages per month with information, tips, research, and resources to strengthen and support your teaching practices. Text4Teachers will also share messages about key events and professional development (PD) opportunities. You can sign up by texting ECDTL to 22660 to be able to access the newest resources as soon as they are released. Text4Teachers is also available in Spanish (español).
The National Center on Early Childhood Development, Teaching, and Learning has developed a mobile app geared toward teachers, home visitors, and other direct service practitioners to provide a quick, creative way to access current and future resources that support and explain the content included in the Head Start Early Learning Outcomes Framework (ELOF). You can connect to the app using your Android and iPhone, iPad, and Windows-based mobile devices. The app will link to an introductory ELOF video and audio podcasts for each of the five central domains, practice-based videos, and examples of research-based experiences and activities. You can find the app on Google Play, the Apple App Store, or this Early Childhood Learning and Knowledge Center Web page.
Interactive ELOF The Head Start Early Learning Outcomes Framework: Ages Birth to Five describes the skills, behaviors, and knowledge that programs must foster in all children. ELOF is grounded in a comprehensive body of research about what young children should know and be able to do to succeed in school. It describes how children progress across key areas of learning and development and specifies learning outcomes in these areas. This information will help adults better understand what they should be doing to provide effective learning experiences that support important early learning outcomes. The ELOF is available in an interactive online format that is organized into the following elements: domains, sub-domains, goals, developmental progressions, and indicators. The domains are broad areas of early learning and development from birth to 5 years that are essential for school and long-term success.
The central domains are:
• Approaches to Learning
• Social and Emotional Development
• Language and Literacy
• Social and Emotional Development
• Language and Literacy
• Cognition
• Perceptual, Motor, and Physical Development.
Users can interact with the ELOF to view the developmental progression that describes the skills, behaviors, and concepts that children will demonstrate as they progress toward a goal. Once a user selects a domain to explore, he or she can then click on any item to see the associated sub-domains, goals, developmental progressions, and indicators. This interactive tool is a great way to find related resources for frontline staff, on PD activities, and for families.
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September is National Preparedness Month
September is National Preparedness Month. This annual campaign helps Americans to prepare for emergencies in their homes, schools, workplace and communities.This years theme is "Disasters Don't Plan Ahead. You Can.
This nationwide, month-long effort hosted by the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Ready Campaign and Citizen Corps. To help you plan we want to ensure you have the access to free resources available.
Preparedness-related tips and resources for early care and education (ECE) providers can be found on the following websites:
The goal of National Preparedness Month is to increase the overall number of individuals, families, and communities that engage in preparedness actions at home, work, business locations, ECE programs, schools, and places of worship.
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Legislative Activities at the State Level
With Trump to decide fate of DACA, where do Florida officials stand?
...President Trump could announce a decision as early as Friday on the Obama-era program that gave work permits to young immigrants and protected them from deportation. Speculation is mounting he’ll make good on a campaign...READ MORE.
(Tampa Bay Times)
Scott renews executive order declaring opioid emergency in Florida
...Florida Gov. Rick Scott quietly renewed his executive order declaring the opioid crisis a public health emergency. Scott on Monday extended the order for 60 days after gubernatorial candidate and state Sen. Jack Latvala called... READ MORE.
(News4Jax)
Bill would crack down on leaving children in cars
...It would be illegal to leave children age 6 or younger unattended in cars for any length of time, under a measure filed Thursday by Democratic state Rep. Emily Slosberg of Boca Raton. The proposal (HB 115), filed... READ MORE.
(Florida Politics)
How Richard Corcoran prepares for possible run for governor
...House Speaker Richard Corcoran says he won't announce whether he'll run for governor until seven months from now, after the 2018 legislative session. But the Pasco County Republican is laying the groundwork for a candidacy in... READ MORE.
(Miami Herald)
Proposed bill would block 'food stamps' for soda in Florida
...WESH reports Rep. Ralph Massullo filed bill HB 47 on Friday for January's session. Under the terms of the bill, the Florida Department of Children and Families would need to get approval of a federal waiver to allow the state to... READ MORE.
(ABC Local 10)
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What's Happening Around the State
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Rule FHSA Directors Group Meeting
The Florida Head Start Association Directors Group will meet October 24, 2017 at the Embassy Suites -Central West Palm Beach, FL from 1:00-5:00 p.m.
During this meeting we will conduct a conversation around NHSA’s Outcome Metrics Initiative. This initiative is being sparked by recent conversations regarding a push of federal outcomes and Head Start being proactive on proposing our own metrics and outcomes versus them being imposted on us. Below are links to a few materials provided to us from NHSA. To help explain the concept and expectations of the exercise.
Don't forget to R.S.V.P. your attendance to be included in this very important initiative that could reshape the Head Start and Early Head Start community.
School Readiness Policy Call
On August 28 OEL hosted a conference call to provide updates to the School Readiness Rule and the plans required elements for 2017. To view slides from this call click here.
DCF Applies for $6 Million in Additional Federal Funds to Fight Opioid Epidemic
TALLAHASSEE – The Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF) submitted an application to the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) for the Prescription Drug and Opioid Addiction grant. This grant is designed to address the opioid crisis by expanding and enhancing access to medication-assisted treatment (MAT) services for persons with an opioid use disorder. If awarded, Florida would receive $2 million per year for up to three years. READ MORE.
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Join OEL for their Infant and Toddler Retreat!
This retreat is taking place October 10-11, 2017 at the Rosen Centre Hotel located in Orlando, FL. Be sure to R.S.V.P. your attendance to Jessica Flower by email Jessica.Fowler@oel.myflorida.com or by phone (850) 717-8557.
A room block has been reserved at The Rosen Centre Hotel located in Orlando. You can contact this hotel at 800-800-9840 and reference the Office of Early Learning (OEL) to obtain the rate of $135.00 per night. If you prefer to make reservations online, simply click this link to complete the reservation process. Reservations must be made by Sept. 25, 2017 to be assured of the early learning rate. No extensions will be available for this reservation deadline. Click here to download tenative agenda.
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Corporate Partners & Sponsorship Opportunities
FHSA has released its 2018 Corporate Partners & Sponsorship Opportunities. These packages are guaranteed for one year during October 1, 2017 - September 30, 2018 and were designed to give your company the kind of extensive marketing impact you desire. We are pleased to be able to provide a wide variety of opportunities to you and your business to increase visibility while demonstrating your commitment and support to Florida's Head Start community.
FHSA hopes you take the time to download the packet and review our 2018 Partners & Sponsorship Opportunities. These packages are on a first-come first-serve basis.
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CDI Head Start Serving Taylor County, FL
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