Can you believe school starts in ONE WEEK from today? As a child, I always loved the first day of school. I loved the smell of a new box of crayons, freshly sharpened pencils, the smell of books, and the warmth of a hug from my teacher. As a parent, I loved meeting my son's teacher, seeing his cubby for the first time, taking a photo to mark the momentous occasion and the grip my son held on my hand walking into his classroom. These are cherished memories that I will hold on to for the rest of my life.

So, let's share. What are the five things you love about the first day of school? I encourage you to post on the FHSA Facebook Page. Share your photos too using hashtag #HSFirstDay!

A lot has happened since our last newsletter. Here's what FHSA has been working on this past month.

FHSA is looking to grow its leadership on the FHSA Board. Nominations closed on August 1. We received 16 total nominations. The FHSA Nominating Committee will be meeting this month to develop the slate to present to the members for voting. Watch your inbox for details.

The FHSA Board of Directors will meet September 5-6 in Orlando for a Strategic Planning session. These two days will engage the board, and stakeholders time to delve into the most pressing issues our association will face in the next few years. Strategic Planning is essential to the association as it will provide a roadmap for leadership and staff to achieve crucial goals for the next few years. I will share information with our entire membership once the process has concluded.

FHSA membership renewal is upon us. I am sure most of you have already received email reminders and invoices by now. If some reason you have not, please let me know as soon as possible. Membership runs October 1 - September 30 each calendar year. Membership should be renewed within 90 days of October 1 to be considered current.

We have some professional development opportunities coming up in October. SSCBT (Social Services Competency-Based Training) will take place on October 7-11, which satisfies Head Start Program Performance Standards 1302.91(e)(7). Our Fall Leadership Training is October 10-11 featuring two learning tracks, and our annual awards luncheon is on Friday, October 11. All of these events will take place at the Hard Rock Hotel in Daytona Beach, Florida. We hope you are considering joining us. For more details about these events, click here .

FHSA is has opened it's 2020 Call for Papers and Posters for our annual conference. FSHA 2020 Annual Conference & Expo will be at the DoubleTree by Hilton at the Entrance to Universal Orlando March 4-6,2020. Save the Date for Head Start: Leaders in Quality and Inclusion.

In Partnership,

Wanda Minick
Executive Director
FHSA

Updates from the Office of Head Start

Sign Up for Text4HomeVisitors!

Text4HomeVisitors is a text messaging service for home visitors. Explore information, tips, research, and resources to strengthen and support the delivery of Head Start home-based services. Sign up today to receive two free SMS messages per month. Text4HomeVisitors also shares key events and professional development opportunities. Get access to the newest resources as soon as they are released. The service is also available in Spanish!

To sign up, text "HOME" to 22660. Text "STOP" to 22660 to cancel, or "HELP" for technical assistance.

FHSA will hold it's Fall Leadership Training October 10-11, 2019 in Daytona Beach, FL at the Hard Rock Hotel. This training event will feature two educational workshops: Program Governance Training and Identifying, Assessing, and Managing Risk. Attendees will be able to select which training they will be attending during the registration process. After the training, we hope you will join us in recognizing FHSA state awards winners at our Annual Awards Luncheon. Tickets may be purchased in conjunction with your training or separately. Click here to visit the event's webpage.

SSCBT Training Only A Few Slots Remain

FHSA and HSSCO present its 2nd cohort of the SSCBT training class on October 7-11, 2019 in Daytona Beach, FL at the Hard Rock Hotel. This curriculum is structured to align with the Head Start and Early Head Start Relationship-Based Competencies for Staff and Supervisors who work with families.

This course offers expanded sections on critical areas that are vital to Head Start services.

Target Audience:

Family Service Workers
Case Managers
Home Visitors
Teachers
Health Services Staff
Community Workers

Upon successful completion, participates will receive an industry-recognized Social Services certification from Tennessee State University. We are only able to open this registration to a limited number of attendees. Click here to view the webpage of the event for registration.

In Partnership with:

What's Happening Around the State

FHSA wants to hear about what's happening at your programs, highlight Head Start alumni, noteworthy news and events regarding the Florida Head Start community.

Tell us what YOU want in your newsletters. Click here to submit articles, share ideas & suggestions, or to give us your feedback.

Registration for the 2019 FLAEYC Annual Conference is Open

This year conference will take place September 4th - 8th, at the Rosen Shingle Creek in Orlando.

Dr. Dana Winters from the Fred Rogers Center for Early Learning and Children's Media will provide the Keynote presentation during the Advocacy Awards & Luncheon at this year's Conference. Dr. Winters' presentation will be: "Finding and Celebrating the Deep and Simple Moments in Early Childhood." Plan to attend this insightful presentation and to celebrate this year's Advocacy Awards winners!

This conference will also feature a screening of the film "No Small Matter." No Small Matter is a feature-length documentary film, and national engagement campaign that brings public attention to this vital question by sharing compelling stories and stunning truths about the human capacity for early intelligence and the potential for quality early care and education to benefit America's social and economic future. This advocacy event will include discussion groups after the screening and planning for future advocacy activities.

Visit the FLAEYC Conference WebPage for more information.

The Office of Early Learning has a few webinars scheduled that may be of interest to you.

A public hearing on Rule 6M-8.601 Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK) Provider Kindergarten Readiness Rates will be held via webinar on Thursday, August 15, 2019, from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. or until business is concluded.

Thursday, August 15, 2019, from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. EDT. To register, click here.

6M-8.601 Draft

A Rule Workshop on Rule 6M-4.610 Statewide Provider Contract for the School Readiness Program will be held via webinar on the following dates and times or until business is concluded.

Tuesday, August 6, 2019, from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. EDT. To register, click here.
Tuesday, August 6, 2019, from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. EDT. To register, click here.
Wednesday, August 14, 2019, from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. EDT. To register, click here.

6M-4.610 FAC Draft

Form OEL-SR 20

Form OEL-SR 20A

A Rule Workshop on Rules 6M-4.740 Program Assessment Requirements for the School Readiness Program and 6M-4.741 Program Assessment Threshold Requirements for the School Readiness Program will be held via webinar on the following dates and times or until business is concluded.

Thursday, August 8, 2019, from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. EDT. To register, click here.
Thursday, August 8, 2019, from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. EDT. To register, click here.
Tuesday, August 13, 2019, from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. EDT. To register, click here.

6M.4.740 FAC Draft

Form OEL-740 Draft

6M-4.741 FAC Draft

After registering for these webinars, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar. For a complete listing of all Proposed Rules and Notices and Upcoming OEL Workshops and Hearings, please visit their webpage.

FHSA is pleased to invite proposals for Papers and Posters that tie into this years' annual conference theme "Head Start: Leaders in Quality & Inclusion" to present at our 2020 Annual Conference & Expo in Orlando, FL. The deadline to submit is September 1.

Share your knowledge, expertise, and experience with Florida's Head Start community. As you begin to think about your presentation or poster submission, be sure it provides content in the birth to five scope. We are looking for presentations that will stimulate, innovate, and engage Early Head Start, Head Start, Child Care Partnerships, Migrant Head Start Programs, and Early Childhood educators administering programs in Florida. Click here to read more.

RIVHSA announces the relocation of the 2019 Early Head Start Institute (EHSI)

EHSI was initially scheduled to be held at the Sheraton Atlanta Hotel but, due to circumstances beyond our control, the event will be moved to another property within the Marriott International brand. RIVHSA will release venue details as soon as the arrangements are finalized. The conference dates and city remain unchanged: September 16-19, 2019 in Atlanta, GA.

EARLY HEAD START INSTITUTE
Widening the Circle
September 16-19, 2019

Advance Registration expires August 31
Member $350/Non-Member $450
Outside Region IV? See brochure for the special rate

The healthy growth and development of young children are dependent upon the continuous widening of their circle of care to connect valuable resources, engage key partners, and embrace cutting-edge strategies. Join us at this event to expand your understanding and application of key frameworks, quality initiatives, and best practices for serving expectant mothers, infants, and toddlers. Prospective, new and seasoned grantees are encouraged to register as an organizational team: Executive Director, Early Head Start Director, EHS-Child Care Partnership Administrator, Fiscal Officer, Content Area Managers, Child Care Partners, Board and Policy Council Chairs/Members, as well as other key staff who hold a position of responsibility and accountability.

Updates from NHSA

Starting this month through October, NHSA will embark on its first-ever Families Unite Campaign. The Families Unite Campaign is designed to engage Head Start families in building lasting relationships with their members of Congress. Parents are Head Start’s greatest advocates, and Congress listens when Parent share their story of the value of Head Start.

Steps you can take today to join the campaign.

Take a look at NHSA Families Unite campaign webpage for details about this event timeline and how to engage members of Congress.

At NHSA Fall Leadership Institute September 23-26, 2019 attendees will gather in Washington D.C. to dive into the policy and advocacy issues facing Head Start over the next year, advocate on Capitol Hill, and learn from nationwide colleagues.

The Institute will start on Monday, September 23, and conclude on Thursday, September 26. This year’s Institute will be held at the Crystal City Hyatt Regency, just across the river from Washington D.C. Visit NHSA Fall Leadership Institute webpage for more details.

Employment Opportunities

Human Resources Director | The Agricultural and Labor Program, Inc., Lake Alfred, FL

Outreach Coordinator | Episcopal Children’s Services, Ocala, FL

Manager, Health and Nutrition |Hillsborough County Government, Tampa, FL

>>> See More Job Openings

FHSA 2019 Corporate Partners