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August 2022 | The Monthly Newsletter of the Florida Head Start Association
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Letter from the Executive Director
As we begin a new school year, let's take a deep breath and slowly exhale. You Got This! A new school year brings on many emotions. For each person, it is different. As you prepare your team, remember that we all need to take a moment for ourselves to ensure we are operating at the highest capacity to make sure we can handle whatever is thrown our way.
Unfortunately, Congress did not act on supporting Head Start or the early childhood education workforce in their recent reconciliation package. We understand that programs are facing closing classrooms due to a lack of staff. We also know inadequate compensation is the primary driving force of this labor shortage in early childhood education. Katie Hamm, acting director of the Office of Head Start, recently posted a video discussing options for programs to use Head Start funds to create financial incentives to recruit and retain qualified staff. I hope you check out the video below in Updates from the Office of Head Start.
As we move into the next fiscal year, FHSA membership renewals have been sent out via email. If you did not receive your renewal, please let me know. Having a collective voice is now more important than ever. As a member of FHSA, we can elevate the critical state of child care and raise awareness of the early child care workforce's lack of a living wage. This is the season to start reconnecting with your Legislators and Congressional members. Inviting them to your programs is the best method for them to see firsthand the work you are doing to provide the best early learning and care experience, medical and dental services, and supportive services to families in their communities.
I hope you are making plans to join me next month in D.C. for NHSA Fall Leadership Institute, September 19- 22, 2022. This is our time as a community to let Congress know the value, critical role, and effectiveness of Head Start and Early Head Start in improving the lives of children and families.
Stay well,
Wanda Minick
Executive Director
FHSA
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Office of Head Start Updates
Last month, the Office of Head Start put out guidance that affirms you can use your Head Start funds to create financial incentives and bonuses as a recruitment and retention tool. See ACF-IM-HS-22-04, Competitive Bonuses for the Head Start Workforce. The video below is a message from Katie Hamm affirming to grantee recipients you can use your Head Start dollars to provide financial incentives for staff.
If you are looking for suggestions or ideas for this short-term strategy to invest in the Head Start workforce, here are some examples from other programs on how they were able to retain current staff, recruit and fill vacant positions.
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Need assistance with getting the word out about your Head Start/Early Head Start program?
Check out these excellent recruitment toolsto help you connect with families in your community. #GetaHeadStart Recruitment Resources include handouts, posters, social media toolkit, plus so much more.
Have you seen OHS Enrollment Forward in 10 Minutes Video Series?
The Office of Head Start developed a short video clip to promote its Enrollment Forward series. The video clips are an opportunity to hear featured grant recipients respond to questions from the Head Start community. These programs share their approaches to workforce recruitment, development, and retention. They also describe strategies to identify eligible children, such as building intentional relationships with community partnerships. Click here to check them out.
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Fall Leadership Institute, September 19 - 22, 2022 | Washington, D.C.
This is your opportunity to hear from national political figures, thought leaders, and early childhood experts on changes that lie ahead for Head Start, meet with members of Congress, engage with other Head Start programs on what they are doing in their states, and of course professional development opportunities.
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Reconciliation package lacks critical funding for Head Start, early child education and care, August 9, 2022
While Congress is steering support toward American families and households through the Inflation Reduction Act, the proposal falls short in our nation’s commitment to the success of our at-risk children and families.
NHSA Encouraged by Comparable FY23 Funding Levels in Senate and House,
July 28, 2022
NHSA is urging Congress to pass an FY23 appropriations package with robust funding for Head Start including, at the minimum, a Cost-of-Living Adjustment that is in line with inflation.
Families Unite for Head Start: Parent Advocacy Engagement Call
Join NHSA for their nationwide community of Head Start parents and caregivers to learn the latest Head Start updates and advocacy resources as well as connect with Head Start families from across the country. The next calls will be on October 5 and December 7. Click here to lean more and register.
Meaningful Ways to Spend One-Time Funds
The NHSA team has pulled together some great suggestions on ways programs can spend their Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental
Appropriations (CRRSA) and American Rescue Plan (ARP) relief funds in a purposeful way. Click here to download brief.
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Three Things Heightening Head Start Awareness
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Upcoming Events
August:
11:Strategies to Protect Young Children from COVID-19
11: Teacher Time Series: Ten Tips for Creating Supportive Environments That Can Prevent Behaviors That Challenge Us
16: Evidence-based Hearing Screening and Evaluation Practices for Children Ages 0–5: Useful Facts and Practical Tools
16: Vision Screening: Birth Through High School
17: WORKFORCE WEDNESDAY OFFICE HOURS: Continuing the Conversation on Equitable Compensation Strategies for the ECE Workforce
17: State Board of Education, The Division of Early Learning hosting rule workshop, Pensacola, FL
18: BabyTalks Series: How Toddlers Think and Feel: What the Research Tells Us, Part 3
23: Inclusion Series: IDEA 101 - Partnering with Service Providers to Support Effective Inclusion
24: Professional Development Opportunities in Health and Safety
29 - 31: FHSA SSCBT Training Class, Cocoa, FL
September:
1-2:FHSA SSCBT Training Class, Cocoa, FL
19 - 22:RIVHSA Early Head Start Institute. Atlanta, GA
19 - 22: NHSA Fall Leadership Institute, Washington, D.C
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CDC recommends everyone ages 5 and older get a COVID-19 vaccine to help protect against COVID-19.
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Member Information
Change of address, email, or any information? You will need to log in to your profile in our organization. Your username is
Important Links
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If your program is interested in using this flyer to increase awareness in your community, don't hesitate to contact the FHSA office. We will be happy to customize it for you.
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Join your State Association: FHSA provides members with access to tools, resources, and collaborative relationships empowering your agency's management team, staff, and parents. FHSA offers Individual and Corporate memberships too!
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Support your State Association: Help FHSA ensure Florida programs are supported through professional opportunities, research efforts, and legislation so they can continue to provide high-quality services to Florida's most at-risk children and families.
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