During the FHSA 2024 Annual Conference & Expo, we captured heartfelt testimonials from alumni, parents, and educators showcasing the program’s transformative impact. These testimonials capture the true essence of how the Head Start program does more than just prepare children for school. It provides families with essential resources, strengthens communities, and breaks cycles of poverty.

Join us in celebrating Head Start's profound impact on our state. We appreciate your help spreading the word about its importance by sharing this video with your networks. FHSA is committed to continuing this vital work to help make a difference in the lives of the 40,000 children and families being served in Head Start across Florida.

Florida began its 127th regular legislative session on Tuesday, March 4. 

This marks the beginning of 60 days of crucial legislative action.

This year's session began with statements from Senate President Ben Albritton and Speaker of the House Daniel Perez, offering remarks, and Governor DeSantis gave his State of the State address.  You can click on the above links to view their speeches. 

The following eight weeks will move quickly in Tallahassee, and FHSA will monitor issues impacting Florida’s children and families. To view a current list of bills FHSA is monitoring, click the button below.

Congress has been operating in the fiscal year 2025 under a Continuing Resolution (CR), which expires this Friday, March 14, 2025. Yesterday, the House passed a CR that would keep Head Start at FY24 funding levels (flat funding) through the remainder of the FY25, which ends on September 30. The Senate needs to act now on the CR. With Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) indicating he will vote against the CR, Senate Republicans will need to convince seven Democrats to join Sen. John Fetterman (D-PA) to vote in favor of the CR on Thursday to avert a government shutdown at midnight on Friday. 

Given the rising costs each year, it is crucial that Early Childhood Education programs receive increased funding annually to maintain their current reach. Insufficient funding increases or flat funding effectively act as cuts, reducing the number of people served and limiting the programs' reach. 

Head Start families need our support! Congress must act before funding expires on March 14 to ensure that 800,000 children and families across the country continue receiving early education, health care, nutrition, and vital family resources. Every voice matters—let's flood Capitol Hill with an urgent call to protect Head Start children and families! 

Take Action for Head Start now and tell Congress why Head Start funding is essential!

Head Start is turning 60!  Let’s spread the word about Head Start's impact on children and families in your local communities. 

Florida has been recognized by the NHSA as one of the top three states for collecting birthday card signatures, thanks to the efforts of Florida Birthday Ambassadors Sekennia Welch of ECS for Kids and Jessica Valencia of Miami-Dade County Community Action & Human Services Head Start/Early Head Start. 

Let’s keep building excitement and see how many Floridians we can reach as we celebrate this milestone year in Head Start history. 

Join us in celebrating this milestone and sign Head Start’s birthday card! Share your stories and let us know how Head Start has made a difference in your life. Together, let's say #HappyBirthdayHeadStart!

The Office of Head Start's Facebook and X social media pages have been combined with the Administration for Children and Families' social accounts. Subscribers should begin following the Administration for Children and Families—ACF to stay updated on the latest news and developments. 

To our knowledge, this is nothing specific to Head Start, as other agency accounts were deleted and asked to begin following ACF.

As a proud Community Partner of Children’s Week Florida™, FHSA wants to ensure Head Start programs from around the state are represented at this year's event. Programs are encouraged to participate in the annual Celebration of Hands, featuring children’s hand artwork displayed in the Capitol Rotunda. It serves as a daily reminder to legislators and visitors that our children's future rests in their hands. The deadline to submit hand artwork is March 28. 

To participate and get started, download the Celebration of Hands Toolkit today! 

Children’s Week takes place April 14-18, 2025, in Tallahassee, FL.

Big Smiles Florida is pleased to offer in-school dental care to Head Start programs across the state, ensuring that students receive the dental services they need to stay healthy and focused on their education. The program provides a no-cost, convenient option for families and schools, with services reimbursed through Medicaid for eligible children, and grant opportunities available for uninsured students. 

The Big Smiles dental team sets up a mobile office inside your school, providing screenings, cleanings, sealants, fluoride treatments, and even silver diamine fluoride, which is a painless method for treating most cavities. This allows students to receive the care they need without missing class or disrupting their daily routines. Plus, there’s no cost to schools or the district for the service. 

It's especially convenient for parents who often cannot take time off work or who may lack transportation to take their children to a dental office.

Mort Elementary is part of the Hillsborough County Public Schools Head Start program. They recently hosted a dental visit and had this to say:

“Our recent experience with Big Smiles serving our students at Mort Elementary was truly amazing,” said Summer Pfeiffer, vice president & executive director, Children’s Home Society of Florida. “Their teams were efficient and friendly, and the students had good interactions. We are excited for Big Smiles to come back in six months to serve more students and provide follow-up visits.” 

Mort Elementary is just one of many schools seeing the benefits of this in-school dental service. With more than 27 years of experience, Big Smiles continues to work toward its mission of bringing smiles and good oral health where they are needed. 

Benefits of the Big Smiles Program:

• No cost to the school or district
• Services reimbursed through Medicaid for eligible students
• Grant forms available for uninsured students
• Convenient on-site dental care at your school
• Preventive care including screenings, cleanings, sealants, fluoride treatments, and silver diamine fluoride

Consider partnering with Big Smiles to provide essential dental care for your students. Contact Robin Samet, director of outreach and community partnerships, at 703.675.7610 or [email protected]. Learn more at BigSmilesDental.org.

As a proud sponsor of the 2025 Summer Conference ONE GOAL: BUILDING THE FUTURE TOGETHER “PUTTING FAMILIES AND CHILDREN FIRST”, FHSA is thrilled to announce that the presentation call is now open! 

This year, One Goal celebrates 37 years of uniting early education and care providers, leaders, and advocates from around the state. Together, we collaborate, share insights, and work towards ensuring the safety and health of our children.

Join us at the Hilton Tampa zowntown in Tampa, Florida, from July 16 to 18, 2025. The conference will feature inspiring general sessions, engaging concurrent presentations, and exhibits showcasing essential materials.

Submit Your Proposal

FHSA invites the Head Start community to submit a proposal to present at the conference. The deadline for submission is April 4, 2025. The planning committee will carefully review all proposals.

Focus on Standards and Quality

This year, we emphasize the connection between the Florida Early Learning Developmental Standards, the Head Start Early Learning Outcomes Framework, and the Classroom Assessment and Scoring System™ (CLASS™). We encourage presenters to highlight how their presentations align with these standards and promote positive classroom interactions. This focus will help educators integrate these standards into every aspect of their programs, ultimately leading to better child outcomes. 

Don't miss this opportunity to share your knowledge, experience, and innovative ideas with the Head Start community. Together, let's build a brighter future for our children and families. 

Submit your proposal today and be part of this impactful event!

NHSA reports that it is still unclear how the final funding package for FY25 will turn out as Congress continues to float proposals back and forth, but no action has been taken yet. They expect the House and the Senate to continue discussions over the weekend and concrete proposals to be voted on early next week. 

Want to know more about what a government shutdown means for Head Start? Check out NHSA’s government affairs team blog to learn more about it.

Get ready for NHSA 52nd Annual Conference and Expo, happening in Columbus, Ohio, from May 19 - 22, 2025. 

Registration is now open for this premier event, boasting over 130 educational sessions filled with invaluable insights, cutting-edge strategies, and ample networking opportunities. 

Don't miss your chance to connect with fellow Head Start professionals, exchange ideas, and elevate your knowledge while partaking in a vibrant community dedicated to early childhood education.

Information Updates

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Important Upcoming Events

FHSA EVENTS

FHSA Professional Development Opportunities
Virtual
Click here for info

FHSA Directors Affiliate Group Monthly Check-In

April 1, 2025
Virtual
Click here for info

2025 FHSA Annual Conference & Expo

October 28 - 30, 2025
Orlando, Florida
Click here for info

STATE TRAININGS or EVENTS

DCF Broward Area Refugee Task Force 

March 19, 2025
Virtual
Click here for info 

Cross Agency Collaboration Meeting
March 25, 2025
Virtual
Click here for info 

REGIONAL TRAININGS or EVENTS

Casting the Head Start Net: Grow Your Program by Reaching More Families

March 25 - 27, 2025
Virtual
Click here for info

NATIONAL TRAININGS or EVENTS

Coaching Corner Series: Supporting Coachees to Use Co-Regulation with Children 

March 19, 2025
Virtual
Click here for info

Supporting Safe and Healthy Child Care Environments with the Right Tools  
March 20, 2025
Virtual
Click here for info

OHS National Center on Health, Behavioral Health, and Safety 
March 24, 2025
Virtual
Click here for info

The Florida Head Start Association dashboard, a practical tool for advocacy, was created to help inform policymakers and other state leaders about the critical role that Head Start programs play in the state and the unmet need for additional funding.

Congratulations to several honorees who were also recognized at the Region IV Head Start Association's Annual Conference:

• Teacher of the Year: Janice Smith, Brevard County
• Staff of the Year: Michelle Dale, Brevard County
• Achievement Award: Nadeige Laleau, Miami-Dade County
• Corporate Award: Orlando Science Center, Orange County

Florida's national finalists, the Hankins Johnson Education Foundation/Orlando Alphas (Edward Zigler Innovation Award) and VyStar Credit Union (Sargent Shriver Excellence in Community Service Award), are advancing to the National Head Start Association for consideration. 

As we celebrate Women’s History Month, FHSA is delighted to share that LaFonda Heidel, CEO of Kids Incorporated of the Big Bend and esteemed FHSA Board of Director, was featured on Real Talk with Judy as part of her inspiring Women Rising series. This series highlights incredible women who are shaping policies, influencing decisions, and driving positive change. 

FHSA is excited to introduce Food & Supply Source, a new resource partner to help you save money on food and supplies! 

What is Food & Supply Source?
Food & Supply Source partners with social and human service-focused organizations, including Head Starts, to optimize food and supply spending. Their expertise allows you to focus on what matters most: your mission of serving children and families. 

How Does It Work?
Food & Supply Source takes the hassle out of managing food and supply procurement. Their team analyzes your current spending and offers tailored solutions to help you save money without compromising quality. Food & Supply Source members realize a savings of 10-35% on their current spend. Not only do they help you save money, Food & Supply Source is a CACFP Industry Partner with dieticians on staff to help you create menus t no additional cost. 

Why Should You Connect with Them?

• Access discounted pricing and exclusive programs.
• Simplify your purchasing process.
• Free up valuable time to focus on your center’s goals.

Get Started Today!

Join today, and let Food & Supply Source handle the rest! Contact Wyatt Stumbo, National Sales Director, directly at 321.795.4074  or via email [email protected]or through his booking link to learn more.

As an early care and education provider, you know the importance of tracking children’s developmental milestones, but did you know there’s a FREE app from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to help make it easy, fun, and a great way to engage parents and caregivers? CDC’s Milestone Tracker app helps teachers, parents, and caregivers better understand each child’s skills and abilities, track and celebrate developmental milestones, and share developmental progress from ages 2 months through 5 years. 

The app offers:

• Parent- and teacher-friendly interactive checklists adapted from the American Academy of Pediatrics;
• The ability to adjust the checklist age if the child was born prematurely;
• Photos and videos that show you what developmental milestones look like;
• Tips and activities for supporting early development in the classroom and at home;
• Tips for taking action when there is a developmental concern;
• Developmental screening reminders;
• The ability to switch between English and Spanish; and
• New milestone countdowns and custom user profiles. 

Help parents and caregivers understand, support, and celebrate their child’s developmental milestones, and know when to act early if you have concerns. 

Access a printable poster (8.5” x 11”) for your classroom or center, a web button for your website, and more at www.cdc.gov/MilestoneTracker.

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