The Florida Head Start community is coming October 1 - 4, 2024, to the DoubleTree by Hilton and the Entrance to Universal for the FHSA 25th Anniversary Celebration, For the Record, Head Start Rocks!

This year's theme, "For the Record, Head Start Rocks!" shines a spotlight on the hard-working, dedicated staff that make Florida's Head Start/Early Head Start programs the high-quality care and education that families from at-risk backgrounds can access. It sets the record straight that Head Start works and significantly impacts the children and families being served, preparing them for school and life and leading to self-sufficiency. Your work is making a real difference, and this conference is an opportunity to celebrate and further this impact. 

Deadline to register is September 17, 2024.

This year's keynote speaker, Freddie Stevenson, is a head start alum who's journey is nothing short of inspiring. From winning a College Football National Championship at Florida State University to playing in the National Football League (NFL) with the Chicago Bears, Freddie's story is a testament to resilience and determination. His story is a source of pride for all of us, living proof of the impact of your work.

The FHSA Professional Development Committee has meticulously crafted a comprehensive program that is inclusive and caters to everyone, regardless of their level in their Head Start career. The conference sessions have been thoughtfully curated, considering feedback from previous events to ensure that each attendee, from newcomers to seasoned professionals, can find something valuable to take away. We invite you to take a look! 

The FHSA Annual Conference is only affordable because of the generous sponsors who make this event an amazing experience for all attendees. The conference would be nearly three times as expensive without their generous support. Please show these Sponsors ♥ by thanking them and contacting them when you need any of their services.

Last week, the Office of Head Start (OHS) announced the Final Rule on Supporting the Head Start Workforce and Consistent Quality Programming will officially be published on Wednesday, August 21, 2024. These updates to the Head Start Program Performance Standards (Performance Standards) are designed to stabilize the Head Start workforce and improve the quality of the comprehensive services that Head Start families count on.  

OHS has a dedicated webpage on the ECLKC to provide your team with information about changes to the Performance Standards, clarifying and promotional materials, and resources to support the implementation process.  

On August 28, OHS will host a detailed review of changes to the Performance Standards, which will be presented in Updates to the Performance Standards: Nurturing the Promise.

ICYMI: The Office of Head Start Launches Building a Culture of Safety Campaign

The Office of Head Start's (OHS) top priority is ensuring Head Start programs are safe spaces that children, families, and communities can trust. Every Head Start staff member and volunteer plays a crucial role in safeguarding children and preventing safety concerns. The Building a Culture of Safety webinar series will offer strategies to create a space for discussions and develop a safety culture in every Head Start program. To support this effort, OHS is launching a campaign to provide resources and in-depth support to the Head Start community.

Here is a listing of webinars that will be available:

• Approaches to Preventing and Addressing Child Health and Safety Incidents, August 28, 2:00 p.m. ET
• Preventing and Addressing Child Incidents Through an Education Lens, September 20, 3:00-4:30 p.m. ET
• Promoting Child Safety Through Staff and Family Partnerships, Save the date: Thursday, Oct. 10, 3–4:30 p.m. ET
• Research to Practice: Preventing Child Incidents Through Effective Systems, Save the date: Thursday, Nov. 14, 3–4:30 p.m. ET

You can find out more about this campaign on the ECLKC website.

Act: Invite Your Elected Official to a Site Visit

August is a great time to invite elected officials to visit your Head Start/Early Head Start program. Congress is in recess, which means they are back in their districts. This is an excellent opportunity for you to showcase the outstanding and innovative work happening in the classrooms and, most importantly, to meet with the dedicated staff carrying out this work and interact with parents, sharing their stories about how beneficial this program is to their children and families. Check out these resources to help you prepare to host a site visit. Please don't hesitate to contact FHSA if you need any assistance. 

The Division of Early Learning (DEL) has launched the My Florida Schools Portal, where early learning providers and schools can personalize their profiles. The new portal is intended to help families select the most suitable early learning and education options for their children. DEL is conducting a series of webinars to assist early learning providers in accurately setting up their profiles in the system.

NHSA will host its 2024 Fall Leadership Institute from September 23 to 26. The Institute is an opportunity for the entire Head Start community to come together, connect with congressional members and staff, and address critical issues impacting Head Start and Early Head Start. Let your voices be heard!

ICYMI: Senate Appropriations Committee Increases Head Start Funding

On Thursday, August 1, the Senate Appropriations Committee marked up the Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies (Labor/HHS) bill for Fiscal Year 2025 (FY25), which funds Head Start. The bill provides $12.97 billion for Head Start and Early Head Start, representing an increase of $700 million over last year’s levels for Cost-of-Living Adjustment, quality improvement funding, and the Tribal Colleges and Universities Head Start Partnership program. 

This was welcomed news after the House Appropriations Committee marked up its version of the bill in July, including a minimal increase of $25 million for Head Start in FY25. With FY24 ending on September 30, the Senate and House will have to agree on a final number or a Continuing Resolution (CR)–an extension of existing funding levels–when they return to Washington, D.C., in September to keep Head Start and the entire federal government operating. Click here to read NHSA's response. 

Information Updates 

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Important Upcoming Events

FHSA EVENTS

FHSA Directors Affiliate Group Meeting

September 3, 2024
Virtual
Click here for info

Head Start Transportation Standards & Compliance

September 12, 2024
Virtual
Click here for info

FHSA Annual Conference

October 1 - 4, 2024
Orlando, FL
Click here for info

 STATE TRAININGS or EVENTS

McKinney-Vento Regional Fall Mini Conference

August 23, 2024
Tallahassee, FL
Click here for info

NATIONAL TRAININGS or EVENTS

NHSA Advocacy & Activism

September 10, 2024
Virtual
Click here for info

The Florida Head Start Association (FHSA) is pleased to announce its newly elected members to the FHSA Board of Directors: Andrea Fraizer, JewRonda Green, and Autumn Tomas. 

We eagerly anticipate the induction of our new board members at the FHSA annual conference & expo on October 1-4, 2024, in Orlando, FL. Their term will officially begin on October 1 and run through September 30, 2026, with an option to serve an additional two years.  

We are delighted with the newest additions to the FHSA Board of Directors and are eagerly anticipating the leadership and expertise each will bring to leading the association. 

Please join us for the FHSA Directors Affiliate Group Meeting! 

This meeting will host Cassandra Jackson, VPK Program and Policy Manager at the Division of Early Learning (DEL), to answer your questions about VPK, progress monitoring, summer bridge, New Worlds Reading Initiative, and the My Florida Schools portal as well as additional topics of interest to you.

Send your questions to Kim Singer, HSCO Director by August 26, 2024.

Please note that this meeting is intended for HS/EHS Grantee Directors. If you are a Grantee Director in Florida and are not receiving these meeting notices, please contact us for details.

FHSA would like to amplify Head Start's voice each month by recognizing FHSA members who are making Head Start's work happen! Tell us about your staff so we can spotlight the work in Florida to serve the most at-risk children and families.

It's time to renew your 2024-2025 FHSA membership!

Being a member of FHSA provides many benefits, including special member rates to our training and conferences, participation in our Annual Awards Program, the ability to serve on committees, representation on the FHSA board of directors and at the regional level, unlimited access to our network meetings, access to information, resources and much more!

FHSA Executive Director Wanda Minick attended the annual State Leadership of Associations Meeting (SLAM) convened by the National Head Start Association (NHSA) at NHSA headquarters in Alexandria, Va., last month. The meeting brought together state and regional Head Start association executives for three days, focusing on strengthening the collective voice of Head Start. With nearly 25 states and regions represented, we learned from each other and shared the realities in our states/regions.

A significant highlight was the opportunity to sit down with the Office of Head Start Director, Khari Gavin, to discuss ways to enhance our collaboration and strengthen the Head Start community to ensure programs can continue to provide safe and high-quality programming Head Start has provided for 59 years. 

State Leadership of Associations Meeting
(SLAM) attendees at NHSA Headquarters

State Leadership of Associations Meeting
(SLAM) attendees with Director Garvin

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