July/August 2025 | Monthly Newsletter from the Florida Head Start Association
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Honoring Legacy. Leading Boldly. Investing in Florida's Future.
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As we move into the second half of the year, change continues to shape our work—through new policies, evolving partnerships, and growing community needs. Yet one thing remains constant: FHSA’s unwavering commitment to you, our members.
In this edition, each story and resource serves a common purpose—honoring Head Start’s legacy while working toward a future where every Florida child thrives. From celebrating our collective impact to advancing advocacy when it's needed most, we invite you to read, reflect, and re-engage in our shared mission.
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Stay Connected. Stay Empowered.
Renew Your FHSA Membership.
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Orange County Head Start Program Hill Day Visit 2025
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As the FHSA fiscal year comes to a close, it’s time to renew your membership.
- Be on the lookout: Starting August 1, renewal emails will arrive with personalized invoices and easy payment instructions.
Renew by September 30, 2025, to ensure uninterrupted access to essential member benefits, including:
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Timely advocacy updates and policy alerts
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Exclusive professional development opportunities, webinars, and toolkits
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Member-only networking events and coalition-building
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Access to valuable Head Start data and resources
If you have any questions, reach out to us at [email protected] or call (850) 695-6477.
Together, we’ll keep Head Start strong—for today and for the future.
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Advocacy In Action: Our Moment to Speak Up is NOW
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FL House Representative Dr. Anna Eskamani (FL - 42)
reads to students at the Southwood Head Start Center
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Members of Congress are home for the final stretch before September’s funding deadline—and it’s time to make Head Start voices heard.
Florida Head Start programs support over 40,000 families, ensuring that children receive high-quality early learning, nutrition, and medical care while their parents are at work. But without strong federal funding, families, educators, and employers face impossible choices.
FHSA urges you to act now.
- Email your Member of Congress — ask them to protect Head Start and share with them how Head Start is a great investment.
- Invite legislators to visit your Head Start program during recess.
- Submit a Letter to the Editor of your local newspaper to highlight the Head Start program's impact in your community.
- Visit our Advocacy Resources webpage—your one-stop hub for tools, talking points, and links to reach your lawmakers.
Let’s elevate Head Start’s economic impact across Florida—and protect the essential services that strengthen communities, uplift families, and secure Florida’s future: our children.
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The FHSA Nominating Committee invites passionate and committed individuals to submit self-nominations for the 2025–2027 Board of Directors. Whether you’re a seasoned Director, a program parent, a dedicated staff member, or an engaged supporter of early childhood education — we encourage you to consider this meaningful leadership opportunity.
Available Positions Include:
- Two (2) Regional Directors from the Southeast and Suncoast regions
- Three (3) Director-At-Large positions open to members in a Staff or Parent role with a Head Start/Early Head Start program and FHSA Individual or Corporate Friends level
Why Serve?
Board members help guide FHSA’s strategic vision, amplify the voices of Head Start, and advocate for policies that uplift Head Start communities at the local, state, and national levels.
Ready to lead?
Let your passion lead the way. Together, we can honor the past and shape the future.
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FHSA Exhibitor & Sponsorship Opportunities Now Open
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We’re excited to announce that opportunities for the Florida Head Start Association Annual Conference & Expo are officially open!
This is your chance to connect with Head Start leaders—including CEOs, Directors, Site Managers, Teachers, and more—while showcasing your brand’s commitment to early childhood education and community impact.
Download the Partner Prospectus to explore packages designed to maximize your visibility—from dynamic sponsorships to exclusive exhibit space. All commitments must be completed via the Partner Prospectus. Online registration is currently unavailable but will be restored soon.
The sponsor and exhibitor commitment deadline is August 22, 2025.
Spots are limited—secure yours by submitting your completed form today!
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FHSA Annual Conference & Expo Venue
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After securing your sponsorships and booth, don't forget to arrange your hotel accommodations! Room block expires October 7, 2025, or until the block reaches capacity.
FHSA special room rate from $159 /per night++. Use the Book Now button below to reserve your room or call 1-800-222-TREE (8733).
Parking: The overnight and event-day self-parking rate is discounted to $15+ tax a night.
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Florida TaxWatch Releases New Report
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Childcare gaps cost Florida parents $3.3 billion in lost wages, another $9.8 billion when parents leave the workforce, and saddle employers with $4.9 billion in turnover—losses preventable through affordable, high-quality childcare and better pay for providers.
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HHS Requires Immigration Status Verification for Head Start Enrollment
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On July 10, 2025, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced that Head Start programs must now verify the immigration status of children before enrollment. This marks a reversal of a 1998 interpretation that allowed undocumented children to access services under the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act (PRWORA).
Under the new directive, Head Start is classified as a “federal public benefit”—limiting access to U.S. citizens and legal residents. HHS officials say the change is meant to “restore integrity” to federal programs, but advocates warn it could create fear, confusion, and new barriers for vulnerable families.
Key Points:
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Nonprofits are exempt from verifying immigration status due to statutory protections.
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No child should be disenrolled: Once a child is deemed eligible, they remain eligible for the following program year per the Head Start Act.
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Implementation guidance is pending from HHS. Additional information will be shared as it becomes available.
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ACLU lawsuit update: On July 15, the ACLU amended its lawsuit on behalf of six plaintiffs to challenge this new immigration requirement.
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Public comment open for 30 days: The Head Start community is encouraged to weigh in on how this shift impacts families after six decades of inclusive service. You can submit your comments here.
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Proposed Changes to Head Start Grant Application
On July 16, the Office of Head Start proposed revisions to the Head Start Grant Application (OMB #0970-0207), including reduced space for program narratives and budget justifications.
Public comments are being accepted until August 15.
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NHSA Responds to HHS Policy
Change on Head Start Enrollment
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The National Head Start Association (NHSA) is alarmed by the announcement from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HSS) that will require Head Start programs to check the citizenship or immigration status of children prior to their enrollment. This decision undermines the fundamental commitment that the country has made to children and disregards decades of evidence that Head Start is essential to our collective future. Head Start programs strive to make every child feel welcome, safe, and supported, and reject the characterization of any child as “illegal.”
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Head Start is at a crossroads. With proposed federal budget cuts, shifting policy landscapes, and rising community needs, the stakes have never been higher. This fall, the National Head Start Association (NHSA) invites parents, educators, and advocates to gather in Washington, D.C., for the Fall Leadership Institute—a pivotal moment to protect and propel the future of Head Start.
Held just two weeks before the federal funding deadline, the Institute offers a rare opportunity to speak directly with lawmakers, share your story, and rally alongside a national network of passionate leaders. Click here for more information on the Fall Leadership Institute.
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Important Upcoming Events
FHSA EVENTS
FHSA Directors Affiliate Group Monthly Check-in
August 5, 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 Miami-Dade Area Refugee Task Force Meeting
August 8, 2025
Virtual
Click here for info
DCF Orlando Area Refugee Task Force Meeting
August 13, 2025
Virtual
Click here for info
DCF Southwest FL Area Refugee Task Force Meeting
August 20, 2025
Virtual
Click here for info
DCF Tampa Bay Area Refugee Task Force Meeting
August 20, 2025
Virtual
Click here for info
2025 Prevention Convention
August 21 - 22, 2025
Orlando, Florida
Click here for info
REGIONAL TRAININGS or EVENTS
RIVHSA Early Head Start Institute
September 23 - 26, 2025
Atlanta, Georgia
Click here for info
NATIONAL TRAININGS or EVENTS
Make Your Voice Heard: How to Submit Comments on the HHS Public Benefits Notice
August 7, 2025
Virtual
Click here for info
NCAP's 2025 Annual Convention
August 27 - 29, 2025
Detroit, Michigan
Click here for info
NHSA Fall Leadership Institute
September 15 - 18, 2025
Washington, DC
Click here for info
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FHSA Executive Director Names 2025 FECAF Fellow
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FHSA proudly congratulates Wanda Minick, our Executive Director, and all members of the 2025 Florida Early Childhood Advocacy Fellowship (FECAF) cohort!
This prestigious year-long program equips early learning professionals with the tools, knowledge, and connections to champion policies that strengthen Florida’s early childhood systems. We’re especially proud to see Head Start voices represented in this dynamic group of changemakers—including Flora Oynick, Curriculum and Instruction Manager at Children First, Inc., whose leadership and advocacy continue to elevate the Head Start mission.
Wanda and Flora’s selections reflect their unwavering commitment to advancing equity, access, and opportunity for Florida’s children, families, and early learning workforce.
Join us in celebrating the full 2025 FECAF cohort:
- Angela-Perla Almodovar, CEO, Early Childhood Initiative of America
- Kristy Amburgey, Chief Community Impact Officer, Flagler Cares/One Voice of Volusia
- Courtney Ballestero, Executive Director, New Horizons Country Day School
- Mariel Broffman, Quality Specialist, ELC St. Lucie
Joran Corley, Assistant Director, O2B Kids, Alachua
- Annette Eberhart, Owner/Director, Kidds R Us
- Talethia Edwards, Executive Director, Good News Outreach
- Olivia Giusti, VPK Program Specialist, Division of Early Learning
- Megan Folts, Early Learning Advocate, Hillsborough
- Chelsea Funari, Postdoctoral Researcher, Florida Center for Reading Research
- Victoria Henry, Program Manager, Parents as Teachers
- Dana Hodges, CEO, ELC Emerald Coast
- Varnessa McCray, Director of Community Engagement, The Children's Movement
- Adrien Malek-Lasater, Assistant Professor, Early Childhood Education
- Camille Mendez, Program Supervisor, ELC Pinellas
- Melissa Mercado, Director of Programs and Projects, ELC Palm Beach
Together, this cohort represents the future of early childhood advocacy in Florida—bold, informed, and ready to lead.
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The FHSA Dashboard:
Your Tool for Advocacy
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The Florida Head Start Association dashboard is a practical tool for advocacy, created to help inform policymakers and other state leaders about the critical role Head Start programs play in Florida—and the unmet need for additional funding.
We encourage all programs to take a moment to review their data on the dashboard to ensure its accuracy. Up-to-date and accurate information strengthens our collective voice and ensures your program is represented correctly in statewide advocacy efforts.
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SSBCT-Credentialed Family Service Workers
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Congratulations to the 2025 cohort of Family Services Workers who earned their Social Service Practitioner Credential (SSBCT)—a milestone made possible through FHSA’s partnership with Tennessee State University and the Tennessee Conference on Social Welfare.
This achievement reflects your dedication to professional growth and your commitment to empowering the children and families we serve. Your work strengthens communities, builds trust, and shapes brighter futures.
We celebrate your success and thank you for setting a high standard for family engagement in Head Start.
Please help us congratulate:
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Marla Benitez Acuna
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Wendi Blanton
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Ashley Bobadilla
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Evan Byrne
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Jasmine Gordon
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Angela Hood
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Kelli McCarthy
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Brittney Perra
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Merecedes Rosa
Looking Ahead: 2026 Credentialing Cohort Launching Soon!
FHSA is preparing for another impactful year of credentialing. Don’t miss your chance to grow, connect, and lead with Head Start professionals across Florida.
Stay tuned—and get ready to elevate your impact.
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Children First, the exclusive provider of Head Start and Early Head Start services in Sarasota County, is proud to announce more than $170,000 in recent grant funding to support its mission of strengthening children and families. These generous contributions will directly benefit the agency’s comprehensive services, which include early childhood education, family strengthening, emotional and behavioral support, and health and wellness programming.
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Information Updates
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Hello!
The FHSA monthly newsletter aims to provide you with important information about the Association, upcoming events, and national industry updates. We encourage you to make sure your information is up-to-date so you don't miss out on important information.
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FHSA Vision: We envision a future where all Head Start families thrive.
FHSA Mission: Empower members to advocate, lead, and enhance the education, health, and social services provided to families by Head Start.
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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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