As we begin the new year, FHSA wants to ensure our Florida Head Start community is fully informed about the significant legal developments shaping our work nationwide. Several state Head Start Associations, along with parent advocacy organizations, have challenged recent federal actions that threatened the integrity, accessibility, and stability of the Head Start program. On January 6, 2026, the federal court issued a major ruling that temporarily blocks the implementation of the DEIA Ban and the mass cuts to the Office of Head Start—two policies that would have deeply affected programs, staff, and families across the country. This ruling follows an earlier decision in September that halted the Immigrant Exclusion Directive. 

Together, these court orders mean that, for now, Head Start programs may continue providing culturally responsive, inclusive, and accessible services without fear of penalty, and that further federal staffing cuts cannot move forward while the case proceeds. These protections remain in place unless a higher court intervenes. 

This moment underscores the strength of our collective advocacy and the importance of staying informed and engaged. We invite you to read a summary of what these decisions mean for programs, families, and the work ahead.

FHSA is seeking passionate, committed members to serve on our 2026 committees. This is your opportunity to help shape the future of Head Start in Florida, strengthen our statewide network, and ensure our programs continue to thrive.

We are currently recruiting volunteers for the following committees:

Advocacy Committee

Help elevate Head Start’s voice at the local, state, and federal levels. Support policy priorities, mobilize members, and strengthen our collective impact.

Awards Committee

Celebrate excellence across Florida’s Head Start community by helping review nominations and select honorees for our annual awards program.

Finance Committee

Provide guidance on FHSA’s financial health, budgeting, and long‑term sustainability. Ideal for members with financial, administrative, or governance experience.

Membership Committee

Support member engagement, recruitment, and retention. Help us grow a strong, connected, and informed FHSA community.

Professional Development Committee

Shape high‑quality learning opportunities for our statewide workforce, including conference sessions, trainings, and year‑round development initiatives.

Ready to Get Involved?

Your leadership and perspective matter. We would be honored to have you at the table as we continue advancing Head Start's mission across Florida.

FHSA is gearing up for an unforgettable Homecoming 2026 in Atlanta during the RIVHSA Annual Training Conference & Expo—and we want YOU to be part of the excitement. Whether you’re a first‑timer or a seasoned conference pro, this year’s spirit‑filled lineup is designed to bring our Florida family together in a big way.

Monday: FHSA State Tailgate – Let the Spirit Begin!

Join us on Monday, February 9, from 3:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. as we kick off RIVHSA Homecoming Spirit Days with a Florida‑style tailgate! Swing by the FHSA tent to reconnect with colleagues, enjoy snacks, snap fun photos, and get into the Homecoming spirit.

Don’t forget to bring a clean T‑shirt representing your agency for the RIVHSA Homecoming Quilt Project. These shirts will be transformed into a commemorative quilt celebrating RIVHSA’s 40‑year legacy—a keepsake that honors the heart of our region. If you have an FHSA shirt, this is the perfect moment to wear it proudly.

Spirit Days: Show Your Colors!

• Tuesday: Wear RED to celebrate the Heart of RIVHSA.
• Wednesday (8:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.): Represent your roots by wearing your Agency Logo.
• Wednesday Evening (6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.): Step into elegance at the Black + White Gala, where we will honor nine FHSA state award recipients during a beautiful semi‑formal to formal celebration.
• Thursday: Wear BLUE to reflect our unity, strength, and shared purpose.

As a Community Partner of Children’s Week, FHSA invites you to join us in creating hand artwork for next year’s Celebration of the Hands at the Capitol Rotunda. This inspiring display is a reminder that the future of our children rests in our hands. 

With the 2026 theme, Building Blocks for Every Child, we encourage families and Head Start/Early Head Start programs to design handprints that reflect our shared commitment to strong foundations for Florida’s children. 

Helpful reminders:

• Connect hands with string, yarn, or ribbon (no individual hands).
• Add a header at the top of your strand.
• Package carefully and ensure embellishments are dry.
• Mail completed artwork by February 6, 2026.

Together, let’s build a vibrant display that celebrates imagination, unity, and the power of community.

During December, the Administration for Children and Families hosted two webinars outlining the new protocols for Focus Areas 1 and 2. This administration continues to emphasize reducing burden while maintaining program integrity, aligning monitoring more closely with the grant cycle, and strengthening collaboration across oversight, policy, comprehensive services, and training and technical assistance divisions.

OHS has refined its monitoring approach to be more focused, efficient, and responsive to program needs. For FY26, updates include streamlining and clarifying review questions, reducing the total number of questions from 449 in FY25 to 203 in FY26—a 54.8% overall decrease—and shortening on‑site review visits from five days to three or three and a half days.

If you missed the webinars or need the accompanying materials, you can access them below:

• OHS FY26 Focus Area 1: Program Systems Review Information Session
  Aired on December 16
  Download all slides and handouts from the webinar.
  

• OHS FY26 Focus Area 2: Comprehensive Services Review
  Aired on December 18
  Download all slides and handouts from the webinar.
  

The administration released the new Dietary Guidelines for Americans on January 7, offering updated recommendations to support healthier eating habits nationwide. The new guidance encourages limiting added sugars, increasing daily protein intake, choosing whole foods, and reducing consumption of highly processed items.

These updates are especially important for Head Start programs, which play a vital role in supporting healthy eating and nutrition for enrolled children and families. Access to nutritious foods and strong nutrition services helps children grow, develop, and learn. Good nutrition fuels brain development, supports focus and energy throughout the program day, strengthens the immune system, and reduces the risk of illness. It also helps prevent childhood obesity and the long‑term health challenges associated with it.

The Food Research & Action Center (FRAC) emphasized that the Dietary Guidelines shape nutrition standards across federal food programs—including school meals, child care nutrition, summer feeding programs, and WIC. As the guidelines are implemented, FRAC notes that families and program operators will need adequate resources and federal support to meet the new standards.

FRAC also raised concerns about potential changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). With average benefits amounting to less than six dollars per person per day, affordability and access remain the biggest barriers to healthy eating for many families. FRAC cautioned that recent and proposed cuts to SNAP could increase food insecurity at a time when nutritious food is already out of reach for millions.

FHSA encourages all Head Start families to join the Parents Unite National Zoom Call on Tuesday, January 20 at 3 p.m. ET. This nationwide gathering will help parents learn how to make their voices heard in Congress, understand the next steps in this important advocacy campaign, and connect with families across the country.

The NHSA's goal is that by April 2026, Head Start parents will have met with every member of Congress—in Washington, D.C., and in local districts—to share why Head Start is essential to children, families, and communities. Whether you can travel or participate locally, your story has power.

Sign up to receive Zoom details and get involved: https://nhsa.org/our-work/parents-unite/

Together, we can ensure Congress hears directly from the families who know Head Start best.

Gardens don’t just feed children — they strengthen communities. The NHSA Garden Grant, in partnership with ScottsMiracle‑Gro, supports Head Start programs committed to making gardens a meaningful part of learning and family engagement.

Programs selected for this grant focus on educational gardening, strong family and community involvement, a Community Build Day celebration, and long‑term sustainability. Review committees prioritize projects that demonstrate deep community impact and hands‑on participation from children, families, and local partners.

Is your program ready to cultivate a space where learning grows? Apply by January 30, 2026

Registration is officially open for the 2026 National Head Start Conference and Expo, the premier gathering for the Head Start community. This annual event brings together leaders, staff, and partners from across the country to learn, connect, and strengthen the work that supports children and families.

With more than 130 sessions, the conference offers rich learning opportunities tailored to the real challenges and innovations programs are navigating today.

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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Important Upcoming Events

FHSA EVENTS

FHSA Directors Affiliate Group Monthly Check-in
February 3, 2026
Virtual
Click here for info

FHSA Professional Development Committee Meeting
February 18, 2026
Virtual
Click here for info

STATE TRAININGS or EVENTS 

HSCO Mental Health Focus Group: Statewide Needs Assessment
January 20, 2026
Virtual
Click here for info

FL State Board of Education Meeting
January 17, 2026
Tallahassee, FL
Click here for info

HSCO Disabilities: Statewide Needs Assessment
January 27, 2026
Virtual
Click here for info

HSCO Disabilities: Statewide Needs Assessment
January 29, 2026
Virtual
Click here for info

Children's Week
February 22 - 27, 2026
Tallahassee, FL
Click here for info

REGIONAL TRAININGS or EVENTS

RIVHSA Conference & Expo
February 9 - 12, 2026
Atlanta, GA
Click here for info 

NATIONAL TRAININGS or EVENTS

Parents Unite Zoom Call

January 20, 2026
Virtual
Click here for info

Foundations of Trauma-Informed Care in Head Start Programs
January 21, 2026
Virtual
Click here for info

Partnering with Families During Tax Time
January 22, 2026
Virtual
Click here for info

NHSA Winter Leadership Institute
January 26 - 29, 2026
Washington, D.C.
Click here for info

Creating a Safe Space Through Perinatal Behavioral Health Screenings
January 29, 2026
Virtual
Click here for info

FHSA is proud to celebrate another successful year partnering in the PBS KIDS Preschool Book Drive, led by WUCF (Central Florida’s PBS station) and VyStar Credit Union.

Launched at the FHSA 2025 Annual Conference in October, FHSA members and attendees donated more than 100 books to kick off the campaign. From Nov. 1–30, VyStar branches collected new and gently used books across nine Central Florida counties, making it easy for families and community members to participate.

Together, the community collected 5,800 books for Central Florida families, an increase from last year and a strong reflection of our shared commitment to early literacy.

Donated books supported several Head Start and Early Head Start programs, including:

• 4C (Community Coordinated Care for Children)
• You Thrive
• RCMA (Redlands Christian Migrant Association)
• Orange County Head Start

This effort showcases the power of partnership in action. FHSA is grateful to every member, program, and partner who helped ensure young children have access to books that inspire learning and a lifelong love of reading.

FHSA proudly celebrates its State Award winners who have advanced to receive regional recognition from the Region IV Head Start Association (RIVHSA). First honored during FHSA’s Annual Awards Luncheon in October, these outstanding leaders, staff, parents, and partners will now be recognized during the RIVHSA 2026 Awards Gala on Wednesday, February 11, 2026, 6:30–8:30 p.m. EST at the Omni Atlanta at Centennial Park – Grand Ballroom. 

Read the full list of honorees and details in our press release.

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.

FHSA is proud to once again partner with the Florida Association for the Education of Young Children (FLAEYC) and the Florida Family Child Care Home Association, Inc. (FFCCHA) to host a booth in Storybook Village during this year’s Children’s Week. 

Our featured book is Not a Box—a celebration of creativity and imagination. Thanks to the generous support of FHSA, FLAEYC, and FFCCHA, 600 copies of the book will be shared with families. Discount School Supply has also provided boxes so each child visiting our booth can design their own imaginative creation. 

We will provide Families with the materials they need and encourage them to take their projects home to continue the fun. A QR code will be included so families can upload photos of their child’s finished masterpiece—we can’t wait to see where their imagination takes them!

Orange County Head Start at NHSA's Parent Engagement Conference in Orlando, Florida

Orange County Head Start hosting visits at NHSA's Parent Engagement Conference in Orlando, Florida

FHSA is proud to spotlight Orange County Head Start for its outstanding leadership and partnership in planning the National Head Start Association’s Parent Engagement Conference held in Orlando in December. For months, the Orange County team worked closely with NHSA to help shape this national event, serving as the local host program and supporting multiple aspects of the conference’s success. 

Their contributions were felt from the very start. Orange County Head Start coordinated and led the conference kickoff tour, welcoming attendees into their schools and classrooms to experience the innovative, engaging, and family‑centered work happening across their program. Staff also volunteered throughout the conference—assisting with registration, facilitating sessions, and providing on‑site support to ensure a smooth and welcoming experience for all participants. 

We also extend our appreciation to Sonya Hill, Orange County Head Start Director, who served as the keynote speaker for the Alumni Luncheon, offering a powerful reflection on Head Start’s generational impact. 

FHSA celebrates Orange County Head Start for its dedication, professionalism, and commitment to elevating the Head Start mission. Their efforts helped make this year’s Parent Engagement Conference a meaningful and memorable experience for programs and families nationwide.

Sonya Hill, Orange County Head
Start Director, keynote address.

RCMA Children Visit the Florida Aquarium

Right before Christmas, the rooftop of the Florida Aquarium in Tampa transformed into a festive winter wonderland for a group of very excited RCMA children. Thanks to the generosity of the Yob Family Foundation—who has hosted a holiday gift‑giving celebration for underserved children in Tampa Bay for more than a decade—RCMA was selected as this year’s benefactor, and the experience was unforgettable. 

Children enjoyed a special tour of the aquarium, followed by lunch and hands‑on holiday activities, including a snow globe and snowman station and a cheerful photobooth. The day’s biggest thrill came during the gift exchange, led by Santa Claus and his honorary elf helpers: Tampa District 5 Councilwoman Naya Young and former Washington Commanders player Shane Simpson. 

FHSA extends a heartfelt thanks to the Yob Family Foundation and all community partners who helped make the season brighter for RCMA children and families.

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