What is women’s work?

For generations, people have used that phrase to describe the work that happens in kitchens, homes, and places where children are cared for—preparing meals, cleaning spaces, nurturing young lives, and tending to the everyday needs of families. Too often, the phrase “women’s work” has been used to make that labor seem small or ordinary, as if the work that sustains daily life is somehow less important than the work that happens in boardrooms or office buildings.

But anyone who has spent a day in a Head Start program knows the truth.

The day begins before the children even arrive. Spaces are prepared. Tables are wiped down. Materials are set out with intention. Breakfast is ready.

Then the doors open.

Children arrive with backpacks and stories from the morning. A teacher kneels to greet a child at eye level. A child who had a rough start to the day is welcomed with patience and reassurance. Someone ties a shoe. Someone wipes away tears. Someone celebrates a small victory that might seem ordinary to others but means everything to a child who is learning to believe in themselves.

Throughout the day there are lessons, songs, and stories. Questions are answered and curiosity is encouraged. Meals are shared and routines are practiced. Children learn something new about the world—and sometimes something new about themselves.

None of these moments make headlines. None of them are flashy or dramatic. Yet every one of them matters.

Because this is the work that keeps the world turning.

When we feed a child, we are strengthening tomorrow’s future. When we care for young children while their families go to work, we are supporting households and strengthening our economy today. When we create safe, clean, nurturing environments for children to learn and grow, we are helping build the confidence, habits, and sense of belonging that children will carry with them for the rest of their lives.

The truth is that much of the work that has historically been labeled “women’s work” is actually the work that sustains society.

Caring for children and supporting families is not secondary work. It is foundational work.

In Head Start, we understand this deeply. Every day across our communities, women serve as teachers, directors, family advocates, health coordinators, cooks, bus drivers, and support staff. We show up not just to do a job, but to care for children and families in ways that strengthen entire communities.

Because when families know their children are safe, supported, and learning, parents can go to work, pursue education, and build stability for their households. In that way, Head Start is not only early childhood education—it is also economic development.

At the same time, the work happening in Head Start programs is shaping something even bigger.

The children being cared for today will grow into tomorrow’s workforce, leaders, neighbors, and community members. The encouragement they receive, the routines they learn, and the care they experience now will influence how they move through the world for years to come.

That means the work happening quietly inside Head Start programs every day is doing two things at once: supporting families and communities today, while helping to build the future we all hope to see tomorrow.

And much of that work continues to be carried by women.
Women who greet each child by name.
Women who notice when something needs attention.
Women who celebrate small victories that others might overlook.
Women who do the steady, patient work of nurturing growth.
Women who stand in the gap.

March is Women’s History Month, a time when our nation recognizes the contributions women have made throughout history.

In Head Start, we recognize something else as well.

Every day, through the care we give, the encouragement we offer, and the stability we create for children and families, we are helping raise the next generation of history makers.

Because the work women do today becomes the history that shapes the future of our society.

FHSA is currently recruiting volunteers to serve on the Membership Committee and Awards Committee. These committees play an important role in strengthening member engagement and celebrating excellence across Florida’s Head Start community.

If you’re interested in contributing your time and perspective, we invite you to complete the volunteer sign‑up form.

As a proud Community Partner of Children’s Week Florida, held February 22–27 in Tallahassee, the Florida Head Start Association joined an incredible network of organizations working to elevate the voices of Florida’s children and families. Throughout the week, FHSA helped shine a light on how Head Start is building tomorrow’s leaders and strengthening communities across the state.

It was a meaningful, energizing, and busy week—one that reaffirmed the importance of ensuring every child in Florida has the opportunity to thrive.

FHSA is pleased to announce the appointment of Kathy Vega as the new Southeast Director on the FHSA Board of Directors. Approved during the February 11 board meeting, Kathy brings 36 years of Early Childhood Education experience and currently serves as Associate Executive and Head Start Director at RCMA. A former farmworker parent whose journey began in the Migrant and Seasonal Head Start program, Kathy has dedicated her career to strengthening opportunities for vulnerable children and families. FHSA is honored to welcome her leadership and regional perspective to the Board.

Florida's 2026 Regular Session has ended without a state budget for the second straight year. Legislators will return to Tallahassee in mid-April to complete the budget. A special session on Congressional redistricting is scheduled for April 20, making April an active month at the Capitol.

Budget Stalemate

The House and Senate have not agreed on budget allocations, which determine funding for each policy area. Leaders in both chambers will notify members when to return and vote on the final budget.

A Session Marked by Tension and Limited Output

This session matched last year in delays and tension between the chambers. The final bill count reflects gridlock.

• Only 120 general bills were passed, less than half the five‑year average of 249.
• Many high‑profile priorities from the Governor, Senate, and House failed to cross the finish line.

Among the major proposals that died this year:

• Property tax relief
• An Artificial Intelligence Bill of Rights
• Expanded parental opt‑outs for vaccines
• The Rural Renaissance package
• School choice scholarship reforms
• Several health and education initiatives

With the session ended, no more policy bills can be considered. Any measure not passed by both chambers is dead for the year and must be refiled later.

Early Learning & Child‑Focused Legislation That Passed

Despite gridlock, lawmakers passed a few meaningful bills for children and families:

Drowning Prevention — SB 428

SB 428 expands the Swimming Lesson Voucher Program, giving more low-income children access to free swimming lessons. The change aims to reduce childhood drowning, Florida’s leading cause of accidental death for young children.

Child Care & Early Learning — SB 1690

SB 1690 creates the Florida Child Care Fund to increase early learning and child care access statewide.

The bill also establishes a statewide system for:

• Training alignment
• Trainer approval
• Competency‑based assessments for early learning professionals

This investment supports early learning and addresses the effects of limited child care on Florida’s workforce. You can view all of the bills FHSA was tracking this session at this link.

The Florida Head Start Association joins programs across the nation in welcoming Lizbeth Casco‑White as the newly appointed Director of the Office of Head Start. With more than 20 years of leadership experience in early childhood education, family services, and public policy, Director Casco‑White brings a deep understanding of the Head Start mission and the systems that support children and families. 

Her background includes overseeing Early Head Start standards across multiple centers and family child care homes, where her leadership helped ensure that 90 percent of children met key developmental benchmarks. She also brings experience from state government, most recently serving as Virginia’s Deputy Secretary of Labor. Her academic preparation in human development, marriage and family therapy, and law reflects a strong commitment to both family well‑being and effective governance. 

FHSA looks forward to collaborating with Director Casco‑White as she leads the Office of Head Start into its next chapter. Strong federal partnerships are essential to ensuring Florida’s programs have the resources, stability, and guidance needed to deliver high‑quality services to more than 30,000 children and families each year. 

For additional information about the Office of Head Start and its work supporting children and families nationwide, please click here.

As the FY27 federal appropriations cycle gets underway, early conversations about funding priorities are already taking shape on Capitol Hill.

Rep. Jahana Hayes (D‑CT) and Rep. Pete Stauber (R‑MN) are inviting members of the House of Representatives to sign onto bipartisan “Dear Colleague” letters urging continued—and strengthened—investment in Head Start.

Both letters underscore a shared, long‑standing belief across parties: Head Start delivers essential early learning, health, and family support services that strengthen communities nationwide.

Once finalized, these letters will be submitted to the House Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Subcommittee, which sets annual funding levels for Head Start and Early Head Start.

Your engagement makes a difference. Head Start and Early Head Start programs across Florida rely on strong federal funding to keep classrooms staffed, support family services, and meet rising operational costs. With more than 40,000 children and families served statewide each year, Florida’s programs need Congress to maintain—and strengthen its investment. Every signature on these “Dear Colleague” letters helps protect the resources our communities depend on.

Take a moment to email your Representative and encourage them to sign onto the bipartisan “Dear Colleague” letters supporting Head Start. Together, we can help secure the resources our programs need.

FHSA is calling on all parents and program staff in Florida to join the NHSA nationwide Parents Unite campaign. This parent‑driven initiative is designed to strengthen and protect Head Start by amplifying families' voices across the country. 

Parents Unite welcomes parents, caregivers, staff, directors, and anyone who believes in the power of Head Start. The campaign’s goal is for every member of Congress to meet with a group of current Head Start parents from at least one program in their district by April. 

To achieve this, we need participation from families and programs in all 28 Florida congressional districts. We will coordinate local visits during the congressional recess, April 1–11, while representatives are home. 

Additionally, FHSA will select two parents and one support person to travel to Washington, D.C., April 21–23, 2026, to meet with Florida’s senators and representatives and further elevate the voices of our Head Start community.

If you are interested in participating, please complete the Parents Unite DC Fly-In Participants form. Your involvement is vital to ensuring Florida’s voice is heard in this important campaign.

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Important Upcoming Events
FHSA EVENTS

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

FHSA Membership Committee Meeting
March 19, 2026
Virtual
Click here for info 

FHSA Directors Affiliate Group Meeting
April 7, 2026
Virtual
Click here for info 

FHSA Professional Development Committee Meeting
April 15, 2026
Virtual
Click here for info

FHSA Annual Conference
October 27-29, 2026
Orlando, FL
Click here for info

 STATE TRAININGS or EVENTS

20-Hour Breastfeeding Counselor Certificate Course
March 12 - 26, 2026
Virtual
Click here for info

The Future Call: Nemours Children's Reading BrightStart!
March 24, 2026
Virtual
Click here for info

The Department of Children & Families Behavioral Health Interagency Collaboratives
April 14, 2026
Virtual
Click here for info

REGIONAL TRAININGS or EVENTS

RIVHSA Leadership Summit
June 2 - 5, 2026
Atlanta, GA
Click here for info

 NATIONAL TRAININGS or EVENTS

Protecting Early Childhood Programs from Immigration Raids
March 17, 2026
Virtual
Click here for info

Emergency Preparedness Institute: Strengthening Your Emergency Preparedness Plan Through Practice & Integration
March 18, 2026
Virtual
Click here for info

Strategies for Developing Behavior Support Plans for Young Children
March 19, 2026
Virtual
Click here for info

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.

Join hundreds of organizations across Florida in displaying Pinwheels for Prevention this April as we recognize Child Abuse Prevention Month. This statewide campaign highlights healthy child development and raises awareness about preventing abuse and neglect before it occurs.

Pinwheels are the nationally recognized symbol of Child Abuse Prevention Month, representing the joyful, safe childhoods every child deserves.

Ways Your Head Start Program Can Participate

• Plant a pinwheel garden at your center to spark conversations and visibility.
• Create pinwheel bouquets to share with staff, families, and community partners.
• Host a family engagement event, such as a Pinwheels for Prevention picnic or activity day.

To get started, download the CAP Month Partner Toolkit, which includes digital and print materials to support your efforts.

Congratulations to LaFonda Heidel, FHSA Treasurer and Executive Director of Kids Incorporated of the Big Bend, for being named one of the Tallahassee Democrat’s 25 Women You Need to Know.

This honor reflects her outstanding leadership and her deep commitment to children, families, and early learning in our community. We’re proud to have LaFonda on the FHSA Board and grateful for the impact she continues to make across Florida.

Simply Healthcare has invested $10,000 in ECS4Kids’ Safe Beginnings Home Visiting program, helping expand trauma‑informed, no‑cost support for 70 mothers and babies across Northeast Florida. This contribution strengthens early connections for families and ensures more infants receive the nurturing start they deserve.

“With only 56.5% of women in our region receiving adequate maternal care and nearly 11% of babies born at low birth weight, this investment comes at a critical time for families in our community,” ECS4Kids shared.

This partnership reflects a growing commitment to improving maternal health outcomes and supporting families during the earliest—and most vulnerable—stages of life.

Phillip Tavill reads to children

Bradenton Women's Club Donation

Children First marked a special milestone as CEO Phillip Tavill celebrated his 30th anniversary of service and leadership. To honor the occasion, the Bradenton Woman’s Club donated nearly 90 pairs of pajamas and more than 200 books for the children and families Children First supports.

This generous contribution reflects the community’s deep appreciation for Phillip’s decades of commitment and the organization’s ongoing work to ensure every child has the comfort, stability, and early learning experiences they deserve.

Chiquita G. Hamilton Center Ribbon Cutting

LSF Pinellas Head Start Friends and Family

Lutheran Services Florida (LSF), Pinellas Head Start celebrated the renaming of its Clearwater location, officially dedicating it as the Chiquita G. Hamilton Center. The tribute honors Chiquita’s lifelong connection to Head Start—from student, to Head Start mother, to valued member of the health services team.

Since her passing in 2024, Chiquita’s impact has remained deeply felt. By naming the center in her honor, LSF ensures her legacy continues to inspire every child and family who walks through its doors.

FHSA applauds Pinellas Head Start for preserving the legacy of a woman who embodied opportunity, perseverance, and community.