As a new school year begins, I know many of you are carrying a lot — welcoming new children and families, supporting staff through transition, and managing the fast pace that always comes with August and September. This season can feel heavy, but it also shows us why Head Start is heart work. Every classroom, every home visit, every family partnership demonstrates the compassion and commitment that define our community.

Earlier this month, FHSA hosted a series of Regional NPRM Discussion Calls to hear directly from programs about the proposed rule, Reducing Federal Burden for Head Start Programs. Your voices were clear, thoughtful, and deeply grounded in the realities of serving children and families. These conversations reinforced what we already know: Florida’s Head Start community continues to show up with fortitude, clarity, and a commitment to protecting the services families rely on.

As we move toward the October 6 comment deadline, FHSA will continue this work with a Statewide NPRM Call to Action on Tuesday, September 15, from 11:00–11:45 AM EDT. I hope you will join us and share the invitation with your networks. Broad participation strengthens our shared voice and ensures Florida’s multicultural community is represented in the national conversation.

Amid all of this important work, I also encourage you to take time for renewal. FHSA’s Annual Conference, October 27–29, is designed to be a space where staff can recharge, reconnect, and be reminded of the purpose that drives our mission. With so much happening across the early childhood landscape, investing in your teams’ well‑being and professional growth is more important than ever.

September also marks the deadline to renew your FHSA membership. Your membership supports our advocacy, strengthens statewide collaboration, and ensures we can continue delivering the resources and support programs depend on. Thank you for your partnership, and I hope you will continue with us in the year ahead.

Head Start is Heart Work — and you live that truth every day. Even amid challenging times, your dedication creates hope, stability, and opportunity for Florida’s children and families. Thank you for all you do to strengthen our community.

Join Head Start colleagues from across Florida October 27–29, 2026, in Orlando for the FHSA Annual Conference & Expo!

This year’s theme, Head Start: Stronger Together — Building Brighter Futures for Florida’s Families, celebrates the power of connection, collaboration, and collective impact.

• Learn from inspiring speakers
• Network with Head Start professionals
• Gain valuable insights and strategies
• Celebrate the work we do for children and families

Member Registration: $500 | Non-Member: $625

Register by September 14!

Don’t miss this opportunity to learn, connect, and grow—together!

In response to the Reducing Federal Burden for Head Start Programs NPRM released by the Dept. of Health and Human Services Administration for Children and Families, FHSA will virtually gather Head Start/Early Head Start leaders to present a conversation that details the potential impacts to programs across Florida of the proposed rule.

We are inviting child advocates and early childhood stakeholders from across the state to hear about these potential implications and seek comments to the rule before the October 6, 2026 deadline.

FHSA is proud to be Hearth & Soul TLH’s community partner for the month of September. All month long, 100% of net profits from their featured candle will be donated to FHSA, fueling our work to advocate, lead, and strengthen the education, health, and family services that support Head Start children and families across Florida.

Tallahassee friends: Join FHSA and Hearth & Soul Tallahassee for a special Happy Hour Celebration on September 17 as we shine a light on the children, families, and communities at the heart of Head Start across Florida.

Come enjoy an evening of connection, community, and giving back - with proceeds benefiting FHSA!

• Date: September 17
• Time: 5:30-6:30 p.m.
• Location: Hearth & Soul, 1410 Market Street

Can’t join in person? Shop the candle here.

FHSA is excited to partner with The Thrive Center at Georgetown University to host Rent it or Build It: IECMHC in a Post-Requirement World, presented by Dr. Neal Horen and Shai Idelson.

This session covers:

• What evidence shows consultation to deliver
• Why the performance standard reflected the value of this work rather than created it
• The difference between renting capacity and building it
• What Florida programs can do now to hold on to consultation

At the end of the session, participants will be able to make the case for consultation in their program and understand how to build consultation capacity within their program.

FHSA is committed to supporting Florida’s Head Start and Early Head Start programs by providing access to accessible, high-quality professional development opportunities. FHSA is excited to further this commitment and announce a partnership with First Day Learning to offer flexible training options at an exclusive discount for FHSA Members. These sessions are designed to fall in line with and supplement your programs pre-service training.

Training Schedule

• Classroom Environments - September 15
  ​​Research‑based strategies for designing learning spaces that support positive behavior, reduce challenges, and promote calm, focused engagement.
  ​
• Teaching Replacement Behaviors - September 16
  ​Strategies to analyze behavior, identify unmet needs, and teach children positive replacement skills that reduce challenging behaviors.
  ​
• Supporting Autism - September 17
  ​​Practical strategies to improve safety, participation, and engagement for autistic children during key daily routines.

Use discount code FLA-HSA-186 to save $15!

Florida Head Start Programs Receive Over $3.7 Million in Federal Supplemental Awards

Florida is among the states benefiting from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) recent announcement of more than $225 million in supplemental Head Start awards nationwide. These funds—distributed through the Administration for Children and Families (ACF)—are designed to strengthen nutrition services, improve facilities, and support critical one‑time needs that enhance program quality for children and families.

Across Florida, multiple Head Start and Early Head Start grant recipients were selected for awards totaling more than $3.7 million. FHSA congratulates the following programs for securing these important investments:

• Agricultural & Labor Program, Inc. – $459,812
• Boys’ and Girls’ Club of North Central Florida, Inc. – $31,640
• Children First, Inc. – $199,295
• Early Education and Care, Inc. – $145,897
• Economic Opportunities Council of Indian River County, Inc. – $330,000
• Episcopal Children’s Services, Inc. – $242,827
• Episcopal Children’s Services, Inc. – $121,903
• Kids Incorporated of the Big Bend – $29,286
• Lutheran Services Florida, Inc. – $350,398
• Miami‑Dade County – $1,022,966
• Miami‑Dade County – $170,350
• Miami‑Dade County – $80,279
• North Florida Child Development, Inc. – $407,000
• School Board of Brevard County – $38,465

According to HHS, the supplemental funding includes:

Over $89 million for nutrition services, helping programs expand access to nutrient‑dense foods, strengthen food preparation and storage, support gardening and farm‑to‑table initiatives, and provide nutrition education.

More than $88 million for facilities improvements, supporting renovations, repairs, and modernization to ensure safe, healthy learning environments.

Over $47 million for one‑time operational needs, such as technology upgrades, transportation, HVAC installation, playground equipment, furnishings, staff training, and security enhancements.

These investments aim to reinforce Head Start’s core mission of supporting children’s healthy development and ensuring programs have the flexibility and resources to meet local needs.

FHSA applauds the dedication of Florida’s Head Start and Early Head Start programs in securing these competitive awards. Each investment strengthens the statewide commitment to providing high‑quality, comprehensive services for children and families.

Registration is now open for the National Head Start Association’s Parent and Family Engagement Conference, taking place December 14–17, 2026, in Nashville, Tennessee. This annual gathering brings together thousands of family engagement professionals from across the country to deepen their practice, strengthen relationships, and elevate the essential role families play in early childhood success.

The conference is one of the few national events designed specifically around the relational nature of family engagement. Attendees have the opportunity to learn from peers facing similar challenges, reflect on effective strategies, and explore new approaches to supporting families. Through workshops, discussions, and collaborative learning, participants leave better equipped to engage families with intention and build stronger connections within their communities.

NHSA’s Parent and Family Engagement Conference continues to serve as a cornerstone for professional growth in the Head Start field, offering a space where practitioners can recharge, gain insight, and return home more attuned to the families they serve and the colleagues they work alongside.

Information Updates

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Important Upcoming Events

FHSA EVENTS

FHSA Annual Conference & Expo - Registration Deadline
September 14, 2026
Orlando, FL
Click here for info

FHSA Statewide  NPRM Call to Action
September 15, 2026
Virtual
Click here for info

FHSA Professional Development Committee Meeting
September 16, 2026
Virtual
Click here for info

Lunch & Learn: Rent It or Build It: IECMHC In A Post Requirement World
September 29, 2026
Virtual
Click here for info

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

 STATE TRAININGS or EVENTS

First 1,000 Days Florida Policy Chats: Infant and Toddler Care
September 16, 2026
Virtual
Click here for info

DCF Broward Area Refugee Taskforce Meeting
September 17, 2026
Virtual
Click here for info

DCF Palm Beach Area Refugee Taskforce Meeting
September 18, 2026
Virtual
Click here for info

The Children's Movement: The Future Call
September 22, 2026
Virtual
Click here for info

First 1,000 Days Florida Policy Chats: Prevention and Resilience
September 30, 2026
Virtual
Click here for info

NATIONAL TRAININGS or EVENTS

Classroom Environments Training Module: Designing Spaces to Shape Behavior
September 15, 2026
Virtual
Click here for info

Teaching Replacement Behavior Training Module: New Skills for Improving Challenging Behavior
September 16, 2026
Virtual
Click here for info

Supporting Autism Workshop: Behavior Planning to Improve Engagement
September 17, 2026
Virtual
Click here for info

Infant & Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation Office Hours
September 28, 2026
Virtual
Click here for info

NHSA Fall Leadership Institute
September 28 - October 1, 2026
Washington, D.C.
Click here for info

FHSA wants to highlight the incredible work happening in Head Start programs across Florida.

We’re inviting programs to share a recent success, milestone, community event, classroom moment, or other story that showcases the impact of Head Start. Selected submissions may be featured on FHSA’s social media channels and in an upcoming FHSA newsletter.

Submit a photo and a brief description (2–4 sentences) by September 30 for a chance to be featured—and to be entered into a drawing for a $100 Publix Gift Card!

Don’t let your membership lapse! Renew today and continue to be part of a statewide network dedicated to strengthening Head Start and Early Head Start programs and supporting the children and families we serve.

Your FHSA membership helps keep you connected to advocacy, professional development, networking opportunities, resources, and your fellow Head Start colleagues across Florida.

Renew your membership before September 30 and stay connected!

The FHSA Dashboard includes more than 50 data points across six interactive pages, drawing from over 13 data sources to bring essential information together in one place. FHSA is proud to celebrate more than 15,000 views and encourages members to explore the dashboard’s robust filtering options — including county-level filters — to access data most relevant to their communities.

Hurricane season is a reminder that being prepared can make all the difference. This September, FHSA encourages Head Start programs, staff, and families to make a plan, stay informed, and know where to turn for help before, during, and after a storm.

Visit FHSA's Hurricane Resources for trusted resources on emergency planning, storm tracking, alerts, recovery assistance, and more.

Meet Hatch Early Learning's new Florida Account Executive, Marla Banks!

As a dedicated partner to Head Start programs across Florida, Marla is committed to supporting directors, educators, and early learning professionals with innovative solutions designed to help every child thrive.

Marla looks forward to connecting with FHSA members, learning more about the needs of your programs, and sharing how Hatch can support the important work you do every day. She will be in the Hatch booth at the FHSA Annual Conference & Expo coming up in October. Contact Marla to welcome her to the Florida early learning community!

ECS4Kids launched The Kids' Table, a podcast bringing you honest conversations about early childhood, family, and the people working every day to give children in our community a strong start. Each episode makes room for the voices that matter: educators, parents, partners, and the children at the heart of it all. Their first episode Special Needs, Strong Futures features a success story from a parent from one of our Head Start locations.

You Thrive FL’s Head Start and Early Head Start families were honored to participate in Battle of the BLVD at Deltona High School, one of Volusia County’s largest community events.

As their names were announced, our youngest learners ran onto the field in front of a huge crowd—cheered on by proud families and community members.

The moment was a powerful reminder that Head Start is woven into the community. When our littlest learners are seen, celebrated, and included in major community events, it shines a light on the importance of early childhood education and the strong partnerships that help Head Start thrive.

For more than 25 years, Children First, Inc. and the Venice Area Quilters Guild have shared a special partnership rooted in compassion and community. Since 1999, the Guild has lovingly created handmade quilts for children served by Children First—and this year, they donated an incredible 310 quilts to children across Sarasota County.

Lutheran Services Florida has been selected for a $100,000 grant from the Rays Up Foundation. This generous grant will assist in the replacement of the playground sunshade at the Jordan Park head Start Program in South St. Petersburg, creating a safer, cooler outdoor space for children to play, learn, and grow.

RCMA is celebrating the grand opening of its new Avon Park Child Development Center on Friday, Sept. 18, at 10:30 a.m. Located at 1400 Williams Gray Court, the event marks a major milestone in expanding high‑quality early learning opportunities for local families.

The celebration, themed Opening the Next Chapter, will feature a ribbon cutting, remarks from RCMA and community leaders, a dedication honoring the late Al Hinson Sr., and guided tours of the new facility.

Children already enrolled at the center will join the festivities, offering guests a firsthand look at the impact of quality early childhood education.

The new center reflects RCMA’s more than 60‑year commitment to opening doors of opportunity for Florida’s children and families. Community members, partners, and local leaders are invited to attend.

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.