This June 2006 California’s voters will have a historic opportunity to stand up and speak out for children. The Preschool For All Act will be on the June ballot, but first we need to ensure our parents and staff are registered to vote. CHSA has a fun and easy Voter Registration Kit for parent leaders and friends of Head Start. If you are interested in receiving a kit, contact CHSA at 916-444-7760 or fax your request today to 916-444-2257.

The California Head Start Association is pleased to announce a new effort with a great friend – Discount School Supply. For a limited time only, Discount School Supply will make a donation to the California Head Start Association Building Blocks fund. When ordering, use Key Code CBBC and Discount School Supply will donate a contribution valued at 10% of the net sales and will provide free shipping on orders over $59!*

This campaign, launched in 2006, is targeted to raise funds for the California Head Start Association’s board and local leaders of member agencies. Through increasing capacity of California Head Start leadership to navigate change and identify strategic opportunities for service expansion, leaders will be better positioned to maximize resources for their communities. 2006 will bring a number of new and valuable opportunities to improve quality and expand resources. State and local capacity building for Head Start will ensure that our communities, the children and families we serve, and our staff will receive the best services.

*Key Code CBBC required at time of order to receive this special offer. $59 minimum product order required; does not include tax. Items that have a truck symbol in the catalog are shipped direct from the manufacturer and do not qualify for Free Shipping offer and cannot be used to reach the $59 level. This offer is not valid with any other promotions or discounts. Offer valid inside the continental U.S. and expires midnight, PST 6/30/06

July 31-Aug 1, 2006, Pasadena, CA Sheraton Pasadena Hotel 303 East Cordova Street Pasadena, California Reservations – (626) 449-4000--Room Rate of $109 Reserve by July 14, 2006 Manager & Director Institute Fee: $229 member agency/$255 non-member agency Content Areas…Human Resources – Fiscal Services – PRISM – DRDP-r and Head Start 101 for new staff.

CHSA’s Summer Manager & Director Institute is planned for July 31st-August 1st, 2006 in Pasadena. The Sheraton Pasadena Hotel is ideally located in beautiful Pasadena on the corner of Cordova Street and Marengo Avenue. The hotel offers a free shuttle to dining, shopping, and entertainment within a five- mile radius.

The Summer Manager & Director Institute will offer plenary sessions, keynotes, 5 two-day intensive sessions, as well as networking and resources. This year’s presenters include Nancy Carritte, Ph.D. on Human Resources, Mr. Kim Peck on Fiscal Services, Mr. Jerry Gomez & Frank Lorah on Systems and PRISM planning, Ms. Mindy Brookshire & Donna Elmore on DRDP-r and STG Region IX TA Network on Head Start 101 for new Managers and Directors. Head Start staff working in all areas of operations, fiscal services as well as governing board members and policy council representatives will benefit from the Manager & Directors Institute

The continuing debate over the Federal Budget is currently focused on the May Revise, and has prompted Republican Leadership to announce that they will bring the Fiscal Year 2007 budget resolution for a vote this week. The resolution will increase the deficit, does not offer a plan to balance the budget, and will add to the growing burden of the national debt while cutting critical services for working families including education, veterans’ services, health, and environmental protection.

House Republican leaders plan to bring the budget resolution back for a vote on Thursday, May 4. The last time they tried this, your calls bolstered moderate opposition and leaders cancelled the vote. But the Republican leadership is trying again to muster the votes to pass the budget. Your Representative needs to hear from you now! If you’ve called before—it’s time to call again! Call Your Representative TODAY! Use this toll-free number: 800-459-1887.

A draft sheet prepared by the Budget Democratic Committee staff on the damaging education cuts can be provided if you contact the CHSA office. Additional information can be found at the National Women’s Law Center http://www.nwlc.org/ Please email your comments to ed@caheadstart.org

The Child Development Policy Institute would like you to join them in their annual Spring Institute that focuses on the State budget May revise. Please consider attending this event for information on the possible impact on state child development funding.

CDPI: The 2006 Spring Institute: FY 2006-07 Budget May Revise

Come join CDPI for its annual Spring Institute on the May Revise. This year CDPI will be hosting an evening reception the night before the Institute with a special keynote speaker. Reserve your seat before it’s too late! Seats are limited and we cannot guarantee on-site registration.

CONFIRMED SPEAKERS: Senator Denise Moreno Ducheny, Chair, Senate Budget Subcommittee 3: Health & Human Services Assemblymember John Laird, Chair, Assembly Budget Committee Michael Genest, Director, California Department of Finance Jan Mayer, Director, Learning Support & Partnerships Division, California Department of Education Charr Lee Metsker, Deputy Director, Welfare-to-Work Division, California Dept. of Social Services Nancy Remley, Child Development Division, California Department of Education Jean Ross, Executive Director, California Budget Project Sue Stickel, Deputy Superintendent, Curriculum & Instruction Branch, California Department of Education Daniel Weintraub, The Sacramento Bee

To download the registration form, please click on the link on the left hand side of this page.

CDPI has arranged for a very limited amount of hotel rooms for the night of May 16, 2006 at the rate of $154 for the individual and double rate, $179 for the triple rate, and $204 for the quad rate. Call the Sheraton Grand at 916-447-1700 and provide the code of “CDPI” or “Child Development Policy Institute” for reservations.

By now you should have received a copy of NHSA’s Awards and Scholarship booklet that details the process. The booklet is available on line at http://www.nhsa.org/about/pdfs/scholarship% 20book%202004.pdf

Once you have completed the applications submit them to the California Head Start Association by May 15, 2006 for review and evaluation. Our address is 1107 9th Street, Suite 301, Sacramento, CA 95814

The three Region IX Memorial Education Awards are mailed directly to the Regional Association’s Scholarship Committee by May 31, 2006. Mary Dana, Chairperson, RHSA Scholarship Committee, 2850 N. 24th Street, Phoenix, AZ 85008.

Copies of the Region IX’s application are available from CHSA on our web site or call (602) 266- 3065 ext. 1060