October 2006 Update
October 2006 - Vol 6, Issue 10
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It is the mission of CHSA to provide it's members, the earlycare and education community, and our friends with up-to-date information from California 's Capitol in Sacramento and our nation's Capitol in Washington DC.

Join Us In Newport Beach - 2007

CHSA 2007 Conferences - Call for Presenters- Due October 23rd Head Start: Heart of the Family, Heart of the Community

• 5th Annual Parent Conference, January 29 & 30, 2007

• 9th Annual Education Conference January 31 to February 2, 2007

The California Head Start Association invites you to submit a proposal to present at the CHSA 5th Annual Parent Conference or the 9th Annual Education Conference in Newport Beach, CA. These two annual conferences target parents, classroom staff working with children and families enrolled in Head Start, Early Head Start, Tribal and Migrant/Seasonal programs.

Presenters should be prepared to introduce materials for either moderate or advanced participants. The workshop presentations should emphasize a balance of theory and practice. Presenters submitting proposals for the Parent Conference are strongly encouraged to include a Head Start parent as a member of the presenting team. Attached you will find your invitation or go to caheadstart.org and click on Conference & Training.

Reserve your hotel rooms today – Call Hyatt Regency Newport Beach at 949 729 1234 and ask for the California Head Start Association discount.
In collaboration with California Head Start State Collaboration Office, Region IX Head Start TA Network, Child Care Health Program, CHSA is hosting one-day training on Health & Safety. The purpose of this meeting is to support local programs in their compliance to both Head Start and state licensing regulations.

Attendance is recommended to those programs scheduled for a monitoring visit (PRISM) this program year or new managers & directors responsible for this aspect of their programs operations. The schedule of the day will include

Briefing & Update• Hear from Jan Len, Manager, Office of Head Start, Region IX and Gloria Merk Statewide Child Care Program Administrator Child Care Health Program Health and Safety Checklist • Bobbie Rose, Child Care Health Program & Carol Robison, Region IX Head Start TA Network, Deb Moser, Stanislaus County Office of Education Head Start Panel “Best Practices in Health & Safety” & Small Group Discussion on Local Health and Safety Strategies.

On-line registration is available. Seating is limited. Fee: $39 per person, 10% discount for CHSA member agency. Lunch and materials will be provided.
The California Head Start Association is pleased to open recruitment for our Parent Ambassadors project. This effort is funded by California’s Packard Foundation. Our goal is to enlist and train a diversity of Head Start’s premier parent leaders to advocate for the needs of children, families and their communities.

This opportunity to participate in CHSA’s Parent Ambassadors is exciting. We are seeking outspoken, natural community leaders. Bilingual applicants and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply. Applications are available on-line. Check the “The Latest News!” listing on the front page of the site. Deadline is October 27, 2006
It is the start of a new CHSA Membership year. We encourage you to download our new brochure The Benefits of Membership. Join today as an individual member to show your commitment to Head Start. Your dollars support our work to keep Head Start visible in California and across the states.

ATTENTION: CHSA Member Agencies – CHSA will post your employment opportunities on our web site to support recruitment efforts. Send your announcements to Paula@caheadstart.org
Five, two-day workshops are planned around the state between October 23rd and January 10th to support the local leadership on preschool planning and the expansion of high quality programs through strategic partnerships. The goal is to align counties planning with local, regional and statewide policy and funding opportunities.

These meetings intend on building upon prior county-level work and promote sharing and collaboration among regions. Head Start leaders should contact your County Superintendent to join your local team!

  • October 23-24 Tehama County Office of Education
  • October 30-31 Sacramento County Office of Education
  • November 8-9 Kern County Office of Education
  • December 11-12 Alameda County Office of Education
  • January 9-10 Orange County Office of Education
FOCUS, CHSA’s quarterly newsletter will be on-line October 9, 2006. In this issue you can read more about the 2007Conference Keynote Speakers, WIC Food Package Regulations, Head Start Garden Grants, CHSA Public Policy Update, as well as a number of feature stories, resources and updates from our collaborative partners.
Are you a gardener? Does your agency have classroom or site gardens? In partnership with Western Growers Association, CHSA’s Garden Committee has developed an excellent resource Growing, Eating, Living, A Guide for Head Start. Copies are available for $7.50 or you may download the guide for free on the web.

Celebrate School Garden Week, October 23 – 27, 2006 – send us photos of your gardens and little gardeners! nutrition@caheadstart.org
A number of California Head Start Association leaders and parents attended NHSA’s Leadership Institute in in Washington DC. A copy of the presentation by the NHSA, Government Affairs Staff is available on our web.

CHSA’s Executive Director Ed Condon is available to speak to Parent Policy Councils, Staff In-services and local community meetings to deliver briefings and updates of this nature. Call CHSA at 916-444-7760 for more information.

CHSA Board and Executive Director joined Senator Feinstein for a policy briefing and breakfast.
San Diego Gas & Electric - Southern California Edison Customer Alert! The California Preschool Energy Efficiency Program (CPEEP) is a collaboration of organizations: California Head Start Association, Low- Income Investment Fund, Intergy Corporation, and the California Department of Education (consultation and support). CPEEP is funded by the California Public Utility Commission through two Southern California utilities - Southern California Edison (SCE) & San Diego Gas and Electric (SDGE).

This $4.2 million program will replace older, energy- intensive equipment and provide a variety of facility upgrades to assist you in controlling your energy costs, and thus, reducing your operational costs. For more information on this project contact Paula at CHSA – 916-444-7760

Building Blocks for Head Start Creating Opportunities for Greater Capacity! The California Head Start Association is pleased to announce our Building Blocks for Head Start, a new effort with a great friend – Discount School Supply is off to a good start.

Remember - 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.

Sincerely,
Edward Condon
California Head Start Association

phone: 916-444-7760
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