California Head Start Association
OCTOBER 2007 UPDATE
Head Start Links 
 
 
ChildPlus
Child Plus
Kaplan
kaplan
Visit Our Corporate Partner
FoodsourcePlus 
foodsource plus
Visit Our Corporate Partner
Lakeshore
Lakeshore
Visit Our Corporate Partner
Discount School Supply 
discount
Visit Our Corporate Partner
Armstrong & Associates
armstrong
 
USI Insurance
usi
Servue 
servue
Quick Links
New Resource
Career Opportunities in Head Start:
 

House & Senate Committees Work On Final Bill

 
During the first week in October, senior staff for the House Education & Labor Committee, under the leadership of California Congressman George Miller, as well as senior staff for the Senate Health Education Labor and Pension Committee, under the leadership of Massachusetts Senator Ted Kennedy, worked to resolve the remaining differences to prepare their committees and work toward a final Head Start reauthorization bill this month.  Senator Kennedy commented on the status of the legislation at a reception in his honor late last week.  The Senator stated that he expected resolution quickly and had directed staff to move forward.

Funding Increase in Jeopardy

 

More immediate concerns arose last week as President Bush has threatened to veto the federal spending bill for FY08 that includes Head Start.  Currently the House of Representatives spending plan includes a $75 million increase, the US Senate plan provides for $200 million and the President's proposal from last February called for no increase, or flat funding for FY 08. Head Start funding is appropriated under the Labor HHS Education bill (S. 1710 & HR 3043) (http://thomas.loc.gov/home/approp/app08.html). The President's recent veto of Children's Health Insurance Program (S-CHIP) reinforces this concern.  Mr. Bush had stated

"Congressional leaders have put forward an irresponsible plan that would dramatically expand this program beyond its original intent."  Both Head Start's re-authorization and appropriations may be caught in this crossfire. Clearly the threat to veto Congressional authorizations and spending bills with increased spending no longer can be taken lightly. 

CHSA Leaders Go To Washington

 

During the first week of October, seventeen individuals from California attended the NHSA Leadership Institute in Washington DC.  In addition to the day and a half issue briefings from the Office of Head Start, House and Senate staff as well as advocacy allies, the attendees spent one full day on Capitol Hill informing and educating elected members and staff on issues related to Head Start, Early Head Start, Migrant and Tribal program issues as well as the impact of pending legislation.  CHSA President Lucia Palacios, attended meetings with both Senator Feinstein and Boxer's offices as well as a number of House members, she stated "Head Start must remain vigilant, speaking up on behalf of the children, parents, staff and communities our program touches".  Palacios added, "I strongly encourage programs to call upon our representatives in Washington to come to our sites, visit with families, so they will learn how Head Start is a great investment of public resources." The next NHSA Leadership Institute is scheduled for January 29 - February 2, 2008 (www.nhsa.org)

CHSA Conference News

 

We are pleased to announce our 2008 Conference Keynotes  

     
   

      January 21 & 22, 2008

          Parent Conference:    Senta Green & Patty Kimbrell

      January 23 - 25, 2008

          Education Conference: Maurice Sykes & Pedro Noguera

          Public Policy Breakfast: David L. Kirp

 

Hotel Information:  To take advantage of the reduced room rate of $159 single/double at the Oakland Marriott, call 1-800-991-7249.  Rooms are limited.  Rate is good until the block is sold out, reserve no later than January 4, 2008.

 

Go to caheadstart.org and look under Membership Services/Conference & Training for information on Schedule-At-a-Glance, 2008 Awards Application, Presenter Applications and Exhibitors Information.  On-line registration coming soon!

Achievement Gap Summit- November 13-14, 2007 - Sacramento Convention Center

 

This summit will bring together educators from across the state to address a major crisis facing public schools in California and throughout the nation: the systemic gap between our highest- and lowest-performing students. In an effort to narrow this achievement gap, teachers, administrators, policymakers, and others are invited to hear from experts as well as to propose workable solutions for improving academic achievement for all students. This issue is a critical one for Californians. Please join us in this coordinated effort to improve student achievement at all levels and eliminate the achievement gap.   For information, please go to: Achievement Gap Summit (www.sjcoe.org/summit), or contact Ann Carl, [email protected], 209-468-9260.

Federal & State Pre-K Legislation

 

At both the State and Federal level, legislation to expand State Pre-K/Preschool is positioned for an expanded debate in 2008.  At the Federal level three bills have been submitted and one more is rumored to be offered by California's Senator Boxer. 

 

Federal Bill Number & Author

H.R.3289 (Hirono)

S. 1374 (Casey)

S. 1823 (Clinton)

Eligible Children

States may use up to 50% of funds to expand state-funded preschool programs with priority for expansion to communities with high concentrations of low income children

Prioritizes children from families with incomes under 200% FPL

Prioritizes children from families with incomes under 200% FPL and those who are limited English proficient. 

State Bill Number & Author

AB 1236 (Mullin)

 

AB 571 (Jones)

 

Eligible Children

Universal access to 4 year old children. 

Expansion of Access to Preschool - No specific content