ChildPlus |
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Armstrong & Associates |
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USI Insurance |
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Servue |
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Career Opportunities in Head Start:
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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)
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AB 571 (Jones) |
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Eligible Children |
Universal access to 4 year old children. |
Expansion of Access to Preschool - No specific content |
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