CHSA Update
December 2009

In This Issue

  • State Budget Update
  • Early Start Update
  • 2010 Garden Grant 
  • E Rate Information Calls
  • CHSA Conference
  • Kidsdata.org
  • CHSSCO Update
  • Training Opportunities
  • State T/TA Update
  • $2 Per Child Campaign 
  • California Smokers' Helpline

Update on the
California Early Start Program for Early Intervention

Due to the budget crisis, the Governor and the Legislature have made changes in eligibility for Early Start. The California Head Start Association (CHSA) California State Screening
Collaborative (CSSC) and the California Chapters American Academe of
Pediatrics (AAP) want to make you aware of new developments in the California Early Start Program, Department of Development Services (DDS). 


TRAINING
Opportunities
WestEd

SchoolsMovingUp is currently accepting early bird registrations for the February e-Workshop series  "Academic Vocabulary for Pre-K - Grade 2 English Language Learners" 

for individuals who register by January 1.

The series will help teachers implement research-based methods for boosting academic vocabulary knowledge in English language learners in pre-kindergarten through 2nd grade classrooms.

This fee-based e-Workshop series include four live, online professional development sessions and on-going online coaching with Pamela Spycher, Director of English Learners and the Language Arts (ELLA) at WestEd.
 
For more information visit:
SchoolsMovingUp

Fathers & Families Coalition of America Announces

 11th Annual National Fatherhood and Families Conference
February 23-26, 2010
 Los Angeles, CA

The conference will feature workshops and speakers with helpful information on how to improve communities by strengthening and improving programs serving fathers and families.

Keynote speakers for the 11th Annual National Fatherhood and Families Conference include well-known individuals in social service and government. 

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT: For supporters and members of Head Start we have a partnership with the National Head Start Association to design reduced fees. Registration Form

Additional information  can be accessed at on our website www.azffc.org

Visit our
 Corporate Partners 
 
Andreini & Company
 

Armstrong & Associates Insurance Services
 

ChildCareCareer

 
ChildPlus Software
 
Discount School Supply
 
E Rate Solutions Group

InnoVisions
 

Kaplan Early Learning Company
 

Lakeshore Learning Materials

 
TeachingStrategies

Torrey Pines Bank
 
VinTalk

A message from California Smokers' Helpline
 
In an effort to help achieve compliance with the smoke free-car with minors lawthe California Smokers' Helpline has created a  Making Your Home and Car Smoke-Free handout. Download and share it now!
The Helpline offers a choice of services: self-help materials, a referral list of other programs, and one-on-one counseling over the phone.The Helpline has been in operation since 1992.


State Budget Update:
 LAO Forecasts $20 Billion Deficit in 2010-11

Last week, the Legislative Analysts' Office (LAO) released their
annual report, California's Fiscal Outlook, which looks at projections for the state General Fund and financial forecast for 2009-10 through 2014-15. State Projections: Unfortunately, the LAO is projecting a General Fund and financial forecast for 2009-10 through 2014-15. State Projections: A General Fund deficit of $20.7 billion between now and the time the Legislature enacts a 2010-11 budget plan.

The LAO predicts:

* $6.3 billion projected deficit for 2009-10
* $14.4 billion gap between projected revenues and spending in
2010-11

What has changed since July when the Administration estimated that the state would have a $500 million reserve at the end of 2009-10?

Read the full announcement


2010 Head Start Garden Grant Applications
are Now Available

CHSA's garden grant project has been renewed for 2010. The project provides a wonderful opportunity for Head Start programs to integrate math, science and literacy lessons.   The gardening work promotes social skill building and a chance to teach about of nutrition and nature.   
 
Each Grant recipient will receive: 
    • $600 check for supplies needed to install a fruit and vegetable garden (Wood, nails, soil, fertilizer, irrigation, garden tools, etc.) and additional resources.
    • Raised Bed Kit
    • Resource guide from CHSA Garden Project Committee & Lakeshore Learning: Growing, Eating Living
    • An irrigation kit from John Deere Water with instructions
    • Over $150 worth of educational resources
    • Set of children's garden tools, garden markers, and seeds
 
  Application Deadline January 15, 2010

 
The Head Start Garden Project is sponsored by Western Growers Foundation (WGF). This program is made possible by a USDA Specialty Crop Block Grant through the California Department of Food & Agriculture, with additional financial support from Lakeshore Learning.


E-Rate Informational Calls
 
E-Rate is a program created and funded by Congress which provides major rebates to schools, select non-profits, and thanks to recent federal rulings and supporting state legislation, Head Start.  In California Head Start agencies are eligible for major savings:  90% reimbursement on telecom and internet services, internal networking and maintenance. 
 
The annual application process is underway right now.  For more information, check out: The ECLKC website E-Rate Tool Kit

Informational Conference Calls -  The E-Rate Solutions Group (www.erategroup.com) is holding weekly conference calls this month for Head Start agencies in California.  These are free and are scheduled for 10:00 am on Tuesdays:  Dec 15, 22 and 29.  If you or your  staff would like to participate, email [email protected] in advance to receive supporting documents for the call.  The conference line is 866-851-5739, with passcode 732 946 8301 #.

Register Now!

Early registration discount ends
on December 21, 2009


2010 CHSA Conference Art

2010 CHSA Education Conference &
Edward Zigler Western Research Institute

February 2 - 5, 2010
Long Beach, CA
Kidsdata.org
Kidsdata.org is Now Statewide
 Find Data for Every City, School District, and County in CA.
 
Data on the health and well being of children across California is now more accessible than ever before.
 
Kidsdata.org, a children's health website developed by the Lucile Packard Foundation for Children's Health, just expanded statewide, offering data for all counties, cities, and school districts in California -- nearly 1,600 regions.
 
Data is available for dozens of topics measuring the health and well being of children, and much more data will be phased in throughout 2010. Learn how kids in your community are faring.
CHSSCO
Report from the California Head Start-State
Collaboration Office

By Michael Zito and Nancy Remley
 
The collaboration office is working on the following activities intended to build bridges between Head Start and important State partners. Current activities include:
 
Head Start - Community Care Licensing Workgroup
 
The CHSSCO, California Head Start Association (CHSA) and State Department of Social Services Community Care Licensing Division (CCL) continue to meet and are developing a Q&A document with questions from the 2008 Community Care Licensing Roundtables. Look for this document later this winter.
The group also facilitated discussions between CCL and the regional office to plan for the potential influx of new licensees due to the Early Head Start expansion.
 
Center on the Social and Emotional Foundations for Early Learning
 
The California CSEFEL workgroup is planning a series of five "Train-the-Trainer" events over the next 18 months. We will soon disseminate sign-up information for the first training event, to be held in Sacramento March 11-12 and April 15-16.  Trainers must attend all 4 days. Train-the-Trainer event information for Southern California will also be out soon, scheduled for late spring, early summer 2010.
 
Part B Interagency Agreement
 
Reports of the signing of this IA have been made occasionally for the last year or so, but it now has undergone final legal review at CDE and is now in the signing process. A statewide videoconference is being planned by an interagency group including the State based TA office, CDE Special Education Division, Department of Developmental Services, and the CHSSCO.  Mark your calendars for March 16, 2010, with video viewing available at select County Office of Education sites; more information will be out soon.
 
CHDP Lead Screening Issues
 
The CHSSCO is working with the State CHDP program to identify counties where grantees have difficulties getting the required blood screenings. A county by county list will be presented to the CHDP administration this month.
 
 
 Collaboration Barriers Focus Group
 
We invite you to attend a focus group to assist the CHSSCO determine the primary barriers Head Start programs face in their collaborative activities, so we may focus our assistance where it is needed most. Look for this event at the CHSA Annual Conference in February 2010.
 
California Early Learning Advisory Council
 
The Governor recently signed an executive order identifying the Early Learning Quality Improvement Committee as the ELAC and adding five new members, who we expect will be named very shortly.

Update from the Head Start
State-Based T/TA Office for California


Needs Assessment:

The California State Based T/TA Office completed the yearly update of its T/TA Needs Assessment.  Unlike the previous assessment, this year's assessment includes strategies and prioritization for addressing National and Regional Head Start priorities.  These priorities are being shared with grantees as the State Based Office (SBO) continues its outreach to the CHSA Clusters. Two clusters have met with the SBO, and others are currently being planned for early 2010. 
 
Collaborations-Partnerships:
The State Based Office is represented at the Stakeholders meetings on the Curriculum Framework and will provide feedback to the Committee by December 16th. The SBO is also working with WestEd and SETA on aligning the DRDP2 with the Head Start Performance Standards.
 
The California Screening Initiative website is up and running and the SBO has been asked to provide information on Head Start and Early Head Start for this website.
 
CSEFL Training of Trainers is planned for this Spring and the training team will include SBO staff.  As specifics are identified, grantees will be notified of training opportunities.
 
The SBO Office is participating in Project Launch under the California Screening Committee which will initiate a pilot project focusing on Alameda County to support healthy, stable, safe and supportive families, communities, and cultures.
 
SBO staff continues to participate in and provide feedback for the ELQIS Workgroups and attends the public meetings of the ELQIS Advisory Committee.
 
The California Breastfeeding Roundtable and Coalition is developing breastfeeding curricula, as well as support and information for agencies including Head Start.  The SBO is participating in this Coalition.
 
Resources for Early Head Start programs:
The State Based Office is developing materials and resources to be available for the new Early Head Start grantees. This is being accomplished in collaboration with the Regional Office and the Grantee Program Support Specialists (GPSS).
 
Training Events:
Cluster trainings are still scheduled throughout the state. Topics include Developing Family Partnerships, Creating Father-Friendly Programs, Challenging Behaviors, and Head Start 101.  More trainings are being scheduled based upon National/ Regional Head Start priorities and upon requests at the local cluster level.