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Greetings!
 The Texas Head Start Board of Directors is very pleased to announce our partnership with RegOnline. Beginning in December 2012, we will have access to online membership and conference registrations. We are excited about this new adventure and welcome the opportunity to offer improved services to our membership. More details about this new service is in this edition of the newsletter.
We are still applauding the San Antonio Programs for a successful 2012 Texas Head Start Association Training Conference, chaired by Dr. Sharon Small. The conference had a great turnout, informative speakers, relevant session topics and an array of exhibits. We are truly appreciative of the hard work and diligence provided by the 2012 conference planning committee. Now it is time for us to focus on our 2013 conference that will be held in Sugarland, July 20 - 23, 2013. We will be looking forward to your attendance as we make plans to offer outstanding professional development to Head Start administrators, staff and parents.
Thank you for continued support of THSA as we do our best to educate our colleagues about the latest Head Start news. Please remember that your comments, ideas and suggestions are always welcomed. Enjoy the newsletter. Bonnie Buchanan THSA President |
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 National Latest News...
Head Start and Early Head Start School Readiness -- To help programs establish appropriate school readiness goals, the OHS have set up a site for Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) applicable to agencies serving pre-schoolers, infants and toddlers.
The purpose of this (FAQs) site is to help programs establish appropriate school readiness goals for children birth to five and aggregate data on children's progress. The answers are founded in the relationships of children, families, and staff, as well as principles of how babies, toddlers, and preschoolers learn. The Head Start Program Performance Standards, especially language regarding school readiness from §1307, provide context for these responses. Click here to visit School Readiness FAQs.
 Best Practices for Dual Language Learners -- The OHS have provided an Executive Summary with suggestions and recommendations to better serve culturally and linguistically diverse children and families. Head Start service providers will find this information particularly valuable as it offers an in depth look into the unique needs, challenges, and opportunities related to supporting bilingual and multilingual children. All information was pulled from a national needs assessment of Head Start programs, and its recommendations include both local and national best practices and approaches. Click here to read the complete report.
 Advisory Committee on Head Start Research and Evaluation Final Report -- During the month of November 2012, the Advisory Committee on Head Start Research and Evaluation released their Final Report on the Head Start Impact Study and other effectiveness studies of Head Start and Early Head Start. Overall this independent committee wrote that, "The appropriate interpretation of the studies' findings in context is that Head Start and EHS are improving family well-being and improving school readiness of children at or below the poverty line in the U.S. today." The report goes on to describe how research findings also suggest ways Head Start and Early Head Start can continue to improve and makes major recommendations to OHS about improving the use of data for school readiness; implementing evidence-based practices; and working toward continuity of services from prenatal care to age 8. Click to read coverage from the Huffington Post or see the full report.Note that these were comments on Impact Study results after 1st Grade, which were released in 2010, and not the 3rd Grade results about to be released soon.
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Books for Head Start Programs
 National Head Start Association (NHSA) is partnering with First Book to help all Head Start centers gain access to high-quality, free and low-cost new books. As an NHSA member, you can sign up with First Book for FREE online.
Head Start programs can shop online at the First Book Marketplace to select from thousands of award-winning and high-quality new books at 50-90% below retail price.
The First Book National Book Bank distributes millions of brand-new, free books every year to Head Start centers and other programs serving kids in need. Want more great news? Head Start restricted federal funds can be used to cover the shipping and handling fees of these free books and resources. That's right - it's that easy! Get access to the resources your kids need by signing up for free today.
 Want more information on what First Book can do for your Head Start program? Join a fun and interactive webinar on Friday, Dec. 14th 11:00-11:30AM EST. Click here to register now.
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Five Steps to Assessing Child Outcomes
An excerpt from the Head Start Bulletin
1. Get the help you need. Seek out help from experts and involve the people who will implement and use your child assessment system.
2. Selecting an Assessment Instrument. Develop a set of criteria for choosing an assessment instrument based on the new Head Start Child Outcomes Framework and input from staff and other knowledgeable people.
3. Aligning Curriculum and Assessment for Continuous Improvement. Make sure that your curriculum and assessment systems are lined up with a common set of goals for children. Then you can use information on children's progress to plan for continuous program improvement. It is also important to be sure that your curricula reflect the values and priorities of your staff, program managers, families, and community.
4. Testing your system. It is best to field test your system to make sure that you are getting what your program needs. Implementing new efforts in a limited set of classrooms and centers can uncover problems and help fine-tune your system, and contribute to more successful implementation.
5. Ongoing Implementation and Problem Solving. Collecting data on child outcomes at the beginning of each year are the most important and useful information to guide program improvement efforts. These data can help programs make better decisions in allocating resources, staff development, and technical assistance to improve the progress of children. Good instruction will be the deciding factor in improving child outcomes, not good paperwork. It is important to gain consensus on what outcomes to assess and how to measure them. |
Your Texas Benefits
 Learn about benefit programs and how to get help by visiting www.yourtexasbenefits.com. This website allows individuals to apply for several benefit programs such as SNAP food benefits, Medicaid/CHIPS, TANF, Medicare savings program and long term care. Families can create an account to find benefits, check interview times and check status of their case. Families can upload documents and/or scan in documents. This website will assist families in keeping their benefits from lapsing. There is staff available online to help the families navigate the system. Click here to learn more.
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Membership News!
THSA membership for 2013 will soon be available online! Agencies will pay membership based on their program budget. An immediate benefit is all staff and parents will become members of the THSA. Staff and parents will be eligible for scholarships and reduced rates at conferences. If the agency is not able to pay membership, individual membership (Staff, Directors and Friends) is $45. Parent membership is $5.00.
WE NEED YOU to renew your membership and encourage new members to join THSA in January 2013. As a member, you will be entitled to the following exclusive benefits:
- Dual membership with Region VI Head Start Association.
- Reduced registration fee at state Parent and Staff Conferences.
- Updates on the latest legislative news.
- Several $1,500 scholarship offers for parents and staff.
- Voting privileges for THSA officers and board members.
- THSA newsletters.
Our motto, "Speak, Represent and Advocate," signifies that by selecting membership in THSA, you are making a great choice. Please do not mail in membership forms now. To obtain additional membership information, please contact Pamela Williams by email or call (281) 835-5524.
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THSA Scholarships and Awards Announcement
THSA scholarship applications are made available to deserving individuals who can benefit and achieve their goal of acquiring a higher education. Information on each type of scholarship is on THSA website. All applicants must be a member of THSA to be eligible to apply. Winners are announced at the annual THSA Training Conference.
CONGRATULATIONS TO THE 2012 SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS!
Lusila Ortega Scholarship: Bridget Obi, Williams Smith Sr., Tri-County CDC Inc.
Gerald Hastings Scholarship: Clarissa Elaine Flores, Aransas Pass, Tx and Cecil (CJ) Allen Adame, Aransas Pass, TX
Allee J. Mitchell Scholarship: Ramona Longoria, William Smith Sr., Tri-County CDC Inc.
Earl Richardson Scholarship: Pamela I. Contreras, Olivarez, Alice, Texas
Helen R. Wright Scholarship: Erica Miller, William Smith Sr., Tri-County CDC Inc.
Venetia L. Peacock Scholarship: Chelsea Clay, Head Start of Greater Dallas, Inc.
Jeannette Reynolds Rummel Scholarship: Lidia Acosta, William Smith Sr., Tri-County CDC Inc.
Sharon Sternes Scholarship: Hanna Hollek, Richmond, TX
Region VI / Staff Educational Scholarship: Ramona Longoria, William Smith Sr., Tri-County CDC Inc. |
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SAVE THE DATE
July 20 - July 24, 2013
28th Texas Head Start Association Training Conference
REGISTRATION WILL BE ONLINE! Conferees will have the ability to register, pay, check-in and select breakouts - all online. There will be smart phone apps with schedules and maps of the hotel. More details will be coming very soon. Looking forward to your presence!
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UPCOMING EVENTS
Perfecting the Roles and Responsibilities of a Head Start Board
NHSA/CAPLAW Webinar
Thursday, Dec. 13, 2012, 2:00p.m. - 3:00p.m. ET
Presented by Allison Ma'luf, Esq., CAPLAW. To register, login to NHSA's member-only site. The Webinar is free for members! An engaged and active governing body is essential to ensuring a high performing, legally compliant Head Start program. In this session we will review the statutory responsibilities of a Head Start board as they relate to the board's role in overseeing the Head Start program and managing the risks associated with it. We will also briefly discuss the conflict of interest requirements applicable to Head Start boards along
with the policies and procedures boards should have in place to ensure legal compliance.
Procurement Fundamentals
NHSA/CAPLAW Webinar
Wednesday, Jan. 23, 2013, 2:00p.m. - 3:00p.m. ET
To register, login to NHSA's member-only. The Webinar is free for members! There have been a significant number of Head Start review findings in the procurement area. Don't get caught short. Learn about the basic requirements under the federal grant regulations and how to apply them to your program. You will hear about some problem areas that have surfaced, including failure to have "open and free competition" and conflicts of interest in purchasing decisions.
Winter Leadership Institute
Jan. 28 - Feb. 1, 2013
Washington, DC
Learn more about registration information.
Fiscal Hot Spots in Head Start/EHS Webinar
Wednesday Feb. 6, 2013 at 3:00 PM ET
Presented by Ted Waters, Esq. Feldesman Tucker Leifer Fidell LLP
In Head Start and Early Head Start, there are numerous fiscal issues that arise, such administrative cost caps, giving bonuses, fundraising, and dealing with insurance and bonding. These issues can make or break your program's record on administering federal funds. And now that a single deficiency finding can trigger recompetition for your program, it is ever-so important to get these issues right. At the end of this webinar, you'll be able to:
- Address issues surrounding the 15% administrative cost cap;
- Set straight how your agency deals with insurance and bonding requirements;
- Verify how best to handle bonuses and incentive compensation; and
- Handle fundraising to be within the bounds of federal grants law.
Who should Attend: CFO's, Fiscal Staff, Human Resources Staff, Executive Directors, Head Start Directors, but all are welcome.
40th Annual National Head Start Association Conference
April 30 - May 3, 2013
Washington, DC
National Head Start Manager & Director Academy
June 24 - June 27, 2013
Renaissance Denver Hotel
Denver, Colorado
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2012 THSA Board of Directors
Officers
Bonnie Buchanan
President
Weldon Beard
Vice President
Kenneth Gilbert
Pamela Williams
Secretary
Earrick Stigall
Parliamentarian
Director Caucus
Helen R. Wright
Venetia Peacock
Irma Guerra
Billie Sue Williams
Madeline Savoy
Tiamoiya Lee
Kenneth Gilbert
Laureen Holmes
Nori Colecio
Lenola Wyatt-Tutt
Sharon Small
Weldon Beard
Rebecca Ramirez
Aoinette Montgomery
Staff Caucus
Diana Sneed
Michelle Lockwood
Lorraine Washington
Juan Rodriquez
Connie Garza
Pamela Arnold
Elena Esquivel
Mary Rose Cox
Cinithia Melton
Patrick Sanders
Irma Gomez
Tomas Gonzalez
Earrick Stigall
Pamela Williams
Friend Caucus
Bonnie Buchanan
Genevieve Burrell
Ella J. Vargas
Roger Cox
Evelyn Burleson
Arnold Vargas
J.B. Gordon
Roszeta Norris
Anton Staff
Mildred Hawkins
Maxine Ross
Joyce Hayes
Parent Caucus
Jeanne Kom |
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THSA Newsletter
To publish and share news and pictures from your agency, please send your information and a contact phone number to: Jacqueline Johnson. |
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