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Advocacy and Policy News
Federal Advocacy: Navigating Changes After the ElectionBy: Melanee Cottrill, HSC Executive Director
Together, we are strong.
As we move forward from a divisive election, I am both inspired and energized by our Head Start community. In a recent teambuilding session, I was reminded that our diversity – not just demographically, but in thought, behavior, and belief – is the source of our strength. Our differing perspectives honor and reflect the many experiences and realities of the communities we serve. Even when it’s hard to see, -
Advocacy and Policy News
AB 1930 Lifts 10-Year Limit on Associate Teacher PermitsGovernor Newsom on September 27 signed into law AB 1930, which will remove the 10-year limit on Associate Teacher Permits. The bill will go into effect no later than April 30, 2025, at which point Associate Teacher Permit holders will be able to renew their permits every five years upon completion of 105 hours of professional development. In the meantime, our team is working with the Commission on Teacher Credentialing to clarify the reinstatement process for those associate teachers who have recently lost their permits or will lose them between now and April 30.
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Fire Marshal
Pausing the Fire Marshal’s Unjustified Class Size Limitation
Written by: Melanee Cottrill, Executive Director, Head Start California
We did it! Our request to pause the State Fire Marshal’s new class size limit of five has been included in a budget trailer bill. The bill was passed by the legislature and we expect the Governor to sign it in September. Thank you to everyone who made this possible by signing letters, completing our survey, and making licensing aware of your challenges. -
Advocacy and Policy News
New Fire Code Limiting Occupancy to FiveWritten by: Melanee Cottrill, Executive Director, Head Start California
Last month, I wrote about a new issue many of our programs have encountered. In short, the State Fire Marshal changed the building code to restrict the number of children ages 0 – 36 months in a classroom or facility to five. This is impacting programs seeking to obtain or make major changes to their license.
In partnership with Child Care Resource Center, -
Advocacy and Policy News
New State Fire Regulations Limiting EnrollmentHead Start California has recently learned of a change in the state’s building code that is significantly impacting programs. While we are still researching the issue, we wanted to bring it to your attention as soon as possible.
When opening new classrooms or making changes to existing rooms that require a fire clearance, programs which have a “Group E” occupancy classification are being limited to 5 children between the ages of 0 and 36 months by the fire marshal. -
Advocacy and Policy News
Major Changes Proposed to Child Development Permit MatrixUpdated on Sept. 19, 2024. The ‘ECE 1’ section no longer includes a proposal to remove the CDA as a qualification for an ECE 1 permit.
The California Commission on Teacher Credentialing, the state agency that develops and implements child development permits, is considering major revisions to the existing Child Development Permit matrix. I encourage you to participate in the process by joining the next virtual workgroup meeting on June 12, 2024 from 9 am to 4 pm (meetings are open to the public). -
Advocacy and Policy News
Head Start California Advocacy Updates
By: Melanee Cottrill, Executive Director, Head Start California
Federal Advocacy
2023 has been a year like no other when it comes to federal advocacy. The federal budget remains in limbo, with the Department of Health and Human Services currently operating Head Start under a continuing resolution which expires on February 2. Three dueling budget proposals leave Head Start’s funding for the remainder of the October 2023 – September 2024 fiscal year uncertain: President Biden has proposed a 9% increase; -
Advocacy and Policy News
Major Updates Proposed to Head Start Program Performance StandardsThe Office of Head Start on Monday, November 20 issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) with major updates to the Head Start Program Performance Standards (HSPPS). This proposal represents the most consequential changes to Head Start since the 2015 reauthorization. The 282-page NPRM details 67 proposed new rules and initializes a public comment period that will close on January 19, 2024.
We are confident that by working together, we can make our voices heard. -
Advocacy and Policy News
Federal and State Advocacy Updates
By: Melanee Cottrill, Executive Director, Head Start California
Head Start California exists, in large part, to advocate on behalf of your program. It is my privilege to support such a worthy cause! Here are the highlights of our current advocacy efforts.
Federal Advocacy
Despite the fracas in the House of Representatives, October was a busy month. We are focused on three bills that would impact Head Start. The House and Senate’s dueling budget proposals are also on our radar, -
Advocacy and Policy News
HSC Joins 70 Head Start Advocates from California in Washington, D.C.Over 70 Head Start staff, parents, and even children in late September travelled to Washington, D.C. to send a clear message to Congress: now is the time to invest in Head Start, not cut it. It was my privilege to accompany them, hear and share their stories, and advocate with and for them and you. This vital work was made possible by your membership in and support for Head Start California – thank you!
The National Head Start Association kicked off the event with an inspirational keynote from the Revered Senator Raphael Warnock,
