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Advocacy and Policy News
FY23 and FY24 Nationwide HS & EHS Program-Level Enrollment and Funding DataBy Paul Behrman, Walnut Leadership
Local Head Start programs must modernize quickly, and chart a solid course for quality and sustainability. Prior to the pandemic which emerged in 2020, the broader field of early care and education was struggling with a workforce crisis. The pandemic worsened this crisis, with many staff leaving the ECE field for less stress, and better pay and working conditions. Behavioral concerns around children of the “COVID generation” increased, -
Advocacy and Policy News
State Moving Forward on Changes to Teacher PermitsMajor changes to early childhood teacher permits are impending on two fronts.
First, the Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC) is currently considering regulations to implement AB 1930, HSC’s bill to end the ten-year limit on Associate Teacher Permits. The regulations are procedurally necessary to effectuate the change required by AB 1930. A public comment period on the proposed regulations is open until Thursday, February 27. You can view the proposed regulations here, and use this template to submit your comment letter in support. -
Advocacy and Policy News
New Federal Administration Causes Confusion for Head Start Programs: Here’s What We KnowBy: Melanee Cottrill, Executive Director, Head Start California
With a new administration, the last two weeks have been a whirlwind of unexpected challenges for Head Start. HSC has been working diligently to understand the new orders and what they mean for Head Start. We are also working closely with our partners to resolve any issues your program experiences as quickly as possible. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to me directly if you encounter any challenges that may be due to these, -
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;
