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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 Matrix
Updated on May 31, 2024
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). Further meeting information will be posted on the Commission’s website when available. -
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, -
Advocacy and Policy News
Advocacy Day Brings More than 100 Head Start Parents & Staff to the State CapitolOn Thursday, March 23, 2023, 116 Head Start staff, parents and members of the ECE community from 40 different organizations joined the Head Start to the Capitol Advocacy Day in Sacramento. This was nearly triple the turnout from the previous year. The day began with a morning training where participants learned about how to tell their Head Start story to elected officials, how to grassroots advocate at home, followed by a march around the capitol,
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Advocacy and Policy News
Seven Head Start leaders selected to serve on UPK WorkgroupHSC is excited to learn that early childhood leaders from several agencies with Head Start programs have been selected to serve on the Universal Prekindergarten (UPK) Mixed Delivery Quality and Access Workgroup established by AB 185 SEC. 2. Congratulations to:
- Jennifer Adcock, Moreno Valley USD
- Lorena Burrola, Merced County Office of Education
- Mei Hua Fu, Kai Ming Head Start
- Deidre D. Jones, Neighborhood House Association
- Tony Jordan,
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Advocacy and Policy News
Tell Congress to Hold the Line for Head Start in the federal budgetNational Head Start Association is asking as many Head Start directors, staff and parents as possible to reach out to their Senators and Congressional Representatives and ask them to hold the line on funding for Head Start and include a minimum $1 billion increase for Head Start in the FY 2023 Appropriations bill. Please take a moment to send a letter and forward this link to your staff and families! Send a letter to Congress now!
