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Advocacy and Policy News
Governor’s proposed 2020 budget includes new Early Childhood Development departmentCalifornia Governor Gavin Newsom unveiled his $222.2 billion state budget on January 10. Among his plans to spend part of a projected $5.6 billion surplus on green technology and homeless aid, Governor Newsom’s plan would also steer more money to Medi-Cal, and boost assistance for homeless people and mental healthcare.
Head Start California is eagerly awaiting the trailer bill language and looking forward to the budget hearings in the coming weeks to learn more about the Governor’s budget proposals. -
Advocacy and Policy News
We Advocate Because They are Worth itWhat is an advocate? The Merriam Webster online dictionary offers a few definitions, but the simplest is this: an advocate is ‘one who supports or promotes the interests of a cause or group.’ It seems unfair or perhaps misleading that the definition should be so simple. Because advocacy is not simple. It is complicated and time-consuming. Advocacy is a lot of work.
Here’s the payoff. In our case, it is noble work. -
Advocacy and Policy News
New Appointments to the Early Learning Policy CouncilThe Head Start community in California is encouraged Gov. Newsom’s November 22nd appointments to the Early Learning Policy Council (ELPC). Join me in congratulating Yvette Sanchez Fuentes and Scott Moore. The Head Start community will be well-represented by these veteran, early childhood professionals.
Yvette Sanchez Fuentes served most recently as director of children, youth, and family services for the Community Action Partnership for San Luis Obispo. -
Advocacy and Policy News
Workforce and Facility Grants Stakeholder Meeting: Nov. 19Workforce and Facility Grants – State Superintendent of Public Instruction Early Learning and Care Stakeholder Meeting
The next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, November 19, 2019, from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. in downtown Sacramento. This meeting will be focused on the newly established Infrastructure Grant Program and the Workforce Development Grant.
The meeting venue has reached its capacity. As a result, there will be a virtual Zoom meeting option to attend. -
Advocacy and Policy News
Legislative Wrap-Up: Several Bills Signed by Governor Support Early Childhood Development and Learning
On Sunday, Oct. 13, Governor Newsom signed and vetoed the year’s final batch of legislation. The governor signed several bills that support early childhood development and early childhood providers, and help families. Read on below to learn more!
Early Childhood Development
Earlier this year, the governor allocated $54 million to improve rates of developmental screenings. Building on this investment, the governor signed AB 1004 (McCarty) which will help ensure providers adhere to American Academy of Pediatrics’ guidelines for developmental screening and use validated screening tools. -
Advocacy and Policy News
Federal Judges in New York and California Block Administration’s Public Charge RuleOn October 11, 2019, a federal judge in New York issued a temporary injunction against the Trump administration’s “public charge” rule, preventing the rule from taking effect on October 15.
The public charge rule would make it more difficult for immigrants to get green cards if it looks like they might need public assistance. Titled “Inadmissibility on Public Charge Grounds,” the rule sparked several legal challenges.
Under the rule, U.S. immigration officials who decide whether an immigrant should be granted a green card would weigh whether the applicant will be self-sufficient. -
Advocacy and Policy News
California’s Head Start team of 80 rallies, raises awareness at the nation’s CapitolWhat a great week in our nation’s Capital. In the first official week of autumn, California sent a record number of 80 people to NHSA’s Fall Leadership Institute. There was a buzz of energy with so many states gathered together. The opening keynote by Eric Motley, executive vice president at the Aspen Institute, was inspiring. Workshop general session content was focused on key issues facing our Head Start world, including enrollment, workforce, trauma informed care and immigration.
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Advocacy and Policy News
Now is the time.Join Us in asking California’s senators to support FY20 Federal appropriations for Head Start
The time is now. Advocacy is at the core of our mission. That advocacy most often consists of educating elected leaders by sharing stories and inviting them to our programs. But there are times when we need to make the ask, and that time is now. FY20 appropriations are being debated now. We need to contact legislators now. -
Advocacy and Policy News
How we winIt was an eventful year for your association in the advocacy world. In a prior post, we’ve outlined what we attempted and what we’ve achieved, so I will not reiterate that here. But I would be remiss if I didn’t publicly thank the terrific work of the consultants that helped lead the work.
- Andrea Ball did an excellent job helping us navigate the halls of the state capitol and coordinating meetings with legislative and administration staff.
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Advocacy and Policy News
Thank You for Supporting Head StartOn behalf of Head Start California, thank you for supporting and advocating for Head Start and Early Head Start programs. On June 27, Governor Newsom signed the 2019-20 budget that provides significant increases and investments for early learning initiatives. With your help, we demonstrated the importance of early intervention programs for our most at-risk children and families across California. Thank you!
Here is an update from this session:
Head Start Budget Request
While the $20 million allocation to Head Start did not make it into the final budget,
