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Head Start California Updates
Head Start Heads to the CapitolChants of “Head Start is the best start” rang through the California State Capitol grounds as more than 200 Head Start staff and parents converged there on Tuesday, March 12, for HSC’s third annual Head Start to the Capitol Advocacy Day. The day was a resounding success, with a record number of attendees sharing their stories and making their voices heard.
Prior to the event, HSC partnered with ECE Voices to offer a free online introduction to advocacy training, -
Head Start California Updates
HSC Annual Conference hosts 650 staff and parents in Long Beach
Head Start California hosted its first in-person Annual Conference since 2020 and it was a resounding success with more than 650 Head Start staff and parents in attendance at the Hilton Long Beach.
Special thanks to the annual conference planning committee for their diligent work in providing program perspective on training needs, identifying speakers, and providing on-site support. Most notably, the committee selected the content for more than 40 sessions for the 2024 Parent and Family Engagement Conference and over 60 sessions for the Education Conference —a remarkable achievement! -
Head Start California Updates
Please welcome HSC’s newest team member, Edwin AbarcaHead Start California is delighted to introduce its newest team member, Edwin Abarca, who joins us as the Administrative and Finance Coordinator. In this role, Edwin will be responsible for maintaining the association’s financial records, human resources and event registration support.
Bringing a wealth of experience in office operations, Edwin most recently served at a local pistachio farm where he managed a team responsible for human resources, accounting, purchasing, customer service, and industrial safety. His professional background extends to various industries, -
Head Start California Updates
Highlights from HSC’s Achievements in Fiscal Year 2023By: Melanee Cottrill, Executive Director, Head Start California
Happy New Year – I hope it’s off to a great start. As I look ahead to what’s in store for 2024, I cannot help but also look back at what an incredible year fiscal 2023 was. I joined Head Start California in late July, only a few weeks after the end of the 2022-23 fiscal year. It was immediately clear that we have an incredibly talented team; -
Head Start California Updates
HSC Announces Retirement of Joe Franklin, Manager of Finance and OperationsIt is with a sense of both gratitude and sadness that Head Start California (HSC) announces the retirement of Joe Franklin, who has devoted over six years of exemplary service as the Manager of Finance and Operations.
During his tenure, Joe demonstrated exceptional leadership in overseeing the association’s financial operations, playing a pivotal role in managing the books and serving on both the audit and finance committees. His responsibilities extended to crucial areas of human resources, -
Head Start California Updates
Head Start Looking ForwardBy: Guest contributor, Paul Behrman
Walnut Leadership www.walnutleadership.com
Friends in California! I bring you good tidings from the Brave Little State of Vermont!
In July 2021, I began work as a national consultant, trainer and keynote presenter for Head Start organizations across the U.S. My national work, and continued advocacy for the Head Start program, builds on my 22+ years as a Head Start director in Vermont, and 20+ years as chair for the Vermont Head Start Association. -
Head Start California Updates
Mapping the Road Ahead: Insights from the Head Start Professional Development SurveyHere at HSC, we have two critical functions: advocacy and professional development. And our goal in everything we do is to meet your most pressing needs and make your life that much easier. To that end, this summer we teamed up with the Region 9 Head Start Association to conduct a survey on professional development needs. Thank you to everyone who responded to the survey! Your input is impactful and appreciated. We know you are asked to answer a lot of surveys and are grateful you chose to help map our future professional development offerings.
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Head Start California Updates
Remembering Senator Dianne Feinstein: A Champion for Head Start
Head Start California is saddened by the passing of U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein, a leader whose legacy will forever resonate across our nation, throughout California, and within the Head Start community. Senator Feinstein’s unwavering support for Head Start was a testament to her dedication to enriching the lives of at-risk children and families nationwide.
Among her most notable contributions to Head Start, Senator Feinstein introduced the bipartisan Loan Forgiveness for Head Start Teachers Act of 2007, -
Head Start California Updates
It’s Head Start Awareness Month: Celebrate with us
October has arrived, marking the beginning of Head Start Awareness Month—a wonderful opportunity for us to shine a light on Head Start! With looming threats to cut Head Start funding by $750 million in FY 24, now is an urgent time to impress upon our lawmakers the profound significance of Head Start.
Last month, we put out a call for story submissions and received a total of 24 stories, each a testament to the remarkable impact of Head Start. -
Head Start California Updates
Updates from the CHSSCO Director, Ristyn Woolley (August Recap)Happy September! I hope those who have started the new school year have had great success. I am excited to see what the new program year brings to the children, families, and workforce of California Head Start-funded programs. Please let me know if you have any questions, concerns, or would like to connect.
Staffing Update
It is with mixed emotions that I share that Desirae Carrera is no longer with the CHSSCO. She has been a tremendous support in the work and will be missed in this role,
