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Head Start California Updates
Health Institute Brings 200 Head Start staff to Newport BeachHead Start California’s Annual Health Institute was held in Newport Beach on October 24-26, and it was a pleasure to see over 200 members of the Head Start health community in person. The conference featured 20 concurrent sessions, 4 keynotes, and 3 pre-institutes around Mental Health & Wellness, Nutrition & Food Services, Safety Practices, Health Service Requirements, and Maternal & Infant Health. Our attendees also had a chance to gather at our outdoor reception and take part in networking Bingo.
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Head Start California Updates
Join the Annual CACFP Conference in Sacramento!It’s time to start planning your trip to Sacramento, CA, October 17-19, 2022, for the CACFP Roundtable’s 31st Annual CACFP Conference. Join your Head Start colleagues and CACFP community for our big return to an in-person conference. We invite you to reconnect & recharge with interactive content that meets the needs of the moment, creates space for necessary dialogue, and offers relevant training that supports the CACFP community.
To highlight just a few sessions you won’t want to miss:- CACFP Administrative Review Tips,
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Head Start California Updates
Leadership and Wellness Symposium RecapA time of inspiration, laughter, and reflection
We heard you! After two hard years of leading your programs through unprecedented times, Head Start leaders wanted a chance to gather with colleagues to refill your emotional reserves and recharge your wellness batteries. So, HSC created our first Leadership and Wellness Symposium, partnering with the Hanna Institute to offer leaders a rejuvenating experience over three days.
On June 21-23, our partners from the Hanna Institute, Erin Hawkins and Nick Dalton, -
Head Start California Updates
MDI 2022: We Are Better Together!Thank you for making our first in-person event since 2020 one for the books!
Head Start California had the pleasure of hosting our first in-person conference since the pandemic – Managers & Directors Institute! After two long years of locking down and learning through a screen, we were delighted that nearly 200 Head Start leaders joined us face-to-face! Thank you to our attendees who took the journey with us as we navigated how to meet safely in-person. -
Head Start California Updates
Changing Eligibility in a SNAPOHS Expands Head Start Eligibility to Include SNAP
Head Start California welcomes today’s announcement by the Office of Head Start to expand its definition of public assistance to include families receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. This change will dramatically improve the ability of Head Start programs to continue to serve California’s most vulnerable children aged 0 to 5 and their families by eliminating barriers to accessing high-quality childcare.
For many years, Head Start has allowed eligibility for families who receive ‘public assistance.’ However, -
Head Start California Updates
Head Start California Statement on April 3 Downtown Sacramento ViolenceThe Head Start community grieves with the families of the victims of the violence in downtown Sacramento on April 3, 2022. Six families have lost parents or children.
The remarks of our elected leaders highlight this one simple idea that unites us all: we all have families – people we love. President Biden summarized the painful truth: “Families forever changed. Survivors left to heal wounds both visible and invisible.” Governor Newsom agreed that this tragedy has left “families with lost loved ones, -
Head Start California Updates
What About the Children?The crisis in Ukraine is deeply concerning. Daily news reports keep us updated on the Ukrainian’s efforts to defend themselves. We’ve listened to Ukranian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy deliver moving speeches, and multiple organizations are now tracking the more than 3 million refugees that have fled the violence, crossing the border into Poland, Romania and other neighboring countries— now overwhelmed by the scope of need. It’s hard to see these images and feel like there is nothing we can do.
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Head Start California Updates
2022 Annual Conference RecapWe definitely colored outside the lines!
Head Start California would like to applaud the 2022 Annual Conference planning committee members for their diligent work in selecting the content for the more than 45 sessions for the 2022 Virtual Annual Conference!
This year’s planning committee included:
Billiejo LaBriola, Sandra Gonzales-Pabon, Elizabeth Holloway, Christine Feenstra and Threasa Hernandez. The conference committee provides program perspective on training needs, participates in the selection process of workshops, and identifies speakers. -
Advocacy and Policy News•Head Start California Updates
Governor’s Budget Falls Short of Dedicated Head Start Funding, Despite a Budget SurplusSacramento, Calif. (January 10, 2022) – On January 10, Governor Gavin Newsom released his proposed 2022-23 budget. Head Start California was disappointed that despite another enormous surplus — $20.6 billion in discretionary spending — Head Start programs again did not receive dedicated funding in the state budget.
“Head Start programs are life-changing,” said Christopher Maricle, Executive Director of Head Start California. “A state investment in Head Start would help tens of thousands of families who would benefit from Head Start’s comprehensive, -
Advocacy and Policy News•Head Start California Updates
Press Release: Child Advocacy Group Thanks Legislative ChampionAssembly Majority Leader Reyes Champions Budget Request
on Behalf of California Families
(Sacramento, CA) – In a briefing on Head Start programs for the capitol community today, California State Assembly Majority Leader Eloise Gómez Reyes (AD 47) announced she will champion a $50 million budget request for Head Start agencies in California. Head Start California, the membership association representing local Head Start programs, deeply appreciates the continued support from the majority leader.
As the majority leader noted,
