-
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.
-
Head Start California Updates
It’s National Head Start Awareness Month! How are you celebrating?In preparation for Head Start Awareness Month in October, we’ve been collecting stories so that we can share them across the state and across the country. What can you do locally to celebrate Head Start awareness month?
Here are a few ideas:-
- Invite a member of Congress to your program. Congress is on break and our California delegation is home. If you have not done so already,
-
-
Head Start Stories
Head Start Story: By Lisa PriceIn 1967, my mother enrolled me in Head Start at 3 years old. I loved the environment, the teachers, socialization and field trips! After that first year ended, I was more social, and began putting letters together to spell words. I started reading simple books at 4 years of age. My love for learning began in Head Start. Though I was born to a teen mother, she instilled the importance of learning and supported my school experiences at home.
-
Head Start California Updates
Will You Vote? Update your roster and assign your voting member nowAs an association, staying connected is critical. We need to hear from our members so that we can truly act as one voice. One of the primary ways we stay connected is by ensuring that our database has the most current information regarding member agencies. That is especially true when we need for the membership to act in an official capacity.
Later this fall, the membership of the association will be asked to vote on some important changes to the organization. -
Head Start California Updates
Why Head Start Stories WorkWe have 100,000 stories to share. The stories are compelling because they have three elements with universal appeal. First, they are about children. Children have a natural, wide-eyed wonder and curiosity about the world that is infectious. They remind us that what may have become common to us over the years is no less extraordinary. Rainbows, magnets — how is that not magic? — waterfalls, and birds in flight, and a thousand other natural phenomena delight them.
-
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. -
Head Start California Updates
We all count.For most of us, beyond voting, we don’t get many opportunities to participate in matters of constitutional significance at the federal level. 2020 will be different. Next April, each of us has the opportunity to participate in something that has taken place in the United States every 10 years since 1790: the decennial census. Required by the constitution (Article I, Section 2) the U.S. Census serves two very important functions:
- Representation: The census count is used to determine how many seats each state gets in the House of Representatives.
-
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.
-
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, -
Head Start California Updates
MEDIA RELEASE: JUNE 28, 2019Advocates Praise Governor Newsom and Legislature for Commitment to Early Childhood Education Programs
Head Start California Statement on Budget
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
JUNE 28, 2019
BY: CHRISTOPHER MARICLE, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, HEAD START CALIFORNIA
OFFICE: 916-287-9850
Advocates Praise Governor Newsom and Legislature for Commitment to Early Childhood Education Programs
Head Start California Statement on Budget
SACRAMENTO, Calif., (June 28, 2019) – Early childhood advocates praise the California Legislature and Governor Newsom’s commitment to providing funding and resources to programs aimed at children aged 0-5.
