The National Head Start Association is a nonprofit organization. They believe that every child has the ability to succeed in life; regardless of their condition of birth. NHSA has worked meticulously for policy changes that guarantee all at-risk children to have access to the Head Start model of support for the whole child, as well as the community and the family.
On July 7, 2016; the House Appropriations sub committee for Labor Health and other related agencies passed their FY17 funding bill. In 2015, the bill cutting was 570 million, from last year's FY16 level. The bill included 141.6 million dollar increase for Head Start and Early Head Start programs. The bill increased the Head Start Workforce meet rising operating costs through a cost of living adjustment. This will allow Head Start programs all over the country to keep pace with rising operating costs and support and retain staff.
I learned that NHSA have a knowledge center. The Knowledge Center provides the infrastructure that foster communities, curates, and affix knowledge across these groups to support the future od Head Start and Head Start children. The work is organized through four centers, and they are: Center of Advocacy, Center in Effective Practice, and the Center on the States. These centers a re designed to support the Head Start field in both daily practice and ongoing advocacy.
Headstart is near and dear to my heart. Being a former volunteer, having a child that graduated from their program and having many of the children I work with at a local non-profit enrolled in a Headstart program, I try to stay up to date on important Headstart decisions. I had not heard yet that they were getting an increase in funds, that is great. I know a couple years ago in my county, many of our Headstarts had to cut hours (not only the amount they were open daily, but had to close one day of the week as well and some have to close in the summer rather than staying year round). I wonder if any of them will be able to go back to full hours with this fund increase...
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DeleteI hate to hear that. I know about 6 years ago, we were calling in every day to see if we were going to be open before going into work. Early learning is so important! I pray that more funding keep coming. We were up for re-competition last year at our center. Let's pray that things get better for us. I'm too old to change my career.
Hi, Guadalupe. I followed this article back in the summer when it came out. We just started an early head start program and though it is separate from my program, I have learned a great deal about them through this site. Glad you are enjoying it as well!
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