Welcome to the Washington State Association of Head Start and the Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program
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The Washington State Association of Head Start & ECEAP (WSA) is a non profit organization composed of representatives from Head Start, Early Head Start, Migrant Head Start, Native American Head Start and the Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program (ECEAP).WSA provides high quality training and advocates for the children, families, staff and friends of Head Start and ECEAP programs throughout the state of Washington. |
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Click here for Events & Training Registration Information FEDERAL EARLY CHILDHOOD INFO UPDATE There are many bills moving in the US Congress that may affect early learning, including Rep. McDermott's Early Support for Families Act, the Education Begins at Home Act, and several bills related to the Child Care Development Block Grant. What's New with WSA plus bonus Legislative Update! In a letter to WSA members and friends, Joel Ryan shared some of our goals for the Association for the next few months, our upcoming events, and a brief recap of our successes in the last state legislative session and our goals for Washington DC.
LEGISLATIVE UPDATE 05/11/09 - Obama Budget Update President Obama’s Budget Includes Funding for New Investments for Early Learning 2009 WSTC SUMMER INSTITUTE It’s time again to get ready for the Washington State Head Start/ECEAP Training Consortium’s annual Summer Institute! We’re very excited about this year’s offerings, and look forward to providing very high quality intensive 20-hour courses to our members and the early learning community at large. I’ve attached a Save The Date flyer with some basic information, and will be sending more detailed info very soon. Based on our survey of the membership and discussions with our programs and partners in Early Learning, we are offering the following courses at the 2009 Summer Institute:
Participants will also enjoy a barbecue or special event one evening, a movie night, and other activities. We also have some great lunch sessions!
EARLY HEAD START EXPANSION WEBINARS 5/19 & 5/21!! The Washington State Head Start/ECEAP Training Consortium (WSTC ) is delighted to announce a series of two great webinars, designed to help programs and organizations who are thinking of applying for the new Early Head Start slots included in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). Details are as follows: Title: ARRA EHS Stimulus Funds: Framing Your RFP When: Part 1 - Tuesday 5/19 1:30-3:30, Part 2 - Thursday, 5/21 1:30-3:30 Who: Linda Kimura and Patricia Hillman Infant Toddler Specialist Group (ITSG)
Webinar Description and Content : Have you developed a plan to enhance your current Early Head Start (EHS) or begin a new EHS through the ARRA/Stimulus Package? Are you wondering how to add current research-based strategies to your EHS operations? Attend our Webinars for a focus on current practices designed to ensure compliance with new EHS Federal standards. These webinars will give you a foundation for creating an EHS program or expanded EHS program that fits YOUR needs, matches the requirements and fits YOUR resources so children and families receive services grounded in Infant/Toddler Best Practices. CONTENT OF THE TWO WEBINARS (Part 1 and Part 2)
Space is limited, so register today! 'JUST FOR PARENTS' NEWSLETTERS Our WSA Parent Ambassadors have been doing amazing work this year, testifying in Olympia, contacting their legislators both here and in Washington DC, doing trainings in their own communities, and inspiring other parents to advocate for themselves and their families. And even with all that, they have time to write a regular newsletter for Head Start/ECEAP/Early Head Start Parents! Click here for links to printable versions of the Just for Parents newsletters and other useful links for parents. FEDERAL STIMULUS PACKAGE INCLUDES HEAD START/EARLY HS Congress is has completed its on the American Recovery and Investment Act of 2009 (Economic Recovery Package) this weekend. The package includes a $1 billion increase for Head Start and a $1.1 billion increase for Early Head Start. New funding will allow programs in Washington to serve hundreds more low income infants and children and is expected to create many jobs that will help stimulate the economy.
WOW! OVER 400 ECEAP/HEAD START ADVOCATES HEAD TO OLYMPIA!
We had an amazing turnout at our 2009 WSA Advocacy Day on January 28th - more than 400 parents, staff and directors came down to Olympia to visit their legislators and advocate for strong early learning programs. With Washington's economy the way it is, we're still not safe - keep contacting your legislators!
WSA LEGISLATIVE UPDATE - 12-18-08 Governor Gregoire released her 2009-2011 budget proposal, and as anticipated it includes major cuts to programs. This is the first step in the process – the state House of Representatives and Senate will use this information in developing their own budget proposals during the upcoming legislative session, then they will work out differences and pass a final budget at the end of the session. ECEAP was spared, with no cuts to slots or to vendor rate, but many other programs that are very important to low-income children and families were cut, including child care subsidies, Resource and Referral programs, health care, home visiting programs and the Career and Wage Ladder.
Letter From the Executive Director - Advocacy Goals, and more!Joel Ryan has written a letter to members, updating everyone on our recent and upcoming activities, along with our 2009 Advocacy Goals, Strategic Plan, and more. Click below for the whole documents: And here's a short version of the 2009 Advocacy Goals:
This is a great time for members of our community to begin having conversations with state lawmakers and the Governor about our advocacy goals for 2009. Another good opportunity are the assembly days the week of December 1st. Lawmakers will be in Olympia and a hearing on the QRIS is scheduled.
New Toll Free number to contact your Congressman and Senators!The National Head Start Association (NHSA) has created a toll-free number that can be used to reach your members of Congress. The new, toll-free number is WSA Update - Strategic Plan, 2009 Advocacy Goals, TrainingWe have a busy fall and winter coming up at WSA, and our Board of Directors met last week to make some key decisions as we move into 2009. Joel Ryan, our executive director, has outlined some of those decisions and some of the projects and events we have coming up in the next few months in a letter to WSA members. Joel's letter includes a description of:
Here are the full documents: Draft Strategic Plan for 2009-2011 What have we accomplished this year?WSA Executive Director Joel Ryan has written a great letter to WSA/WSTC members outlining some of our successes over the past year, as well as a preview of what will be included in the WSA Strategic Plan that will start in January, 2009. It's long, but chock full of info! WSA Excellence AwardsAt the WSA Winter Meeting Rep. Ruth Kagi presented awards to members of the Head Start and ECEAP community who accomplished great things in 2007. WSA parents, staff, and directors do amazing things within their programs, communities, and in advocating with their elected officials and beyond. The WSA Excellence Awards recognized folks who have made a significant contribution to children and families, whether it is through hard work and enthusiasm, innovation, leadership, or just all-around excellence. The 2007 Parent Excellence Award went to Frank Parker, a hardworking and involved grandfather with Early Childhood Opportunities Northwest who donated countless hours and expertise to enhance learning experiences for children in Head Start in Bellingham. The 2007 Staff Excellence Award went to Linda Chugani of Neighborhood House in Seattle, for her creativity and deep commitment to the children and families in her diverse classroom. The 2007 Director Excellence Award went to Jim Skucy, who has provided exemplary leadership in his 18 years at Benton Franklin Head Start. The 2007 Excellence in Innovation Award went to Skagit/Islands Head Start staff, who demonstrated innovation in the areas of bilingual language learning in a wide variety of ways. We look forward to hearing from the folks at Skagit/Islands at future WSAmeetings, as we learn from each other how to implement innovative, successful programs. For more information about each of our winners, click here. |
