Legislative Updates

WSA Letter to Senator Patty Murray, April 10, 2008

Congress is about to start discussing appropriations legislation, which will determine whether or not additional funding will be made available to programs like Head Start. 

With the help of Head Start and Early Head Start directors from around the state, WSA has written a letter to Senator Murray outlining some of the challenges programs are facing due to lack of funding, and requesting an increase of $472 million in Fiscal Year 2009 in order to restore services and help programs meet new requirements.

Letter to Senator Murray (PDF)

 

WSA Legislative Update, March 28, 2008

Governor Signs Washington Head Start Legislation

We are happy to report that Governor Gregoire signed House bill 3168 into law this week. The legislation requires the Department of Early Learning to develop a plan for aligning the ECEAP program standards to the Head Start program performance standards. The Department must also look at: areas in which ECEAP programs would need flexibility from Head Start standards, how additional dollars should be phased in, and the development of a state Early Head Start program that will serve children birth to 3. The Department of Early Learning received $250,000 to hire consultants to assist them with the study. The study will be due December 1, 2009, but we are hopeful that it will be completed sooner. No funds were made available to begin piloting Washington Head Start programs due to the tight budget. WSA will, however, seek funding in the next legislation session for ECEAP programs willing to be the first pilots.

 

To view the final copy of the legislation please click here.

 

Funding for Head Start

Congress will return to work next week. On the agenda is a conference committee to work out the differences between the House and Senate budget resolutions. The budget resolution lays out the total amount of funding that can be spent in certain broad areas. Once the budget resolution is finalized the next step is for the House and Senate appropriations committees to work out the specific details and to decide how much each program is going to receive. Head Start funding is determined by the Labor HHS subcommittee which Senator Patty Murray sits on. WSA is seeking an increase of at least $471 million for fiscal year 2009. This includes $461 million which is the amount that Head Start is authorized for in the reauthorization legislation and $10 million to make up for the cut that took place this year.

 

We are hearing that it is very likely that Congress will punt on funding until after the election and simply put us on a continuing resolution. This means that we are not likely to see a funding increase until after the new Administration takes over. Having said that though, it is critical that you contact Kathryn Young in Senator Murray’s office and tell her you support at a $471 million increase for Head Start. Let her know if you have had to make cuts this year to services, the great work you are doing, and any success stories. You can e-mail her directly at Kathryn_Young@murray.senate.gov.

 

We need to keep the need for Head Start funding front and center in our lawmakers minds.

 

Head Start Guidance and Regulations

The Office of Head Start is in the process of developing new program performance standards and guidance in key areas. The entire review of the standards could take up to 2 years. Folks that attended a recent national meeting on the standards were told that the Office of Head Start is looking at every standard and is seeking to make them clearer so that review teams will not have inconsistent results.

 

WSA submitted a letter to the new Acting Director of the Office of Head Start asking for more clarification on some issues and providing some thoughts for consideration. We were able to find out fairly quickly that the Office of Head Start is not working on a new NRS. Instead, it appears that they are going to use something called the “Classroom Assessment Scoring System” which is supposed to be a way of measuring classroom quality. It is not a standardized test. Apparently, it is known to be of high quality and reliability. WSA will forward on a power-point we received to Head Start directors in a separate e-mail.

 

Picturing America Available to Head Start Programs

The Picturing America program will become available to local Head Start programs in April. It allows programs to “house” 40 reproductions of major artwork and to allow children to learn art history and appreciate fine work. If you are interested in getting involved here is the web site.

 

WSA Summer Institute Will Take Place June 16th to June 18th

WSA will hold its annual summer institute from June 16th to June 18th in Ellensburg. This year we will have 8 terrific 20 credit each sessions with highly skilled trainers. We will be sending you more specific information about the course offerings and how to register very shortly. We hope you will find that the summer institute will be top notch and a great place for staff to receive the very best training. Thanks to the over 100 members of our community that responded to the Summer Institute survey.

 

WSA Strategic Plan

The WSA Board of Directors will be meeting on May 1st and May 2nd to discuss our 3 year strategic plan. The plan will include a beefed up training component, more engagement of parents, ECEAP programs, tribal and migrant programs, a marketing plan, and additional member services. Following the board meeting we will present the plan to our full membership for feedback.

 

Obama and Clinton Dance Disco

Yes, it finally happened. I am sending folks a link to a Jib Jab video of Obama and Clinton dancing the Disco. For disco fans out there and hopefully there aren’t that many of you please enjoy. For everyone else this is a great distraction from work for a minute or two.

 

 http://video.aol.com/video-detail/disco-clinton-and-obama/1076378275

 

Not Getting Information Sent Right To You

If you are not getting information directly sent to you and have to rely on a neighbor to forward you updates and other information please go to our web site at www.wsaheadstarteceap.com and enter your contact information. No more having to wait for that busy director or staff person to forward you information.