Legislative Updates Archive
November 2007
The "Improving Head Start Act" was passed by the Congress on November 14th, 2007, and has been sent to the President for signing. WSA has been at the forefront of the Head Start debate the past 4 years. We are delighted to see that the final bill was completed in a bipartisan manner and will truly make the program better for Washington’s children.
The “Improving Head Start Act” makes the following positive changes:
- Increases the income eligibility so more working poor families are able to participate in the program;
- Terminates the National Reporting System—the SAT like test currently required in classrooms;
- Sets an important new goal that 50% of Head Start teachers must have a BA degree in early childhood education;
- Maintains the important role of parent involvement in the program by keeping the parent policy councils intact;
- Provides additional funding for Migrant and Indian programs and provides greater access for homeless and foster care families;
- Expands the Early Head Start program;
- Increases accountability by allowing HHS to close down poorly run programs.
PDF links:
Joel's Head Start Reauthorization Summary
Committee Summary of Conference report
WSA News Release on Head Start Reauthorization
September 10, 2007
Head Start Reauthorization Update
House and Senate staff on the Hill continue to work on the Head Start Reauthorization. It appears that a conference committee may not be appointed until the end of September/beginning of October. The conference committee’s job is to look at the differences between the House and Senate versions and come up with a final compromise bill. Senator Patty Murray will be on the conference committee.
We have been told that there are still several big issues needing to be worked out including the role of the parent policy council, the state advisory councils, and the 130% of poverty.
Our association took the lead in developing a national parent policy council sign on letter. So far, over 75 members of Congress have signed onto a letter asking that the role of the parent policy council be maintained. In WA Congressman Jim McDermott and Congressman Jay Inslee have agreed to sign onto the letter.
Here’s where we need your help! Contact Reps. Adam Smith, Norm Dicks, Dave Reichert, Cathy McMorris Rodgers, Brian Baird, and Doc Hastings and ask them to sign onto the Parent Policy Council “Dear Colleague’ letter being circulated by Congressman Danny Davis (D-IL) and Congressman Mark Souder (R-IN).
You can reach these offices in DC by calling (202)224-3121 and asking for your respective congressional office.
New Office of Head Start Director
Many of you are aware that Channell Wilkins has been replaced by Patricia Brown, formerly the Region 7 administrator. The Bush Administration is also in the process of finding a replacement for the former Assistant Secretary Wade Horn.
Higher Education Legislation Passes
A higher education student loan bill passed last week. The bill increases the amount of the Pell grant for low income students and decreases the interest rate on some federally backed student loans. The bill also would provide student loan forgiveness for early childhood education professionals.
New Book Out on Pre-School Movement
While I have not had a chance to read this book I have heard that everyone should read “The Sandbox Investment.” It describes the latest developments in pre-school and how advocates were able to move the pre-school agenda forward.
http://www.hup.harvard.edu/catalog/KIRDOE.html
Funding
Some of you might have been wondering what is taking place with funding for Head Start and child care. If you recall, the House passed their version of Labor HHS which included an increase in funding for Head Start. The Senate has not passed their version. From talking with Hill staff it appears the Senate bill may not be voted on this fall and instead be bundled together with other pieces of legislation sometime in December. We are still a long way away from seeing a final appropriations bill.
Set Up a Meeting with Your State Lawmakers
Now is the time to invite your two State Representatives and Senator to visit your local Head Start or ECEAP program. We want to educate them about the incredible work you are doing and let them see first hand the difference you make in a family’s life.
To invite your state lawmaker to your local program simply go to http://www.leg.wa.gov/legislature and obtain their direct contact information. Before the meeting be sure to figure out with the people you would like to have in the meeting, the type of simple materials you would like to provide to them, and what you will say and talk about.
We would like to have every lawmaker on the key committees to visit an ECEAP or Head Start program by January so that we are ready to roll with our Advocacy Goals. Here are the key committees. Take a look to see if you have a lawmaker on it:
House Appropriations Subcommittee on Education
http://www.leg.wa.gov/House/Committees/APPE/Members.htmHouse Early Learning and Children’s Services
http://www.leg.wa.gov/House/Committees/ELCS/Members.htmSenate Early Learning and K-12 Education Committee
http://www.leg.wa.gov/Senate/Committees/EDU/members.htmSenate Ways and Means
http://www.leg.wa.gov/Senate/Committees/WM/members.htm
If you need some help getting your meeting set up or have recently had a meeting and would like to report your results please call Joel at (253)373-9100.
2008 Advocacy Goals Approved at Board Meeting
We are happy to announce that our advocacy goals for 2008 have been approved by the WSA Board of Directors. Members of our association will have an opportunity to review them at the October Fall Meeting. Please find attached a copy of the advocacy goals agreed upon by the board.
Strategic Planning Session
WSA is in the process of beginning a new round of strategic planning. We would like to get more members of our community involved in this process. We are looking for 2 parents and 2 staff to participate in our strategic planning process. If you are interested or have a parent or staff person you would like to recommend please e-mail at joel@wsaheadstarteceap.com
Web Site Team Members Needed
We are busy working on our new web site and hope to unveil it soon. We are looking for members of our community who would be interested in previewing the web site and giving us your opinion about its appearance, accessibility, and usefulness. If you are interested please contact Katy at Katy@wsaheadstarteceap.com
Many Thanks!
I wanted to thank everyone for the very kind e-mails regarding the birth of my daughter Shoshanna. I am certainly getting a whole new perspective on children and I hope this will make me a stronger child advocate. At the moment I am still trying to master diapering and burping and the baby is still getting used sleeping, Red Sox baseball, and listening to long discussions about the state of the Democratic Party…Yes she is leaning toward Obama right now. Thanks again for the kind words!
July 27, 2007
Head Start Reauthorization Update
The U.S. Congress has gone home for August without passing the Head Start Reauthorization, but Joel had a great conference call with Channell Wilkins, Director of the Office of Head Start, and has a lot to report about things going on at OHS, with reauthorization, and with Head Start Funding. Click here to get the full report.