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Head Start to reach SNAP-eligible families

ELIGIBILITY NEWS!

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NHSA thanks HHS for administrative change to allow Head Start to reach SNAP-eligible families.

Yesterday, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced that children who qualify for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) can now be considered eligible for Head Start. After nearly a decade of advocacy from the Head Start community, we are celebrating this change that will further Head Start’s ability to prioritize service to families and children who most need it. Learn more in NHSA’s statement.

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Over 50 California Organizations Call for State Funding for Head Start

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

Over 50 California Organizations Call for State Funding for Head Start

Assembly Majority Leader issues letter of support Sacramento, Calif. (June 2, 2021) – Over 50 California organizations showed their strong support for state funding for Head Start programs. In a letter to legislative leaders led by Head Start California, they urged the lawmakers to allocate $50 million for Head Start programs in the 2021-22 budget.
This follows Governor Newsom’s announcement of the state’s $75 billion budget surplus and a proposal to expand Transitional Kindergarten (TK) to all four-year-olds.
The letter is signed by a diverse group of educational organizations –– from the California Federation of Teachers to First 5 California –– making the case that Head Start requires state funding and resources so it remains strong through this expansion. Head Start is a vital component of the early childhood education system and without additional fiscal support, their ability to accommodate this change will be jeopardized.
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Early Head Start is celebrating 25 years

Happy 25th Birthday Early Head Start!

 

Early Head Start (EHS) is celebrating its 25th year working with infants, toddlers, and families. Watch this heartwarming video to learn about the impact EHS programs have had on our communities. Through the years, EHS programs have served 3 million children—and counting! #EHS25

Read More    Early-Head-Start-25th-anniversary

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Thanks to you! Napa Valley Vintners

Child Start, Inc. would like to extend the warmest ‘Thank You’, to The Napa Valley Vintners for their generous support of Child Start’s mission and those of so many of our partner community agencies.  Their generosity makes it possible to provide resources that best serve those in our community. We are proud to be able to provide our future generations with a Head Start!

 

 

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Food Distribution Resources

Food scarcity may become an issue for families. School Districts in Napa and Solano Counties are providing food distribution points for children of all ages (0-18). Most offer take home breakfast and lunch. Additionally, food banks in both counties remain open.

School District are listed below with direct links to their website for food distribution locations

Solano Food Bank location can be found here

Napa Food Bank location can be found here

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Shay Phillips

Shay Phillips came together with a group of women in our community and started making reusable face coverings to support our teaching staff for Head Start and Early Head Start, contributing to our safe reopening plan. We want to thank them for their support to Child Start and the children and families in our communities.

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COVID-19 Update

In response to recent events, and in an effort to keep our families and staff safe, Child Start has closed all centers and is ceasing home visiting services for the next few weeks. We are continuing to provide limited services to the children and families served by our program.

Closures

At this time, closure dates are in line with school district closure dates as noted below, however conditions are changing rapidly and these dates may change.

  • In Napa County:
    • Sites to remain closed through April 10
  • In Solano County:
    • Vacaville sites to remain closed through March 27
    • Vallejo sites to remain closed through April 10
    • Fairfield-Suisun sites to remain closed through April 17

General COVID-19 Information

For up-to-date recommendations on safe practices, in relation to the COVID-19 virus, please visit the CDC website.

For local County information, follow these links:

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Head Start Inspires Alum to Become Superintendent, Advocate for Education Equity

To celebrate Head Start Awareness Month this October, NHSA is catching up with Head Start alumni who are doing amazing work in their fields.

One day this past summer, Tyrone Olverson stumbled upon NHSA’s office. He was in the neighborhood attending a meeting for school superintendents, and he noticed the “National Head Start Association” sign on our building. Being a Head Start alumnus himself — and a curious and ever-eager learner — he came inside to share his story and hear about ours.

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Head Start Highlighted on NBC Nightly News

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — When federal officials inspected this city’s Head Start program five years ago, they found moldy classrooms, exposed wires, leaking sewage, a sagging roof and trash-strewn playgrounds littered with safety hazards. A teacher had jerked a student so hard she dislocated the girl’s shoulder.

Now run by Lutheran Services Florida, Jacksonville’s Head Start program has cleaner classrooms, more teachers with college degrees, a full-time teaching coach and rising scores on the federal government’s main yardstick of classroom quality. Once in the lowest 10 percent nationwide, Jacksonville now has scores that approach the national average.

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Napa Valley Vintners Awards $2.5 Million to Children’s Education in Napa County

The Napa Valley Vintners (NVV) trade association announced $2.5 million in grant funding for children’s education in Napa County, including $200,000 for Child Start. Helping children enter kindergarten ready to learn, supporting students in achieving academic goals and assisting young people in developing healthy behaviors are just a few of the ways in which this round of donations from the NVV will help Napa County youth thrive in school and in life.

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Opened Menlo 4

Opened Menlo 4

May and June of 2010 – Opened Menlo 4, Setterquist, and Fairmont Early Head Start sites.

Awarded American Resource & Recovery Act

Awarded American Resource & Recovery Act

October 2009 – Child Start awarded American Resource and Recovery Act (ARRA) funding to open three new Full Day Full Year Early Head Start centers in Napa, Vallejo, and Fairfield.

Fully implemented EHS

January 2005 – Fully implemented EHS with Therapeutic Child Care Center, Black Infant Health, Child Haven, and Healthy Moms and Babies

First PRISM Evaluation

March 2003 – First PRISM evaluation by ACF, awarded exemplary status

Awarded American Resource & Recovery Act (ARRA) Funding

October 2009 – Child Start awarded American Resource and Recovery Act (ARRA) funding to open three new Full Day Full Year Early Head Start centers in Napa, Vallejo, and Fairfield.

Grants Awarded

January 2002 – Awarded grants to operate Raising A Reader in Napa and Solano Counties

Awarded Grant to Operate Head Start

June 2001 – Child Start Inc. awarded grant to operate Head Start for Napa and Solano Counties

Awarded Grants

October 2000 – Awarded grants to Early Childhood Education Career Development

Administrative Offices Open

October 2000 – Opened consolidated Administrative Offices at 439 Devlin Rd. Napa

Established CSI as 501c3

March 2000 – Established CSI as 501c3

Incorporated as Child Start Inc.

December 1999 – Incorporated as Child Start Inc.

Becomes a Single Purpose Agency

May 1998 – Initiated Interest-Based Negotiations to become single purpose agency

Opened Operations in 14 Solano Sites

January 1996 – Opened operations in 14 new Solano sites, filled 111 staff positions

Awarded $3 Million Grant

September 1995 – Awarded $3 million grant to operate Solano Head Start Program

Expansion Grants Awarded

September 1995-2000 – Awarded 6 competitive expansion grants, opened one new HS center each year

May and June of 2010
Opened Menlo 4, Setterquist, and Fairmont Early Head Start sites.

October 2009
Child Start awarded American Resource and Recovery Act (ARRA) funding to open three new Full Day Full Year Early Head Start centers in Napa, Vallejo, and Fairfield.

January 2005
Fully implemented EHS with Therapeutic Child Care Center, Black Infant Health, Child Haven, and Healthy Moms and Babies

March 2003
First PRISM evaluation by ACF, awarded exemplary status

January 2002
Awarded grants to operate Raising A Reader in Napa and Solano Counties

October 2002
Awarded $800,000 competitive grant to operate Early Head Start for Napa and Solano Counties

June 2001
Child Start Inc. awarded grant to operate Head Start for Napa and Solano Counties

October 2000
Awarded grants to Early Childhood Education Career Development

October 2000
Opened consolidated Administrative Offices at 439 Devlin Rd. Napa

March 2000
Established CSI as 501c3

December 1999
Incorporated as Child Start Inc.

May 1998
Initiated Interest-Based Negotiations to become single purpose agency

January 1996
Opened operations in 14 new Solano sites, filled 111 staff positions

September 1995
Awarded $3 million grant to operate Solano Head Start Program

September 1995-2000
Awarded 6 competitive expansion grants, opened one new HS center each year

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