Idaho Head Start Association

Visit the EICAP - Eastern Idaho Community Action Partnership Early Head Start center on April 20 and bring a friend.

OPEN HOUSE! Come and check out the Hoopes Early Head Start Center April 20th!

The Community Council of Idaho, Inc. is hiring. Some of the positions are perfect for people just starting out or re-entering the work force. Share this with your friends and community. Apply at https://ccidaho.applicantstack.com/x/openings

ENROLLMENT NOW OPEN! Community Council of Idaho, Inc. offers FREE Head Start and Early Head Start classes from May to November for children of Idaho's wonderful migrant and seasonal workers. They provide comprehensive services to children from birth to five. La Adelita Center is in Caldwell and they have programs in many more communities. Learn more by calling 208-459-6536 or visiting https://communitycouncilofidaho.org/head-start/

Head Start is the nation's most successful school readiness program and it's FREE to eligible Idaho families with children ages 3 and 4 (by Sept 1). Early Head Start provides FREE child development and support services to families with infants and toddlers and pregnant moms. Find the program near you and give your child the Head Start advantage. www.idahohsa.org

Thank you to Idaho's fabulous farmworkers and to the Community Council of Idaho that operates Head Start and Early Head Start programs in 20 Idaho counties. It's a comprehensive service program for children and families that includes: Early Childhood Education, Nutrition, and Health & Wellness. Learn more at:
https://communitycouncilofidaho.org/head-start/

Happy ! invites you to join us from March 25-31 to celebrate and honor the hardworking farmworkers who keep our grocery stores and kitchen tables stocked with fresh produce. Throughout the week we will be highlighting families and sharing information on how you can help support farmworkers across the nation!

Give your child the Head Start advantage! There are Head Start and Early Head Start programs throughout Idaho.

Head Start and Early Head Start programs provide access to comprehensive services for children ages birth to 5. Are you interested in enrolling your child in a Head Start program?

Learn how to apply here: https://buff.ly/2IL3Hoy

Idaho's 13 Head Start and Early Head Start programs serve children from low-income families, foster children and children with special needs in 39 Idaho counties. Programs are FREE and provide meals, health checks, and parent support along with a proven school readiness curriculum. Find a program near you and give your child the Head Start advantage. www.idahohsa.org

The Head Start Advantage

When parents thrive, children thrive. Idaho's 13 Head Start and Early Head Start programs understand parents are their child's first and most important teacher and they work with parents to prepare Idaho's youngest learners for school and life. Use this video to introduce Head Start to people you know with children ages 0-4. Enrollment for fall 2022 is starting soon. https://youtu.be/IBS-fcY4Tc8

The Head Start Advantage This 18-minute documentary film explores the lives of Head Start students, parents, teachers, and alumni working to envision and create a better world for al...

Lap time builds strong families! Idaho's Head Start and Early Head Start programs help parents establish healthy family habits like daily reading. Find a program near you at www.idahohsa.org

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School readiness, medical and dental health, family engagement and loads of fun for kids and parents. Idaho's Head Start and Early Head Start programs are enrolling! Find out if there is a program near you at www.idahohsa.org

FY22 record-level investment of $11.04 billion in Head Start

Congress failed to adequately fund Head Start.

FY22 record-level investment of $11.04 billion in Head Start NHSA recognizes the record investment of $11.04 billion for Head Start and Early Head Start in the FY22 budget.

Guest opinion: Head Start can change families' lives

"I wanted better for my children, but I was unsure of myself and how to create change. Head Start has been the change." IHSA Board member and WICAP of Canyon County /
WICAP's Emmett Head Start parent Karey Perkins Robles urges Idaho legislators to support Idaho Head Start programs in the Idaho Press.

Guest opinion: Head Start can change families' lives In 2019, I picked up a flier from Western Idaho Community Action Partnership (WICAP) Head Start at the laundromat and followed the directions to enroll my 4-year-old daughter. Little did

For a full recovery, the US must address its child care crisis

"When our nationwide approach to supporting children is aligned to meet the urgent needs of families, communities and businesses, everyone makes gains," writes Yasmina S. Vinci, executive director of the National Head Start Association in The Hill. Idaho's 13 Head Start and Early Head Start programs have funding to provide their comprehensive services to only a fraction of the qualifying low-income families. For a full recovery, the US must address its child care crisis in Idaho and across the nation.

For a full recovery, the US must address its child care crisis Child care is critical to sustaining a highly skilled workforce today.

Head Start can change families' lives — Idaho Head Start Association

"I wanted better for my children, but I was unsure of myself and how to create change. Head Start has been the change." IHSA Board member and WICAP of Canyon County/
WICAP's Emmett Head Start parent Karey Perkins Robles urges Idaho legislators to support Idaho Head Start programs in the Idaho Press.
https://www.idahopress.com/opinion/guest_opinions/guest-opinion-head-start-can-change-families-lives/article_86e71cca-2c01-5990-93b8-17e4a557f069.html or https://www.idahohsa.org/head-start-news/2022/3/7/head-start-can-change-families-lives

Head Start can change families' lives — Idaho Head Start Association By Karey Perkins Robles. Published March 6, 2022 in the Idaho Press In 2019, I picked up a flier from Western Idaho Community Action Partnership (WICAP) Head Start at the laundromat and followed the directions to enroll my 4-year-old daughter. Little did I know how dramatically this small action wo

Bill and the IHSA Board congratulate all the winners of IHSA 2021 Awards. Thank you for being so awesome!
Head Start Parent Scholarship - Angela Sutton, Head Start Alumni Scholarship - Emily Hill, and Head Start Staff Scholarship - Mollie Benson all of North Idaho College Head Start. Support Staff of the Year - Candise Kron, Teacher of the Year - Maria Mejia, Head Start Parent of the Year - Priscilla Rios and Head Start Hero - Jim Tooman all from Friends of Children and Families, Inc. Head Start & Early Head Start.

Congratulations to IHSA 2021 Parent of the Year Priscilla Rios from Friends of Children and Families, Inc. Head Start & Early Head Start. Priscilla has MS and is a self-proclaimed "wheelchair mom." Her engagement with Head Start has started her thinking about new education goals and working with children and families. Priscilla says, "I have dreams and aspirations to continue bettering myself, for me and for my children. I want them to know to never give up through any adversity life may throw at you." Thanks Priscilla!

Dr. Noreen Womack - Critical Factors in Early Brain Development

Dr. Noreen Womack's keynote address at the IHSA 2022 Conference was so good, we want to share it with you. Dr. Womack gave a fascinating presentation - Critical Factors in Early Brain Development. She dives into the details, but makes it easy to understand how important the early years are. Enjoy. https://youtu.be/LJfG9nZtDkY

Dr. Noreen Womack - Critical Factors in Early Brain Development Noreen Womack, MD works in the St. Luke’s Children’s Mobile Care clinic. Her main goal is to help St. Luke’s reach children that are undergoing difficult cir...

Congratulations to the IHSA 2021 Teacher of the Year Maria Mejia. Maria is a Lead Teacher for Friends of Children and Families, Inc. Head Start & Early Head Start. Maria says, "I have been working with Head Start for 10 years and can’t think of any other work that would fill me like working here has." Maria returned to school, after 30 years, to earn her Associates in Early Childhood Education.

Head Start parents enjoyed a fabulous day at the IHSA 2022 Conference thanks to Anna Fields from Mountain States Early Head Start, Miguel Hernandez from EICAP - Eastern Idaho Community Action Partnership Head Start, and Karey Perkins from WICAP's Emmett Head Start who organized the session, shared their Head Start stories, and led the small group discussions. Big thanks to Keri Allred, Executive Director of RUCD Head Start & Early Head Start who kicked off the afternoon with an uplifting presentation on selfcare.

Idaho's 13 Head Start and Early Head Start programs are led by amazing people including Ruby Allen, Director of College of Southern Idaho Head Start, Jenniffer Reynolds, Director of EICAP - Eastern Idaho Community Action Partnership Head Start and Lisa Burke, Director of Friends of Children and Families, Inc. Head Start & Early Head Start. It was wonderful to see you at the IHSA 2022 Conference.

The winner of IHSA's Staff Scholarship is Mollie Benson from North Idaho College Head Start. Congratulations Mollie. We are excited to help you pursue your educational goals!

IHSA Board member and WICAP of Canyon County Emmett Head Start parent Karey Perkins and Friends of Children and Families, Inc. Head Start & Early Head Start parent and Policy Council member Joel' Haines visited legislators at the Idaho Statehouse on Feb. 17. They aced it. Please help Head Start secure $3 million by emailing your legislators today. https://www.idahohsa.org/head-start-healthy-start-action

Congratulations to the 2021 Idaho Head Start Association Hero Jim Tooman. Jim is an alumni parent from Friends of Children and Families, Inc. Head Start & Early Head Start. He served many terms on Policy Council and shared his time and expertise generously. Way to lead by example Jim!

We loved seeing old friends and making new ones at the IHSA 2022 Conference last week. It was 3 full days of sharing, learning and celebrating. Debbie Ocasio from EICAP - Eastern Idaho Community Action Partnership Head Start created a custom backdrop!

Yes! The IHSA 2022 Conference will be this much fun. You can still register for three days of learning, sharing and celebrating. We have great keynote speakers and more than 28 presenters. It's online Feb. 8-10. Check out the agenda and get registration information at www.idahohsa.org
PC WICAP's Weiser Head Start

The Idaho legislature is considering providing $3 million for Idaho Head Start programs; $1 million/year for three years to create 100 new slots for children across Idaho. Please call, email or write your Idaho legislators now and ask them to “Support Governor Little’s request for $3 million for Head Start to increase the number of families that can be served in Idaho.” Find your legislators here - https://legislature.idaho.gov/legislators/whosmylegislator/

IHSA 2022 Conference Sponsor Plusoptix USA. Plusoptix develops, manufactures and markets handheld, binocular photorefraction devices. They deliver the highest measurement accuracy and product quality.

Don't miss the IHSA 2022 Conference Feb. 8-10. Everyone is welcome to participate, connect, learn and celebrate the Head Start advantage. The Conference is virtual. Your ticket allows you participate in real time and watch recordings of each session at your convenience. Check out the full agenda and and register at https://www.idahohsa.org/2022-conference