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. |
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 Legislative Update 7-28-08Things are a bit slow on the legislative front at the moment, since the state legislature is not in session and not much is expected in the Congress until September, but that doesn't mean we can't be busy visiting our state and federal legislators! Joel's complete update, along with contact and website info for elected officials, is available on our legislative update page. The update includes:
WSTC Head Start/Early Head Start Directors RetreatHead Start and Early Head Start Directors met in Leavenworth July 9-11 to discuss a wide variety of issues important to early learning. For copies of the agenda and presentations from this event, go to our Past Events and Trainings page.
2008 Summer Institute a great successThis year's Washington State Training Consortium Summer Institute at Central Washington University was a rousing success! Nearly 180 staff from Head Start, ECEAP, and Early Head Start attended one of six different credit-bearing 20-hour courses, selected based on surveys with members. Participants seemed to have a great time, with 97% giving it an Excellent (69%) or Good (28%) rating! For more information about the event, courses, trainers and evaluations, go to our Past Events and Trainings page.
Head Start Funding Editorial in Seattle P-I, 5/21/08Joel has written an editorial for the Seattle Post-Intelligencer making the case for increased Head Start funding - Check it out!
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! Legislative Update - 3/28/08Governor Signs Washington Head Start Legislation For a link to the final legislation, along with the full legislative update (including updates on Head Start funding and regulations and other events and activities) click here. 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. New WSA Board Members ElectedSuccessful board elections were held at the WSA Winter Meeting in February, and we’re delighted to announce that we have a new President-Elect, Cathy Garland. Cathy is Director of Early Learning at Children’s Home Society, which operates Head Start and Early Head Start programs in South King County and Walla Walla. She will serve as President-Elect under current President Janet Anderson (Olympic Community Action) this year, then will begin her 2-year term as President of WSA in January of 2009. We also warmly welcome our elected and appointed new board members:
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