Summer Institute Registration Open - Free registration for members!We have some great courses lined up for this year's Summer Institute June 24-26! And since we know times are tough for Head Start and ECEAP programs, WSTC members are getting our registration fee waived this year- you'll just have to pay the Central WA room/board/registration fee. [more . . .] Just for Parents NewsletterOur Just for Parents newsletter is available - check it out for articles about Advocacy Day, what's happening in Olympia and DC, honored parents, and some tips for home finances! [click for PDF Newsletter] National Head Start Association Scholarships:WSA Board of Directors voted to rejoin the Region X Head Start Association. This means that Washington State Programs who are NHSA members are once again eligible for NHSA Scholarships and Awards. Deadline is May 30 for applications, so start now! [more. . .] News Release: Sequester Cuts hurting Washington KidsCongress was able to resolve the problem of slow lines at the airport in a single day, and yet is unable or unwilling to address the thousands of kids about to be denied Head Start. Read our news release to see how programs in Washington are making cuts [more . . .] WSA Federal Advocacy Goals ApprovedOur board approved our 2013 Federal Advocacy Goals, which includes three main planks: Turn off the Sequester, Expand Access to High Quality Pre-K, including Head Start/EHS, and Modify the Designation Renewal System. [more . . .] Letter from Executive Director - State & Federal Legislative UpdateJoel Ryan, our Executive Director, has written a state and federal legislative update, complete with references to The Voice, Berenstain Bears, Everybody Loves Raymond, Ice Age, and more. [more . . .] MomsRising Blog: Why K-12 Superintendents Want to Spend Money on Preschool, and Why You Should TooIf you think only new parents and preschool teachers care about early education think again. A few weeks ago, a group of Washington state superintendents, principals, kindergarten teachers and parents called for bigger investments in preschool. [more . . .] Seattle Times Column Talks Early LearningJerry Large wrote a great column on Early Learning research and the support of K-12 leaders. Click through for more! [more . . .] Inslee calls for 3000 new ECEAP slots - K-12 Leaders Support ECEAP ExpansionGov. Jay Inslee proposed creating more than 3,000 new spots for children in ECEAP, taking an important step towards creating a high-quality early education system that will improve the entire public education system. The governor’s proposal comes only two days after Seattle-area superintendents, teachers and parents called on the state legislature to invest in ECEAP and other early learning systems. [more . . .] Head Start Impact Study - A flawed assessment of Head Start outcomesWe've been hearing a lot about the Head Start Impact Study from media and elected officials over the last couple of months, which followed a group of Head Start kids from 2002 into 3rd Grade. Check out our analysis of the study's deep flaws and evidence that Head Start works both to get kids ready for school and to get parents ready to thrive and support their children's education. [more . . .] State Advocacy GoalsWe have an ambitious agenda in Olympia this year, including proposing a big increase in ECEAP, both in the number of children served and the amount per child. [more . . . ] You can't solve the K-12 Problem without Early LearningThe legislature this year is very focused on the McCleary Decision and K-12 funding, but research shows that if kids don't arrive ready, they're unlikely to be successful. Check out our news release calling for investment in ECEAP as a part of this effort [more . . . ] No Waiting List for Working Connections Child Care!The Working Connections Child Care Program helps low income families pay for child care expenses while their parents are working, looking for work, or in an approved training program. There's currently no waiting list, and eligibility has moved up to 200% of the federal poverty level (family of 4 making up to 3842.00/month) [more . . . ] WSA Awards and ScholarshipsThe Washington State Association of Head Start and ECEAP is starting a brand new annual Awards and Scholarships program in 2012. Know any Parents, Teachers, or Directors who should be recognized for their amazing work? Is your program doing innovative and effective things that could be replicated? Are you looking for a small scholarship to help you get your AA or BA? [....click here for Scholarship and Award info!] We're on FacebookYes, we've finally entered the 21st Century, with our own WSA Head Start & ECEAP Facebook page. Click below and "like" us to get regular updates on issues affecting our families and programs, and notices about upcoming events and training opportunities..
New Toll Free number to contact your Congressman and Senators!The National Head Start Association (NHSA) has created a toll-free number that can be used to reach your members of Congress. The new, toll-free number is
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