Collectively, we have so effectively advanced the Head Start story and the enormous value of Head Start to the vulnerable children and families, and we have so strongly increased public interest and concern, that a philanthropic family came forward to personally support the programs that would have been shut down as of October 1st due to the federal government’s shutdown ( some of the grantees whose fiscal year was to start on October 1).
Read more http://www.nhsa.org/statement_on_emergency_head_start_funding
While we realize that this kind of most generous support is not a sustainable solution, we are grateful and pleased that the need of children and families for Head Start is acknowledged through such a lovely, affirmative gesture.
This offer of support was made by the Laura and John Arnold to NHSA on Friday afternoon. Our amazing team of Carolyn Stennett, Emmalie Dropkin, Tommy Sheridan, Gregg Porter, Robin Essandoh (internally) and our external team of Sally Aman, Therese Magnuson and Lisa Stewart worked throughout the week end to contact all possibly affected grantees and to put in place the legal agreements, set up fiscal systems and develop communications materials. And thanks to their sacrifice of their weekend and the donor’s generosity several thousand children will not be shut out of the important opportunity to be in their Head Start program.
Other good news is that the PMS system seems to be functioning well again. After extensive outreach to all levels of the Administration up to the White House, and a call by a Congressional leader to Secretary Sebelius, we are glad to see programs get the relief. Let us know if any other issues come up.
We are now beginning to strategize about November 1 grants – hoping all the while that we would not need to deploy the strategy.
Let us know what you think and what you are hearing ,
All best,
Yasmina
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Yasmina Vinci, MA, MPA | Executive Director
National Head Start Association
1651 Prince Street | Alexandria, VA 22314
703 649-4222 | yvinci@nhsa.org | www.nhsa.org
@YasminaNHSA
www.nhsa.org
