Illinois Head Start Association

Illinois Head Start Association raising alarm over recent ICE raids across Illinois that have left young children and families traumatized. The statement calls on leaders to protect children’s safety, ensure programs remain inclusive, and provide mental health support for affected communities.

Head Start Days brought families together across Illinois — from Freeport to Springfield! 🎉Get updates on shutdown impacts, advocacy, and PD in this week’s Scoop.

While Illinois programs are funded through December, more than 130 Head Start sites across 41 states could face closure without a new federal deal. Read more - https://www.reuters.com/legal/government/us-government-shutdown-threatens-shutter-head-start-child-programs-2025-10-30/

This week’s Scoop is live 📰• Head Start Days highlights 🎉• Shutdown updates ⚖️• Pyramid Model info session 🧩• Family Services QEC reminder 💬Catch up here → https://bit.ly/3Wkun72 or scan the code #PoweredByHeadStart #HeadStartWorks #TheScoop

🎤 Call for Presenters!
IHSA is now accepting proposals for the 48th Annual Conference. Head Start: The Power of Us. Share your tools, ideas, or success stories. Inspire programs to connect, create, and cultivate what’s possible. 🗓 Due: 11.21.25

🥄 Get The Scoop on what’s stirring in Head Start!
This week’s issue dishes up museum fun across Illinois, key federal updates, WIC news, and IHSA events you won’t want to miss. Check it out → https://www.viethconsulting.com/msg_detail.php?mid=196494835 #PoweredByHeadStart

Update: New Mailing Address 📬
IHSA has a new mailing address for all correspondence and payments:

Illinois Head Start Association
P.O. Box 13424
Springfield, Illinois 62791

Kindly update your records.

Head Start Days are underway across IL! 🎉Museums are offering free admission for HS/EHS families all month as we mark 60 years of Head Start. Stay informed on the federal shutdown, advocacy, & QECs starting Oct 14.👉 ilheadstart.org #HeadStartAwarenessMonth

🎉 October kicks off Head Start Awareness Month + 60 years of Head Start!
This week 👉The Scoop: 10/1/2025 - https://bit.ly/42URetn:
✔️ Champaign County RPC birthday bash 🎂
✔️ Shutdown update + talking points
✔️ Head Start Days @ museums 🏛️
✔️ and more!
#PoweredByHeadStart 💙

🎉 Free admission all October at Quincy Children’s Museum for local Head Start & Early Head Start families! 💙 Celebrating 60 years of Head Start in Quincy & surrounding areas.#HeadStart60 #HeadStartAwarenessMonth

For 60 years, Head Start has lifted up children + families. We’re celebrating the past and standing strong for the future.#HeadStart60 #HeadStartStrong

Behind every statistic is a story—and Illinois brought 22 strong voices to Washington, DC last week to make sure those stories were heard. Together with 200 advocates nationwide, we met with Congress to show how Head Start changes lives. #HeadStartWorks #HeadStart

🎈 Celebrate Head Start Days this October! Select children’s museums across Illinois are opening their doors FREE to Head Start & Early Head Start families and staff.
📍 Scan the QR code for the full schedule.
#HeadStart #HeadStartDays #HeadStart60

🎉 Big things are happening in Head Start — grants, advocacy, and 60th birthday events across Illinois!📰 Read the full Scoop: https://bit.ly/4nQoCtn
#HeadStart60 #PoweredByHeadStart

Reminder: Applications for Pyramid Model Cohort 3 (IL HS/EHS grantees) are due September 29, 2025. Included: professional learning, implementation coaching, TPOT reliability, PTR-YC, and more. Contact Cathy Welsh to learn more or to submit applications, cwelsh@ilheadstart.org

📣 It's here! The 2025–2026 PD at a Glance is now live.
Sneak peek at the year ahead—key dates, major events, and professional development opportunities from IHSA.
📅 Plan ahead. 📌 Save your dates. 📥 Share with your team.
#IHSA #HeadStartIL #ProfessionalDevelopment #PDAtAGlance

WCPT 820 Interview: Lauri Morrison-Frichtl - Chew's Views (Featured Interviews) | iHeart <p>Richard Chew is joined by<strong> Lauri Morrison-Frichtl</strong>, executive director of <a href='https://www.ilheadstart.org/'>Illinois Head Start Association</a>.</p> <p><strong>Catch 'Chew's Vie...

On July 17, Lauri Morrison‑Frichtl, Executive Director of IHSA, joined WCPT 820’s Chew’s Views to discuss current policy changes for HS/EHS with potential effects on enrollment, family participation, funding timelines, and program delivery.

Listen here ▶️ www.iheart.com/podcast/1300...

Advocates Denounce Plan to Ban Undocumented Children From Head Start: ‘Where is the Compassion?’ President Donald Trump’s administration is looking to block undocumented children from Head Start as part of ongoing efforts to limit access to federal benefits for immigrants without legal status.

A federal proposal could reduce Head Start access for working families by reinterpreting a decades-old law.
Lauri Morrison-Frichtl of the IL Head Start Association spoke on Chicago Tonight about the impact on children and families.| Chicago News | WTTW news.wttw.com/2025/07/15/a...

Plaintiffs in Head Start Case Vow to Challenge New HHS Rule Seeking to Block Some Immigrant Families from Accessing Early Childhood Education. Read more: https://t.co/GnB2Y2j5x4

Honoring the sacrifices that won our freedom and the unity it inspires. Here’s to good food, great company, and the freedom we hold dear. Share your red-white-and-blue celebration with us! Wishing everyone a safe Independence Day!🎆#FourthOfJuly #IndependenceDay #CelebrateAmerica

Head Start reciben evaluaciones de desarrollo, audición, visión y dentales en su salón cada año—detectamos antes los problemas, conectamos a las familias con ayuda y los niños llegan listos para aprender. 💙 https://ilheadstart.org/call_to_action_support_head_s.php
#SupportHeadStart #HeadStartWorks

What began as a bold idea in 1965 has grown into more than 1,600 Head Start programs nationwide — each tailored to the changing needs of the local children and families. Join the celebration and share the your part of the Head Start legacy!
#60YearsOfHeadStart #HappyBdayHeadStart

📍 Illinois Families: It’s Time to Step Up! Sign a powerful letter calling on national leaders to support Head Start. 📣 Let’s make sure Illinois voices are heard loud and clear. 🖊️ Sign here: Scan the QR code or visit nhsa.org/advocacy

📣 Did you know IHSA has an Advocacy Hub?
✅ Take action
✅ Download flyers
✅ Contact Congress
✅ Spread the word #HeadStartWorks

Stand up for Head Start today:
🔗 ilheadstart.org/call_to_action_support_head_s.php
#SupportHeadStart #BattleTestedProvenWorthy

I’ve spent 23 years at Head Start. Celebrating “aha” moments in the classroom—and helping parents secure housing, GEDs & jobs—proves wraparound support transforms lives. See how you can help: https://ilheadstart.org/call_to_action_support_head_s.php
#HeadStartWorks

Mother’s Day means different things to different people. Today, we honor all who nurture—with love, with patience, with presence.

However you show up today, or choose not to, your experience matters.