Report on Preschool Programs articles from May 2004

Report on Preschool Programs archives from May 2004

Expect the final report on Head Start executive salaries to reach Congress within days.(Slants And Trends)(Brief Article)
May 5, 2004... EXPECT THE FINAL REPORT ON HEAD Start executive salaries to reach Congress within days, most likely by May 11, a Health and Human Services official tells RPP. While the report is basically finished, senior staff are conducting a final review,...

Have an opinion about Head Start's new accountability measures, including the National Reporting System?(Slants and Trends)
May 5, 2004... HAVE AN OPINION ABOUT HEAD START'S new accountability measures, including the National Reporting System? HHS wants your input. The department is seeking nominations for a new advisory committee that will examine the NRS, a new assessment used...

In an election year, debate on raising the minimum wage is becoming a front-burner topic.(Slants and Trends)(Brief Article)
May 5, 2004... IN AN ELECTION YEAR, DEBATE ON raising the minimum wage is becoming a front-burner topic. Sen. Edward Kennedy (D-Mass.) and Rep. George Miller (D-Calif.), the two senior Democrats on Congress' education committees, are backing a raise to $7 an...

HHS seeks innovative research on fed child care priorities.(Department Of Health And Human Services)(Administration on Children, Youth and Families)(Brief Article)
May 5, 2004... Researchers may benefit from a new grant competition designed to spur research on child care issues important to the federal government. The Administration for Children, Youth and Families has grants available for the Child Care Research...

Feds plan expanded help for maternal, child health.(federal government)(Brief Article)
May 5, 2004... The federal government is offering funds for three maternal and child health research projects this spring. Up to $3.8 billion is available to improve states' ability to integrate oral health into their maternal and child health programs....

The federal government is offering competitive grants to help community agencies improve their management through train-the-trainer programs.(Grants)(Brief Article)
May 5, 2004... * The federal government is offering competitive grants to help community agencies improve their management through train-the-trainer programs. Funds under the Office of Community Services program also may be used to upgrade internal financial...

HHS has grants available to promote training about effective adoption awareness programs.(Grants)(Department of Health and Human Services)(Brief Article)
May 5, 2004... * HHS has grants available to promote training about effective adoption awareness programs. Adoption organizations can receive funds to develop new programming or implement existing training programs that train health center staff to provide...

The federal Children's Bureau is offering new grants for field-initiated projects for effective child welfare practices, with a specific focus on Hispanic children and families.(Grants)
May 5, 2004... * The federal Children's Bureau is offering new grants for field-initiated projects for effective child welfare practices, with a specific focus on Hispanic children and families. Application deadline is June 29. For more information, see the...

After court ruling, Massachusetts plans major new pre-k initiative.(creation of one of the nation's most far-reaching state preschool programs following court and legislative action)
May 5, 2004... Massachusetts soon may create one of the nation's most far-reaching state preschool programs following court and legislative action. The state House this month voted 153 to 0 to create a voluntary state preschool program open to all...

Bank's child care program aids low-wage workers.
May 5, 2004... A major U.S. bank is reducing employee turnover with an innovative child care assistance plan for low- and middle-income workers. Bank of America's Child Care Plus program reimburses employees for some of their child care costs. Surveys...

Ed. Dept. grants promote gains for families, special education.(Brief Article)
May 5, 2004... Preschool special education agencies may benefit from three new U.S. Education Department grant competitions to improve the quality and availability of services. ED has $4.1 million for Parent Training and Information Centers to better...

More centers, but fewer homes gain access to CACFP services.(Child and Adult Care Food Program)
May 5, 2004... The Child and Adult Care Food Program is gaining more visibility among child care centers but losing ground among family child care homes. An analysis from the Food Research and Action Center found the disparity in participation, and...

Florida Head Start youngsters post major verbal, Math gains.(Brief Article)
May 5, 2004... Florida's Head Start children are posting higher-than-expected gains in early language, literacy and math skills as part of an effort to assess the quality of the state's programs. The assessment conducted by a Tucson, Ariz., firm for the...

Congress hears call for panel to examine work/family links.
May 5, 2004... The federal government should create a high-level commission to study Americans' ability to balance work and family issues and the resulting stress on children as well as the workplace, an expert is telling Congress. Such a panel would...

CDF, Aetna join forces in project for equity in health care access.(Children's Defense Fund)(Brief Article)
May 5, 2004... A national foundation is joining the Children's Defense Fund in a project designed to investigate unequal health care access for minority youngsters. CDF and the Aetna Foundation are undertaking a project to identify and eliminate health...

New funds target youth, faith-based organizations.(new grants to help faith and community based groups)(Brief Article)
May 5, 2004... The Department of Health and Human Services has $5 million available in new grants to help faith- and community-based groups that want to increase their involvement with at-risk children and youth. About $5 million is available for about...

Breastfeeding helps cut down on infant mortality, say scientists from the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences.(Brief Article)
May 5, 2004... * Breastfeeding helps cut down on infant mortality, say scientists from the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences. Examining the period from one month to one year of age, breastfeeding can prevent up to 720 postneonatal deaths...

Florida lawmakers continue to struggle over details of a new preschool program approved by voters in a 2002 ballot initiative.(Brief Article)
May 5, 2004... * Florida lawmakers continue to struggle over details of a new preschool program approved by voters in a 2002 ballot initiative. A state task force has recommended credentials for all teachers and a maximum class size of 10, among other...

The Administration for Children and Families is seeking proposals to create a Healthy Marriage Resource Center.(Administration for Children and Families to create a Healthy Marriage Resource Center)(Brief Article)
May 5, 2004... * The Administration for Children and Families is seeking proposals to create a Healthy Marriage Resource Center. As envisioned by ACF, the center will serve as a national repository and distribution center for information and research on...

The Department of Health and Human Services is making 15 new grants worth $7.5 million to help uninsured children and adults gain health care coverage.(government finance)(Brief Article)
May 5, 2004... * The Department of Health and Human Services is making 15 new grants worth $7.5 million to help uninsured children and adults gain health care coverage. The grants will support development of comprehensive health centers to provide preventive...

The HHS Children's Bureau has $2.7 million available for three to six awards under the Abandoned Infants Act.(Department of Health & Human Services)(Brief Article)
May 5, 2004... * The HHS Children's Bureau has $2.7 million available for three to six awards under the Abandoned Infants Act. Funds will provide local services to prevent abandonment of infants and young children in hospitals, especially those perinatally...

The Department of Health and Human Services has $200,000 available for one grant to help Community Action Agencies plan and administer security and anti-terrorism strategies in urban and rural areas.(Brief Article)
May 5, 2004... * The Department of Health and Human Services has $200,000 available for one grant to help Community Action Agencies plan and administer security and anti-terrorism strategies in urban and rural areas. Strategies may include the use of...

Feds searching for new grantee for Head Start in North Carolina.(Head Start Bureau)(Brief Article)
May 5, 2004... The federal Head Start Bureau is seeking a new grantee to sponsor a child development program in Cleveland County, North Carolina. The former grantee, a local school district, served 244 children with funding of about $1.53 million a year....

Sens. Edward Kennedy (D-Mass.) and Norm Coleman (R-Minn.) are proposing legislation to prevent cuts in Title I funding that would result from a new policy to alter the program's funding formula.(New Bills)(Brief Article)
May 5, 2004... * Sens. Edward Kennedy (D-Mass.) and Norm Coleman (R-Minn.) are proposing legislation to prevent cuts in Title I funding that would result from a new policy to alter the program's funding formula. The U.S. Education Department earlier this year...

A new bill from three senators would make it a crime to buy or sell personal information about children.(New Bills)(Brief Article)
May 5, 2004... * A new bill from three senators would make it a crime to buy or sell personal information about children. The Children's Listbroker Privacy Act would allow state attorney generals to bring civil action against violators. Federal law already...

Supporting Young Learners: Ideas for Preschool and Day Care Providers.(Resources)(Brief Article)
May 5, 2004... * Supporting Young Learners: Ideas for Preschool and Day Care Providers is a guide with practical answers for day-to-day issues in early childhood programs. The guide is $29.95 from: High/Scope Educational Research Foundation, 600 N. River St.,...

The Lively Kindergarten: Emergent Curriculum in Action.(Resources)(Brief Article)
May 5, 2004... * The Lively Kindergarten: Emergent Curriculum in Action is an examination of successful curricula as well as the challenges facing teachers. The book is $13 for non-members and $10 for members from: National Association for the Education of...

Starting Out Right: A Guide to Promoting Children's Reading Success.(Resources)(Brief Article)
May 5, 2004... * Starting Out Right: A Guide to Promoting Children's Reading Success is a paperback on literacy problems facing today's young children. The book is $14.95 from Teaching Strategies, www.TeachingStrategies.com; (800) 637-3652.

New inquiry.(Slants and Trends)(Brief Article)
May 19, 2004... NEW INQUIRY--A federal inspector will take a fresh look at reports that Head Start Associate Commissioner Windy Hill received improper funds and vacation pay while she led a Texas Head Start agency. The Department of Health and Human...

Spin cycle.(new report on Head Start executive salaries )(Brief Article)
May 19, 2004... SPIN CYCLE--Congressional Republicans and child advocates both are citing excerpts of a new report on Head Start executive salaries to support their different views on the program's future. House Republicans say the findings support their goal...

Georgia and Indiana plan new early childhood initiatives.(new initiatives to promote greater cooperation on early childhood education)
May 19, 2004... Governors in two states are undertaking new initiatives to promote greater cooperation on early childhood education, in part due to rising competition among child care centers, pre-k programs and Head Start centers. Gov. Sonny Perdue...

Head Start seeks new grantee for Tennessee counties.(contracts)(Brief Article)
May 19, 2004... The Department of Health and Human Services is seeking one or more Head Start grantees to serve four Tennessee counties. Public or private nonprofits as well as for-profits are among those eligible for the competition, which has $2.7 million...

The U.S. Office of Community Services at the Department of Health and Human Services.(Grants)(Brief Article)
May 19, 2004... * The U.S. Office of Community Services at the Department of Health and Human Services is accepting applications for economic development projects to improve neighborhoods. Projects can include new businesses, including those geared to children...

The Department of Health and Human Services.(Grants)(Brief Article)
May 19, 2004... * The Department of Health and Human Services is offering grants to improve services for infants and young children at risk of abandonment. Current grantees are among those eligible for the Abandoned Infant Comprehensive Service Demonstration...

Both sides cite salary survey in pushing Head Start agendas.(an analysis that may help chart the future of the child development program)
May 19, 2004... The typical executive director of an agency that runs a Head Start program earns about $58,000 annually, with a few top leaders taking home more than $200,000 a year, based on a long-awaited analysis that may help chart the future of the child...

Head Start chief, House Dems want review of Texas agency.(an investigation the past conduct of the federal government's Head Start director)
May 19, 2004... House Democrats are calling for an investigation into the past conduct of the federal government's Head Start director, who is responding with her own call for a review to clear up the issue. Reps. George Miller (D-Calif.) and Lynn Woolsey...

Low-income workers still would have expanded eligibility of overtime pay under an amendment approved in the Senate this month.(Legislative Update)(Brief Article)
May 19, 2004... * Low-income workers still would have expanded eligibility of overtime pay under an amendment approved in the Senate this month. Provisions expanding overtime for lower-wage workers would take effect as planned Aug. 23 under the bill, which...

About 6 percent of U.S. workers would benefit from a major increase in the minimum wage, says Rep. George Miller (D-Calif.).(Legislative Update)(Brief Article)
May 19, 2004... * About 6 percent of U.S. workers would benefit from a major increase in the minimum wage, says Rep. George Miller (D-Calif.). Miller and Sen. Edward Kennedy (D-Mass.) are proposing an increase to $7 an hour from the current $5.15 rate. More...

HHS plans Management Initiative to spur Head Start changes.(Department of health and human services)
May 19, 2004... The Bush administration is undertaking a new Head Start management initiative to improve staff training and address lingering problems of underenrollment in some programs. The Head Start Management Initiative will increase federal...

IDEA bill faces final hurdle following Senate action.(final negotiations on a special education bill that may include more funding for early childhood special education programs)(Brief Article)
May 19, 2004... House and Senate members are preparing for final negotiations on a special education bill that may include more funding for early childhood special education programs. The Senate last week approved its version of the Individuals with...

Senate bill provides help for home visit programs.(funding for states that offer home visiting programs and other outreach to parents with young children)(Brief Article)
May 19, 2004... New legislation in the Senate would provide $400 million a year to help states offer home visiting programs and other outreach to parents with young children. The Education Begins at Home Act, S. 2412, is based on the success of Parents as...

Involving Families in Active Learning Settings.(Resources)(Brief Article)
May 19, 2004... * Involving Families in Active Learning Settings is a video on building ties between home and school. The video is $30.95 from High/Scope at (800) 40-PRESS or www.highscope.org.

Growing Up with Literature.(Resources)(Book Review)
May 19, 2004... * Growing Up with Literature, 4th ed., by Walter Sawyer is a guide on using children's literature in early childhood classrooms. The guide includes sections on reading sessions, using technology, storytelling and integrating picture books into...

Practical Ideas for Addressing Challenging Behaviors.(Resources)(Brief Article)
May 19, 2004... * Practical Ideas for Addressing Challenging Behaviors is a new book from the Division for Early Childhood Education at the Council for Exceptional Children. The book is $12 from National Association for the Education of Young Children, 1509...

SUBE: Language Learning through Art, Music and Games.(Resources)(Brief Article)
May 19, 2004... * SUBE: Language Learning through Art, Music and Games is a program that uses music, art and fun games to teach Spanish. One product is geared to children from preschool through 2nd grade, while a second targets children in grades 2 through 5....

Study tracks latchkey kids, lack of child care access.(School-Age Care)
May 19, 2004... More than 14 million children from kindergarten age onward must care for themselves after school, largely due to lack of after-school child care, say experts who bill the new data as the most extensive look yet at latchkey children. About...

Lack of experience may hurt states taking control of Head Start plans.(School-Age Care)(Brief Article)
May 19, 2004... States may have considerable difficulty with a Head Start block grant due to their lack of previous expertise with these programs, a new report says. Nine states targeted for a Head Start block grant may face "transitional problems"...

The National Center for Family Literacy is accepting applications from June 1 through Oct. 1 for the Toyota Family Literacy Teacher of the Year 2005.
May 19, 2004... * The National Center for Family Literacy is accepting applications from June 1 through Oct. 1 for the Toyota Family Literacy Teacher of the Year 2005. The award goes to an educator for "exemplary efforts to help parents and children achieve...

In the past decade, every state has made at least one policy change or activity to encourage healthy marriages, the Center for Law and Social Policy says.(marriage law)(Brief Article)
May 19, 2004... * In the past decade, every state has made at least one policy change or activity to encourage healthy marriages, the Center for Law and Social Policy says. While most changes were modest, they come as the Bush administration proposes an...

The Senate this month approved a bill allowing states to create a Medicaid buy-in for children with disabilities.(child care)(Brief Article)
May 19, 2004... * The Senate this month approved a bill allowing states to create a Medicaid buy-in for children with disabilities. Another provision would allow parents with incomes too high to qualify for Medicaid to pay a subsidized premium. Other section...