Iowa Head Start Association

10/14/2026

Behind every Head Start classroom is a team of dedicated people helping children and families thrive!

Teachers, family service professionals, bus drivers, health staff, cooks, program leaders, and so many others bring their expertise and commitment to Head Start every day.

The Iowa Head Start Association says, "Thank you to the Head Start Staff in Iowa for the important work you do for our children, families, and communities."

10/12/2026

Today is the last day to register for the 2026 Fall Conference hosted by IHSA. Join us for a day of networking and learning.

10/09/2026

October is Head Start Awareness Month, a time to recognize the children, families, educators, and staff who make Head Start such an important part of communities across the country.

For more than 60 years, Head Start has helped children build a strong foundation for school and life while supporting parents and families along the way.

IHSA is proud to recognize Head Start Awareness Month and the people who make this program possible every day.

10/09/2026

Join Iowa Head Start Association at our Fall Conference on Friday, October 30. In the morning we will focus on Understanding Trauma and Trauma Informed Practice and in the afternoon we will learn more about relationships by exploring Connections Matter. To register, https://www.iowaheadstart.org/events/2026-ihsa-fall-conference/

10/01/2026

Welcome to October! The IHSA Fall Conference is 29 days away. Register now at https://www.iowaheadstart.org/events/2026-ihsa-fall-conference/

09/23/2026

Parents have always been an important part of Head Start, and this is a moment for them to make their voice heard.

The federal government has released a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) proposing changes to the standards that guide Head Start programs. Before those changes are finalized, parents, caregivers, staff, and other members of the public have an opportunity to speak up about what they think should be protected or changed.

NHSA worked with Head Start parents to create a national Parent Sign-On Letter so families can make their voices heard together.

If Head Start has made a difference for your child or family, add your name by September 30, 2026, at https://nhsa.org/how-to-speak-up-for-head-start/

09/15/2026

2026 Fall Conference Alert!

Join us for a day of learning and connection!

• Morning session: "Understanding Trauma" with Lisa Cushatt
• Afternoon session: "Connections Matter" with Lora Kracht

Register now on our website!
Early Bird Special: $99 (through Sept 30)
Regular Rate: $125 (starting Oct 1)

Will you be there?

See our upcoming training and events through Iowa Head Start Association.

09/14/2026

What looks like a sudden surge in Change in Scope requests is really a long-standing strain finally surfacing.

The timing paints an important context. Head Start Change in Scope requests rose sharply after federal enrollment enforcement resumed, but they were not the beginning of the problem. Programs were already contending with staffing shortages and under-enrollment as flat federal funding made it harder to keep pace with local wages, and Change in Scope became a way for them to align their grants with the number of children they could realistically staff and serve.

Read NHSA’s research brief to see what the national data shows: https://nhsa.org/about-nhsa/our-impact/head-start-research-briefs/what-the-change-in-scope-data-shows/

09/11/2026

NCPMI resources that support the topics of the IHSA Fall Conference. Early bird registration is open now through September 30th. Click on the link to register, https://www.iowaheadstart.org/events/2026-ihsa-fall-conference/

Check out the latest addition to our Resource Library, When Children Have Behavior that Challenges Others: Applying a Trauma-Informed Lens to Providing Individualized Positive Behavior Support.
This tip sheet shares insights on how to bring a trauma-informed lens into Individualized Positive Behavior Support (IPBS).

It’s available to download from our Resource Library today!

https://www.challengingbehavior.org/document/when-children-have-behavior-that-challenges-others/

09/10/2026

Head Start: The Rules and The Playbook
🏈 The Head Start Act is like the Rules of Football
The Head Start Act is the statutory law passed by Congress. It acts as the official rulebook dictated by the league.
✔️Defines the Playing Field: The Act sets the hard boundaries, such as who is eligible to play (e.g., establishing that programs must target low-income families and reserve at least 10% of slots for children with disabilities).
✔️Establishes the League Structure: It outlines the basic legal infrastructure, defining what a "governing body" or "Policy Council" must look like.
✔️Determines Funding & Consequences: Just as a league rulebook dictates salary caps and penalties, the Act governs how federal funds are allocated and outlines when a team risks losing its franchise (recompetition) if they fail to perform.
📋 The Performance Standards are like the Team Playbook
The Head Start Program Performance Standards (HSPPS) are the specific, mandatory regulations created by federal agencies to implement the law. They are the coach's playbook detailing exactly how to win within the rules.
✔️Translates Rules into Action: While the rules say you must move the ball downfield, the playbook tells you exactly what route the wide receiver should run. In Head Start, while the Act says you must support child health, the Performance Standards detail the specific timelines for vision screenings, dental checks, and immunization tracking.
✔️Defines Player Formations: The playbook coordinates daily on-the-ground ex*****on, outlining classroom operations, curriculum requirements, child assessment cycles, and family engagement strategies.
✔️Maintains Consistent Quality: Even with recent legislative updates designed to give states and local centers more flexibility in their designs, the playbook ensures that the core quality of ex*****on is maintained across all teams in the league.
On August 7, 2026, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) published a sweeping Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) titled “Reducing Federal Burden for Head Start Programs”. This proposal targets nearly 80% of current federal regulations. The standards ensure that every child, regardless of zip code, receives high-quality education, nutrition, and health services. Every child deserves a fair start in life.