About Virginia Head Start

Advocacy

The Virginia Head Start Association is dedicated to the issues that affect Head Start. As a state-level organization, we are a close-knit, collaborative community and we celebrate daily the many successes that each Virginia Head Start program provides for Virginia's families.

VaHSA activities | How you can help | Advocacy Toolkit

VaHSA Activities

As an organization, our advocacy efforts start with sharing and showcasing how Virginia Head Start supports and enriches the lives of our low-income children and families. Our advocacy efforts also include these activities:

• We participate in Step Up for Kids at the State Capitol annually.
• We are members of VOICES for Virginia’s children and we lend our support to efforts that will improve conditions for Virginia’s most vulnerable children.
• Each year we meet with Federal legislators to educate them on the importance of Head Start in our local communities.
• We are also active participants as members of the National Head Start Association (NHSA) and support their advocacy efforts.

How you can help!

But it takes all our voices to spread the good news about Virginia Head Start. Head Start staff, parents, community supporters -- we need your participation!

• Explore the materials below to become informed on the facts and details of how Head Start is making a difference here in the United States.
• Make a phone call or write a letter to your representative, explaining why Head Start has made a difference in your life.
• Talk with local officials about your local program and about the impact they make in your community.
• Visit the NHSA's dedicated advocacy website www.supportheadstart.org for more ideas.

Advocacy Toolkit

Things to Know about Head Start -- (PDF)
Check out this one-page flyer with proven facts about Head Start.

Stay in Touch -- (PDF)
Here are some ideas that agencies can implement to keep their congressional delegation and state legislators informed.

From the 2011 VaHSA Annual Conference

• Action Builds Confidence -- ABCs of Advocacy, DOC, presented by Abrian C. Jacobs, Fredericksburg Regional Head Start
• The Advocate Newsletter -- ABCs of Advocacy, PPT, presented by Abrian C. Jacobs, Fredericksburg Regional Head Start
• Advocacy Bingo -- ABCs of Advocacy, PPT, presented by Abrian C. Jacobs, Fredericksburg Regional Head Start

Letter from Dr. James Heckman to National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Reform (PDF)
In a letter to the National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Reform, Nobel Prize-winning economist Dr. James Heckman said that the answer to reducing America's debt is to spend wiser. Among his suggestions -- invest in comprehensive early childhood development -- from birth to age five -- particularly in disadvantaged children and their families.

Head Start’s Return On Investment, NHSA Factsheet (PDF)

Benefits of Head Start and Early Head Start Programs, NHSA Factsheet (PDF)

Basic Head Start Facts, NHSA Factsheet (PDF)