July
National Make a Difference to Children Month acknowledges the hardships children can face without adequate guidance and support and serves as a poignant reminder of the collective responsibility in nurturing the next generation. For Head Start, an early education program dedicated to the development and well-being of young children and their families, this observance provides an opportunity for programs to renew their commitment to making a positive impact on the lives of low-income and…
Notre Dame News By Colleen Sharkey New research is the first to show large-scale intergenerational effects of the federal Head Start program that launched in 1965 as part of President Lyndon B. Johnson’s War on Poverty. The program continues to this day and serves children from low-income families and disadvantaged circumstances. When assessing the children of the first generation of Head Start participants, researchers Chloe Gibbs, assistant professor of economics at the University of Notre…
June
National Safety Month is an annual observance to raise awareness about safety practices and how to foster a culture of well-being in communities. For Head Start, it serves as a reminder of the significance of creating a secure and nurturing environment for young children and underscores the commitment to providing a safe educational setting where children can learn, grow, and thrive. This extends to several aspects, such as childproofing facilities, ensuring proper supervision, and educating…
May
May is not just a month of blooming flowers and warmer weather; it is also Mental Health Awareness Month, a time dedicated to breaking down stigmas surrounding mental health, fostering awareness, and encouraging open conversations about emotional well-being. At the heart of this observance lies a crucial intersection with Head Start, a program committed to promoting the health, well-being, and school readiness of children from low-income families. Nurturing Mental Well-being from the Start…
October
October is Infant Safe Sleep Awareness Month October is Infant Safe Sleep Awareness Month in Michigan. Advocates can help raise awareness by posting to your social media accounts. MDHHS has compiled weekly messages to share throughout the month. Week 1 (October 1-8) Follow #safesleep practices by placing baby to sleep on their back to help reduce the risk of sleep-related infant death. Back to sleep for EVERY sleep. #SafeSleepMonth #SIDSAwarenessMonth #MIMoves4SafeSleep Week 2 (October 9-15…
September
Bivalent Pfizer, Moderna COVID-19 Vaccines Booster Shots Now Available in State To better help fight the Omicron variant of COVID-19, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has issued an Emergency Use Authorization for bivalent COVID-19 vaccine for booster doses. This was followed by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices’ recommendation for use of the Pfizer bivalent booster vaccine for ages 12 years and older and the Moderna bivalent…
August
Dear Head Start colleagues, On behalf of the Administration for Children and Families (ACF), I am pleased to announce two key leaders for the Office of Head Start (OHS): Commander Tala Q. Hooban as deputy director and Shawna Pinckney as our first associate deputy director. They join the capable OHS leadership team and staff — along with grant recipients, stakeholders, allies, and partners like you — to ensure a strong future for the Head Start program. Tala Hooban is a commander in the U.S.…
Michigan remains in the bottom half of states for child well-being, according to the 2022 KIDS COUNT® Data Book, a 50-state report of recent household data developed by the Annie E. Casey Foundation analyzing how children and families are faring. This year’s Data Book emphasizes that children in Michigan and across the country are in the midst of a mental health crisis, struggling with anxiety and depression at unprecedented levels. For the first time, this annual resource focuses on youth…
Governor Proclaims Breastfeeding Month Citing the need to encourage a strong foundation for life in all infants by supporting breastfeeding parents for the first year of their child’s life and beyond, Governor Whitmer has issued a proclamation declaring August 2022 as Breastfeeding Month. “During National Breastfeeding Month we recommit ourselves to supporting infants and new parents and ensure that every Michigander has equitable access to the resources and support they need to give their…
August is National Immunization Awareness Month The annual observance of Immunization Awareness Month (NIAM) highlights the efforts of healthcare professionals to protect patients of all ages against vaccine-preventable diseases through on-time vaccination. This year, NIAM serves as an important reminder to catch up patients on routine visits and vaccinations that may have been disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Advocates and providers can use NIAM as an opportunity to access CDC educational…