Thank you to all of our programs, partners, parents, and donors. We look forward to working with in 2018 as we meet a new year of challenges and joy.
Update On CHIP
In one of the final acts of 2017, the Senate approved a short-term spending measure Thursday night to keep federal agencies operating through January 19, 2018, avoiding a government shutdown ahead of a December 22 deadline.
Along with funding the government for nearly a month, the bill also extends funding for CHIP through March 2018. The Senate's vote comes hours after the House also approved the deal.
States can’t rely on limited patchwork funding, and families shouldn't have to worry that their children will be unprotected month to month.
Please contact your Senators and Representative and urge them to adopt a long-term solution and re-authorize CHIP funding for five years.
For more, see:
https://ccf.georgetown.edu/2017/12/22/congress-approves-cr-but-fails-to-pass-long-term-chip-funding/
KHSA Holiday Hours
Parents Worry Congress Won't Fund The Children's Health Insurance Program
Though 9 million kids across the U.S. get their health insurance through CHIP, Congress let the program expire Sept. 30.
Since then, states have been burning through the cash that remains in their CHIP accounts, and parents, doctors and state officials are wondering whether Congress will save what has traditionally been a popular program with strong bipartisan support.
Keeping kids insured doesn't cost much, he says, and it sure pays off.
CHIP funding as of December 11
"'The short-term funding agreement to fund the government until Dec. 22 only includes a patchwork measure to provide funding to a handful of states,' the American Academy of Pediatrics said in a statement."
https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/stopgap-spending-plan-leaves-out-chip-kids-health-plan-n827826
Free Dental Services, Hutchinson
For those of you who may be unfamiliar with KMOM, this is a free event that provides basic dental services for adults and children. There are no eligibility requirements. Families do not have to show documentation or proof of income.
Giving Tuesday
What if we raised a dollar for each one of the nearly 9,000 Kansas children in Head Start and Early Head Start this #GivingTuesday? Find out more about the Dollar-Per-Child campaign here. https://www.ksheadstart.org/new-page-2/
Amazon Smile
Support KHSA when you shop on Cyber Monday. Go to smile.amazon.com/ch/48-1195593 and Amazon donates to Kansas Head Start Association.
Benefits of Bilingualism
Some families avoid speaking their native language at home for fear of confusing their children by presenting two languages at once. Actually, learning to be bilingual actually improves children’s concentration – and that enhanced focus offers lifelong advantages. To learn more, visit https://childandfamilyblog.com/bilingual-children-focus/
Engaging Families in Early Math Learning
Early math ability is one of the best predictors of children’s later success in school. This compilation of articles written by researchers and program developers was designed to provide families with guidance, inspiration, and motivation to support their young children’s mathematical development effectively.
https://globalfrp.org/content/download/83/561/file/Early%20Math%20FINE.pdf
