Insights from Experts
Talking Points
Talking Points offers insights from experts on the topics we know are important to organizations working to strengthen communities, including organizational development, childcare, and housing stabilization. Our writers share their knowledge, research, and practical strategies for building the structures and systems you need to promote excellence in service delivery.
Talking Points is published a minimum of monthly. Subscribing also gives you access to our Monthly Round Up, where we highlight blog posts, upcoming events, and newsworthy research and reflections.
Get Ready to Apply for One-Time Nutrition and Healthy Eating Funding
On July 29, 2025, the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) issued a Program Instruction (PI), One-time Supplemental Funds for Nutrition and Healthy Eating for Head Start Children and Families ACF-OHS-PI-25-02, providing a description of supplemental funding that will be available to Head Start programs and how to apply. While there will be a webinar offered on Monday, August 4 to learn more about the process for requesting supplemental funds, we strongly encourage interested applicants to begin preparing now as there is a quick turnaround deadline (August 22) and it is unclear how long funding will be available. Here are a few ways you can prepare.
Highlights from the 2025 National Head Start Conference
The National Head Start Conference, which took place May 19-22 in Columbus, Ohio, was an incredible gathering of experts and peers. Thank you to everyone who attended our session on wage comparability. It was wonderful seeing familiar faces and meeting new Head Start leaders!There were many sessions, luncheons, and events at the conference, and we were fortunate to participate as presenters and attendees. Here, we share some of the federal updates we learned from NHSA and other interesting information to support the Head Start community.
Data Tips for Estimating the Number of Children Income-Eligible for HS/EHS
Last year was a time of transition with the release of updated Head Start Program Performance Standards, new funding available through Early Head Start – Child Care Partnership (EHS-CCP) and Early Head Start Expansion grants, and competition for DRS grants in many states throughout the country. All this while programs juggle enrollment, staffing, and evolving community needs.
Focus and Flexibility to Support Program Planning in 2024
Throughout 2023, we heard from programs that are juggling multiple moving pieces in program planning and operations. Programs are navigating action planning for the Full Enrollment Initiative, competing in DRS, or considering a change in scope request. Other programs are getting ready for federal monitoring review or preparing a baseline or continuation application; and for some, these timelines are changing.
Wage Comparability Studies and the Staffing Crisis, An Interview with Jane Hanson
Jane Hanson shares her insights on the importance of wage comparability studies, requirements for Head Start/Early Head Start programs, and how data can be used to address the staffing crisis. Ms. Hanson is a Consultant with Foundations for Families, specializing in wage comparability studies and data research. She is experienced working with community agencies across the country, helping to provide programs with data to understand and meet staff, family, and community needs.
How to Plan for a Successful Change in Scope Request
Underenrollment action planning is well on its way for some Head Start/Early Head Start programs, and will be soon for many more. Whether responding to an underenrollment letter that has been received, or one expected soon, submitting a Change in Scope Request to the Office of Head Start (OHS) is one strategy programs might consider to mitigate underenrollent challenges and deal with an ongoing child care workforce staffing crisis.
Underenrollment Action Planning Begins for Many HS/EHS Programs
Underenrollment is a longstanding issue faced by many Head Start/Early Head Start programs. It continues to present a major challenge for programs and is now coupled with an unprecedented child care staffing crisis. 2023 is the first year the Full Enrollment Initiative is being implemented since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, and an estimated 225 grant recipients just received letters designating their program as chronically underenrolled.