PLATFORM 2000

Washington State Association of Head Start and ECEAP Programs
Approved October 11, 2000

Plank #1 Children's Services

  1. Increase ECEAP funding to ensure quality early learning and family support services. "Money For Children First!"
  2. Raise reimbursement rates for health services providers for medical, dental, mental health and vision. "More Options and Access to Healthcare!" "Give Our Families Quality Care, Reimburse Providers What is Fair!"
  3. Explore changes in income eligibility such as using net income vs. gross income.
  4. Strengthen advocacy, training and services to children with special needs.
  5. Continue to decrease barriers and increase partnerships with child care providers. Support affordable, accessible child care. "Bridge the Gap Between Child Care and Head Start/ECEAP!"
  6. Fund Washington Early Head Start.
  7. Support curriculum and learning strategies that include music, drama and the arts.

Plank #2 Family Services

  1. Increase awareness in programs for eligibility of WorkFirst participants. The Association shall develop a marketing/outreach plan for parent awareness and volunteers. Members shall advocate for progressive skill building participation in programs to be approved participation for WorkFirst requirements. "Working For Our Children Should Work For WorkFirst!"
  2. Convene a focus group to address transportation and facilities issues.
  3. Convene a subcommittee that will prepare the Association's response to the draft federal Family Child Care Regulations.
  4. Partner with state agencies to support affordable housing, living wage, and plan for the WorkFirst plan for the five year limit to meet the needs of Head Start and ECEAP families.

Plank #3 Advocacy, Collaboration, External Communication and Public Affairs

  1. Endorse Human Services Day (February 19, 2001) and Head Start/ECEAP Day (February 28, 2001) and encourage programs to participate in these days. Support the Children's Alliance legislative agenda.
  2. Develop a strategic plan (vision, mission, values, goals, etc.) that will include building strategic alliances with other statewide early learning, K-12 education, family support, housing and health communities as well as the public schools. This plan shall also include a marketing strategy that defines our services and positions our work with welfare and education reform movements.

Plank #4 Information, Training and Communication

  1. Maintain the Head Start 10% "set aside" for training.
  2. Support/Endorse the work of the "Articulation Group" regarding the transferability of community college ECE credits to 4-year schools.
  3. Develop creative ways for parents to get credit for volunteer work.
  4. Share high quality transition (to public school kindergarten) plans that include elements that individualize and address the needs of specific school districts, children and their parents. Collaboarte with state associations such as the PTSA.
  5. Develop a letter to support attendance of Region X staff at meetings. This attendance may be in person, or via technology (video conferencing or teleconferencing). The letter shall be to the Regional Administrator and copied to the Head Start Bureau with follow up with political leaders.
  6. Use alternative methods for distribution of resource directories including technology (internet), addressing language and literacy issues and providing staff assistance when directories alone are not sufficient.