Action Needed/Please Respond/We need YOUR voice!

We want you to think about a couple of things for this week.  There has been some press and movement regarding Universal PreK.  We are worried about where Head Start fits into a Universal PreK world.  We need your voice and action to have an impact and to ensure Head Start remains a birth to five program.  Attached you will find a “game plan” for protecting Head Start/Early Head Start services for the most vulnerable children and families in Illinois.  We are asking you to do the following:

1. Schedule Legislator Visits
Copy the attached legislator invitation letter and customize to meet the needs of an on-site visit to your program.  Ensure your legislator has a clear understanding of the children and families enrolled in your program, the comprehensive nature of your services, share a few of your many success stories, and explain what birth-to-five Head Start and Early Head Start would look like in your community with a well-coordinated universal early education system. Additional tools to prepare for your visit are found at the IHSA Website:  http://ilheadstart.org/portfolio/policyadvocacy/ Click on “How to Conduct a Meeting and Build Relationships with your Elected Officials.”  For more information regarding the Illinois General Assembly, go to www.ilga.gov.

2. Call Governor J.B. Pritzker
      CHICAGO (312) 814-2121
      SPRINGFIELD (217) 782-6830, (217) 782-6831, (217) 782-0244
Use the attached sample script to call Governor Pritzker’s Office and ask for support to include Head Start and Early Head Start birth-to-five services in Illinois Universal Early Childhood Education. Please share this information and encourage calls from our Head Start/Early Head Start families, policy council, staff and partners next week so the Governor hears loud and clear, “Strong Bright Futures Begin at Head Start!”

3. Chicago Delegates: Call Mayor-Elect Lori Lightfoot
Take a five-minute break from the RFP and make a collective difference! Customize the attached sample script for Governor Pritzker’s Office to have your voice and ongoing concerns expressed to incoming Mayor Lightfoot. We know that “Strong Bright Futures Begin at Head Start!” A categorical change to the City’s early childhood system by removing four year olds is not in the best interest of children and families.

Also, we ask that you all take pictures when your legislator visits and send them to myself at lfrichtl@ilheadstart.org.  Finally, please let me know when you have completed your call to Governor Pritzker and/or the incoming Mayor Lightfoot.  We want to track progress.  Remember, your voice counts!  We need you to pick up the phone and call the Governor and  set up an onsite legislator visit to your program.  If you need help we are here!  Don’t hesitate to reach out to either myself (Lauri/lfrichtl@ilheadstart.org) or Tracey Kreipe, our lobbyist;, at twkreipe@icloud.com.  Or call our office (217 241-3511).

Lets work together and make sure everyone knows about Head Start and Early Head Start. Remember – “STRONG BRIGHT FUTURES BEGIN AT HEAD START!”