HSGD > January 2008 eSpirit Newsletter > What's On My Mind by Wanda J. Smith, CEO   Happy New Year! My new year’s wish is that we as a community immerse ourselves in good thoughts and deeds. We face a challenging year as we strive to comply with new legislation and reduced funding. In December, the President signed the Improving Head Start Act for School Readiness Act of 2007, which will govern the Head Start program in the United States for the next five years. We are taking the steps necessary to ensure we comply with the law. Key elements of the legislation include:      • Head Start programs must place more emphasis on serving the homeless      • We can now serve children from families slightly above the federal poverty level      • Head Start programs must ensure strong leadership from the board of directors and        Policy Council      • One-half of Head Start teachers must have B.A. degrees by 2013.        (Congress did not provide any funds for teacher training or increased salaries.) Although the new legislation called for a significant increase in Head Start funding, the spending bill signed by the President actually cut our funding by $10.6 million. This is the seventh consecutive year we have endured cuts or minimal increases. When inflation is factored in, we have suffered an 11 percent decline in our spending power. We rely more and more on support from members of the local community to ensure we continue preparing children for success in school and life. If you would like to make a donation or volunteer in one of our centers, please visit us at www.hsgd.org or call Rob Massonneau at (972) 283-6472.     >>>  Return to Cover >>