[Dec-advocacy] news update

[Sarah Hadden]

Welcome to the DEC Advocacy List. The Division for Early Childhood  
(DEC) of the Council for Exceptional Children is a non-profit  
membership organization advocating for individuals who work with or on  
behalf of children with special needs, birth through age eight, and  
their families. For more information about DEC, please contact the DEC  
Office at: The Division for Early Childhood, 634 Eddy, Missoula, MT  
59812-6696. Phone: 406-243-5898, Fax: 406-243-4730, e-mail:  
dec at dec-sped.org. If you would like to either join or be removed from  
the DEC Advocacy List, email Sarah Hadden  at <dsh5gn at virginia.edu>.  
Additional information about governmental relations activities can be  
obtained by visiting the DEC website: http://www.dec-sped.org/

10/4/05

Good morning. I just wanted to provide a brief update of events in  
Washington. As everyone is aware, Congress has been focusing a great  
deal of energy on dealing with the aftermath of hurricanes Katrina and  
Rita. FY 2006 appropriations are incomplete. Last week Congress passed  
a Continuing Resolution that will keep the government operating through  
November 18th. Regulations for IDEA are on hold and it may be spring  
before they are ready. On September 22nd, the House  passed its version  
of the bill to reauthorize Head Start. The bill includes provisions  
that call for improved academic content, increased coordination between  
state and local early education programs and Head Start programs,  
increased funding for migrant, seasonal and Indian Head Start programs,  
and strengthened accountability for Head Start grantees. The bill also  
includes a controversial provision that would allow grantees with a  
religious affiliation engage in faith based hiring. More information  
about the House bill may be found at:

http://edworkforce.house.gov/press/press109/first/09sep/ 
2123passeshouse.htm


Sarah Hadden
DEC Governmental Relations Committee
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