IHSA

The Illinois Head Start Association (IHSA) was incorporated in 1978 to represent and provide services for all members of the Head Start community: directors, staff, parents, and friends. The Association is committed to enhancing the development of children, empowering families and strengthening communities. In the advocacy role, the Association speaks in a unified voice and acts on issues affecting children and families. It provides professional development opportunities for all members through conferences and institutes and awards training scholarships annually.

The Association accepts the statewide leadership role for providing information, developing local and state partnerships and empowering members to be community leaders. In 2002 the IHSA office was established with an executive director, 501 C 3 non-profit status, and played an active advocacy role in the Reauthorization process. The Association offers agency, individual and affiliate memberships and, in conjunction with the State Collaboration Office, maintains an active website,

HSSCO

The purposes of the Illinois Head Start State Collaboration Office (HSSCO) are to facilitate Early/Head Start collaboration, coordination and planning at the State and local levels in order to help develop a comprehensive system of early childhood services for low income families with young children.  The HSSCO is to serve as a State point of contact for information about Illinois Early/Head Start.  The Illinois HSSCO works closely with the Illinois Head start Association in carrying out its responsibilities.

Funded by a federal grant from the US Dept. of Health & Human Services, Administration for Children & Families, Head Start Bureau, the Illinois HSSCO is located in the Illinois Dept. of Human Services’ (IDHS) Bureau of Child Care & Development and is staffed by one person.  The Illinois HSSCO performs a number of activities to carry out its purposes, including: administering the IDHS Child Care Collaboration Program; facilitating completion & implementation of statewide memoranda of agreement, producing information on Early/Head Start in Illinois; and, serving on various groups and committees, representing Early/Head Start. 

The Illinois HSSCO is federally mandated by The Head Start Act to work in various service areas that mirror Early/Head Start’s comprehensive services, including health care, welfare, child care, education, community service activities, family literacy, activities relating to children with disabilities and services for homeless families.