From: NationalHeadStartAssociation@nhsa.org

Sent: Wednesday, July 29, 2009 7:55 AM

To: Porte, Sanna [MT]

Subject: American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) Resources

American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) Resources

ARRA Resource #1: Infants and Toddlers in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act: Planning Tools for States

This ZERO TO THREE publication provides links and short explanations of key resources for States navigating ARRA. The resources are divided into two categories: “Planning Tools for Recovery Act Implementation” and “Other Resources for Recovery Act Implementation.” The Planning Tools for Recovery Act Implementation include resources from the National Center for Children in Poverty, EducationCounsel, and ZERO TO THREE. Other Resources for Recovery Act Implementation consist of information from the Obama administration’s Federal Recovery Act Website, The Birth to Five Policy Alliance’s Economic Recovery News Center, and ZERO TO THREE.

ARRA Resource #2: Title I Early Education: Models for Using ARRA Funds

Federal lawmakers approved ARRA which included $13 billion for Title I of the No Child Left Behind Act. Title I provides some funds to support high-quality early education programs. For school districts interested in using Title I money for early childhood programs, the Center for Law and Social Policy provides helpful information on one of its web pages. This web page describes how Title I funding can be used for early childhood education, summarizes the benefits of using these funds, provides models of Title I funded early education programs, including some Head Start programs, and supplies additional resources.

ARRA Resource #3: Navigating the Opportunities for Families with Young Children in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act: An Interactive Tool

ZERO TO THREE and their Policy Center have provided an interactive tool to help practitioners and policymakers understand ARRA funding resources for infants, toddlers, and their families. The tool describes how established programs like Medicaid and Head Start/Early Head Start are affected by ARRA. The tool provides an overview of each program and describes the population served by each program, the specific ARRA funding, and the potential opportunities for program eligible children and families to use ARRA funds.

ARRA Resource #4: How the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act Impacts Special Education and Early Intervention

After years of advocacy work by the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) and their partners in the education and disability communities, the Federal Government has made a historic investment in special education and early intervention services through ARRA. A Q&A report  published by the CEC provides a brief description of ARRA funding and addresses questions concerning ARRA’s impact on states, schools, and students.

ARRA Resource #5: Planning the Possible: How Schools Can Use Stimulus Dollars for Lasting Impact

ASCD is a membership organization representing superintendents, principals, and teachers, and as a leader in professional development, it helps educators to implement best practices and policies. ASCD released a report to aid educators and decision makers in their understanding of how to best use the stimulus dollars dedicated to education. The document is divided into sections which answer basic questions, including, but not limited to: What education activities are eligible for funding? How is the stimulus funding being distributed? Why should we use stimulus funds for professional development? What are ASCD’s models for professional development? What ASCD resources relate to the stimulus funding? The last section provides links to resources related to public policy, developing the whole child, and healthy school communities.

ARRA Resource #6: Race to the Top: Promising State Models

Jennifer Dounay with Education Commission of the States authored a briefing document describing the U.S. Department of Education’s new ARRA-financed $4.35 billion “Race to the Top” incentive program. In this program, the states making the most dramatic progress in student achievement will be awarded grant money from the $4.35 billion Race to the Top Fund. The grants will be rewarded in Fall 2009 and Spring 2010.

This electronic document has been sent to the NHSA members, the NHSA Board of Directors, and State and Regional Head Start Association Presidents and Executive Directors. Please share it with others in your network.