Incorporating Home-Based Educator Wellness in Equitable Early Childhood Systems
In this session, Shayla Collins (UW Center for Child & Family Well-Being), Dr. Rena Hallam (Delaware Institute for Excellence in Early Childhood), and Dr. Laura Lessard (Childcare Wellbeing Initiative) shared Shining the Light on You, their innovative wellness program designed for family child care educators, and Pilar Torres (L.U.N.A.) discussed ways to embed HBCC wellness support into ECE systems for educators whose primary language is Spanish.
Access the slide deck here.
Online Wellness platforms with free or low-cost options, with a focus on communities of color:
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Home Is Missing From the Maternal and Infant Health Conversation
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Picture a mother, eight months pregnant, who has missed her last two prenatal appointments — she's been sleeping in her car and has no fixed address to give the clinic. Or a parent three weeks postpartum, trying to establish a nursing routine in a shared shelter bathroom, timing every feeding around when the room is free.
Head Start Under Threat: What the Field is Saying
Research September 22, 2026
Over the past few months, HHS has advanced two related sets of proposed changes to Head Start. National, state, and local partners across the early childhood field have raised serious concerns about both. This document is a summary of what our partners are saying, followed by concrete actions and resources for you and your organization. The content reflects our partners' own statements and comments — we agree with what they've said and are sharing it here with full source attribution. Updated September 22, 2026.