Web Resource
The National Head Start Association organization web site is where I have spent some time getting to understand what they do, their philosophy and their commitment to early childhood. The vision of NHSA is:

To lead.

To be the untiring voice that will not be quiet until every vulnerable child is served with the Head Start model of support for the whole child, the family and the community.

To advocate.

To work diligently for policy and institutional changes that ensure all vulnerable children and families have what they need to succeed.

The Mission of NHSA is:

NHSA Mission

Our mission is to coalesce, inspire and support the Head Start field as a leader in early childhood development and education.
We are compelled to fulfill this mission by the promise of all the possible outcomes:

• one powerful, united Head Start voice;
• a collegial, collaborative Head Start field, one that is a valuable and valued partner and resource to early childhood development and education;
• nonpartisan support of increased Federal commitment to Head Start and, ultimately
• healthier, empowered children and families and stronger, more vibrant communities.

I did not see a newsletter to subscribe to but they do have a pod cast that covers important ECE topics.  In looking to see if I could find any mention of an ECE issue or trend I came across a section called National Associations and  it had a link to National Migrant & Seasonal Head Start Association. Some of the programs and services they provide are:

Education We provide migrant and seasonal children learning environments and experiences that enable them to solve problems, initiate activities, explore, question, and gain mastery through learning by doing. We make home visits twice a year, allowing parents and Head Start staff the opportunity to jointly develop goals for the children. Health and Disability Services We provide a broad range of medical, dental, and mental health activities to promote sound physical, social, and emotional growth and development. We offer total health screenings for infants, toddlers, and preschool children. Parent health education teaches migrant and seasonal families how to assess and seek help and care for their children's health. Over ten percent of the children we serve have disabilities. Nutrition We conduct nutrition education in the classroom and in the home. We serve breakfast and lunch, or lunch and an afternoon snack, family style. All meals meet USDA/Head Start requirements. The meals/snacks we serve support the health-medical-dental component. Parent Involvement We offer parents educational, nutritional, medical, dental, mental health, and social services training with concrete experiences to support them in their role as parents. Migrant and seasonal programs accommodate the working schedules of parents by conducting center and parent council meetings in the evening or on weekends. Parent meetings allow parents to be active in the decision making process of their local programs. Social Services Migrant and Seasonal Head Start programs teach migrant and seasonal families how to find and utilize available local community services and resources enabling them to improve their families' condition and quality of life.

I came to understand why Head Stat is so important for the migrant community with this statement that is on the National Migrant & Seasonal Head Start Association web page:
Migrant and Seasonal Head Start was a response to the needs of migrant farm worker families. In most states, local childcare resources are not available when migrants come into a community, especially for infants and toddlers. When resources are not available, parents have no choice but to take their children to the fields where they are exposed to pesticides, hazardous equipment, extreme heat and other health dangers.

We can not fathom this happening today but it seems that it does.  Are we really prepared for the changing demographics in our communities?  Families who are only in the area for the season of the crops and harvest are not able to afford traditional child care and this is why the NMSHSA provides a program for these families.  In looking at when these schools are open it varies, some are open September to May and some are only open May to November.   I learned that Head Start provides many types of services and that they are not all like a traditional preschool but they strive to meet the needs of the families and children in each community they are in to help build stronger families and communities.

This song and video tells the story of the migrant and seasonal farm worker and how important the NMSHSA is to them.

Resources
National Head Start Association
National Migrant & Seasonal Head Start Association