Happy 250th Birthday to America!
Head Start Proposed Changes
The federal Administration for Children and Families (ACF) has proposed changes to the Head Start Program Performance Standards, which guide how Head Start and Early Head Start programs operate. CEO is continuing to review the proposal and is developing a formal organizational comment ahead of the October 6, 2026 public-comment deadline. Some of the proposed changes involve:
- Eligibility and enrollment documentation
- Administrative costs
- Staff-to-child ratios and group size
- Services for children with disabilities
- English-language instruction
- Program hours and service requirements
- Other Head Start operating standards
CEO supports efforts to modernize Head Start, reduce unnecessary administrative burden, and provide programs with reasonable local flexibility. At the same time, we are reviewing where proposed changes could affect services.
Staff Can Comment Too
Employees who have experience with Head Start may also choose to submit an individual public comment. You do not need to comment on the entire proposal. A thoughtful comment about one issue you know well can be valuable. Consider sharing:
- What helps you serve children and families effectively
- How current staffing, ratios, or program requirements work in practice
- What supports or resources are important to program quality
- Examples of how Head Start standards affect children, families, or staff
- Concerns, questions, or recommendations related to a proposed change
Specific examples and firsthand experience can help federal officials understand what a proposed change may mean in practice. Individual comments should reflect your own experience and perspective. Unless specifically authorized, employees should not identify themselves as speaking on behalf of CEO. CEO will submit a separate formal comment representing the organization.
Public Comments Are Due October 6, 2026
CEO is transitioning to RingCentral Phone Systems
All employees who were previously assigned a desk phone and primarily working on their computers should complete the steps below by Thursday, September 24:
Classroom and kitchen phones will not need to download this app.
- Activate your RingCentral account. You should have received an activation email directly from RingCentral. Some employees received theirs in early August, while others received them more recently. If you did not receive an email, your activation link has expired, or you have difficulty activating your account, please contact Lisa Thomas.
- Download the RingCentral app. Once your account is activated, download the app on your CEO computer from ringcentral.com/download. Select Download for Windows and sign in with your activated account. The app is also available for Apple and Android mobile devices.
Training resources: RingCentral University offers guides and short tutorials. For technical assistance, RingCentral Customer Care is available 24/7 at 1-888-898-4591, Option 3 for Technical Support.
Download Ring Central Instructions
Thank you for your cooperation and patience as we make this transition!
CEO Flu Clinic | Don’t Forget to Sign Up!
Our on-site flu clinic is coming up on Wednesday, September 30 from 2–4 PM.
WHEN: Wednesday, September 30 | 2:00–4:00 PM
WHERE: 2328 Fifth Ave., Troy | Lansingburgh Conference Room
Getting your annual flu shot is an easy way to help protect yourself, your family and those around you this flu season.
CDPHP members can also earn points toward CDPHP Life Points® Rewards for getting vaccinated.
September Birthdays
Help us wish a Happy Birthday to all the staff members with September birthdays! Staff Member Location Birthday Eileen Sullivan Lansingburgh Family Resource Center September 1 James Thurber Hoosick Falls FRC September 1 Jade Roger All Early Childhood Sites September 2...
CEO FLU Clinic | Sign Up Today!
Wednesday, September 30 | 2 – 4 PM Cooler weather and changing leaves mean fall is here. It’s a beautiful time of year in New York, but with it comes flu season. WHEN: Wednesday, September 30 | 2:00 - 4:00 PM WHERE: 2328 Fifth Ave, Troy | Lansingburgh Conference Room...
New Email Signature Now Available
Updating Your CEO Email Signature Using a consistent email signature helps present a clear, professional CEO identity across the organization while making sure important contact information, locations, website links and social media links are displayed consistently....
August Birthdays
Help us wish a Happy Birthday to all the staff members and Foster Grandparent volunteers with August birth dates! Staff Member Location Birthday Swe Ong, Moe Rensselaer FRC August 1 DeChiro, Mark Troy Family Resource Center August 3 Souffrant, Veena Community Resource...
July Birthdays!
Help us wish a Happy Birthday to all the staff members and Foster Grandparent volunteers with July birth dates! Staff Member Location Birthday Elizabeth Bradley-Smith FGP July 1 Loriel Dickson LFRC July 2 Christian Castillo Facilities July 3 Victoria Clark LFRC July 3...
Meet Eric: CEO’s Weatherization Program Manager
CEO’s Weatherization department is one of the brightest examples of what community action looks like in practice. Every year, our team helps low-income families, senior citizens, and people with disabilities across Rensselaer County lower their energy costs, improve...