Join us in Washington, DC in January for the NHSA Winter Leadership Institute, where Head Start leaders, staff, parents, and advocates come together to celebrate the power of Head Start.
Over several days, we’ll share best practices, explore new ideas, and strengthen our collective voice to ensure every child has the opportunity to thrive.
Highlights Include:
- Meetings with members of Congress
- Advocacy trainings
- Engaging discussions on how Head Start programs are leading in their communities
- Professional development opportunities
- Educational sessions on policy issues of critical importance to Head Start
- Breakfast for Head Start on Capitol Hill
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Super Early Bird Rate:
$505
Available October 1 – October 24
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Early Bird Rate:
$625
Available October 25 – December 5
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NHSA Member Rate*:
$745
Available December 6 – January 25
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On-Site Member Rate*:
$865
Available January 26 – January 29
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Non-Member Rate:
$915
Available to non-members
*All discounts are available to those who are a staff or parent in a Head Start/Early Head Start program which has an active NHSA program membership. Sign up to save. Sign up to save.
An Unforgettable Experience
Network and Share
By convening leaders from across the country, our Leadership Institutes drive the Head Start community forward. Meet with your colleagues from across the country, share in conversations about niche Head Start happenings, and make connections that last.
Advocate and Educate
NHSA’s government affairs team will make sure that you have all the resources you need to schedule meetings with your members of Congress. These meetings connect your work to Congress’ agenda so you can have a hand in shaping a strong future for Head Start. Together, we can make sure that this dialogue leads to results.
Learn and Grow
Leadership Institutes offer deep-dive insights into the policies that affect Head Start nationally and explore how these can be implemented locally. What’s the latest and what can we expect in the months ahead?
Schedule at a Glance
Monday and Tuesday
- Dive deep into the policy and advocacy issues that will affect Head Start for years to come
- Engage in practical trainings on some of the hardest challenges facing our workforce
- Prepare for meaningful conversations with lawmakers
Wednesday
- Take your passion to Capitol Hill! We will start the day with a star-studded Head Start breakfast
- Then, meet with members of Congress to share firsthand about Head Start’s impact and the support we need to fully serve our nation’s children who might not have the same opportunities as others
Thursday
- Join us to hear updates from the administration and more
Explore the Nation’s Capital
The Institute will be held in downtown Washington, D.C.—near Capitol Hill, close to the White House, and within walking distance to the National Mall, Washington Monument, and other nearby attractions.
Attendees will have the opportunity to join colleagues for a Moonlight Monuments Tour on Wednesday evening in a comfortable, state-of-the-art, and all-weather stadium trolley. Fully-trained, certified tour guides provide expert narration and, frankly, really know their stuff! It is a fun, interactive, and informative experience that is anything but boring.
Frequently Asked Questions
Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport.
Yes, all sessions are being held at the conference hotel.
Discounted rates are for NHSA Members only. Individual members are not eligible. If you are unsure of your membership status, contact NHSA Membership department before registering: membership@nhsa.org.
Events begin Monday at 10:30 a.m. ET and end at 12:00 p.m. ET on Thursday.
You will receive a link to the hotel registration page with the discounted rate in your confirmation email after registering for the conference.
Single/Double: $258*
*Taxes not included
The Institute is open to everyone—all NHSA members, Head Start alumni, and advocates. If your life is impacted by the importance of early childhood education, you are a stakeholder.
Some Institute attendees have been following early childhood education legislative issues for many years, but many are first-time advocates. Our goal is to fully prepare all attendees for their meetings on Capitol Hill.
100% yes. Research by the Congressional Management Foundation shows direct constituent interactions have more influence on lawmakers’ decisions than other advocacy strategies. In three surveys of congressional staff over a 10-year span, over 94% consistently said that “in-person visits from constituents” would have “some” or “a lot” of influence on an undecided lawmaker.
State delegations typically attend meetings together. For this event, we look to partner with a State Captain from each state. State Captains are lead advocates who help schedule and coordinate meetings, receive additional information from NHSA, and stay in touch with other in-state advocates to ensure that the day runs smoothly. If no other representatives from your state are able to attend, an NHSA staff member or another experienced advocate can attend the meeting with you.
Educating members of Congress–informing them of the issues of importance to you and your Head Start program–is entirely OK for everyone, and it’s how members of Congress stay informed on what’s going on back home. “Lobbying,” or advocating for a specific bill or policy, does not have to be a part of a congressional visit. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has developed guidelines that ensure nonprofit groups and private citizens can advocate legally. Still concerned? The National Council of Nonprofits has resources to help.
If your products and services support the healthy development of young children or help Head Start and Early Head Start programs operate more efficiently and effectively, take a look at the many partnership opportunities we offer.
Exhibit and Engage the NHSA Network
NHSA is committed to the belief that every child, regardless of circumstances at birth, has the ability to succeed in life. We are the voice for more than 1 million children, 275,000 staff, and 1,600 grant recipients in the United States. Since 1974, NHSA has worked for policy changes that ensure all income-eligible children have access to the Head Start model.