Head Start Association Network

The Head Start State Association Network aims to promote a sense of community and cooperation between the national association, Head Start state associations, and collaboration offices across the country. NHSA facilitates communication, coordinates policy development, strengthens advocacy activities, and disseminates innovations and best practices in state-based early learning systems.

Network Monthly Calls

  1. Water Cooler Call: 3 to 4 p.m. ET, 4th Thursday monthly
    Catch up on Head Start federal affairs and advocacy, interact with your peers, and share your updates in a pre-call survey. If you can only attend 1 call each month, this is the one!
  2. State Collaboration Directors Call: 2 to 3 p.m. ET, 4th Tuesday monthly
    Policy brief for State Collaboration Directors. Mirrors the Water Cooler, but with a lesser focus on advocacy. As with Water Cooler, we issue a pre-call survey.

Quick Helpful Links

Key NHSA Reports and Tools

Head Start State and Regional Impact Report

The 2022 Annual Report showcases the ongoing impact and commitment of Head Start in the states and regions.

Head Start Policy Agenda

The national Head Start Policy Agenda serves as the guiding document for NHSA’s government affairs-related efforts.

2022 State Investments in Head Start and Early Head Start

Fourteen states and D.C. are investing state funds in Head Start and Early Head Start to improve outcomes for at-risk children and families.

Head Start Language Playbook

Created with support from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, the Language Playbook helps Head Start advocates have more effective conversations.

Head Start Advocacy Tools

Take Action for Head Start

Take Action for Head Start: Congress needs to hold the line for Head Start as it works toward finalizing appropriations for Fiscal Year 2024.

Head Start Social Media Marketing Guide

NHSA’s Head Start Social Media Guide covers five major social media channels and includes quick tips and content ideas.

2024 State Fact Sheets

Click on your state to download your 2024 Head Start Fact Sheet or use NHSA’s interactive map to explore Head Start locations in detail.

Facts and Impacts

Head Start works. Children make innumerable gains. These advantages appear immediately, last a lifetime, and positively impact generations.

Early Head Start Advocacy Tools

Head Start Advantage: Early Head Start

Early Head Start children have greater cognitive development and receptive language skills on standardized assessments.

Early Head Start Facts & Figures

Download and learn more about Early Head Start’s service delivery models, how programs support families’ comprehensive needs, and how the program promotes equity.

Early Head Start Advocacy Toolkit

NHSA’s data-backed communications toolkit supports Early Head Start advocacy and communication about the impact of Early Head Start.

Early Head Start Social Media Toolkit

NHSA’s data-backed communications toolkit supports Early Head Start advocacy and communication about the impact of Early Head Start.

State Association Webinar Recordings

Webinar: Effective State-Level Policies

This session shares 11 state-level policies that help foster the nurturing environments infants and toddlers need to thrive and that reduce longstanding disparities in opportunities and outcomes among racial and ethnic groups and socioeconomic statuses.

Watch Now...

Webinar: Lifting Up Diverse Family Voices

In this recording, presenters explore how integrating family voice, the HSPPS, the PFCE framework, and the unique role of program leaders.

Watch Now...