Enhancing Attunement with Music Rituals
2025-01-21 14:00 - 15:00 (America/New_York)
Program: Enhancing Attunement with Music Rituals
Description: Tricky transitions—like school drop-off, naptime, and handwashing—don’t have to be tricky. Music rituals help counteract stress responses and reduce anxiety by creating calm, setting expectations, and strengthening attunement.
Learning Objectives:

review the elements that trigger “shutdown” mode in young children,
why music transforms those responses faster than other solutions, and
how specific engaging activities can boost social-emotional development to maintain positive learning and home environments.

Price:

Regular Rate: $75
NHSA Member Rate: $50

Enhancing Attunement with Music Rituals Presenter: Deanna Bucci, Director of Product Development for Kindermusik International
Deanna Bucci oversees the content creation for Kindermusik’s programs and curricula as well as professional development and product training. She has worked with and trained various organizations and educators across the United States, including presenting at national conferences for NAEYC and NHSA. Deanna holds a Bachelor of Music in Music Education and Master of School Administration. She taught elementary general music (ages 3-8) for eight years in New Jersey before initially becoming a Curriculum Designer for Kindermusik in 2017. Through childcare, musical direction, and private music instruction, she has also taught and worked with children and adults of all ages over the last 15+ years.
Sponsored by: Kindermusik International

Versión en español: Enhancing Attunement with Music Rituals
2025-01-23 14:00 - 15:00 (America/New_York)
Programa: Versión en español de Enhancing Attunement with Music Rituals (Rituales Musicales para Fomentar la Compenetración)
Descripción: Las transiciones difíciles, como la hora de dejar a los niños en la escuela, la hora de la siesta y el lavado de manos, no tienen por qué ser complicadas. Los rituales musicales ayudan a contrarrestar las respuestas al estrés y a reducir la ansiedad al generar calma, establecer expectativas y fomentar la compenetración
Objetivos de aprendizaje:

Revisar los elementos que desencadenan el modo de “apagado” en los niños pequeños.
Por qué la música transforma esas respuestas más rápidamente que otras soluciones, y
Cómo actividades específicas y atractivas pueden fomentar el desarrollo socioemocional para mantener entornos de aprendizaje y hogareños positivos.

Precio:
Tarifa regular: $75
Tarifa para miembros de la NHSA: $50
Presentadora: Dra. Farida Peña, Entrenadora Bilingüe y Especialista en Currículo
La Dra. Farida Peña es Formadora Bilingüe, Especialista en Currículo, y miembro del equipo de Desarrollo de Productos de Kindermusik International. Posee un Doctorado en Medicina y una Maestría en Educación y Pedagogía Musical.
Con más de 30 años de experiencia, y formada en diversos métodos musicales, incluidos MLT, Dalcroze, Orff, Kodály, Kindermusik y Dissimilis, Farida ha trabajado como educadora musical, oradora internacional, facilitadora de talleres, y profesora de piano, liderando capacitaciones en países como República Dominicana, México, Puerto Rico, Brasil y Estados Unidos.
Patrocinado por: Kindermusik International.

Head Start Advocacy Series: What Are Appropriations?
2025-02-11 12:00 - 12:30 (America/New_York)
Program: What Are Appropriations?
Description: We will answer the comm questions: what are appropriations and how do they impact Head Start?
What Are Appropriations Presenter: Kathleen Havey
Kathleen Havey, Senior Advisor of Government Affairs

Tackle Behaviors that Challenge: with JOYFUL SUPPORT
2025-02-11 16:00 - 16:30 (America/New_York)
Webinar Series: Tackling Behaviors that Challenge Us
Program: Tackle Behaviors that Challenge: with JOYFUL SUPPORT
Description: All behavior is communication. Especially the behaviors that we adults find challenging. Now what can you do about it?
In this webinar series, our experts will share innovative approaches to building a trust-based classroom environment, which is the key to mitigating behaviors that challenge us. Learn practical strategies that will not only help you understand challenging interactions, they will significantly increase delightful interactions!
Join our experts as they share how to develop strong trust with the children in your care. You will learn:

how to use music and movement for joy, fun, and increased focus;
turn transitions into meaningful parts of your day;
how to inspire the desire to behave well;
and so much more!

Tackle Behaviors that Challenge: with JOYFUL SUPPORT
ARFF! Let’s face it, acronyms are fun. And the components of this one are key drivers of motivation in your classroom: Achievement, Respect, Freedom, and Fun. Join us to learn more about how to balance these four essential elements of personal wellbeing for everyone in your classroom.
JOYFUL SUPPORT Presenters:
Dr. Deborah Bergeron served as director of the Office of Head Start from 2018-21. From 2019-21 she broadened her leadership as director of the Office of Early Childhood Development in the Administration for Children and Families. Known as “Dr. B” to former students and teachers, she spent three decades in pre-K–12 public education as a classroom teacher and school administrator and currently serves as deputy director for Community Engagement and Innovation at NHSA.

Nick Young has been sharing the joy and enrichment of interactive music and movement with children for over 30 years. Nick began his career as a preschool teacher and created The Young Music Company—a mobile music school for preschoolers—bringing music into the lives of thousands of children every year.

Moving Through the Stages of Father Inclusion
2025-02-12 14:00 - 15:30 (America/New_York)
Program: Moving Through the Stages of Father Inclusion
Description: A National Fatherhood Initiative® (NFI) trainer will conduct a training on how to move through the Four Stages of Father Inclusion: 1) Aware, 2) Prepare, 3) Launch, and 4) Maintain & Grow. The training will use engaging videos to illustrate the importance of father inclusion, how to plan a father-inclusive effort that will succeed, how to launch a successful father-inclusive effort, and how to maintain and grow a father-inclusive effort. And that’s not all! The training will highlight case studies and NFI programs and resources appropriate for use in each stage.
Learning Objectives:

Participants will learn why it is important to be intentional and proactive in including fathers.
Participants will learn about the Four Stages of Father Inclusion and their vital role in creating father-inclusive efforts.
Participants will learn about examples of what organizations have done within each of the Four Stages of Father Inclusion.
Participants will learn how NFI programs and resources will help them implement the Four Stages of Father Inclusion successfully.
Participants will learn how to apply the Four Stages of Father Inclusion regardless of experience in serving fathers.

Price:

Regular Rate: $250
NHSA Member Rate: $200

Moving Through the Stages of Father Inclusion Presenter: Erik Vecere
As Chief Partner Success Officer for National Fatherhood Initiative® (NFI), Erik is responsible for developing and nurturing partnerships with network-based entities that have relationships with human service organizations. His goal is to help these organizations become more father-inclusive. Erik also facilitates strategic planning meetings that result in action plans, provides training on NFI programs, and oversees funded and non-funded projects. Erik is passionate about providing solutions to NFI partners and contributing to their success in reaching dads. With 11 years of experience in retail management, Erik has a strong foundation in identifying customers’ pain points so that he can help solve them. Having been a new dad twice, Erik also understands the importance of father-inclusive organizations and communities. He is grateful to have the opportunity to play a role in improving the lives of thousands of families each year. Erik received a Master of Science in Organizational Leadership from Geneva College, Beaver Falls, PA, and a B.A. in Communications from Robert Morris University, Moon Township, PA. He also holds an Associate’s Degree in Letters, Arts, and Sciences from Pennsylvania State University. He has two grown daughters and a granddaughter.
Sponsored By:

The Multisensory Magic of Music Making with Infants
2025-02-18 13:00 - 14:00 (America/New_York)
Program: The Multisensory Magic of Music Making with Infants
A baby’s brain doubles in size during its first year—before they can speak or walk, their brain is busy forming crucial neurological connections that will affect how they interact with and relate to others, perform academically, and grow developmentally later in life. One of the best ways to support these brain sprints is through multisensory experiences, and music is a one-stop-shop! This workshop focuses on infant development through effective music and movement strategies and activities to support adult-child bonding, motor skills, language development, pattern recognition, and more!

Learning Objectives: As a result of this session, participants will be able to:

Learn the science behind why intentional, multisensory experiences are vital in the first year.

Engage musically with babies (specifically, 0-18 months) to boost neurological growth and create lasting connections.

Teach specific musical play strategies and activities to help families replicate the learning at home.

Price: FREE! ($50 value!)
The Multisensory Magic of Music Making with Infants Presenter: Deanna Bucci, Director of Product Development for Kindermusik International
Deanna Bucci oversees the content creation for Kindermusik’s programs and curricula as well as professional development and product training. She has worked with and trained various organizations and educators across the United States, including presenting at national conferences for NAEYC and NHSA. Deanna holds a Bachelor of Music in Music Education and Master of School Administration. She taught elementary general music (ages 3-8) for eight years in New Jersey before initially becoming a Curriculum Designer for Kindermusik in 2017. Through childcare, musical direction, and private music instruction, she has also taught and worked with children and adults of all ages over the last 15+ years.
Sponsored by: Kindermusik International

Exploring Social-Emotional Learning Through Nature-Focused Children’s Literature
2025-02-19 14:00 - 15:00 (America/New_York)
Program: Exploring Social-Emotional Learning Through Nature-Focused Children’s Literature
Description: In this webinar, participants will explore the connection between emergent, seasonal curriculum and social-emotional classroom dynamics. Attendees will learn about high-quality children’s literature that combines nature and social-emotional learning, identify ways to use nature-themed children’s books to build social-emotional skills, and practice applying a social-emotional lens to classic, nature-themed children’s books.
Learning Objectives: Attendees will learn about high-quality children’s literature that combines nature and social-emotional learning, identify ways to use nature-themed children’s books to build social-emotional skills, and practice applying a social-emotional lens to classic, nature-themed children’s books.
Exploring Social-Emotional Learning Presenters:
Emma Donnelly, Coordinator, Early Childhood Programs & Assistant Preschool Director at The Chicago Botanic Garden; Emma Donnelly has been a nature educator for over a decade and has worked as an informal nature educator at various museums and zoos, including the Saint Louis Zoo, Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum, and the Lincoln Park Zoo. She graduated from Loyola University Chicago with a BS in Biology in 2016 and obtained her Master’s in Early Childhood Education from the American College of Education in 2023. Emma is currently the Assistant Preschool Director and a Lead Teacher for a 3-5-year-old class at the Chicago Botanic Garden Nature Preschool, a program that follows an emergent, child-directed curriculum. As a teacher, Emma focuses on social-emotional learning and advocacy to build a strong classroom community, using literacy as a springboard for learning and connection while fostering nature stewardship and a love of the outdoors.
Sponsors:

The GroMoreGood initiative makes garden grants, garden kits, educational curriculum, and garden training available to all Head Start programs with the goal of creating more edible gardens for young children and their families. The initiative also supports the creation of green space projects—land that is partly or completely covered with grass, trees, shrubs, or other vegetation—as an option for children and the community to learn.

Spanish version of The Multisensory Magic of Music Making with Infants
2025-02-20 13:00 - 14:00 (America/New_York)
Program: Spanish version of The Multisensory Magic of Music Making with Infants
Description: A baby’s brain doubles in size during its first year—before they can speak or walk, their brain is busy forming crucial neurological connections that will affect how they interact with and relate to others, perform academically, and grow developmentally later in life. One of the best ways to support these brain sprints is through multisensory experiences, and music is a one-stop-shop! This workshop focuses on infant development through effective music and movement strategies and activities to support adult-child bonding, motor skills, language development, pattern recognition, and more!
Learning Objectives: As a result of this session, participants will be able to:

Learn the science behind why intentional, multisensory experiences are vital in the first year.

Engage musically with babies (specifically, 0-18 months) to boost neurological growth and create lasting connections.

Teach specific musical play strategies and activities to help families replicate the learning at home.

Precio: FREE! ($50 value!)
Versión en español Presentadora: Dra. Farida Peña, Entrenadora Bilingüe y Especialista en Currículo
La Dra. Farida Peña es Formadora Bilingüe, Especialista en Currículo, y miembro del equipo de Desarrollo de Productos de Kindermusik International. Posee un Doctorado en Medicina y una Maestría en Educación y Pedagogía Musical.
Con más de 30 años de experiencia, y formada en diversos métodos musicales, incluidos MLT, Dalcroze, Orff, Kodály, Kindermusik y Dissimilis, Farida ha trabajado como educadora musical, oradora internacional, facilitadora de talleres, y profesora de piano, liderando capacitaciones en países como República Dominicana, México, Puerto Rico, Brasil y Estados Unidos.

Patrocinado por: Kindermusik International.

Planning for Financial Sustainability
2025-02-27 14:00 - 15:00 (America/New_York)
Program: Planning for Financial Sustainability
Description: Join NHSA and the Center for Early Learning Funding Equity (CELFE) to learn about cost modeling for Head Start programs. Head Start programs across the country are facing increasing financial strain, and are focused on their long term financial security and sustainability. Particularly if you’re going through the change in scope process, cost modeling can help with the significant upcoming changes to your budget.
Join researchers from CELFE to learn about what goes into building a cost model, what factors your program might want to consider, and potential options for completing a long-term financial plan.
Learning Objectives: Understanding how cost modeling might benefit programs, learning from a real life example.
Planning for Financial Sustainability Presenters: Dr. Theresa Hawley and Sessy Nyman
Dr. Theresa Hawley is an expert in early childhood programs and systems that support the school readiness and social competence of young children in poverty. In her previous role as Director of Early Childhood Transformation, in partnership with the Governor’s Office, she directed the design of changes to Illinois’ funding mechanisms and governance structure for early childhood education in partnership with the Governor’s Office. In her time serving as First Assistant Deputy Governor for Education, she helped to coordinate education policy across the many state agencies that cover the education spectrum from birth through higher education.
Theresa has served in many roles in Illinois’ throughout the early childhood system. From 2017 to 2019, she was Senior Vice President for Policy and Innovation at Illinois Action for Children, where she led the agency’s efforts to link together program, research and public policy and advocacy work. From 2012 to 2015, Dr. Hawley served as the Executive Director of the Illinois Governor’s Office of Early Childhood Development, where she led the development and implementation of the state’s Race to the Top-Early Learning Challenge and Preschool Development Grant plans. Before joining the Governor’s Office, Theresa was the founding Project Director of Educare of West DuPage and a consultant to early learning programs and community collaborations across Illinois and nationally.
Theresa received her Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Notre Dame and her Doctorate in Developmental Psychology from the University of Michigan.

Sessy Nyman is a seasoned nonprofit executive with 25+ years of experience in government and organizational leadership. She has worked in the field of early care and education, maternal & child health, community and stakeholder engagement and early childhood policy for more than 2 decades. She continues to lift-up the needs of young children and working families in her current role as Deputy Director of the Center for Early Learning Funding Equity (CELFE) at Northern Illinois University.
As Deputy Director, Ms. Nyman is a core part of the CELFE leadership team – building on her 20+ years working with child care providers, advocates, child care resource and referral agencies and with families across Illinois to move systems-change forward across the state. As a seasoned state lobbyist, Ms. Nyman understands the intricacies of policy and law, and works to center the needs of children, families and communities in her work while also balancing the real needs of the child care workforce. Ms. Nyman was pivotal in the state’s design and implementation and funding of early childhood collaborations, helped to establish the state’s Early Learning Council (2003), was the lead child care advocate that led to significant investments in access and quality expansion, and was the founder of the state’s Child Day Care Licensing Task Force. While working at the Illinois Department of Human Service (IDHS), Nyman was part of the design and implementation team during the COVID-19 pandemic that designed and oversaw strategies to support the child care workforce.
Ms. Nyman has presented locally and nationally on issues related to child care access and equity, family friend and neighbor care & parent choice, mixed delivery systems in ECEC, grassroots organizing and effective advocacy for ECEC, facilities improvements in child care, and many more topics related to early care and education.
Ms. Nyman holds her undergraduate degree in Government and International Studies and History from the University of South Carolina, and a Master of Science degree in Geosciences from the University of Massachusetts-Amherst.

Tackle Behaviors that Challenge: with SOUND MAKING
2025-03-11 16:00 - 16:30 (America/New_York)
Webinar Series: Tackling Behaviors that Challenge Us
Program: Tackle Behaviors that Challenge: with SOUND MAKING

Description: All behavior is communication. Especially the behaviors that we adults find challenging. Now what can you do about it?
In this webinar series, our experts will share innovative approaches to building a trust-based classroom environment, which is the key to mitigating behaviors that challenge us. Learn practical strategies that will not only help you understand challenging interactions, they will significantly increase delightful interactions!
Join our experts as they share how to develop strong trust with the children in your care. You will learn:

how to use music and movement for joy, fun, and increased focus;
turn transitions into meaningful parts of your day;
how to inspire the desire to behave well;
and so much more!

Tackle Behaviors that Challenge: with SOUND MAKING
Everyday you have time when you need to engage the whole group of children in your care. Join us to learn how the Good Thinking strategy can engage everyone, even the distracted ones, and how using sound (and silence) can establish clear expectations and set boundaries.
SOUND MAKING Presenters:
Dr. Deborah Bergeron served as director of the Office of Head Start from 2018-21. From 2019-21 she broadened her leadership as director of the Office of Early Childhood Development in the Administration for Children and Families. Known as “Dr. B” to former students and teachers, she spent three decades in pre-K–12 public education as a classroom teacher and school administrator and currently serves as deputy director for Community Engagement and Innovation at NHSA.

Hayes Greenfield is the founder of Creative Sound Play and the Greenfield Method. He is a professional musician and artist who has taught with the PNC Bank Grow Up Great Initiative, consulted at Bank Street Head Start and led professional development workshops and programs for the New York City Dept of Ed.

Father Friendly Check-Up
2025-03-12 14:00 - 15:30 (America/New_York)
Program: Father Friendly Check-Up
Description: The Father Friendly Check-Up workshop will provide participants with training on how to create a father-friendly organization in any setting. It is ideal for both staff who are beginning to engage fathers and those who are seasoned in father engagement.
Learning Objectives:

Learn to create a father-friendly organization from a holistic perspective.
Walk away with the foundation for a strategic plan to increase father-friendliness.
Gain information needed to encourage colleagues/co-workers to complete the Father Friendly Check-Up™.
Learn a little more about NFI and how we can help you develop and sustain exceptional fatherhood programs and services.

Price:

Regular Rate: $250
NHSA Member Rate: $200

Father Friendly Check-Up Presenter: Erik Vecere
As Chief Partner Success Officer for National Fatherhood Initiative® (NFI), Erik is responsible for developing and nurturing partnerships with network-based entities that have relationships with human service organizations. His goal is to help these organizations become more father-inclusive. Erik also facilitates strategic planning meetings that result in action plans, provides training on NFI programs, and oversees funded and non-funded projects. Erik is passionate about providing solutions to NFI partners and contributing to their success in reaching dads. With 11 years of experience in retail management, Erik has a strong foundation in identifying customers’ pain points so that he can help solve them. Having been a new dad twice, Erik also understands the importance of father-inclusive organizations and communities. He is grateful to have the opportunity to play a role in improving the lives of thousands of families each year. Erik received a Master of Science in Organizational Leadership from Geneva College, Beaver Falls, PA, and a B.A. in Communications from Robert Morris University, Moon Township, PA. He also holds an Associate’s Degree in Letters, Arts, and Sciences from Pennsylvania State University. He has two grown daughters and a granddaughter.
Sponsored By:

Tackle Behaviors that Challenge: with KINESTHETIC TEACHING
2025-04-08 16:00 - 16:30 (America/New_York)
Webinar Series: Tackling Behaviors that Challenge Us
Program: Tackle Behaviors that Challenge: with KINESTHETIC TEACHING

Description: All behavior is communication. Especially the behaviors that we adults find challenging. Now what can you do about it?
In this webinar series, our experts will share innovative approaches to building a trust-based classroom environment, which is the key to mitigating behaviors that challenge us. Learn practical strategies that will not only help you understand challenging interactions, they will significantly increase delightful interactions!
Join our experts as they share how to develop strong trust with the children in your care. You will learn:

how to use music and movement for joy, fun, and increased focus;
turn transitions into meaningful parts of your day;
how to inspire the desire to behave well;
and so much more!

Tackle Behaviors that Challenge: with KINESTHETIC TEACHING
Young children are excellent observers. So when it is time to teach a new skill, a great way to teach is by modeling. Join us to learn how to empower your students to state their needs, including the need to move their bodies, and watch as your classroom moves to a trust-based, healthy culture.

KINESTHETIC TEACHING Presenters:
Dr. Deborah Bergeron served as director of the Office of Head Start from 2018-21. From 2019-21 she broadened her leadership as director of the Office of Early Childhood Development in the Administration for Children and Families. Known as “Dr. B” to former students and teachers, she spent three decades in pre-K–12 public education as a classroom teacher and school administrator and currently serves as deputy director for Community Engagement and Innovation at NHSA.

Ron Shuali, M.Ed. has been called the “Messiah of the Mind”, the “Behavior Master” and the “Bad Boy of Early Childhood.” His laughter filled keynotes, workshops and assemblies are always full of eye-opening experiences as audiences have multiple “Ah-HA!” moments. He is the creator of the internationally acclaimed Yogarate and Behavior Mastery systems. Ron holds a Master’s of Education specializing in Early Childhood, is a best-selling author, motivational speaker, and most importantly…He is funny. His background of martial arts, yoga, reiki, professional wrestling and improv creates hilarious and educational experiences focusing on mindfulness and connecting with fellow humans and their inner-child.

Empowering Your Professional Development Planning Process
2025-04-22 15:00 - 16:00 (America/New_York)
Program: Empowering Your Professional Development Planning Process
Description: How well are you meeting the unique training needs of each member of your team? In this webinar, we’ll show you how to create a professional development plan that meets the unique needs of each team member in your program.
Join our experts to:

Discover how to match training opportunities to individual roles and skill levels
Ensure everyone is engaged and learning at the right level
Learn how PD planning tools can assist you to streamline the process, select the best resources and track progress in meaningful ways

Learning Objectives:

Learn how to evaluate training opportunities and align them with the unique needs of your individual staff members
Examine the key features a professional development (PD) planning tool must have in order to enhance your ability to schedule, execute, monitor, and track PD assignments for every staff member

Resource: Fall PD Training Schedule
Empowering Your Professional Development Planning Process Presenters:
Dr. Deborah Bergeron served as director of the Office of Head Start from 2018-21. From 2019-21 she broadened her leadership as director of the Office of Early Childhood Development in the Administration for Children and Families. Known as “Dr. B” to former students and teachers, she spent three decades in pre-K–12 public education as a classroom teacher and school administrator and currently serves as deputy director for Community Engagement and Innovation at NHSA.

The 5 Bright Spots to Designing Your Fatherhood Program
2025-04-30 14:00 - 15:30 (America/New_York)
Program: The 5 Bright Spots to Designing Your Fatherhood Program
Description: The 5 Bright Spots workshop will instruct participants in the most effective programming strategies for successfully engaging and inspiring men to become committed nurturers and providers for their children. This workshop will equip organizations to more effectively serve fathers, provide quality services, and thereby help ensure the sustainability of their programs.
Learning Objectives:

Learn a simple, flexible approach—called “The Bright Spot Approach”—to the design of an exceptional community-based fatherhood program, regardless of the level of experience in serving dads, your community-based setting, or the kinds of dads served.
Understand how to apply each of the 5 Bright Spots to your program.
Learn about the resources NFI has designed to help organizations leverage and unlock the power of the 5 Bright Spots.

Price:

Regular Rate: $250
NHSA Member Rate: $200

The 5 Bright Spots to Designing Your Fatherhood Program Presenter: Erik Vecere
As Chief Partner Success Officer for National Fatherhood Initiative® (NFI), Erik is responsible for developing and nurturing partnerships with network-based entities that have relationships with human service organizations. His goal is to help these organizations become more father-inclusive. Erik also facilitates strategic planning meetings that result in action plans, provides training on NFI programs, and oversees funded and non-funded projects. Erik is passionate about providing solutions to NFI partners and contributing to their success in reaching dads. With 11 years of experience in retail management, Erik has a strong foundation in identifying customers’ pain points so that he can help solve them. Having been a new dad twice, Erik also understands the importance of father-inclusive organizations and communities. He is grateful to have the opportunity to play a role in improving the lives of thousands of families each year. Erik received a Master of Science in Organizational Leadership from Geneva College, Beaver Falls, PA, and a B.A. in Communications from Robert Morris University, Moon Township, PA. He also holds an Associate’s Degree in Letters, Arts, and Sciences from Pennsylvania State University. He has two grown daughters and a granddaughter.
Sponsored By:

Advocacy vs. Lobbying 101
2025-05-13 12:00 - 12:30 (America/New_York)
Program: Advocacy vs. Lobbying 101
Description: To help Head Start programs understand the difference between advocacy and lobbying, with a focus on what they are allowed to do.
Learning Objectives: TBA
Presenters: TBA

Head Start 101: The Basics Behind Why We Do What We Do In The Program
2025-05-28 15:00 - 16:30 (America/New_York)
Program: Head Start 101: The Basics Behind Why We Do What We Do In The Program
Description: Curious about why you “have to” follow certain requirements in the program, we can talk. Interested in learning how the Head Start Act and Head Start Program Performance Standards impact your day-to-day work, we can help. Having challenges in the world of constant change, trying to do great work as you watch the headlines, those topics are on the table too. If you have a question about the why, what, or even want some suggested “how do we do X”, this is the session for you. This is a basic 101 to help teams know the why behind the what and to have a chance for open questions and answers as we have time. Wipfli has over five decades working in and with Head Start programs. Join us to hear what we are seeing as we offer regulations and leadership training/consulting across the country.
Learning Objectives: The participants will be able to:

Explore the basics of funding streams, regulations, and what makes EHS/HS programs unique.

Discuss the why behind the requirements.

Ask questions to help you learn more, and even where to find your own answers.

Price:

Regular Rate: $300
NHSA Member Rate: $250

Head Start 101 Presenter: Tammy Jelinek, Partner
Tammy Jelinek is a partner with over 25 years of experience working in and with federally funded nonprofit organizations and for-profit businesses. She engages with leadership teams to strategically align their goals to grow. Tammy is one of our nationally recognized trainers for issues involving Head Start/Early Head Start Community Services Block Grant and Uniform Guidance regulations. She answers questions and manages content for the My Wipfli Membership Service.

Sponsored By:

Tackle Behaviors that Challenge: by saying “YOU MAY”
2025-09-02 16:00 - 16:30 (America/New_York)
Webinar Series: Tackling Behaviors that Challenge Us
Program: Tackle Behaviors that Challenge: by saying “YOU MAY”

Description:Every teacher wants to build a positive classroom culture of safety and trust, for children and for themselves. Turns out that is a lot easier said than done, especially when faced with behaviors that are really challenging. So, what is a well-meaning teacher to do?
In this webinar series, our experts will share innovative approaches to building a trust-based classroom environment, which is the key to mitigating behaviors that challenge us. Learn practical strategies that will not only help teachers understand challenging interactions, but also significantly increase delightful interactions!
Join our experts as they share how to develop strong trust with the children in your care. You will learn how to:

inspire the desire to behave well;
use music and movement for joy, fun, and increased focus;
turn transitions into meaningful parts of your day;
and so much more!

Tackle Behaviors that Challenge: by saying “YOU MAY”
As humans, we have a natural tendency to use blaming language. When we train ourselves to think in new and healthier ways, we discover how uncomfortable blaming, living in the past and problem-centric language can be. In this session, we will talk about how to make the transition to a new, positive way of interacting that can dramatically improve interactions in your learning environment.

Presenters:
Dr. Deborah Bergeron served as director of the Office of Head Start from 2018-21. From 2019-21 she broadened her leadership as director of the Office of Early Childhood Development in the Administration for Children and Families. Known as “Dr. B” to former students and teachers, she spent three decades in pre-K–12 public education as a classroom teacher and school administrator and currently serves as deputy director for Community Engagement and Innovation at NHSA.

The Ever-Evolving Search for In-Kind
2025-10-15 14:00 - 16:00 (America/New_York)
Program: The Ever-Evolving Search for In-Kind
Description: Imagine if you had all the in-kind you needed! Generating in-kind can be a challenge. In this session, we will discuss the tools, techniques, and regulations of generating, calculating, and documenting non-federal matches. Make generating in-kind the responsibility of everyone in your program. We will also explore methods to plan who to ask, how to ask, and what in-kind to ask for in the community. Leave with specific goals, strategies, and tasks to bring more in-kind into your agency.
Learning Objectives: The participants will be able to:

Explore the requirements around allowable in-kind.
Determine what in-kind to request from the community.
Get tools to use when making your ask.

Price:

Regular Rate: $300
NHSA Member Rate: $250

Register Now
Search for In-Kind Presenter: Tammy Jelinek, Partner
Tammy Jelinek is a partner with over 25 years of experience working in and with federally funded nonprofit organizations and for-profit businesses. She engages with leadership teams to strategically align their goals to grow. Tammy is one of our nationally recognized trainers for issues involving Head Start/Early Head Start Community Services Block Grant and Uniform Guidance regulations. She answers questions and manages content for the My Wipfli Membership Service.

Sponsored By:

Strategic Problem-Solving with AI for Head Start Leaders
2025-11-04 14:00 - 15:30 UTC
Program: Strategic Problem-Solving with AI for Head Start Leaders
Description: Today’s Head Start leaders are asked to solve complex problems with limited time and resources — balancing staffing, enrollment, fiscal pressures, and compliance, often all at once. This session is designed for directors and executive leaders who want to move beyond basic AI use and apply it to strategic thinking and systems improvement. Together, we’ll explore how AI can help you see patterns across data, test scenarios before making decisions, and design smart workflows that keep your program running smoothly. Through real Head Start examples and hands-on demonstrations, you’ll practice using AI as a thought partner — not to replace leadership judgment, but to enhance it. Participants should come ready with their AI tool of choice (such as ChatGPT, Copilot, or Gemini) to actively test prompts and problem-solve alongside peers. You’ll leave with practical prompts, examples, and strategies you can take straight into your next management or planning meeting — ready to use AI to make faster, more informed, and more confident decisions for your program.
Price:

Regular Rate: $250
NHSA Member Rate: $150

Registration is now closed
Presenters:

Carolyn Heyliger-Graham:
Carolyn is a Senior Partnership Manager at Learning Genie, bringing over 17 years of experience in the early childhood education sector. With a Bachelor’s degree in Philosophy, Carolyn combines analytical thinking with a deep passion for education and helping Head Start and Early Childhood programs adopt innovative data solutions. Carolyn has also presented at regional, national, and state conferences, sharing early childhood insights and strategies to empower educational leaders in enhancing program outcomes and driving positive change.

Mary Grace Romo:
Mary Grace Romo is a national early childhood consultant and founder of EarlyEdPro.ai and EarlyEd.ai, sister brands that focus on innovation and capacity-building in Head Start and early education. Mary supports Learning Genie’s leadership in advancing AI-powered solutions for early learning, helping programs discover how technology can enhance data use, streamline operations, and strengthen family engagement. A former Head Start director and K–12 administrator, she brings deep expertise in program design, strategic planning, and federal grant management. Her work centers on helping agencies use technology and AI responsibly to solve complex challenges—advancing equity, efficiency, and quality for children, families, and staff.

Tackle Behaviors that Challenge: by having FUN
2025-11-04 16:00 - 16:30 (America/New_York)
Webinar Series: Tackling Behaviors that Challenge Us
Program: Tackle Behaviors that Challenge: by having FUN
Register Now
Description: All behavior is communication. Especially the behaviors that we adults find challenging. Now what can you do about it?
In this webinar series, our experts will share innovative approaches to building a trust-based classroom environment, which is the key to mitigating behaviors that challenge us. Learn practical strategies that will not only help you understand challenging interactions, they will significantly increase delightful interactions!
Join our experts as they share how to develop strong trust with the children in your care. You will learn:

how to use music and movement for joy, fun, and increased focus;
turn transitions into meaningful parts of your day;
how to inspire the desire to behave well;
and so much more!

Tackle Behaviors that Challenge: by having FUN
As a busy teacher or education manager, it may be tempting to think of fun as a “nice to have” element of teaching, but it is actually essential. For humans, joy is just as important as achievement, and adults need it just as much as children! In this session, we will share ways to have fun in your learning environment that will increase everyone’s joy, and result in a more positive experience for everyone.
Presenters:
Dr. Deborah Bergeron served as director of the Office of Head Start from 2018-21. From 2019-21 she broadened her leadership as director of the Office of Early Childhood Development in the Administration for Children and Families. Known as “Dr. B” to former students and teachers, she spent three decades in pre-K–12 public education as a classroom teacher and school administrator and currently serves as deputy director for Community Engagement and Innovation at NHSA.

Nick Young has been sharing the joy and enrichment of interactive music and movement with children for over 30 years. Nick began his career as a preschool teacher and created The Young Music Company—a mobile music school for preschoolers—bringing music into the lives of thousands of children every year.

Cabinet of Wonder: The Value of Nursery Rhymes Professional Development
2025-11-05 14:00 - 15:00 (America/New_York)
Program: Cabinet of Wonder: The Value of Nursery Rhymes Professional Development
Description: Why should traditional nursery rhymes still be used in early learning classrooms? While these rhymes are sometimes seen as outdated, research shows that these classic texts can be valuable teaching tools for young children. When early childhood educators facilitate thoughtful, structured discussions around them, these rhymes help create engaging and meaningful learning experiences for children.
Learning Objective: In this webinar, we’ll explore how to select historical poems and rhymes that work well in early learning environments, using research-based criteria.
WATCH NOW!
The Value of Nursery Rhymes Presenters:
Dr. Dana L. Suskind
Dana Suskind, MD, is Founder and Co-Director of the TMW Center for Early Learning + Public Health, Founding Director of the Pediatric Cochlear Implant Program, and Professor of Surgery, Pediatrics, and Public Policy (affiliated) at the University of Chicago.
Natalie Merchant
Over her 40-year career, Natalie Merchant has attained a place among America’s most respected recording artists. She has earned a reputation for being a songwriter of quality and a captivating stage performer. Merchant has also distinguished herself as a social justice and environmental activist through her work with a wide-variety of non-profit organizations, performing countless benefit concerts and creating documentary films and large-scale community arts projects.
Dr. Deborah Bergeron

Best known as Dr. B, she served as director of the Office of Head Start from 2018-21. From 2019-21 she broadened her leadership as director of the Office of Early Childhood
Development in the Administration for Children and Families. Known as “Dr. B” to former students and teachers, she spent three decades in pre-K–12 public education as a classroom teacher and school administrator and currently serves as deputy director for Community Engagement and Innovation at NHSA.

Garden Grant Info Session for 2026 Application
2025-11-06 14:00 - 14:45 (America/New_York)
Program: Garden Grant Info Session
Description: Join us for this 45-minute webinar to learn more about the application requirements, and what a really strong application looks like. The presenters will walk through the application itself, talk about the award process, offer resources to help you plan your garden, share ideas for garden programs and answer any questions you may have about the grant or gardening with kids.
REGISTER HERE!
Garden Grant Info Session Presenter: Sarah Pounders has been active in the field of youth gardening for over 20 years. Growing up surrounded by plants instilled a deep love of gardens and the desire to share that love with others. While working toward her master’s degree in Horticultural Sciences at Texas A&M University, she had the opportunity to serve as a school garden coordinator and conduct research on the benefits of using school garden programs to teach nutrition. She went on to work at various botanical gardens, for Cooperative Extension in Virginia and Texas, and since 2005 as an education specialist at KidsGardening.org, coordinating numerous children’s gardens, writing curricula and activities for youth of all ages, teaching formal and informal youth education programs, and conducting teacher training sessions on integrating gardens into the classroom. Sarah also enjoys gardening at home with her two kids and volunteering with their school gardening projects.
Sponsor:
The Scotts Miracle-Gro Foundation is deeply rooted in helping create healthier communities, empowering the next generation, and preserving our planet. Its support of the National Head Start Association includes providing GroMoreGood Garden grants , garden kits, educational curriculum, and garden training available to all Head Start programs with the goal of creating more edible gardens for young children and their families. The initiative also supports the creation of green space projects—land that is partly or completely covered with grass, trees, shrubs, or other vegetation—as an option for children and the community to learn.

Head Start Works: Opportunities for States
2025-11-19 15:00 - 16:00 (America/New_York) | https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_672GPry7RV6C842h0TXnvA
Program: Head Start Works: Opportunities for States
Description: Join Dr. Dan Wuori and Head Start leaders to explore how states can collaborate with Head Start to strengthen early childhood systems, expand access, and improve outcomes for children and families.The discussion will be based on the new report, Head Start and Early Childhood Systems: Opportunities for Policy Makers.
Purpose:

Expose Early Childhood Leaders to the report, “Head Start and Early Childhood Systems: Opportunities for Policy Makers.”
Use this webinar to amplify the convening of NHSA & state partners coming in early 2026
Begin the national dialogue with Early Childhood leaders about effective partnerships with Head Start.

REGISTER HERE!
Head Start Works Presenter:
Dr. Dan Wuori
With more than 30 years of early years leadership, Dr. Dan Wuori is the Founder and President of Early Childhood Policy Solutions, a bipartisan public policy consultancy focused on the needs of young children, their families, and the early years professionals who serve them. He serves concurrently as a Strategic Advisor on Early Childhood to the Saul Zaentz Charitable Foundation. In both roles – and in his prior position as the founding Director of Early Childhood at The Hunt Institute in Cary, North Carolina – Dr. Wuori works alongside governors and state legislators to improve early years policy across the United States.
But to parents the world over, Dan is known not for his policy work, but for his innovative use of social media to educate about infants and toddlers – with more than 300,000 followers tuning in to his daily video child development lessons across platforms. This work was recently profiled in The New York Times, which called his X (Twitter) account “a font of delight and edification…educational, but also – put simply – awwwww.”
His new book The Daycare Myth: What We Get Wrong About Early Care and Education (and What We Should Do About It) was released in September 2024. Upon its announcement, the book – which explores the costly disconnect between what we know and what we do when it comes to the needs of young children – spent more than a week at the top of Amazon’s education best sellers list. It is now in its seventh printing.
Dan is currently at work on a second book, Wonderment: Our First Three Years, which was recently acquired by Ballantine Books (a division of Penguin-Random House) for publication in early 2027.

Tackle Behaviors that Challenge: by Teaching Mindfulness
2026-01-06 16:00 - 16:30 (America/New_York)
Webinar Series: Tackling Behaviors that Challenge Us
Program: Tackle Behaviors that Challenge: by Teaching Mindfulness
REGISTER NOW
Description:Every teacher wants to build a positive classroom culture of safety and trust, for children and for themselves. Turns out that is a lot easier said than done, especially when faced with behaviors that are really challenging. So, what is a well-meaning teacher to do?
In this webinar series, our experts will share innovative approaches to building a trust-based classroom environment, which is the key to mitigating behaviors that challenge us. Learn practical strategies that will not only help teachers understand challenging interactions, but also significantly increase delightful interactions!
Join our experts as they share how to develop strong trust with the children in your care. You will learn how to:

inspire the desire to behave well;
use music and movement for joy, fun, and increased focus;
turn transitions into meaningful parts of your day;
and so much more!

Tackle Behaviors that Challenge: by teaching MINDFULNESS
Managing a learning environment can be extremely stressful, especially when facing behaviors that we do not understand. We can control how we respond to those times of stress, in part, by paying attention to the way that we breathe. In this session, we will learn a simple tool that we can use to focus on and control the breath when stress is high, so we can return to calm and respond with wisdom, care, and focus.
Presenters:
Dr. Deborah Bergeron served as director of the Office of Head Start from 2018-21. From 2019-21 she broadened her leadership as director of the Office of Early Childhood Development in the Administration for Children and Families. Known as “Dr. B” to former students and teachers, she spent three decades in pre-K–12 public education as a classroom teacher and school administrator and currently serves as deputy director for Community Engagement and Innovation at NHSA.

Hayes Greenfield is the founder of Creative Sound Play and the Greenfield Method. He is a professional musician and artist who has taught with the PNC Bank Grow Up Great Initiative, consulted at Bank Street Head Start and led professional development workshops and programs for the New York City Dept of Ed.

Container Gardening 101
2026-02-17 16:00 - 17:00 (America/New_York)
Program: Container Gardening 101
Description: Join KidsGardening Educators Noel Cibulka and Sarah Pounders to learn how to provide joyful and effective lessons and activities using container gardens. As long as you have some sun and access to water, gardening in containers lets you and your students grow vegetables, herbs, flowers, and even fruit trees. A container garden can be as simple as a few pots of herbs in a window box or as elaborate as an array of large outdoor tubs with plants that rotate seasonally. We’ll share how you can most successfully engage kids in container gardening and how this approach can become a cost-effective, successful, fun way to grow, learn and play in the garden.
REGISTER HERE!
Container Gardening 101 Presenters:
Noel Cibulka
Noel Cibulka (she/her/hers) started with KidsGardening in the summer of 2022. As Educational Content & Outreach Specialist, she helps develop KG’s annual garden-based content strategy, co-develops original educational materials, oversees the editorial calendar, and supports content marketing. Before joining KidsGardening, Noel spent many years working in informal education as a museum and environmental educator, developing and delivering programs for diverse, multi-generational audiences. For two years, she also ran a school garden program for TK through 5th-grade students.

Sarah Pounders
Sarah Pounders has been active in the field of youth gardening for over 30 years. Growing up surrounded by plants instilled a deep love of gardens and the desire to share that love with others. Over the years, she has worked at various botanical gardens, for Cooperative Extension, and since 2005 as an Education Specialist at KidsGardening, coordinating numerous children’s gardens, writing curricula and activities for youth of all ages, teaching formal and informal youth education programs, and conducting teacher training sessions on integrating gardens into the classroom.
Sponsor:

The GroMoreGood initiative makes garden grants, garden kits, educational curriculum, and garden training available to all Head Start programs with the goal of creating more edible gardens for young children and their families. The initiative also supports the creation of green space projects—land that is partly or completely covered with grass, trees, shrubs, or other vegetation—as an option for children and the community to learn.

Tackle Behaviors that Challenge: by offering CHOICES
2026-03-03 16:00 - 16:30 UTC
Webinar Series: Tackling Behaviors that Challenge Us
Program: Tackle Behaviors that Challenge: by offering CHOICES

Description: Every teacher wants to build a positive classroom culture of safety and trust, for children and for themselves. Turns out that is a lot easier said than done, especially when faced with behaviors that are really challenging. So, what is a well-meaning teacher to do?
In this webinar series, our experts will share innovative approaches to building a trust-based classroom environment, which is the key to mitigating behaviors that challenge us. Learn practical strategies that will not only help teachers understand challenging interactions, but also significantly increase delightful interactions!
Join our experts as they share how to develop strong trust with the children in your care. You will learn how to:

inspire the desire to behave well;
use music and movement for joy, fun, and increased focus;
turn transitions into meaningful parts of your day;
and so much more!

Tackle Behaviors that Challenge: by offering CHOICES
When children want to learn, we can tell, because they all use the same simple tool: they start asking questions! But how often do we ask questions of them? In this session, we will explore the power of questions as a teaching tool, and share practical ways that teachers can develop a more positive and engaged learning environment by teaching less, and asking more.
Presenters:
Dr. Deborah Bergeron served as director of the Office of Head Start from 2018-21. From 2019-21 she broadened her leadership as director of the Office of Early Childhood Development in the Administration for Children and Families. Known as “Dr. B” to former students and teachers, she spent three decades in pre-K–12 public education as a classroom teacher and school administrator and currently serves as deputy director for Community Engagement and Innovation at NHSA.

Ron Shuali, M.Ed. has been called the “Messiah of the Mind”, the “Behavior Master” and the “Bad Boy of Early Childhood.” His laughter filled keynotes, workshops and assemblies are always full of eye-opening experiences as audiences have multiple “Ah-HA!” moments. He is the creator of the internationally acclaimed Yogarate and Behavior Mastery systems. Ron holds a Master’s of Education specializing in Early Childhood, is a best-selling author, motivational speaker, and most importantly…He is funny. His background of martial arts, yoga, reiki, professional wrestling and improv creates hilarious and educational experiences focusing on mindfulness and connecting with fellow humans and their inner-child.
