NHSA

Winter Leadership Institute
2025-01-27 - 2025-01-31
Join us in helping ensure this Congress is one that understands, values, and empowers the important role Head Start serves for our nation’s most vulnerable children and families.
Right now, key decision-makers in our nation’s capital are in the process of making difficult spending decisions, with differing priorities competing for a limited pool of money. These decisions will have a profound impact on Head Start’s work. It is critical that members of Congress and their staff hear firsthand how important Head Start is to the communities they serve.

Empowering High School Students with Free Education
2025-02-04 15:00 - 15:30 (America/New_York)
Program: Empowering High School Students for Early Childhood Education Careers
Description: Come join us to discover how to prepare work-ready high school graduates for rewarding careers in early childhood education (ECE). Hear from the deputy director of community and engagement from the National Head Start Association who is a former school administrator with over 30 years of experience, Dr. Deborah Bergeron, and find out how to create or enhance your system drawing inspiration from South Dakota’s innovative approach to addressing the workforce crisis one high school student at a time.
Explore turnkey resources to equip students with the skills and knowledge needed to thrive in this critical field. Build a pipeline of talented ECE professionals and transform your community by empowering the next generation of early childhood educators.
Learning Objective: Learn how your school district can help high school students earn their CDA’s and get valuable experience for a career in early childhood education.
Presenters:
Zuly Vazquez is the senior manager of online professional development at the National Head Start Association. She has worked with Head Start and Early Head Start programs for over a decade, specializing in training, mentoring, coaching, facilitation, curriculum implementation, and management. She worked for several years in the classroom, providing high-quality education to children from different cultures, traditions, and ethnicities. She is a former EHS/HS parent. She has vast experience supporting and providing technical assistance to teachers, family child care providers, education specialists, and families in large EHS/HS programs in Florida and Georgia. Over her career, she designed a supplemental Christian early childhood curriculum, bilingual online lessons, and classroom observation tools and has facilitated early childhood education courses in English and Spanish at the college level. As an active early childhood advocate, she is a board member of her local NAEYC affiliate and Family Child Care Home Alliance of Georgia. She is a senior advisor of Latinas United for the Children of America.

Linda Farinha is the Director of the Anne Macaione Mitchell ‘44 College & Career Center at Norwich Free Academy (NFA) in Norwich, Connecticut. In this role, she supports students in exploring career opportunities, preparing for the workforce, and aligning career goals with the college selection process. Additionally, Linda coordinates pathways and pipelines initiatives that enable students to earn industry-recognized credentials while still in high school. Prior to her current role, Linda served as the Department Head of the Career & Technology Education Department at NFA for nine years. Her educational experiences include twenty years as a high school business education teacher and a First Year Experience adjunct professor at Three Rivers Community College. Linda has been extensively involved in community steering committees and business advisory boards. She is a graduate of Bryant University (BS in Business
Administration), Sacred Heart University (MA in Teaching), the University of Connecticut (6th Year Educational Technology), and Sacred Heart University (092 Certification).

NHSA and The National Zoo Field Trips: 2024 – 2025
2025-02-06 14:00 - 14:30
Let’s visit NHSA and the National Zoo! This will be a delightful lesson designed to support Head Start Early Learning Outcomes Framework (ELOF) standards! NHSA and Zoo in the Classroom is a high-energy, interactive experience that include music and movement. It is designed to keep children active, engaged, and thriving.
Join the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute (SNZCBI) and NHSA for four LIVE learning opportunities about Zoo animals, created specifically for Head Start and Early Head Start programs across the country!

Program 1: October 3, 2024 from 2:00 – 2:30 p.m. ET – (Beavers and Orangutans)
Program 2: December 5, 2024 from 2:00 – 2:30 p.m. ET (Lemurs and Sloth Bears)
Program 3: February 6, 2025 from 2:00 – 2:30 p.m. ET (Elephants)
Program 4: April 3, 2025 from 2:00 – 2:30 p.m. ET

NHSA and The National Zoo Presenters:

Emily Porter – Manager of Early Childhood and Family Learning Experience, SNZCBI
Bethany Wells – Get a Head Start with the Smithsonian Education and Program Coordinator, SNZCBI
Rachel Hutchison – Senior Associate, Instructional Practice Professional Programs, NHSA
Nick Young – Preschool Musician, PlayMotion Music
Smithsonian National Zoo Keepers
Guest presenters from other Smithsoninan institutions

Head Start Advocacy Series: What Are Appropriations?
2025-02-11 12:00 - 12:30
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
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
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:

Financial Wellness: Money & Relationships (Option 1)
2025-02-13 14:00 - 14:30
Financial Wellness Thursdays with The Beans: Money & Relationships
Did you know that staff and parents in your programs are likely eligible for more than $5,000 in tax refunds, and yet each year families miss out on $12 billion in tax credits because they don’t file or make mistakes when they do?

As your partner in financial success, through NHSA we’re here to support your parents and staff. Join us this next Thursday, February 13th to ensure your community is taking advantage of their available resources.
Sponsored by:

Mental Health Micro-Credential Info Session
2025-02-13 14:00 - 14:30
Program: Mental Health Micro-Credential Info Session
Description: Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health (IECMH) is widely regarded as the foundation of healthy development for all young children. This is why The Academy at NHSA created the Mental Health Micro-Credential, to help adults who work with young children understand how they can support and promote children’s mental health through safe, stable, and nurturing relationships and interactions.
Join us for this 30-minute info session, hosted by experts from Georgetown University who created the course.
Objectives: Attendees will learn

All about the course requirements and timeline
Valuable strategies for supporting young children
Who from your program should register for the course (hint: it’s more than one person!)

Mental Health Micro-Credential 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.

Jennifer Drake-Croft, MSSW, IECMH-E®, is the Deputy Project Director of the Infant and Early Childhood (IECMH) Technical Assistance Center at Georgetown University and a Faculty Director for the Georgetown Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation Certificate Program. Her expertise includes Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health, child trauma, child abuse prevention, and child-centered systems and policy. Jennifer’s personal and professional passion is to partner with communities and systems in advancing policies and practices that support all children to thrive.

Financial Wellness: Money & Relationships (Option 2)
2025-02-13 18:00 - 18:30

The Multisensory Magic of Music Making with Infants
2025-02-18 13:00 - 14:00
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
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
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.

Peak Performance for Head Start Leaders: Delegation
2025-02-25 16:00 - 17:00
Program: Peak Performance for Head Start Leaders: Delegation
Description: Leveraging leadership is a key piece of effective leadership. In this webinar, Dr. B will dig into what it means to delegate, challenges that come with delegation and practical tips for starting to delegate more now!
Learning Objectives: Participants will be able to:

Understand the benefits of delegation
Understand the challenges of delegation
Understand how to begin delegating more to build capacity

Price:

Regular Rate: $75
NHSA Member Rate: $50

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.

Zuly Vazquez is the senior manager of online professional development at the National Head Start Association. She has worked with Head Start and Early Head Start programs for over a decade, specializing in training, mentoring, coaching, facilitation, curriculum implementation, and management. She worked for several years in the classroom, providing high-quality education to children from different cultures, traditions, and ethnicities. She is a former EHS/HS parent. She has vast experience supporting and providing technical assistance to teachers, family child care providers, education specialists, and families in large EHS/HS programs in Florida and Georgia. Over her career, she designed a supplemental Christian early childhood curriculum, bilingual online lessons, and classroom observation tools and has facilitated early childhood education courses in English and Spanish at the college level. As an active early childhood advocate, she is a board member of her local NAEYC affiliate and Family Child Care Home Alliance of Georgia. She is a senior advisor of Latinas United for the Children of America.

Planning for Financial Sustainability
2025-02-27 14:00 - 15:00
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.

CDA in Spanish Info Session
2025-03-04 16:30 - 17:00
Program: CDA in Spanish Info Session
This info session will be provided in Spanish.
Program Description: Spanish-speaking teachers, would you like to earn your CDA in Spanish from The Academy at NHSA? We invite you all to attend an info session to explore the CDA pathway that The Academy is now offering. We recognize there is a large Spanish-speaking community nationwide, and now this pathway is available. Please come and learn more!
Learning Objective: To know there is a pathway to the CDA designed just for you!
CDA in Spanish Info Session Presenter: Zuly Vazquez
Zuly Vazquez is the senior manager of online professional development at the National Head Start Association. She has worked with Head Start and Early Head Start programs for over a decade, specializing in training, mentoring, coaching, facilitation, curriculum implementation, and management. She worked for several years in the classroom, providing high-quality education to children from different cultures, traditions, and ethnicities. She is a former EHS/HS parent. She has vast experience supporting and providing technical assistance to teachers, family child care providers, education specialists, and families in large EHS/HS programs in Florida and Georgia. Over her career, she designed a supplemental Christian early childhood curriculum, bilingual online lessons, and classroom observation tools and has facilitated early childhood education courses in English and Spanish at the college level. As an active early childhood advocate, she is a board member of her local NAEYC affiliate and Family Child Care Home Alliance of Georgia. She is a senior advisor of Latinas United for the Children of America.

Patty Berron is a Bilingual Instructor-Trainer, Coach, Mentor, CDA PDS-Professional Development Specialist, ECD Reviewer, NHSA Quality Initiative Reviewer, Early Head Start Reviewer Panelist, 2003 HS Fellowship Commissioner, CDA Instructor in Migrant Head Start Programs, American Indian Alaska Native Head Start Programs, Child Care Programs, School District, Early Childhood Associations, Universities, and paraprofessional schools. Head Start Fellow (2001), and a Former Head Start Parent. She has an Early Childhood Education Background, her master’s is focused on Professional Counseling, and she is in the process of finishing her Ph.D.

Data Literacy Credential Info Session
2025-03-05 11:00 - 11:30
Join us for a FREE Data Literacy Credential Info Session! The Academy at NHSA, in partnership with Acorn Evaluation, offers the Data Literacy Credential—a professional development opportunity designed specifically for ALL Head Start and Early Head Start managers and directors.
With new cohorts launching in April, now is the perfect time to learn how data-driven decision-making can strengthen your program’s impact.
Date: Wednesday, March 5, 2025
⏰ Time: 8:00 a.m. PT | 11:00 a.m. ET
Speaker: Stuart Jones, CEO & Lead Instructor, Acorn Evaluation, Inc.
Can’t join us live? Sign up anyway and the recording will be shared with you. You can enjoy the recording and resources at your convenience!

Connecting the Dots: Strategies for Effective Integration in Workforce Development and Apprenticeship Programs
2025-03-06 11:30 - 12:30
Program: Connecting the Dots: Strategies for Effective Integration in Workforce Development and Apprenticeship Programs
Description: Join us for an engaging webinar presented by Midwest Urban Strategies, where we explore how apprenticeship programs can effectively connect to workforce development systems. This session will highlight actionable strategies for fostering meaningful collaboration.
Learning Objectives:

Identifying critical connections within the workforce development ecosystem.
Leveraging financial and community resources to enhance apprenticeship sustainability.
Integrating supportive services to drive long-term success for apprentices.

Whether you’re developing or expanding apprenticeship programs, this webinar will provide valuable tools and real-world examples to strengthen your initiatives. Don’t miss the opportunity to learn from Midwest Urban Strategies’ expertise in workforce development and collaboration.
Connecting the Dots Presenters: Tracey Carey and Robyn Minton-Holmes
Tracey Carey leads Midwest Urban Strategies (MUS), a consortium of urban workforce boards. With more than $30 million in federal and philanthropic investment and a growing portfolio of business and service partners, MUS delivers high value resource to its members. The consortium’s mission is to grow business investment and expand and diversify talent in the Midwest. Tracey also is a Subject Matter Expert for the Early Childhood Workforce Connector (ECWC) and services on the ECWC Leadership Team.
Prior to her tenure with MUS, Ms. Carey enjoyed nearly two decades of service developing and supporting workforce development programs and strategies. As the Director of Strategic Initiatives for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Milwaukee, Tracey facilitated the summer youth employment program that provided first jobs for more than 500 young people annually. She also developed and facilitated training programs for opportunity youth that reengaged them in school and/or work. In 2014 she joined Employ Milwaukee, the workforce development board for Milwaukee County (WI) as the Director of Fund Development & Strategic Initiatives. While serving in that capacity, Ms. Carey raised an additional $13 million dollars and supported the startup of MUS.
Then, in 2018, she left Milwaukee to join the staff at Partner4Work, the workforce development board for the City of Pittsburgh and Allegheny County, PA. As the Chief Strategy Officer. At P4W, Tracey led a team of innovators working to improve workforce development practice, including the restart of the area’s workforce funding collaborative. Through her leadership, P4W brought more than $10 million dollars to the region in her first year.
Tracey holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in English from the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee, Certificate in Women’s Studies from the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee, Summa cum laude, Certificate in Non-Profit Management from the Center for Non-Profit Management, and Business and Economic Development Finance Professional Certification from the National Development Council.

With over 30 years of nonprofit work experience, Robyn Minton-Holmes currently serves as Senior Consultant with Midwest Urban Strategies (MUS) and is a Subject Matter Expert for the Early Childhood Workforce Connector (ECWC). Her involvement with MUS spans over the past 5+ years and includes time serving as the MUS Senior Director of Operations. Prior to joining MUS, Robyn was Vice President of Workforce Initiatives at the Center of Workforce Innovations (CWI). During her 13-year tenure at CWI, she was responsible for the integration, alignment, partnering, and innovation of the State’s Northwest Indiana regional WorkOne (Career Services and One Stop) Centers. She also shared her expertise as a School of Business Faculty Member at the University of Phoenix for ten years.
Robyn’s tenure in the nonprofit world led her to positions where she developed model programs and quality initiatives, set strategic direction in areas where change and crisis management were required, and stood as a human capital expert and coach while managing multi-site operations. She is a results-driven and business-oriented leader.
Before moving to the Midwest, Robyn was a Program Director at the Nashville, Tennessee YWCA where she managed day-to-day operations of the state’s largest domestic violence services program. Her role included program development and expansion, human capital management, (capacity building, community awareness, grants management, volunteer management and quality improvement initiatives. She oversaw this $1.7 million program with proven success and is proud to say that the programs initiated under her direction are still in existence and continue to grow and evolve. While at the YWCA, Robyn worked on initiatives with the United States Department of Justice and the Violence Against Women division in creating and evaluating best practice models.
Prior to the YWCA, Robyn’s social services work in Tennessee included her position as Associate Director at Omni Residential Treatment Service where she managed operations, personnel, and the design and oversight of therapeutic protocols. She also served for ten plus years as a Program Coordinator within the children and youth division of Centerstone, Inc.. Her position with Centerstone involved program development, managing grants, volunteer coordination, and fiscal oversight.
Robyn has an MBA from Vanderbilt University-Nashville, Tennessee. She earned her M.A. in Counseling from Trevecca Nazarene University, and a B.A. in Sociology from Kentucky Wesleyen College. She is a member of Leadership Northwest Indiana (LNI, 27) and is a commissioned Honorable Kentucky Colonel (’85).
She was a recipient of the Non-Profit Management Scholarship from Nashville’s Center for Non-Profit Management & Vanderbilt University. In addition, her leadership of volunteer recruitment and retention strategies for a school based HIV education program, garnered her recognition on a national level when she was recognized with the Golden Rule Award for Volunteer Management.

Tackle Behaviors that Challenge: with SOUND MAKING
2025-03-11 16:00 - 16:30
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
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:

2025 Spring Garden Storytime
2025-03-13 13:00 - 13:30
Program: 2025 Spring Garden Storytime
Description: In these LIVE storytimes, we will read wonderful garden-themed books with a social emotional focus and have a “show and tell” about interesting plants. Both teachers and students will love these interactive learning sessions! Spring is right around the corner and we are ready to get those gardens started! Are you? Join us to learn how to say hello to worms and other tiny garden friends and how to grow and enjoy the fruits of spring together.

Story: How to Say Hello to a Worm by Kari Percival
Sing Along: Spring Garden Song
Handout: Springtime Learn and Play

2025 Spring Garden Storytime Presenters:
Noel Nicholas (she/her) is the educational content manager for KidsGardening, where she co-develops original educational materials designed to help kids play, learn, and grow through gardening. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Creative Writing from University of Southern California, where she developed a passion for informal education while teaching poetry at 32nd Street School/USC Magnet. Prior to joining KidsGardening, Noel worked as museum educator at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, developing and delivering educational programs for diverse, multi-generational audiences, and managing the museum’s Storytime Live program. In her spare time she teaches in the school garden at Third Street Elementary in Los Angeles.

Pinky Jackalope (she/her) is a Motivational Associate with NHSA. She loves to learn new things, and to share them with her Head Start and Early Head Start friends! Pinky’s favorite fruit is a banana, and her favorite vegetable is the snap pea. Pinky loves watching flowers and herbs grow in container gardens.

Sponsors:

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.

Want even more? Check out our Gardening with Kids Basics course provided by The Academy.

Financial Wellness: 3 Principles to Money + Life Balance (Option 1)
2025-03-13 14:00 - 14:30
Financial Wellness Thursdays with The Beans: 3 Principles to Money + Life Balance

Make a Plan
Save Some
Spend on what brings you joy

Do you have a plan for your money? DYK people with a Plan are 10X more likely to succeed?!
Learn about The Beans’ highly rated professional development programs for improving your staffs’ financial wellness + the evidence-based principles proven to promote financial progress and reduce financial stress.
Sponsored by:

Financial Wellness: 3 Principles to Money + Life Balance (Option 2)
2025-03-13 18:00 - 18:30

Growing Resilient Children; The Garden as a Non-Judgmental Teacher
2025-03-20 14:00 - 15:00
Program: Growing Resilient Children; The Garden as a Non-Judgmental Teacher
Description: Gardens are more than places to grow food and flowers; they are outdoor classrooms, places of hope, connection, and inspiration, places where children learn compassion, communication, and essential early life skills. A garden’s very nature encourages children to slow down, listen deeply, and simply ‘touch the earth.’
Join staff from Denver Urban Gardens (DUG) to learn more about our Therapeutic Garden and Youth Education Programs. Participants will receive tried-and-true tips for teaching in the garden and activities that encourage personal and interpersonal growth and success.
Learning Objective: Introduce participants to ways to use gardens and gardening as a way to foster and support social and emotional learning.
Growing Resilient Children Presenters:
Lara Wirtz Fahnestock (she/her), DUG’s Director of Therapeutic Gardens, has a passion for building community, teaching children where their food comes from and finding places of beauty and healing wherever she can. Lara joined Denver Urban Gardens as a Garden Leader in 2010 and DUG staff in 2015. In her nine years at DUG, she has worked with Garden Leaders and garden projects and now oversees DUG’s Therapeutic Garden Initiative. She has a BA in Biology from the Colorado College, a certificate of Authentic Leadership from Naropa University, is a Licensed Massage Therapist specializing in trauma healing and is a Horticulture Therapy Practitioner.

Judy Elliott (she/her) is the Community Education Cultivator at Denver Urban Gardens, where she brings her lifetime of experience into DUG’s three pillars of food, climate, and community. With a background in horticulture and social justice, she has worked with immigrants & refugees (both adults and children), who have experienced the extreme traumas inherent in refugee camps and taught nutrition/gardening education curricula in inner-city schools. Her experience in teaching populations in third-world countries who have been exposed to pesticides and degraded soils led her to develop and implement a comprehensive community composting program and passionately believes that healthy soils and their connection to healthy food and healthy people are an inherent right for all. She deeply believes that gardens are for all, that cultivating a sense of wonder and joy through connecting to the earth is both restorative and healing for body, mind, and spirit.

Rob Payo (he/his) is a Senior Education Designer for the UCAR Center for Science Education, providing K-12 educators, students, and the general public with information and teaching materials in weather and climate education. As the former Director of Youth Education for DUG, Rob supported early childhood teachers with strategies for building young students’ identity as science learners through the use of gardens as outdoor classrooms.

Sponsored by:

Part of the GroMoreGood Garden Grants Initiative

Peak Performance for Head Start Leaders: Crisis Management
2025-03-20 16:00 - 17:00
Program: Peak Performance for Head Start Leaders: Crisis Management
Description: Join experienced Head Start leader Keri Newman Allred as she shares practical insights on navigating crises and challenges in Head Start programs. Drawing from her 30+ years in early childhood education and 11 years as Executive Director of Rural Utah Child Development, Keri will demonstrate how aligning personal and organizational values creates resilience during challenging times. Learn actionable strategies for effective crisis management while staying true to your program’s core values.
Learning Objectives:

Learn proven crisis management techniques that can be adapted for Head Start program operations
Develop leadership strategies to overcome common organizational challenges based on real-world experiences

Price:

Regular Rate: $75
NHSA Member Rate: $50

Presenter:
Keri Newman Allred is the Executive Director of Rural Utah Child Development and has held this position for 11 years. Her bachelors degree in child development, masters degree in human and family development and a 30 year career in early childhood has been inspired by the motto ‘childhood is a journey, not a race’. This belief is the driving force behind every success RUCD has achieved. Keri believes that a positive and productive workplace is the highest goal, and that living truthfully is the best way to get there.

Unpacking Burnout & Building Resilience by Starling Minds
2025-04-02 14:00 - 15:00
Program: Unpacking Burnout & Building Resilience
Description: Many of us may be feeling a strong sense of uncertainty surrounding our communities, and with that uncertainty comes mental fatigue and burnout. Starling Minds invites NHSA members to an exclusive webinar on unpacking burnout and building mental resilience—tailored specifically for educators. We’ll also showcase how the Starling Minds Mental Fitness platform (available FREE to all NHSA members) helps educators build long-term resilience and mental well-being. Start your journey to better mental health today! Have questions about how to get your program started? Contact Kisha McCray at kmccray@nhsa.org.
What is Starling Minds? Starling Minds is a digital mental health platform offering unlimited, personalized Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). Developed by leading psychologists, Starling delivers accessible, ongoing mental health support anytime, anywhere.
Learning Objectives:

What Burnout really means—its causes, symptoms, and common myths
The DNA of Resilience—self-awareness, managing stress responses, openness, and community

Get Started in Three Steps:

Verify your membership at nhsa.org/access-starling-minds
Get your access codes on the next page
Visit nhsa.member.starlingminds.com to sign up and authenticate your account

NHSA and The National Zoo Field Trips: 2024 – 2025
2025-04-03 14:00 - 14:30
Let’s visit NHSA and the National Zoo! This will be a delightful lesson designed to support Head Start Early Learning Outcomes Framework (ELOF) standards! NHSA and Zoo in the Classroom is a high-energy, interactive experience that include music and movement. It is designed to keep children active, engaged, and thriving.
Join the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute (SNZCBI) and NHSA for four LIVE learning opportunities about Zoo animals, created specifically for Head Start and Early Head Start programs across the country!

Program 1: October 3, 2024 from 2:00 – 2:30 p.m. ET – (Beavers and Orangutans)
Program 2: December 5, 2024 from 2:00 – 2:30 p.m. ET (Lemurs and Sloth Bears)
Program 3: February 6, 2025 from 2:00 – 2:30 p.m. ET (Elephants)
Program 4: April 3, 2025 from 2:00 – 2:30 p.m. ET (Colorful Creatures)

NHSA and The National Zoo Presenters:

Emily Porter – Manager of Early Childhood and Family Learning Experience, SNZCBI
Bethany Wells – Get a Head Start with the Smithsonian Education and Program Coordinator, SNZCBI
Rachel Hutchison – Senior Associate, Instructional Practice Professional Programs, NHSA
Nick Young – Preschool Musician, PlayMotion Music
Smithsonian National Zoo Keepers
Guest presenters from other Smithsoninan institutions

Tackle Behaviors that Challenge: with KINESTHETIC TEACHING
2025-04-08 16:00 - 16:30
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.

Financial Wellness: Savings (Option 1)
2025-04-10 14:00 - 14:30
Financial Wellness Thursdays with The Beans: Savings
Savings is essential!
What you really need in your savings account: research shows that with $500 in your savings account you make stronger financial decisions and when you reach $2,500 you are insulated from most economic shocks.
Learn about The Beans’ highly rated professional development programs for improving your staffs’ financial wellness + the evidence-based principles proven to promote financial progress and reduce financial stress.
Sponsored by:

Financial Wellness: Savings (Option 2)
2025-04-10 18:00 - 18:30

Empowering Your Professional Development Planning Process
2025-04-22 15:00 - 16:00
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.
