NHSA

The Future of ERSEA in Head Start (Nov. 2023)
2023-11-28 14:00 - 16:00 UTC
With our partners at Wipfli, NHSA is hosting an online, two-day training series on current best practices with your professional peers and exploring challenges and solutions regarding the future of ERSEA in Head Start.
Learning Objectives:

Review regulation requirements from the HS Act and for 45 CFR Part 1302, Subpart A (ERSEA).
Share best practices in implementing ERSEA in the program.
Explore future challenges and solutions regarding ERSEA in Head Start.

Description:
Head Start/Early Head Start programs have a specific set of requirements to assist program leaders in identifying, recruiting, and selecting those children and families with the most need in their communities. This training will focus on all of the eligibility, recruitment, selection, enrollment, and attendance requirements, best known by the initials ERSEA, including adjusted guidelines and areas of Determining community strengths Documentation Recruitment options Attendance Fees, And more!
Presenter:
Tammy Jelinek, Principal
Tammy has spent more than 20 years working in and with grant-funded and fee-for-services nonprofit organizations. She engages with leadership teams to strategically align their goals to grow, expand, and meet their mission. Tammy has trained nationally in the areas of OMB Uniform Guidance, Head Start/Early Head Start Act and program regulations, parent/volunteer involvement, organizational development, human resources, leadership, and management. In helping clients make changes to impact their communities, she has engaged in organizational development and culture initiatives, process design and implementation, financial analysis, and change management (including coaching). Tammy holds a B.S. in business management (psychology minor) and an M.B.A. (emphasis in organizational development) from Upper Iowa University. She answers questions for the My Wipfli Annual Membership.
Certificate of completion is good for two months.
Regular Rate: $350
NHSA Member Rate: $300

NPRM: Webinar 1
2023-11-20 16:00 - 17:00 (America/New_York)
How Head Start Responds to the NPRM and First Look
PowerPoint Presentation Slide Deck
This NPRM represents a significant opportunity to address the challenges facing Head Start and Early Head Start today and to contribute to a shared vision for Head Start’s next chapter. Our goal is to create the space for our community to identify concerns and unite around suggested solutions that improve and strengthen the services we provide to children and families. As you can, please join us for any or all of the NPRM Webinars designed to create space for you!

NPRM Webinar 2: Workforce Supports, Mental Health, and Prenatal Services
NPRM Webinar 3: Enhanced Oversight, Reporting, and Additional Provisions

NHSA and The Zoo in The Classroom: Pre-Math with Cheetahs
2023-11-16 14:00 - 14:30 (America/New_York)
“Pre-Math with Cheetahs” means counting with colorful critters as fun and engaging way to learn pre-math concepts! 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: November 16th — Pre-Math with Cheetahs (Math Concepts)
Program 2: January 18th — Me, You, and Elephants Too! (Identity, Culture and Community)
Program 3: March 21st — Do Sea Lions Wear Sunglasses? (Weather and Space)
Program 4: May 16th — Head Start’s Birthday Party at the Zoo (Our Bodies and the Five Senses)

Presenters for NHSA and Zoo in the Classroom:
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’s National Zookeepers, SNZCBI

Tackling Challenging Behaviors with INSIGHT
2023-11-14 16:00 - 16:30 (America/New_York)
In this Tackling Challenging Behaviors webinar series, we will share innovative approaches to building a positive classroom environment. These strategies not only mitigate challenging behaviors, they 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!

Tackling Challenging Behaviors with INSIGHT: if you could only use one method in the classroom, it should be asking questions. Join us to learn how this teaching strategy can enhance every aspect of your classroom from how to walk in the hallway, play safely on the playground, sit in circle time, move during centers, speak to each other – everything!

Head Start Behavior Experts
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.

Financial Wellness: Gratitude and Joy (Option 2)
2023-11-09 18:00 - 18:30 (America/New_York)
Financial Wellness Thursdays with The Beans
When you spend on what gives you joy, you actually get more utility per dollar.
Learn about The Beans’ highly rated professional development programs for improving your staffs’ financial wellness + the evidence-based strategies to get more out of your hard earned money.
Sponsored by:

Coding Readiness for Head Start
2023-11-09 16:00 - 17:00 (America/New_York)
Coding Readiness for Head Start – Research Opportunity for Teachers
The National Head Start Association is part of an exciting partnership that has built the first coding readiness curriculum that is tailored to Head Start students. The curriculum provides Head Start students with the foundational skills needed to be successful in computers and computer related fields later on in life.
The partnership, which also includes codeSpark, a respected educational technology company that specializes in teaching coding readiness to young children, and the RAND Corporation, a non-profit research organization, is looking for classrooms to participate in a study that will test the effectiveness of the curriculum. All teachers and classrooms in the study will be compensated for their time and classrooms chosen to teach the curriculum will be provided with professional development.
This webinar will provide more information on the details of the study and will be an opportunity for interested Head Start centers to ask questions.
Presenters:

Victoria Jones
Chris Doss
Kassy Rinehard

GroMoreGood Grant Application Walk-through
2023-11-09 15:00 - 15:30 (America/New_York)
The GroMoreGood grant application is open and we want to invite to an application walk-through event! Join us for this 30-minute webinar to learn about the grant application, walk through the application and award process, and ask questions.
Grant Information:
In collaboration with the Scotts Miracle-Gro Foundation, the National Head Start Association is honored to bring the life-enhancing benefits of gardens to more children and families in the Head Start community. Our desire is for this garden grant program to foster exciting, hands-on experiences for Head Start children and families, connecting them with their natural world, increasing their appreciation and understanding of fresh healthy foods and nutrition, and inspiring a lifelong love of gardening.
2023-24 Gro More Good Garden Grant Application:
NHSA will be awarding grants in variable amounts depending on demonstrated need and proposal in the application. Grant awards will supplement needs of existing garden projects, help launch new garden projects, or supplement/launch outdoor green space projects (land that is partly or completely covered with grass, trees, shrubs, or other vegetation and an option for children and the community to learn).
The Garden Grant Applications deadline is December 18, 2023.
As part of the grant award, Head Start programs will be expected to host a Community Build Day, bringing together Head Start students and families, community partners, and Scotts Miracle-Gro associates (if available) in a day of community service to build and celebrate the garden. Community Build Days should be held during the March through June timeframe and grantees are allowed maximum flexibility if inclement weather or other circumstances result in a delay.
Application Walk-through Presenter:

Sarah Pounders, while working toward her master’s degree in Horticultural Sciences at Texas A&M University, Sarah Pounders served as a school garden coordinator and conducted research on the benefits of using school garden programs to teach nutrition. She went on to work at various botanical gardens and for Cooperative Extension in Virginia and Texas. Since 2005, Sarah has been an education specialist at KidsGardening, coordinating numerous children’s gardens and writing curricula and activities for youth of all ages. Sarah enjoys gardening at home with her two children and serves as the volunteer garden coordinator at her son’s elementary school.
Sponsor:

SECURE 2.0 Act: What’s Coming in 2024
2023-11-09 14:00 - 15:00 (America/New_York)
NHSA strives to partner and create meaningful alliances that support and inspire the Head Start field as a leader in early childhood development.
Therefore, we would like to invite you to join our Corporate Leadership Partner, Mutual of America, for a special webinar. “SECURE 2.0 Act: What’s Coming in 2024,” with speakers Nick Curabba, senior vice president and associate general counsel, and Earl Jones, vice president of National Accounts, on Thursday, November 9, at 2 p.m. ET.
This webinar will focus on:

key required and optional provisions of the SECURE 2.0 Act that plan sponsors need to know about for 2024

The SECURE 2.0 Act is a law that increases the age of retirement savings and introduces new plans, such as employer-sponsored plans and emergency savings accounts, and more.

issues related to plan coverage, administration, and amendments

Presenters:

Nick Curabba
Senior Vice President and Associate General Counsel, Mutual of America Financial Group

Nick Curabba heads the Employee Benefits section of Mutual of America’s Law Division. Prior to Mutual of America, he worked in Washington, D.C., at industry trade associations and multinational law firms, where he focused on employee benefits law. Mr. Curabba holds degrees from New York University, George Washington University, and George Mason University Law School. He has 25 years of industry experience.

Earl Jones
Vice President, National Accounts, Mutual of America Financial Group

Earl Jones is responsible for overseeing the national partnerships of both the Community Action Network and the National Head Start Association. He holds Series 6 and 63 qualifications from FINRA, as well as the designation of Chartered Retirement Plan Specialist (CRPS). Earl has more than 20 years of industry experience and began his career with Mutual of America in 2005. He earned his BS in Business Administration from Bryant University and Master of Divinity from Princeton Theological Seminary.

Moderator:
Kieran O’Dwyer
Vice President of Corporate Communications, Mutual of America Financial Group

Kieran O’Dwyer is Vice President of Corporate Communications, responsible for overseeing the company’s external and internal communications, as well as its public relations and thought leadership initiatives. A seasoned writer, editor and content creator with 30+ years of experience in the financial, sports and nonprofit industries, Mr. O’Dwyer joined Mutual of America in 2008.

Financial Wellness: Gratitude and Joy (Option 1)
2023-11-09 14:00 - 14:30 (America/New_York)

Health Services Certification Info Session
2023-11-08 16:00 - 16:45 (America/New_York)
“I want to get my health services certification. Do I have time? What do I need to do?”
Great questions! In this 45-minute information session, you will meet our reviewer and learn about the process of building a portfolio. See the learning platform candidates will use, and hear directly from a graduate about his experience as he worked through the competencies.
Thursday, November 8, 2023 from 4:00 p.m. – 4:45 p.m. ET
Can’t join us live? No problem. Sign up and we will email you a link to the recording.
Why get certified? This certification meets the qualification requirements laid out in the Head Start Program Performance Standards. The certification is rigorous, and successful candidates demonstrate a high level of professional knowledge. Certification is an achievement of which you can be very proud.
Presenters:
Jackie Rivera, Health Administrator, Central Missouri Community Action
Jackie has been a health Administrator at a Head Start in central Missouri for over 10 years and is a certified Community Action professional. Before becoming a nurse, Jackie spent 10 years as an early childhood education teacher. Jackie oversees health and safety at her agency and is project manager for the agency’s Childhood Obesity and Diabetes Prevention Project and Women and Infant Relief program. Jackie is a licensed practical nurse, child development associate, and lactation counselor. Jackie is certified to train in many topics, such as Compassion Fatigue, Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (or CPR)/First Aid Motivational Interviewing, I Am Moving, I Am Learning, Family Wellness, Infant Massage, Mind in The Making, and Experiential Facilitation. Jackie has had the honor of being named for a National Child Plus Community Service Award and received MOCAN Healthcare Profession award.

Alec Hunter, Health and Safety Coordinator, Tanana Chiefs Conference, Fairbanks, Alaska
As the health and safety coordinator for Tanana Chiefs Conference Head Start, Alec brings a wealth of experience teaching physical education and multimedia to the field of early childhood education. Alec has worked to implement significant policy and procedure updates and has actively contributed to the program’s FA2 review, demonstrating a commitment to continuous program improvement. Currently, Alec is developing a multi-community Health Services Advisory Committee (HSAC) and sub-committees, aiming to foster collaborative efforts among families, professionals, organizations, and communities.

Fall Garden Storytime: NHSA in the Classroom
2023-11-08 14:00 - 14:30 (America/New_York)
Welcome to Garden Storytime brought to you by NHSA in the Classroom, KidsGardening, and ScottsMiracle-Gro. Our team of experts will share the joy of gardening and reading with your Head Start cuties. Get ready for an interactive story, gardening treats, and classroom resources which are provided seasonally within the school year calendar:

11/8/23: Fall Storytime – Singing Activity, Book: The Pie That Molly Grew, by Sue Heavenrich
1/10/24: Winter Storytime
3/14/24: Spring Storytime
5/8/24: Summer Storytime

Our storytellers are gardeners, and in these LIVE storytime sessions they will read wonderful garden-themed books to the children, and “show and tell” about interesting plants. Both teachers and students will love this interactive learning session!
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 BA 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 a 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 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.

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

Financial Wellness: How to Balance Spending and Saving (Option 2)
2023-10-12 18:00 - 18:30 (America/New_York)
Financial Wellness Thursdays with The Beans
You do not need to have 3-6 months of income in an emergency savings account. Research shows that with just a few hundred dollars in savings you make stronger financial decisions. This cushion gives us security and allows our brains to relax which leads to healthier financial decisions.
At The Beans we set our Essential Savings objective at $2,500 and then move on to the next milestone. With $2500 in savings you are insulated from most economic shocks, meaning it’s enough to help you bounce back when something big comes up.
The order of operations is as important as the right-sizing goal. We suggest focusing on establishing your Essential Savings before trying to pay down debt. Once you do, your debt pay off will go even faster.
Learn about The Beans’ highly rated professional development programs for improving your staffs’ financial wellness + the evidence-based strategies to pay off debt faster!
Sponsored by:

Financial Wellness: How to Balance Spending and Saving (Option 1)
2023-10-12 14:00 - 14:30 (America/New_York)

Tackling Challenging Behaviors with JOY
2023-10-10 16:00 - 16:30 (America/New_York)
In this Tackling Challenging Behaviors webinar series, we will share innovative approaches to building a positive classroom environment. These strategies not only mitigate challenging behaviors, they 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!

Tackling Challenging Behaviors with JOY: mistakes are a part of life and that’s where the learning happens! Join us as we discuss how to create a joyful classroom environment that embraces mistakes.
Head Start Behavior Experts:
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.

Empowering Head Start Leaders
2023-10-05 16:00 - 17:00 (America/New_York)
Empowering Head Start Leaders with NHSA’s Executive Leadership Credential
Join us for an informational webinar dedicated to introducing Head Start leaders to NHSA’s Executive Leadership Credential. This specialized program, now in its second year, is designed exclusively for Head Start leaders like you! Discover how this credential can enhance your leadership skills, connect you with a network of like-minded professionals, and elevate the impact of your Head Start program. Hear directly from current Executive Leadership Credential members and get your questions answered during this dynamic session.
Moderator: Kristina Ellis, Director
Presenters:
Dr. Deborah Bergeron, (or Dr. B as she is known to students and educators) has spent over thirty years working to support the growth and development of children. She worked in public education as a middle and high school classroom teacher, an elementary and high school administrator and holds a school superintendents license in Virginia. Dr. B also started, grew and eventually sold her own supplemental educational services company. In 2018, Dr. Bergeron was asked to lead the Office of Head Start and the Office of Early Childhood Development at the Administration for Children and Families in the Department of Health and Human Services. It was here where Dr. B developed her passion for Head Start, Early Head Start and the early learning environment in general. In January, 2021, Dr. B joined the National Head Start Association as the Deputy Director of Community Engagement and Innovation. Here, she aims to bring the Head Start and Early Head Start community together, provide the necessary support to ensure high quality programming and be a constant reminder to the folks on the ground that THEY are the backbone of Head Start and Early Head Start. Dr. B advocates for programming that develops the whole child and embraces the value the family has in that process. “Parents are a child’s first and most important teacher,” is her favorite mantra, compliments of Head Start. Dr. Bergeron holds a B.S.Ed. from Texas State University, a Master’s Degree in Education Leadership and a PhD in Education Policy and Education Psychology from George Mason University. She lives in Virginia with her husband and has four awesome children who, although are all grown up, will always be her heart!
Loukisha Smart-Pennix, Interim Chief of Youth and Family Potential, YWCA Metropolitan Chicago
Monica Coates, Director of Early Childhood, Caldwell Parish School District

Parent Gauge and Ready4K Information Session
2023-10-04 16:00 - 16:30 (America/New_York)
Research-Based Family Engagement: Parent Gauge & Ready4K
Does your program struggle with implementing family engagement strategies that are targeted to the needs of your families? If so, we invite you to learn about a unique PFCE solution: Parent Gauge family assessment and Ready4K family engagement curriculum.
Both are grounded in research and use data to drive decision making for your program.
In this info session, you’ll see not only how each product can enhance your program’s PFCE efforts, but how you can maximize results when you use them together.

EHS Best Practice: Earning Your CDA in Spanish
2023-10-04 14:00 - 15:00 (America/New_York)
NHSA supports anyone who wants to achieve their CDA, in English and in Spanish!

Lifting Up Diverse Family Voices in Head Start Programs
2023-09-27 16:00 - 17:00 (America/New_York)
In Head Start programs, parent, family, and community engagement (PFCE) strategies are systemic, integrated, and comprehensive, and “family engagement is everyone’s business.” In order to engage with families effectively, each program must establish strong foundations and empower all staff to aid in a shared mission.
Through the organizational culture and systems, all staff should be empowered with the fundamentals to engage in reflective practice and go deep in understanding each family, advocating for the inclusion of diverse family voices throughout each corner of the program.
In this session we will explore how integrating family voice helps programs meet Head Start Performance standards and shows up in the PFCE framework, and the roles that Head Start professionals play in this process.
We will explore:

The Why: According to the research, why incorporating family voice is important for positive family and child outcomes
The What: What families say is important to them, including real-life examples from the voices of Head Start families
The How: How direct service staff can authentically incorporate family voice into their work

Participants will get take-home resources to help them engage in self-reflection and begin the process to incorporate more family voice into the next program year.
Presenters:
Sandy Oceguera, is the Sr. Data Product Manager at NHSA. Her background includes 5 years in social services and 5 years in big data analytics lending her a unique perspective in utilizing and developing NHSA’s data products, including Parent Gauge, usefulness for the field. Sandy holds a bachelor’s degree in Accounting from Colorado State University with a specialization in public and nonprofit management.

Mallary Swartz, Ph.D., Senior Director of Learning and Impact at ParentPowered and an applied researcher in family engagement and early childhood. She has spent 20 years cultivating relationships, managing partnerships, and leading research, evaluation, and innovation projects at family-focused organizations such as Start Early, Fred Rogers Productions, and Brazelton Touchpoints Center. Mallary also served as Co-Principal Investigator for the National Center on Parent, Family, and Community Engagement. She has a Ph.D. in Child Development from Tufts University, an M.S. from the University of Pittsburgh, and a B.A. from Duke University.

EHS Advocacy: Turning Alumni into Advocates
2023-09-27 14:00 - 15:00 (America/New_York)
Early Head Start alumni are the most powerful advocates.
As part of the Early Head Start Rising Advocacy series, Preparing Your Head Start Alumni to be Advocates, will share tips and techniques to help you cultivate a culture of alumni becoming advocates on behalf of Head Start. There are powerful ways to engage your alumni and capture their testimonies. Together you all can advance the critical mission of Head Start / Early Head Start.
Presenter:
Malkia Payton-Jackson, Director of Alumni Engagement
Head Start Alum, Malkia Payton-Jackson, who is NHSA’s first-ever director of alumni engagement. Back in Cambridge, Head Start is where she made her first best friend — and now, she’s inviting Head Start alumni to connect with one another, share their unique stories, and help keep Head Start strong for generations to come.

Showcase Your Head Start Professionalism
2023-09-26 16:00 - 16:30 (America/New_York)
NHSA can help you showcase your Head Start professionalism (education, professional development, achievements, and more!) with our Digital Portfolio! Join us for a 30-minute training to learn how you can build and utilize your portfolio!
NHSA’s Digital Portfolio stores all of the professional development (PD) you complete within NHSA and all of the PD you complete outside of NHSA. Whether you complete a course, credential, certification, attend a webinar or conference, this easy to access, easy to share resource will be at your fingertips to showcase that work. Join us for this exciting webinar as we launch the Digital Portfolio and help you showcase your professionalism.
Moderator:

Dr. Deborah Bergeron (or Dr. B as she is known to students and educators) has spent over thirty years working to support the growth and development of children. She worked in public education as a middle and high school classroom teacher, an elementary and high school administrator and holds a school superintendents license in Virginia. Dr. B also started, grew and eventually sold her own supplemental educational services company. In 2018, Dr. Bergeron was asked to lead the Office of Head Start and the Office of Early Childhood Development at the Administration for Children and Families in the Department of Health and Human Services. It was here where Dr. B developed her passion for Head Start, Early Head Start and the early learning environment in general. In January, 2021, Dr. B joined the National Head Start Association as the Deputy Director of Community Engagement and Innovation. Here, she aims to bring the Head Start and Early Head Start community together, provide the necessary support to ensure high quality programming and be a constant reminder to the folks on the ground that THEY are the backbone of Head Start and Early Head Start. Dr. B advocates for programming that develops the whole child and embraces the value the family has in that process. “Parents are a child’s first and most important teacher,” is her favorite mantra, compliments of Head Start. Dr. Bergeron holds a B.S.Ed. from Texas State University, a Master’s Degree in Education Leadership and a PhD in Education Policy and Education Psychology from George Mason University. She lives in Virginia with her husband and has four awesome children who, although are all grown up, will always be her heart!

Presenter:

Matt Marinsek is a Senior Manager of Marketing and Design for the National Head Start Association, where among various key projects, schedules, designs, and formats data and marketing emails for the organization’s various messaging to the field, helps compile the Digital Portfolio for The Academy, and more. Prior to joining NHSA, Matt worked for various companies and industries serving in marketing and leadership capacities, and served key leadership roles in non-profit leadership development organizations during and after his undergraduate time at New Mexico State University. Matt enjoys brushing up on the latest tech trends, and teaching others how the latest innovations in digital technology can enhance others’ careers and lives.

2023 Fall Leadership Institute
2023-09-18 - 2023-09-22

Financial Wellness: Behavior Change Strategies (Option 2)
2023-09-14 18:00 - 18:30 (America/New_York)
Financial Wellness Thursdays with The Beans
Behavior change is not always easy, and it takes a little time, but knowing the stages of behavior change will make the process more successful and more fun.
Learn about The Beans’ highly rated professional development programs for improving your staffs’ financial wellness + make that change you’ve been thinking about for your own financial life!
Sponsored by:

Financial Wellness: Behavior Change Strategies (Option 1)
2023-09-14 14:00 - 14:30 (America/New_York)

Pre-Service Powerhouse
2023-09-12 16:00 - 16:30 (America/New_York)
Pre-Service Powerhouse: Onboarding Excellence with The Academy at NHSA
Join us for an informative webinar as we explore why Academy+ and The Academy at NHSA are the ultimate choices for pre-service training and onboarding for Head Start staff. In this session, we will delve into the unique features and advantages of these programs, emphasizing their alignment with the needs of Head Start professionals. We will highlight the diverse range of courses, webinars, and resources available through Academy+ and The Academy at NHSA.
One of the standout benefits of choosing The Academy at NHSA is the integration of professional development funds to support NHSA advocacy efforts. By choosing the Academy, your investment in the professional growth of your staff goes directly to support the advancement of the broader Head Start community. When you are a member of The Academy at NHSA family, your PD dollars support professional growth and work to advocate for policies and funding that benefit all Head Start programs nationwide.
This webinar will demonstrate why Academy+ and The Academy at NHSA are the premier choices for pre-service training and onboarding. Join us and discover how these programs can transform your professional journey while supporting the critical advocacy work of NHSA. Together, we can drive positive change and create brighter futures for all Head Start children and families.
For more information about The Academy at NHSA, please visit nhsa.org/the-academy.

Presenter:
Kristina Ellis, Director
Kristina is director of The Academy at NHSA. As a Head Start alum, Kristina’s interest in early childhood stems from a rich background in social services work and her commitment to early childhood education and family engagement. Before NHSA, Kristina worked for CAP Tulsa, one of the largest anti-poverty nonprofits in Oklahoma and a nationally recognized provider of research-based, high-quality early childhood education for low-income children.

Data Literacy Credential Informational Webinar (2nd time option)
2023-09-07 18:00 - 18:30 (America/New_York)
Curious about NHSA’s Data Literacy Certification? Data-driven quality improvement stands to bring unrivaled levels of performance to the Head Start field, and is defined and mandated by the Head Start Program Performance Standards (HSPPS). A leader or manager who completes this credential signals to their staff and the Office of Head Start that their program is committed to this level of performance.
In this 30-minute Data Literacy Credential information session, you will meet a course instructor and a certification graduate. We will also share information about the learning platform candidates will use, and the support that is provided to candidates as they work through the competencies. The end result is a certification that demonstrates how important data is for your program, and an achievement of which you can be very proud!
There will be an opportunity for Q&A so interested candidates can better understand the certification requirements and see themselves completing this certification.
Presenters:

Stuart Jones, Course Instructor, Acorn Evaluation, Inc
Jennifer Carroll, Data Literacy Credential Graduate, CAPNA
Leslie Scott, Data Literacy Credential Graduate, CAPNA

**Can’t attend at 6 p.m., check out the 3 p.m. time option!

Data Literacy Credential Informational Webinar
2023-09-07 15:00 - 15:30 (America/New_York)
Curious about NHSA’s Data Literacy Certification? Data-driven quality improvement stands to bring unrivaled levels of performance to the Head Start field, and is defined and mandated by the Head Start Program Performance Standards (HSPPS). A leader or manager who completes this credential signals to their staff and the Office of Head Start that their program is committed to this level of performance.
In this 30-minute Data Literacy Credential information session, you will meet a course instructor and a certification graduate. We will also share information about the learning platform candidates will use, and the support that is provided to candidates as they work through the competencies. The end result is a certification that demonstrates how important data is for your program, and an achievement of which you can be very proud!
There will be an opportunity for Q&A so interested candidates can better understand the certification requirements and see themselves completing this certification.
Presenters:

Stuart Jones, Course Instructor, Acorn Evaluation, Inc
Jennifer Carroll, Data Literacy Credential Graduate, CAPNA
Leslie Scott, Data Literacy Credential Graduate, CAPNA

**Can’t attend at 3 p.m., check out the 6 p.m. time option!

Mindful Sleep Series with Starling Minds
2023-08-22 19:00 - 20:00, 2023-08-15 19:00 - 20:00 (America/New_York)
Join Starling Mind‘s four-week interactive iCBT Sleep + Mindfulness Workshop with Mental Fitness Coach, Tara Achkar. This is available for free to staff and staff’s family for free through NHSA membership.
Duration: 1 hour per week via Zoom
In this workshop, you will learn proven strategies to:

Reverse poor sleeping habits with Mindfulness practices
Strengthen your natural sleep system using different CBT and – Mindfulness strategies
Break down obstacles to healthy, natural sleep
Restore the healthy, natural sleep you need to feel more rested

PRESENTER
Tara Achkar
Mental Fitness Coach, Starling Minds
Tara Achkar is the Mental Fitness Coach, and Sr. Engagement Manager at Starling Minds. Passionate about mental health and wellness, she is taking her love for mindfulness to help people gain the skills and tools they need to live healthier, happier lives. With a holistic approach to yoga and science, her mission is to empower people to improve their mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being.

Webinar: How Child Welfare and Early Head Start Can Work Together
2023-08-16 14:00 - 15:00 (America/New_York)
This workshop will highlight opportunities for Early Head Start and child welfare organizations to better collaborate at the local level on behalf of children and families. Presenters will examine barriers to the two systems working together and how they can be addressed, as well as partnership opportunities at the state and local levels. Discussion points will include: supporting kinship families; babies with exposure to drug and alcohol abuse; the intersection of poverty, neglect and child welfare involvement; economic support for families; workforce issues and more.
Presenters: Donna Pressma, The Children’s Home Society of New Jersey, Trenton, NJ; Keith Liederman, Clover, New Orleans, LA; Leaders from the National Head Start Association, Julie Collins, Vice President for Practice Excellence Center at the Child Welfare League of America
Moderator: Dr. Deborah Bergeron, Deputy Director for Community Engagement and Innovation at NHSA

DEI Doesn’t Happen By Accident
2023-08-15 14:00 - 15:00 (America/New_York)
Dr. Kim explains why we must be intentional in our Head Start leadership because “DEI Doesn’t Happen By Accident!” In this professional development session, you will understand why leadership with intention drives authentic DEI programming.

Head Start is organically steeped in efforts to promote diversity, equity and inclusion. The Head Start Program Performance Standards provide a framework that supports this effort. However, without intentionality behind DEI and leadership who ‘own’ the work, programs may or may not be meeting the needs of children and families in their communities in a way that puts DEI at the center. To prioritize DEI, programs must commit leadership effort here. Don’t miss this opportunity to hear from one of the leading voices in DEI in the nation. Dr. Kimberly P. Johnson (lovingly known as Dr. Kim to the Head Start world), Clemson professor, Harvard course facilitator, author and DEI expert, will share her view of DEI in Head Start and how leadership drives its effectiveness.
Presenter: Dr. Kimberly Johnson, children’s author and educator
Dr. Kimberly P. Johnson grew up in Shelby, NC. She is the author of 25 children’s books. Dr. Johnson received her doctorate in Curriculum, Teaching, and Leadership from Northeastern University in Boston, MA. She holds a master’s degree from Clemson University, in Youth Development and Leadership, an Early Childhood Education degree, and a Communications degree from University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill. She completed her postdoctoral work in the Advanced Leadership program at Harvard University’s Graduate School of Education. She recently completed a certificate in Diversity and Inclusion at Cornell University. She is currently teaching Creative Activities for Youth, Designing Effective Youth Programs, Youth and Family, and Working with Diverse Youth at Clemson University. Dr. Johnson also teaches Creative Writing for Social Change at Clinton College and is a course facilitator for the Leading Learning, Managing Evidence, and Leading with Equity and Excellence courses at Harvard University in the Graduate School of Education.
Moderator: Dr. Deborah Bergeron

Dr. B 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. She currently serves as deputy director for Community Engagement and Innovation at the National Head Start Association.
