Become a Member

There are two ways you can join NHSA:

• Submit an application and payment by mail to:

National Head Start Association
Attn: Membership
P.O. Box 829929
Philadelphia, PA 19182-9929

• Complete an online application and payment.

All staff, parents, and board members of Head Start programs that are NHSA members automatically receive access to member-only resources and discounts to NHSA conferences and other events. The discount is given by simply choosing the organization name during registration and if the organization is a member, the member rate will be applied. Membership also includes access to newsletters, resources, forums, and printing your membership card.

Program staff, parents, and board members of member organizations are eligible for member discounts to institutes, conferences, and events.

Discounts to all professional development opportunities are a benefit from your organization's membership with NHSA. Individual membership does not qualify for discounts to our events.

There are a variety of membership types, which corespond with the cost of an NHSA membership. Specific breakdowns are listed at the bottom of this page. Please note:

• Fees vary according to budget size and are subject to change.
• The NHSA membership is an annual membership that runs each year from July 1 through June 30. If an applicant signs up for membership in the middle of the membership term, they will only receive the months remaining in the term.
• Annual NHSA memberships are non-refundable and non-cancel-able during the membership year.

The NHSA membership is an annual membership that runs each year from July 1^st through June 30^th.  If an applicant signs up for membership in the middle of the membership term they will only receive the months that remain in the term.

Annual NHSA memberships are non-refundable or cancelable during the membership year.

When your membership is processed, you immediately will receive an email to set up your password and a welcome letter. You can log into My NHSA to print your membership card.

Membership cards may be printed by the individual through access to the My NHSA member portal. Agencies may input a roster of individuals they wish to receive ID cards.

To update the roster, please go to My NHSA on the nhsa.org home page. A unique name and email address is needed to receive access to the NHSA member website and a membership ID card. With a unique email address and password for My NHSA, your staff member can log into My NHSA, click Profile and then click View Membership Card. We recommend using personalized, unique email addresses for employees and not generic adresses.

Staff, parents, and board members wishing to receive a unique membership card and/or access to My NHSA, the member-only area of the NHSA website, can receive these member benefits if their name and a unique email address are entered into the organization roster. An administrative staff person can manage the individuals who are on the organization roster. A priority for NHSA is to have direct contact with all senior level staff and key spokespersons (ie. Executive Directors, Director, Education Coordinator, Policy Council/Governing Body Chair) from an agency. We strongly encourage you to provide those names, titles, and email to us annually so we can keep you up-to-date.

To submit or modify your employee roster, please visit My NHSA and log in with a primary contact or program administration email and password.  If you need to assign a staff member administration access to manage your roster, please contact NHSAmembership@nhsa.org or fill out this form.

An Administrative Contact is a designated staff member(s)—usually a Administrative Assistant, Secretary, Human Resources Specialist—to handle your program's clerical NHSA affairs.

Send your request to NHSAmembership@nhsa.org and include your program’s name, the name, and email address for the specified staff member.

NHSA membership benefits extends to individuals who are employed or enrolled with the agency named in the membership application. Grant recipients' membership does not extend to delegate or partner organizations. Delegate or partners organizations can secure membership benefits by paying dues directly to NHSA. Grant recipients wishing to pay for delegate or partners should contact NHSA for support.