2010 Annual Special Tracks
37th Annual Head Start Conference and Meetings
Special Tracks
| Monday, May 3, 2010 | 9:00 am - 4:00 pm |
Planning SAFE and Quality Outdoor Play Environments for Children | |
Science, Mathematics, Language and Literacy: "Natural" Partners in Early Childhood Curriculum | |
| Monday, May 3, 2010 - Tuesday May 4, 2010 | Monday - 1:00pm-4:00pm Tuesday - 9:00am - 4:00pm |
ARE YOU ON THE ROAD TO HEAD START EXCELLENCE: Or are You Just Staring at the Roadmap? | |
| Monday, May 3, 2010 - Tuesday May 4, 2010 | 8:30 am - 5:00 pm |
| Monday May 3, 2010 - Tuesday May 4, 2010 | 9:00 am - 4:00 pm |
| We're All in This Together | |
GEMS Governing Effectively, Engaging Families, Managing Parent Committees and Sustaining the Gains | |
Workforce Development: "Moving Families toward Economic Self-Sufficiency" | |
Focusing on Outcomes: Using Data to Make Decisions and Tools to Move Toward Outcome-Based Management | |
| Tuesday, May 4, 2010 | 9:00 am - 4:00 pm |
Head Start and Early Head Start Organizational Management from the Inside Out | |
More Funding For Your Program: Where to Find It, How to Get It | |
We're All in This Together
In order to meet the priorities and vision set forth by the National Office of Head Start, programs must consistently operate efficiently and effectively from the "top to the bottom" and throughout all program components. This interactive seminar is designed to help participants meet that mandate through exploring how to effectively weave the comprehensive classroom management program and curriculum, Conscious Discipline®, throughout their Head Start agencies. Conscious Discipline® enables improved programming by creating a more positive work environment and school experience in all aspects of Head Start programs. Lead by staff from a Head Start agency nominated as a Center of Excellence for its use of Conscious Discipline®, participants will explore how that agency implemented the "from the top, down" philosophy of Conscious Discipline® that led them to improved leadership skills; effective classroom management; development of practical behavior plans, and well-connected relationships with parents and the community. Participants will receive a blueprint of how to incorporate Conscious Discipline® throughout their individual programs.
Lead presenter: Renee Sutherland, LISW-S, CCDI, Mental Health Coordinator, Knox County Head Start
Monday, May 3, 9-4 p.m.
Tuesday, May 4, 9-4 p.m.
Fee: $225
ARE YOU ON THE ROAD TO HEAD START EXCELLENCE: Or are You Just Staring at the Roadmap?
The Office of Head Start has issued a very clear and precise guideline to long term Head Start Success - The Head Start Roadmap to Excellence. Many programs are not yet on that road and are not clear about the changes necessary to get them there. This session will address the roadmap, program management systems reflected in the roadmap, and the routes necessary to get on the road. Leadership in Head Start is ever challenged to do things better, take on more responsibility, do impossible things and smile while doing it all. Now they are being asked to get on the Road to Excellence and this session will serve as a GPS system to help get them there.
Lead presenter: Timothy Nolan, PhD, President, Innovative Outcomes, Inc
Co-presenter: Barbara Haxton, MHRD, Executive Director, The Ohio Head Start Association
Monday, May 3, 1-4 p.m.
Tuesday, May 4, 9-4 p.m.
Fee: $225
Back to Basics: Best Practices in Head Start Grants
Head Start programs have undergone intense scrutiny for years. In addition, in the current climate of transparency and accountability, millions of dollars under the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act ("ARRA") were directed to the government's Offices of Inspectors General for programmatic audits, including for Head Start. Areas of recent findings include time and effort reporting and allowable costs. To ensure that Head Start and Early Head Start programs ? both brand new ones and ones that have been operating for years ? get the basic grants administration and management issues right and minimize your exposure to risk, join Ted Waters and Zoë Beckerman from Feldesman Tucker Leifer Fidell LLP, leaders in Head Start and federal grants law, for this two-day training.
Participants will:
• Learn how to handle hot topics in Head Start, such as financial issues, eligibility, and governance - which are risk areas for on-site program reviews as well as the OIG;
• Understand selected Cost Principles from OMB Circulars A-122 and A-87, including allowable costs, cost sharing and matching, cost allocation, and time and effort reporting;
• Review and comprehend selected elements of the Grants Administration "Common Rules" such as property standards, procurement standards, reports and records.
Both days will include tips, techniques, and checklists to help your program stay organized, documented correctly, and within the bounds of the law that applies to Head Start grants. All participants will receive materials including slides, supplementary sources, and sample checklists and documents.
Lead presenter: Edward T. Waters, Esq., Managing Partner, Feldesman Tucker Leifer Fidell LLP
Co-presenter: Zoë Beckerman, Esq., Partner, Feldesman Tucker Leifer Fidell LLP, Managing Principal, FT Solutions
Monday, May 3, 9-4 p.m.
Tuesday, May 4, 9-4 p.m.
Fee: Member $450 · Non-member $495
Head Start and Early Head Start Organizational Management from the Inside Out
It is imperative that Head Start and Early Head Start management teams know how to manage individual staff behavior and understand how managing risks affects program outcomes. Designed to help participants better understand risk management and its role in managing Head Start and EHS programs and to help them learn how risk management systems fit within various program structures, this special track will focus on how management teams can collectively strategize to enhance program operations and outcomes, generate community involvement, and actualize agency mission. Participants will:
- Examine their organizational and departmental structures to determine if each have kept pace with current technical and regulatory requirements in our evolving Head Start environment.
- Better understand how to use risk management strategies to effectively manage program operations and services
- Learn to use data driven practices for managing all Head Start/EHS content areas
- Review data management strategies to track and monitor program services and implement ongoing program improvement
- Learn to implement quality assurance measures to ensure that agency mission goals are maximized
- Learn to use their organizational structure to best utilize staffing patterns and the division of labor to enhance program outcomes
Upon completion of this training session, participants will have gained a variety of skills needed to utilize and implement Quality Assurance tools to assess grantee, delegate and partner operations.
Lead presenter: Terry D. Clayborn, CEO, Clayborn & Associates, Inc.
Tuesday, May 4, 9-4 p.m.
Fee: $125
GEMS Governing Effectively, Engaging Families, Managing Parent Committees and Sustaining the Gains
GEMS 2010 will focus on parent effectiveness at all levels of program governance. This special track will address governance in the Head Start Act and national Head Start initiatives, emphasize successful involvement of parents in program design, decisions and development, and explore how parents, in partnership with staff and schools, can sustain children's gains into the elementary school years and beyond. Upon completion, participants will:
- Understand the roles and responsibilities of parents, the governing body and management staff in program governance, and encourage parents to partner with Boards and program management to design, develop and implement policies and practices that lead to excellence in both governance and services.
- Identify, explore and plan implementation strategies to fully, actively and meaningfully engage families in everything from reinforcing children's learning through at-home activities to active involvement in Policy Councils/Committees, Boards of Directors and beyond.
- Understand and reinforce the critical role of parents in ensuring that their children maintain the gains that they achieve in Head Start and Early Head Start and explore strategies to ensure that it pervades parent-child interaction, positive parenting, school readiness, and advocacy to not only make Head Start children ready for school, but also to make schools ready for children.
Lead presenter: Colleen B. Mendel, Executive Director, Training & Technical Assistance Services (T/TAS), Western Kentucky University
Monday, May 3, 9-4 p.m.
Tuesday, May 4, 9-4 p.m.
Fee: $225
Creating Family-Friendly Schools for Student Success
This interactive session is designed to equip and empower participants with tools and information to promote a caring and family-friendly school climate that embraces all families and students. Presenters will highlight research-based strategies for creating an enriched learning environment that will actively engage and connect parents as meaningful partners in education. Specific areas of focus will include discussion on customer service strategies and six best practices in family involvement. Participants will discover effective tools and innovative ideas for making positive connections with parents; building home-school partnerships; conducting successful parent teacher conferences, and working together to make families feel welcome in the school. A parent involvement customer care guide will be provided as a resource tool for creating high-quality, caring schools where parents are valued as partners in the teaching and learning process.
Lead presenter: Cynthia Jackson-Small, Educational Consultant, Family Dimensions, Inc.
Monday, May 3, 9-4 p.m.
Fee: $125
Planning SAFE and Quality Outdoor Play Environments for Children
Research shows that children greatly benefit from spending time outdoors. This special track will explore how to create quality outdoor play and learning environments for all children. Participants will discover engaging hands-on ideas for materials and equipment to use while understanding how to incorporate safety into the outdoor space. Topics will center on:
- Outdoor play standards by the Consumer Product Safety Commission, the National Health and Safety Performance Standards, and Head Start.
- How to match equipment and materials to children's needs.
- Basic principles pertaining to development of SAFE outdoor play areas.
- Planning for outdoor learning environments that meet the Head Start standards.
- Ways to maintain and supervise outdoor play areas.
- Developing a preliminary plan for outdoor space incorporating design elements.
Lead presenter: Heather Olsen, Ed.D., University of Northern Iowa, National Program for Playground Safety · Co-presenter: Donna Thompson, Ph.D., University of Northern Iowa, National Program for Playground Safety
Monday, May 3, 9-4 p.m.
Fee: $125
Strengths-Based CoachingTM: A Journey Into Coaching for Technical Assistance Specialists, Education Coordinators and Family Service/Engagement Staff
This special track will help those who play key roles as change-agents in supporting and guiding child care professionals. Participants will examine and understand research-based issues surrounding conditions leading to change, and learn how the change agents can motivate adults by building on their strengths. Participants will further learn a practical systematic process, Strengths-Based CoachingTM, that will help them successfully lead others through change and remain motivated and committed to effecting the sustained change that will transform their roles as a leader. Strengths-Based CoachingTM is based on five foundations and provides a basis upon which leaders create partnerships with staff using positive feedback and building on the strengths of each staff member. In this session, participants will explore how their values and beliefs affect their practice, and will partner to brainstorm ideas and share information to improve their programs. Throughout the session, participants will have opportunities to connect with their own experiences; network with others as they explore the information, and practice the skills learned.
Lead presenter: Terrell Ellene Mann, M.A., M.Ed., Professional Development Specialist, Francis Institute for Child and Youth Development, Metropolitan Community College - Penn Valley
Monday, May 3, 9-4 p.m.
Tuesday, May 4, 9-4 p.m.
Fee: $225
Science, Mathematics, Language and Literacy: "Natural" Partners in Early Childhood Curriculum
In this training session, participants will focus on the integration of science, mathematics, language and literacy through common process skills and content knowledge. They will review the Language Development, Literacy, Mathematics, Science, Approaches to Learning, and Physical Health & Development domains in the Head Start Child Outcomes Framework as well as the components of a balanced literacy program in preschool. The ways teachers facilitate composition and construction of texts that can then be read to, with, and by children will be demonstrated as well as ways to engage in science and math activities appropriate for preschool children. At the end of this session, participants will be able to:
- Identify process skills that cross all content areas such as observing and comparing.
- Describe developmentally appropriate science and mathematics activities that engage learners in process skills while addressing content outlined in the Child Outcomes Framework and national content standards;
- Identify examples of "lab" (indoor) and "field" experiences and activities that address process and content learning and serve as a springboard for language and literacy development.
- Describe language/communication processes and components of writing and reading within a literacy program for young children
- Describe ways to use science and mathematics experiences as a springboard for writing and reading through data collection and reporting.
Lead presenter: Kay Timme, M.Ed., Lecturer, College of Education, Sam Houston State University
Monday, May 3, 9-4 p.m.
Fee: $125
Workforce Development: "Moving Families toward Economic Self-Sufficiency"
This special track will examine methods to help low-income families reach economic self-sufficiency. Participants will explore how families can examine their current financial state with regard to their family's economic future; identify personal goals and objectives; assess their talents, skills and abilities; explore creative alternatives to generating income and ways to use the alternative resources to develop a positive, realistic and optimistic outlook toward their future; and learn how to become less dependent on the "system" and more self-sufficient. The session's content is based on the positive outcomes of field tests involving sixty families in ten Head Start programs across the country who participated in The National Exploring Self-Sufficiency Project. Participants will recognize employment opportunities and alternative methods of income generation; utilize financial planning and money management techniques, and identify sources of stress and stress reduction. Additionally, participants will develop an increased awareness of their own needs as individuals and will be encouraged to share ideas and feelings with other participants to foster trust, respect and support.
Lead presenter: Mable M. Jones, M.S. Ed, President, The Jones Connection
Co-presenter: Denota E. Watson, Parent Involvement Coordinator, The School District of Philadelphia
Monday, May 3, 9-4 p.m.
Tuesday, May 4, 9-4 p.m.
Fee: $225
Reaching for a Higher Level of Father Involvement
This training track will help participants build a strong and sustainable father involvement program. Participants will learn the benefits of father involvement to children and Head Start programs; the role of family reading on child outcomes, character development and school readiness, and the best practices that sustain and promote father involvement efforts. Specifically, participants will leave with knowledge of:
- The research and philosophical framework for effective and appropriate father involvement.
- The impact of father involvement on the educational and social-emotional outcomes for children.
- How fathers' literacy and reading practices can positively impact child literacy rates, positive character development, and the skills necessary for school readiness.
- How Head Start programs can address the cultural differences of fathers and families as they work to reach parents for the benefit of children
- Appropriate program components for overcoming staff barriers and building program buy-in.
- Research-based and field-tested best practices for developing, promoting and sustaining effective father involvement programs.
Lead presenter: J. Michael Hall, M.Ed. President and Founder of Strong Fathers-Strong Families, LLC · Co-presenter: Neil Tift Director of Operations for Native American Fatherhood and Families Association · Co-presenter: Cindy Foust President and Author of Alpha Kidz books
Monday, May 3, 9-4 p.m.
Tuesday, May 4, 9-4 p.m.
Fee: $225
More Funding For Your Program: Where to Find It, How to Get It
In these tough economic times, Head Start programs can greatly benefit from having more money to work with to expand services, increase staff salaries, buy new equipment, enlarge or remodel facilities, and pay for professional development. In this special track, presented by a veteran consultant and grant writer, participants will explore lessons designed to help increase their funds. Among other topics presented, participants will leave with increased knowledge of:
- The keys to raising funds for Head Start programs; the elements of a fund development plan; and fundraising roles within the Head Start organization.
- The identification of potential donors, including those who are familiar with Head Start and those who haven't got a clue that the program exists.
- Strategies for raising funds, including person-to-person requests, direct mail, events, and using the program's newsletter and Web site as fund-raising tools.
- The best times during the year to raise money.
- Tailoring messages to specific audiences.
- Credibility - how to demonstrate the vital role that a Head Start program plays.
- Grant-writing basics - how to find grant sources, how to build relationships with them, what should be in place before a proposal is submitted.
- Who should write proposals, how it should be done, to whom should proposals be submitted.
- What should be included in foundation proposals and how it should be presented.
- What to know about writing winning government grant proposals - how to earn the maximum number of points in each section of a federal grant application.
*All attendees will receive a copy of the book Not Just Small Change: Fund Development for Early Childhood Programs
Presenter: Roberta Bergman, M.Ed., Consultant, Author
Tuesday, May 4, 9-4 p.m.
Fee: $150
Green Goes with Everything: The Head Start Institute on Creating Healthier Environments for Children, Staff, Parents and the Planet
Healthier environments both indoors and outdoors can be created through simple changes. In this special track, discussion topics center on the connection between children's health and the environment, special considerations for Head Start children, selecting healthier interior products/building materials, naturalizing outdoor spaces, and engaging staff and parents in the change process. This session provides a place for Head Start/Early Head Start staff, parents, community constituents and policy council members to find out more about creating exciting, healthy and sustainable environments for young children while emphasizing creating environments that meet needs and, at the same time, protect global and community resources and children's health. Participants will leave with knowledge of how to exceed Head Start Performance standards requirements by becoming better, more environmentally-conscious consumers. Among other lessons, participants will be able to:
- Name the resources available for creating healthier environments for young children.
- List the ways that Head Start children may be more vulnerable to environmental toxins.
- List how to evaluate toys and art materials for toxicity.
- Name building certification systems for healthy buildings.
- Purchase equipment that protect both children's health and the environment.
- State how the Performance Standards and outside rating tools can be used to help achieve healthy environments.
- State ways to design outdoor play spaces that are compliant with the American's with Disabilities Act (ADA) rules.
- State the design steps involved in outdoor renovation/construction projects.
- List resources for programs on how to naturalize their outdoor spaces.
Lead presenter: Vicki L. Stoecklin, M.S.Ed, Education & Child Development Director, White Hutchinson Leisure & Learning Group
1.5 Days
Tuesday, May 4, 9-4 p.m.
Fee: $125
Repairing the Breach: Making the Home-School Connection
This special track is designed to transform Head Start programs and provide staff and families with a formula to create an atmosphere where long term school success is established. This track will provide lessons on how to develop an agenda that will enhance and improve program outcomes by making the home-school connection. Participants will be provided knowledge and understanding of how to restore continuity between home learning experiences and school readiness skills and will gain knowledge of what research and the performance standards say about the important role families play in developing school readiness skills. Additional learning will center on:
- Utilizing home experiences to improve and enhance learning outcomes, and help families build upon their observation skills.
- Reviews of research based evidence on the important role families play in the development of children.
- An in-depth look at what Performance Standards require programs to execute to engage families with discussion centered on ways standards are currently met and improvements that could be made to further support family engagement.
- A comparison of current research to Performance Standards using The Federal Role in Out of School Learning, a Harvard Family Research Project report.
- Learning how to use the Head Start Child Outcomes Framework, State Standards, and Curriculum to create focused-learning experiences for families.
- Gaining knowledge on how everyday home experiences can be used to meet standards and establish long term school success.
- Creating opportunities for parents to use observation skills.
- Discovering how to use technology to enhance learning experiences.
Participants will leave this training session with a strategic plan for overcoming roadblocks, an activity package useful in creating focused learning experiences for families, and an in home guide for parents.
Victoria Newkirk, Stark County Community Action Agency Head Start
Tuesday, May 4, 9-4 p.m.
Fee: $125
Literacy through a Song-Based Intervention
This special track introduces song-based strategies as simple yet effective research-based early interventions that accelerate children in literacy skills. Song-based strategies will be presented, as well as other activities that have been successfully used with families in early literacy learning and with children who don't have many print or English language experiences in their early world. Participants will learn the theory, sing and dance to the songs, examine the research, and be motivated to use the strategies with children in their care. Important take home strategies will help participants:
- use song-based strategies to enhance language and boost children in naming and writing letters and words, reading print, and writing messages
- learn songs that teach words leading children naturally into looking at print
- learn to use songs to involve families in reading and writing activities at home.
Lead presenter: LaDonna Wicklund, Early Literacy Specialist, I CAN READ, Inc.
Tuesday, May 4, 9-4 p.m.
Fee: $125
Focusing on Outcomes: Using Data to Make Decisions and Tools to Move Toward Outcome-Based Management
Every Head Start program is required to track incredible amounts of data - for everything from the PIR, to regular on-going monitoring, to information on compliance with Head Start requirements - but rarely is this data used to help make good decisions. In addition, much of the data Head Start programs are required to track focus on process but not outcomes. For example, programs track if the screenings and family partnerships completed on time, but not if the child actually received treatment, and/or if the family made progress on their goals. This special pre-conference will help participants learn how to use data more effectively, and provide a framework that enable you to focus on the most important data in real time.
Finally, participants will also learn about how to move from focusing on process and compliance to focusing on outcomes and excellence.
Lead Presenter: Aaron Lieberman, CEO of Acelero Learning
Monday, May 3, 9-4 p.m.
Tuesday, May 4, 9-4 p.m.
Fee: Member $549 · Non-member $599
Wipfli Management Track: Head Start Management Issues
Monday, May 3 and Tuesday, May 4, 2010 8:30a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Lead Presenter: Howard Gesbeck Jr., CPA, JD, Partner, Wipfli LLP
Howard Gesbeck is nationally recognized for his comprehensive work with Early Head Start and Head Start, other grant-funded programs, and particularly for his expertise with Head Start Federal regulations and OMB Circulars. Join Howard for this two-day session discussing Head Start Management Issues surrounding the following topics:
- FY10 OHS Monitoring Protocol - Fiscal Management
- FY10 OHS Monitoring Protocol - Program Design & Management
- Head Start In-Kind
- Head Start Current Issues
Participants will receive a comprehensive training manual including outlines and regulations, daily morning refreshments and afternoon breaks. For more information contact Wipfli at (888) 876-4992 or visit www.wipfli.com/NHSA2010.
Please note: You must register for this track directly with Wipfli at www.wipfli.com/NHSA2010, and the fee does not include regular conference registration.
Fee: $545 before April 9, 2010; $595 April 9, 2010 or later