National Head Start Association

Conference Presentations & Resources Available Now

NHSA’s Fall 2012 Leadership Institute is designed to provide the policy insights, tools, and advocacy that will strengthen the effectiveness of Head Start program leaders as they participate in important discussions, locally, in their states, and nationally, about the future of early learning and Head Start.

At the top of the agenda for every discussion about the future of Head Start and Early Learning will be the effect of the upcoming presidential election. However, funding challenges, developments in monitoring reform, the anticipated September release of the third grade results of the Head Start Impact Study, and states’ experiments with early learning systems will also present both obstacles and opportunities influencing which path forward Head Start chooses.

In many states, early learning is at a turning point because of the energy generated by The Early Learning Challenge competition. As states look to build early childhood systems to improve quality and to increase access for low income children, the big question is how will Head Start fit in the evolving state systems? The strategic task for local and state Head Start leaders is to actively participate in and even to lead the discussions about which direction system-building in their states will take.

The Fall 2012 Leadership Institute will address these important challenges and opportunities in discussions with thought leaders, networking opportunities, and an update from the Office of Head Start. A visit to Capitol Hill will provide an opportunity to educate your representatives in Congress about your good work. New Head Start and Early Head Start directors and management staff will find a welcoming community and special sessions and opportunities to network with seasoned peers.

 In consideration of the Jewish Holiday, Rosh Hashanah, NHSA's Fall Leadership Institute will convene Wednesday, September 19, 2012.  We apologize in advance for any challenges this may present to you or your agency.

Schedule-at-a-Glance

Effective Head Start Monitoring & Managing Outcomes Part 1
(Additional fee required) 

Effective Head Start Monitoring & Managing Outcomes Part 2
(Additional fee required)

Policy Challenges and Opportunities for the Next Administration

Regardless of who wins the Presidency and which party takes control of the Senate and the House, early learning stands at a crossroads. The Head Start field faces not only pressures on funding, growing poverty, and opponents who refuse to think broadly about impact, but also opportunities to both lead conversations about early childhood care and education and to be the nationally recognized model for best practices. The thought leaders on this panel will try to identify the paths forward - some smooth and sunny, others bumpy and slippery - the entire early learning field will need to navigate over the next four years. The session will culminate in a discussion of how Head Start can lead the way to a brighter future.

Examining the Challenges and Opportunities for the Current Head Start System

Head Start is the nation’s most developed national early learning system. As states work to create early learning systems of their own, the Head Start system must decide how its unique structure can inspire states and integrate with what they create. This panel will explore the features of Head Start as a national system and then discuss the challenges and opportunities Head Start faces in building on its knowledge, expertise, and skills to fit with state early learning systems. Specifically, the panel will focus on Head Start’s skills in working with state data systems, influencing parent and family engagement practices, leveraging funding sources, and ensuring effective professional development training and requirements and how those practices can be shared across early learning.

Monitoring Reform: Choosing a New Direction

During the past six months, a national conversation has been taking place about how to best reform the monitoring system for Head Start, child care, and other early learning programs. The goal of the reforms is to create the most efficient system possible while ensuring basic safety and high quality for children. This session will begin by highlighting the recommendations for reform from NHSA’s Monitoring Task Force and will culminate in a discussion about the proposals and plans for reform, led by Deputy Assistant Secretary Linda Smith from the Administration for Children and Families.

Telling the Truth About Head Start: Beyond the Impact Study

Today, Head Start boasts more than 27 million alumni - working, learning, and achieving success. Yet the Head Start Impact Study has led some thought leaders, pundits, and academics to question the educational impact of Head Start. In light of the release (or imminent release) of the 3rd Grade Impact Study follow-up this fall, this session will explore what impact truly means for Head Start children and families and will offer lessons on how best to communicate Head Start’s impacts. The session will be guided by one of the leading experts in crisis communications.

Split Sessions: (Breakfast included)

Hill Visit Prep 101

For new advocates, learn key terms, understand the importance of your visits, practice talking points and know what to expect from a Day on the Hill.

Hill Visit Prep 201

For experienced advocates, prepare for your hill visit with a more detailed  conversation about upcoming legislation, political nuance, and key talking points.

Innovation – Head Start’s Best Kept Secret!

For nearly fifty years, Head Start has been the site of research, innovation and deepening understanding of early learning. Repeatedly faced with budgetary pressures, obstacles in service delivery, and many other challenges, Head Start programs nonetheless have found creative solutions to difficult problems. However, programs rarely realize just how unique and impressive their practices are! This panel will feature four truly innovative Head Start programs and will offer a discussion on recognizing and celebrating innovation.

Office of Head Start Update

Opening Keynote

Samuel Meisels, President, Erikson Institute

Policy Challenges and Opportunities for the Next Administration

Lisa Guernsey, Director, Early Education Initiative, New America Foundation
Neera Tanden, President, Center for American Progress
Joel Packer, Executive Director, Committee on Education Funding

Examining the Challenges and Opportunities for the Current Head Start System

Mary Baskett, Director, Head Start Innovation Consortium
Gayle Kelly, Executive Director, Minnesota Head Start Association
Pamm Shaw, President, California Head Start Association

Monitoring Reform: Choosing a New Direction

Linda Smith, Deputy Assistant Secretary and Inter-Departmental Liaison for Early Childhood Development, Administration for Children and Families
Yasmina Vinci , Executive Director, NHSA

Telling the Truth About Head Start: Beyond the Impact Study

Larry Schweinhart, President, HighScope Educational Research Foundation
Lee Carter, Partner, Maslansky, Luntz + Partners

Innovation Consortium Meet-Up

Mary Baskett, Director, Head Start Innovation Consortium

New Directors Meet-Up

Jane Adams, Director of Projects and Partnerships, NHSA

Hill Visit Preparation

Tommy Sheridan, Senior Manager, Government Affairs, NHSA
Therese Magnuson, Vice President, Beacon Consulting
Lisa Stewart, Beacon Consulting

Innovation – Head Start’s Best Kept Secret!

Phil Accord, President/CEO, Children's Home/Chambliss Center
Anne Suggitt, Early Childhood Programs Manager, Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians
Joy Trejo, Senior Director of Early Childhood Programs and Family Support Services, The Campagna Center

Update From The Office of Head Start

Yvette Sanchez Fuentes, Director, Office of Head Start
Ann Linehan, Deputy Director, Office of Head Start
Colleen Rathgeb, Director of Policy and Planning, Office of Head Start
Ross Weaver, Office of Head Start

Closing Session

Charles M. Blow, Visual Op-Ed Columnist, New York Times