Insights from Experts
Talking Points
Talking Points offers insights from experts on the topics we know are important to organizations working to strengthen communities, including organizational development, childcare, and housing stabilization. Our writers share their knowledge, research, and practical strategies for building the structures and systems you need to promote excellence in service delivery.
Talking Points is published a minimum of monthly. Subscribing also gives you access to our Monthly Round Up, where we highlight blog posts, upcoming events, and newsworthy research and reflections.
Head Start Updates from This Fall’s Regional Conferences
The start to fall has been a busy time for Head Start regional conferences. As we’ve been out and about, we’ve heard from experts and professionals from across the field who have offered updates and insights into the current status and future of Head Start. Here, we share some of the highlights we learned. We hope you’ll find them useful!
Statement on Artificial Intelligence
With the growth of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in recent years, and the prevalence of generative AI in the workplace, we think it is important to share with you how we do and do not use these tools. With that in mind, we developed a Statement on Artificial Intelligence. The statement is posted to the Foundations for Families website and is included below.
What to Know and How to Prepare for FY2026 Head Start Monitoring
With the fall season comes the start of the Head Start monitoring cycle. While there are some similarities with past years about the timing and purpose of reviews, the format and protocol look different in many ways. It will be important for grant recipients who are expecting a review to be aware of these changes to ensure they are adequately prepared for a successful review.
Advocacy and Action at the NHSA Fall Leadership Institute
Last week, Head Start programs from across the country came together at the National Head Start Association (NHSA) Fall Leadership Institute. As always, we enjoyed spending time with Head Start leaders we’ve known for years as well as those we met for the first time. Check out some of our key takeaways from the conference.
Chambers of Commerce Recognize Child Care as Essential to Strong Workforce
Chambers of Commerce span the country, regionally and locally, and are comprised of members that engage in networking, advocacy, and collaboration to address issues and create opportunities for the business community. Chambers have a longstanding history, as the U.S. Chamber of Commerce was created in 1912 – more than 100 years ago! Since then, chambers expanded significantly, with many states and counties having their own chamber of commerce.
Q&A Recap on Nutrition and Healthy Eating Funding for Head Start
Yesterday, August 4, the Office of Head Start (OHS) held a webinar, Accessing One-time Funds for Healthy Eating in Head Start Programs Webinar, to support the application process for one-time supplemental nutrition and healthy funding for Head Start programs (including Early Head Start programs) that was announced in Program Instruction (PI) ACF-OHS-PI-25-02 on July 29. Following a review of the PI, OHS staff responded to questions from participants. Here, we recap the highlights from the Q&A that we think might be useful to ensure you have what you need to get started on your application as the deadline fast approaches.
Get Ready to Apply for One-Time Nutrition and Healthy Eating Funding
On July 29, 2025, the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) issued a Program Instruction (PI), One-time Supplemental Funds for Nutrition and Healthy Eating for Head Start Children and Families ACF-OHS-PI-25-02, providing a description of supplemental funding that will be available to Head Start programs and how to apply. While there will be a webinar offered on Monday, August 4 to learn more about the process for requesting supplemental funds, we strongly encourage interested applicants to begin preparing now as there is a quick turnaround deadline (August 22) and it is unclear how long funding will be available. Here are a few ways you can prepare.
Six Tips for Responding to Federal Priorities in Head Start
Last month, we presented a webinar, Responding to Federal Priorities, to provide practical ways to operationalize federal guidance and identify strategies to think proactively about program activities. The webinar focused on the primary priorities as identified in Secretary Kennedy’s May testimony about the President’s HHS FY 2026 Budget, as well as two recent IMs - ACF-OHS-IM-25-03 Promoting Healthy Eating and Nutrition for Head Start Children and Families (March 2025) and ACF-OHS-IM-25-04 Expanding Educational Freedom and Opportunities for Families in Head Start Programs (April 2025). Those priorities included increasing parental choice; improving health, education, and employment outcomes; increasing program delivery efficiency; and promoting parental engagement. Thank you to all who joined!
Join Us! Webinar on Responding to Federal Priorities
On June 26, 1:00-2:00pm ET, Patti Greenstein, Senior Consultant at Foundations for Families, will host a webinar, Responding to Federal Priorities, designed for Head Start/Early Head Start directors and managers interested in learning about federal priorities and how programs can respond. Attendees will learn practical ways to operationalize federal guidance, identify strategies to think proactively about program activities, and hear tips for leveraging resources and time.
Highlights from the 2025 National Head Start Conference
The National Head Start Conference, which took place May 19-22 in Columbus, Ohio, was an incredible gathering of experts and peers. Thank you to everyone who attended our session on wage comparability. It was wonderful seeing familiar faces and meeting new Head Start leaders!There were many sessions, luncheons, and events at the conference, and we were fortunate to participate as presenters and attendees. Here, we share some of the federal updates we learned from NHSA and other interesting information to support the Head Start community.
The Annual Report: Connecting to Your Community Through Storytelling and Reporting
Head Start Program Performance Standards require that programs must disseminate an annual report each fiscal year that complies with section 644(a)(2) of the Head Start Act and includes a summary of the program’s most recent community assessment. An annual report can be a powerful tool to communicate about the progress, outcomes, and financial status of your program.
Getting Ready for a Focus Area 2 Review: Protocol, Policies, and Process
Focus Area 2 monitoring reviews are an opportunity for programs to demonstrate their effectiveness in implementing a high-quality program to promote positive outcomes and school readiness for children and their families. It includes discussions, data reviews, and observations. Taking time to prepare for a Focus Area 2 review, so that you can address any issues in advance, will help to ensure a successful review.
The Five Ws of Community Assessment Surveys, an Interview with My Linh Nguyen
My Linh Nguyen shares her insights on the value of stakeholder input in community needs assessments and how this data can be used to understand family, staff, and community needs. Ms. Nguyen is a consultant with Foundations for Families, specializing in community needs assessments, data research, and grant writing.
Proactive Steps to Help Manage Budget Uncertainty in Head Start
This past month has led to feelings of uncertainty within the Head Start community, as many programs faced temporary funding freezes and were left unable to access funds. While we hope these scenarios do not continue to play out for Head Start providers, serving the most vulnerable children and families in communities, it’s difficult to predict what may come next.
Planning Your Community Assessment with the New HSPPS Final Rule
The new year is a great time for organizations to set goals and build capacity! Foundations for Families can help you meet the updated standards for Community Assessment so that you fully understand the strengths, needs, and resources available in your service area.On February 11, we will be at the Region IV Annual Training Conference and Expo in Atlanta facilitating a pre-conference workshop on Community Assessment and the Final Rule. At this all-day session, your program will learn how to use the latest data to tell your community’s story.
Data Tips for Estimating the Number of Children Income-Eligible for HS/EHS
Last year was a time of transition with the release of updated Head Start Program Performance Standards, new funding available through Early Head Start – Child Care Partnership (EHS-CCP) and Early Head Start Expansion grants, and competition for DRS grants in many states throughout the country. All this while programs juggle enrollment, staffing, and evolving community needs.
FY2025 Monitoring Kicks Off with Updates Aligned to Performance Standards
The FY2025 Head Start monitoring season is getting started, and the Office of Head Start (OHS) hosted a kickoff webinar last week. This year, there are changes to the monitoring process and the protocols. Many of these changes are to bring the protocols into alignment with the updated Head Start Program Performance Standards (Performance Standards). Here, we highlight some of the key takeaways from the FY25 Monitoring Kickoff Webinar and our initial review of OHS monitoring protocols.
OHS Highlights from the NHSA Fall Leadership Institute
The NHSA Fall Leadership Institute took place last week, and there was no shortage of federal updates. At the Office of Head Start (OHS) Town Hall, we learned about implementation of the new Head Start Program Performance Standards (Performance Standards) and heard about the types of resources and supports that will be available to programs. Attendees were encouraged to share what they learned in the session with others. Here are a few of the top highlights.
6 Tips for an Outstanding Head Start Annual Report
Out of all the requirements for Head Start programs, one that is the relatively standard and low stakes is the annual report. Required each year, the annual report provides an opportunity to share highlights, successes, and important information with the community, alongside required financial reporting. Below are six tips to help programs create a compliant and high-quality Head Start annual report that communicates clearly and effectively to the public.