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.Commitment. At many of the conferences we’ve attended in recent months, and with the Fall Leadership Institute being no exception, the tone was one of engagement and commitment to meeting the needs of young children and families. While NHSA leadership spoke about the challenges of the past year and those that lie ahead, the focus was overwhelmingly on elevating the voice of Head Start and maintaining a commitment to the core principles of the program.Responsiveness. We saw responsiveness to federal administrative priorities embedded in session offerings. For example, there was a session on nutrition and wellness as well as sessions that presented strategies for adapting to new guidance related to enrollment and parent choice. As federal guidance to Head Start evolves, programs are adapting with a renewed commitment to moving forward.Advocacy. The rich history of Head Start was evident at the Fall Leadership Institute, and speakers touched on the importance of advocacy alongside flexibility. Speakers noted how deeply connected Head Start programs are within communities across the country and this being something to celebrate and highlight. While Head Start may face changes (e.g., restructuring, budget uncertainty), it's roots are unchanged. Communities need Head Start, and advocacy is a powerful tool for communicating its vital importance.Follow up. We heard NHSA leaders and speakers note the importance of follow up to advocacy through ongoing communication and meetings. While in DC, many conference attendees met with Members of Congress. This was an incredible opportunity for face-to-face meetings. Leaders encouraged follow up notes and conversations as well as continuing to ask questions and provide feedback. Coordinated and ongoing advocacy supports relationship-building and open communication.Inspiration. It was inspiring to hear about how Head Start has impacted generations and individuals’ lives. This came through in conference presentations, acknowledgements of alumni, and conversations. With broad representation across regions, states, and local communities, the Fall Leadership Institute provided many opportunities for learning about the impact of Head Start!This fall, we continue to make our way to a number of Head Start conferences. From October 21-24, we’ll be at the 2025 Region VI Head Start Association OHS Southwest Fall Conference. Then, November 12-13, we’ll be at the Tennessee Head Start Association Conference. At the Tennessee Head Start Association Conference, we’ll be presenting Risk Mitigation to Improve Quality and Prevent Competition (November 13, 9:00-10:15am). If you’ll be at either of these conferences, we’d love to connect!Foundations for Families offers a variety of consulting services to Head Start programs, from community assessment and wage studies to grant writing and many services in between. If your agency needs assistance with a specific project or is interested to explore how we can assist your program, please reach out. We would be glad to discuss your program’s needs.Thank you.Thank you for reading our blog. We encourage you to use our blog posts for thought, integration, and sharing. When using or sharing content from blog posts, please attribute the original content to Foundations for Families.