Head Start: Leading the Way for Children, Families and Communities
Head Start was announced in 1965 by former President Lyndon Johnson. Since then, over 27 million children and their families have benefited from the comprehensive services of Head Start and Early Head Start. In the video above (click to watch), parents, former Head Start graduates and staff share how Head Start has shaped their lives and transformed their communities.
Donate to the Elmore Scholarship
Help further the educational opportunities of our members.
Visit our Jobs Board to see the job descriptions of positions available in the Head Start industry in Virginia and the region. And if you are a Head Start organization, send us your open jobs and we'll post them. Vist the VAHSA Jobs Board.
Staff Training
2012 Head Start Professional Development Series brought to you by
The ACF Region III Head Start Office and T/TA System -- Learn more!
School Readiness Regional Training was a success!
Community of Practice School Readiness Goal Session Follow Up calls
SE Region Feb. 15, 1:00-2:30 PM
SW Region Feb 16, 1:00-2:30 PM
NW Region Feb 21, 1:00-2:30 PM
NE Region Feb 28, 1:00-2:30 PM
Early Head Start Feb. 29, 1:00-2:30
Call in number is 877-423-6338, participant code 587678 (I will send this out. Just say that grantees should have received an e-mail with the call in number and if they have questions, they can e-mail me at ajanney-schultz@icfi.com
2011 VaHSA Health Institute -- Held in Lynchburg Nov. 2-3, 2011. See the PPTs and other resources on the Health page.
2011 Infant &Toddler Summit -- Held in Staunton Aug. 9 & 10. See the powerpoints.
2011 Kids Count Data Center
The Annie E. Casey Foundation and Voices for Virginia’s Children 2011 KIDS COUNT Data Book, released August 2011, provides national and state-by-state data on key indicators of child well-being.
School Readiness Regional Trainings were a success! Check out the follow up info below in the staff section.
Conf early bird rates extended! Take advantage of the lower rates -- early bird rate has been extended until Friday, Feb. 24, 2012. Register now!
Senator Warner to speak by video -- Because of Senate responsibilities, Senator Warner will not be able to appear in person at the 2012 Conference. However, he is preparing a video speech targeted specifically for our Head Start audience. And at least one member of his staff will be present at the opening session of the conference. Read more news.
Top Head Start leaders to speak -- The nation’s top Head Start leaders will be featured speakers at the plenary session on Day 2 of the 2012 Annual Training Conference, March 28. Read more news.
Grant opportunity -- check out the 2012 In Motion Outdoors Little Tikes Commercial Playground Grant. Visit the Grant page.
The Virginia General Assembly is now in session. Now is a good time to check out our Advocacy Resources. A great source of Virginia budget and legislative news for child advocates can be found at Voices for Virginia's Children.
Buy your ad NOW for the annual training conference program brochure. You don't need to attend the conf. to buy an ad. Deadline March 5, 2012.
Success Story: Head Start alleviates worry for parent who is full-time nursing student. Read more.
Head Start Teachers Go WILD! Thanks to a partnership with the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, over 200 Virginia Head Start teachers have been trained in the outdoor curriculum Growing Up Wild. Read more.
Elmore Scholarship recipients announced -- Kristen Jenkins and Brandy Ferguson, both of the STEP, Inc. Head Start program, were the first recipients of the Nancy Elmore Scholarships, awarded June 20, 2011 in Virginia Beach. Read more.
VAHSA Awards Mini-Grants -- Eight lucky programs were tapped to receive $2000 mini-grants to assist them in achieving specific goals. The awards were presented by President Chris Austin at the June 2011 Directors and Board of Directors meeting. Read more.
Reflection on Head Start: Read a letter printed in the Richmond Times-Dispatch by Ann Rasmussen, VOICES Policy Analyst. Read the letter (PDF)
Visit our advocacy page to learn how you can help spread the word about Head Start and it's many success stories.
Maxine McKinney, VAHSA Executive Director, attended the Johnson & Johnson – UCLA Management Fellows Advanced Management Institute. Read more.
The Resource Directory: The Soho Center and the Virginia Head Start Association are working together to help 16,000 young children across Virginia. Read more.
Consultant Directory in the works -- VAHSA is building a Consultant Directory to aid members and consultants. See the Consultant Directory page.
Find and Post Jobs
2011 Kids Count Data Center 
Head Start News
Upcoming Head Start Events
