New England Head Start Association

P.O. Box 54, East Calais, VT  05650

(802) 522-4078

Dear New England Head Start Friends and Colleagues:

Registration is now open for the 2018 annual Regional Leadership Conference.  This year’s workshops have been divided into tracks for new parent leaders, more experienced parent leaders, managers and directors.  This conference is structured to help programs support leaders at every stage. Parents, staff, and directors can look forward to leaving this conference as more knowledgeable collaborators, ready to tackle the issues and situations confronting families and programs.  We’ll have the opportunity to hear from National Head Start Association’s NHSA’s senior legislative director, Tommy Sheridan, and our Region I Head Start Manager, Marina Winkler.

Head Start leaders are invited to a Pre-Conference Governance Seminar Led by OHS’ Region I Program Specialists and TTA Grantee Specialists. Governance in Head Start is unique, complex, and inclusive of three distinct parts: management, the governing board and Policy Council. Meanwhile, Head Start programs are housed in many different types and size organizations with different governance structures. As a result, there is no “one size fits all” approach to ensure compliance and best practice. This seminar will provide opportunities for grantee teams of Directors, Board members and Policy Council members to learn of effective practices that they can apply toward success. 

Early Head Start Child Care Partnership grantees and their partners are invited to participate in a pre-conference meeting with Donna Brown on Tuesday morning.

New England Head Start has been able to keep the Leadership Conference rates the same as last year despite higher hotel costs.  The following table outlines the rates for the Leadership Conference, the Governance Pre-Conference, the Early Head Start Child Care Partnership (EHS-CCP) meeting, and the optional Box Lunch for Wednesday, December 5.  

Both the Governance Pre-Conference and the EHS-CCP meeting are presented by our regional office.  As such, the fees for these two events cover logistical costs only; specifically, the hotel facility cost, meals associated with each event, and a $25 fee to register participants, print badges and certificates, etc.  Participants are not charged for federal and T/TA staff who present at the pre-conference events.

The Courtyard Marriott in Nashua, New Hampshire will again host us. The deadline for reserving rooms at the special conference rate of $115 is November 3.  Call (603) 880-9100 to make your reservations and be sure to mention that you’re part of the New England Head Start Association. 

Sincerely,

Karen Ennis, Chair Marianne Miller, Executive Director