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A new survey examines the ICE enforcement impact on Head Start programs across the country. The Washington State Association of Head Start and ECEAP (WSA), alongside the Pennsylvania and Wisconsin Head Start Associations, surveyed 277 directors, leadership staff, frontline staff, parents, and caregivers across seven states to understand how ICE enforcement activity is impacting the children and families they serve. Here is what they found.

Read the full report here

ICE enforcement impact on Head Start programs Survey Overview

Children Are Showing Signs of Trauma

47% of respondents observed negative behavioral changes in children matching clinical symptoms of anxiety, stress, and trauma. Staff reported developmental regression, hypervigilance, withdrawal from unfamiliar adults, and children who are afraid to play outside. These effects were observed in both immigrant and non-immigrant children.

“Children are afraid to leave their homes thinking that they won’t see their parents again.”

The ICE Enforcement Impact on Head Start Programs: ICE Activity Is Widespread

52% of program leaders reported at least one instance of ICE activity near their facility in the past 12 months. 6.3% reported activity specifically during drop-off and pick-up times.

Families Are Pulling Back

26% of parents altered their daily drop-off or pick-up routines to avoid potential exposure to ICE activity. 33% reported severe anxiety about traveling to their Head Start center. Staff observed significant drops in parent meeting attendance, workshops, and classroom volunteering.

“Families do not always directly tell us that their absence or change of address is due to immigration fears. What we DO know is that in neighborhoods with a higher number of first-time immigrant populations, we have a much higher absenteeism and movement than we have ever experienced before.”

Attendance and Enrollment Are Suffering

78% of staff reported that ICE enforcement activities had a noticeable impact on student attendance. Programs averaged a 7% unenrollment rate due to immigration fears, and 14% of directors reported delays in new student registrations.

Programs Are Being Stretched

The ICE enforcement impact on Head Start programs extends beyond the classroom. 76% of program leaders received staff requests for guidance on handling ICE encounters. 71% of programs upgraded security infrastructure and created formal response protocols. Staff reported a critical need for legal rights education, protocol training, and emergency safety plans for children of detained parents.

“Staff have been heartbroken that families ask them if they will be the emergency contact for the child if the parent is picked up.”

Staff Are Still Showing Up

Despite the strain, 95% of Head Start staff refused to reduce their hours or take leave.

“Assurance that our buildings are safe and we are safe.” — Head Start Director, on what families and staff need most.

Read the full report here

Read WHSA's Media Release

Take action now: Tell Congress to Pass the Sensitive Locations Act

The post How ICE Is Affecting Head Start Children, Families and Staff appeared first on Head Start Wisconsin.

Advocate for Head Start

What’s at Stake on Head Start’s 61st Birthday

Head Start’s 61st birthday comes at a critical moment. Federal funding and policy decisions made in Washington directly affect whether programs in Wisconsin can keep their doors open, maintain their staff, and serve the families who need them most. That’s why advocacy isn’t optional. It’s part of the work.

What You Can Do

Head Start has always been driven by people who believe in it. Here’s how you can be part of keeping it strong:

• Reach out to your members of Congress and share why Head Start matters in your community.
• Support your local Head Start program and the families it serves.
• Share this post to help more people understand what Head Start does and why it’s worth protecting.

Every action, big or small, helps make sure Head Start is here for the next generation of Wisconsin kids.

The post Monday, May 18 marks the 61st birthday of Head Start appeared first on Head Start Wisconsin.

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The post Statewide Leadership Summit — Registration Now Open appeared first on Head Start Wisconsin.

Perfect for New Employees + Continuing Professional Growth

$90  |  Spring Implementation

Why This Works for Your Team

Onboarding new staff? Communities of Practice offer the fastest way to:

• Connect new employees with Wisconsin’s Head Start network
• Learn from experienced professionals across the state
• Understand real-world Head Start challenges and solutions
• Build relationships that support long-term success

Continuing your own growth? Join peers who understand your work and share practical strategies you can use immediately.

Check out the Full Schedule: https://whsacommunities20252026.sched.com/

Get Your Ticket

Spring Implementation: April 7-16, 2026

$90 = Access to 10 sessions across all Communities

Turn ideas into action with practical strategies for lasting impact. Close the program year strong.

10 Communities of Practice (Attend Any/All Sessions in Your Series)

• Health and Nutrition – Child health, nutrition, food safety, healthy environments
• Mental Health – Social-emotional development, trauma-informed care, behavioral support
• Education Managers and Specialists – Educational strategies, classroom management
• Inclusion and Disabilities – Inclusive practices, early intervention, disability support
• Human Resources and Staff Engagement – Recruitment, retention, positive work culture
• Home Visiting – Family relationships, home-based program strategies
• ERSEA – Enrollment, eligibility, recruitment, attendance
• Family Services – Parent-child relationships, family support, community partnerships
• Coaches – Coaching skills, teacher support, classroom improvement
• Data Management – Data collection, analysis, reporting, program improvement

With one $90 registration, attend ANY sessions that interest you!

Get Your Ticket

What You Get

✓ 10 sessions per series – attend as many as fit your schedule
✓ Expert facilitators rated 9.6/10
✓ Flexible 2-week format
✓ Peer network across Wisconsin
✓ Practical solutions to implement immediately
✓ 90-minute virtual sessions via Zoom

Perfect For

✓ New Head Start employees learning the landscape
✓ Experienced professionals wanting peer support
✓ Teams building collective knowledge
✓ Anyone seeking collaborative problem-solving

What Participants Say

“The peer connections I made transformed not just my practice, but my entire approach to serving families.”

“Finally, professional development that gave me solutions I never would have found alone.”

Facilitator Rating: 9.6/10 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Register Now

SPRING IMPLEMENTATION – $90
April 7-16, 2026

Get Your Ticket

View Schedule: https://whsacommunities20252026.sched.com/

We’re stronger together. Join Wisconsin’s Head Start professional community.

#WHSACommunities #HeadStartWI #EarlyChildhood #ProfessionalDevelopment

The post Spring Implementation: Communities of Practice appeared first on Head Start Wisconsin.

Join us for the Wisconsin Head Start Association’s 24th Annual Training Conference
Monday – Wednesday, February 23-25, 2026

This three-day event brings together the entire early childhood community—from Head Start and Early Head Start staff to parents, families, and child care providers. Whether you’re a birth-to-three professional, home visitor, ECE student or educator, or work with tribal and migrant programs, you’ll find sessions designed for you. Healthcare and social service partners, state agencies, and CCR&R professionals are also essential voices in this gathering.

Together, we’ll strengthen our shared commitment to Wisconsin’s youngest learners and the families we serve. to your important work feeling inspired and equipped with new tools to serve Wisconsin’s children and families. This conference offers professional development designed specifically for those who believe every child deserves the best possible start in life.

When: Monday – Wednesday, February 23 – 25, 2026

Where: Kalahari Resort & Convention Center, 1305 Kalahari Dr., Wisconsin Dells, WI  53965

Workshops will also cover our core framework areas: Child Development, Family Systems and Dynamics, Diversity, Special Needs and Inclusive Practices, Learning Experiences and Curriculum, Health Safety and Nutrition, Guidance and Nurturing, Observation and Assessment, Family and Community Relationships, Professionalism, Planning and Reflection, and Administration and Management.

Room Block Closes Friday, January 30, 2026 Attendees will receive room block information and booking links upon registration.

Registration is now open! Secure your spot for three days of professional development designed specifically for Wisconsin’s Head Start community.

What’s Happening:

• Keynote Speakers: Dr. Alonzo Kelly (Monday, February 23) and Dr. El Brown (Tuesday, February 24)
• Keynote Connection Session: A special 30-minute interactive Q&A opportunity with our keynote speakers
• Workshop Selection Underway: An exciting lineup of professional development sessions is being finalized. The full schedule will be released soon.

Get Involved:

• Sponsors: Sponsorship opportunities are available, offering multiple levels of visibility and support for Wisconsin’s Head Start professionals. Connect with WHSA!

The full workshop schedule is available and Registration is open!

whsa2026annualconference.sched.com.

Contact: For questions, comments or if you would like more information,  email whsassist@whsaonline.org

The post WHSA 2026 Annual Training Conference appeared first on Head Start Wisconsin.

Nominate a colleague, team member, or yourself! Share why this person is a gift to Head Start and how they embody our mission every day.

The post Nominate a colleague, team member, or yourself! appeared first on Head Start Wisconsin.

**En inglés y español** The WHSA Affiliate Scholarships are annual awards funded through proceeds from WHSA fundraising efforts and event raffles. These scholarships are specifically designed for Head Start and Early Head Start parents and staff members who are actively pursuing educational advancement.

Applications will be available Spring 2026.

Becas Para Afiliadas de WHSA

Las Becas para Afiliadas de WHSA son premios anuales financiados a través de las ganancias de los esfuerzos de recaudación de fondos y rifas de eventos de WHSA. Estas becas están diseñadas específicamente para padres y miembros del personal de Head Start y Early Head Start que están persiguiendo activamente un avance educativo. Si está interesado en aplicar, por favor complete la solicitud apropiada localizado en línea. Para obtener más información sobre elegibilidad y para acceder a la solicitud, por favor haga clic en los enlaces proporcionados a continuación.

Aplicaciones estarán disponibles en la primavera de 2026.

The post Affiliate Scholarships | Becas Para Afiliadas de WHSA appeared first on Head Start Wisconsin.

Description

A strong Governance System is built on clear processes, adherence to requirements, and development of positive relationships between management and Governing Bodies, which are essential to support compliance, continuous improvement and innovation. This on-demand, virtual series will educate participants about the roles and responsibilities of Governing bodies including requirements and regulations, and provide participants with the required Governing Body training in an overview of the Head Start Program Performance Standards (HSPPS) and in HSPPS’s eligibility, selection and enrollment requirements. Additionally, because many Grantees go beyond minimum requirements to achieve continuous improvement in their Governance systems, this series will include a discussion of operational best practices of Policy Councils and strategies to elevate Policy Council members and families as leaders in your organization.

Click Here to Sign-Up!

This series is ideal for Policy Council and Governing Body members, as well as staff who design and/or support Governance systems and operations. The on-demand series is divided into several small sections, allowing programs to incorporate them into their meeting structure and pace.  All series materials (including a short training and recruitment video, slides, references, and polls to keep participants engaged) are included. 

The Toolkit Includes

Over 150 minutes of Wisconsin Head Start Governance Content including:

Video 1 – Roles in HS Governance
Video 2 – Governing Body Overview (A Deeper Dive)
Video 3 – Operational Best Practices
Video 4 – Resources and Review

Content Areas Include

HS Leadership Positions, Desired Outcomes, Guiding Regulations, Leadership Duties & Responsibilities, Parent Committees, Monitoring Goals, Impasse Procedures, Eligibility, Best Practices, Record Keeping, Decision Making, And Much More!

Additional Resources 

Regulations Specific to Governance, Historical Perspectives, Insights into Roberts Rules & Meeting Decorum, Nonprofit Resources, Insight from WHSA collaborative partners: ACF, ECLKC & Early Childhood National Centers, And More!

A 5 minute Policy Council Promotional Training Video

Great for parent election events!

Fee

$650 per program
A single registration allows unlimited usage by all program staff and parents. This is a single payment purchase and will NOT be billed annually.

Click Here to Sign-Up!

Video Content Provided By:

Katharine Mason is a management consultant and trainer who has dedicated her 30 year career to improving outcomes for vulnerable children and their families. With this passion as her foundation Katharine provides consultation and training services to Head Start administrators and Governing Bodies that support data-driven decision making, continuous improvement and compliance in a strategic, innovative and inclusive manner.

Katharine holds a Master Degree in Public Administration focusing in Management and Organizational Change, is a graduate of the Johnson & Johnson Head Start Management Fellowship program, and has over a decade of experience as a senior leader at a large and innovative Head Start program. As a result of knowledge gained from these experiences, Katharine provides comprehensive support to Early Care and Education and Family Support programs to develop Strategic Plans, redesign administrative and procedural systems, prepare proposals, conduct internal assessments, and become ready for compliance reviews. She is experienced in project management and establishing community collaborations to meet and enhance program outcomes. She is knowledgeable of Head Start Performance Standards and California Title V and XXII regulations, and has supported grantees in creating systems and policies that are compliant across all regulations.

Katharine’s areas of expertise include Leadership, Program Design and Management, Governance, Child Safety, and Staff Wellness and Professional Development.

The post WHSA Governance Toolkit appeared first on Head Start Wisconsin.