September 15, 2026
Most Head Start and Early Head Start programs are sitting on their most powerful strategic asset—and using it only to meet compliance requirements. The Community Assessment (CA) is federally mandated, but when treated as a periodic report, its value is dramatically underutilized.
In today’s environment—where demographic data is increasingly delayed, suppressed, or incomplete, and funding competition is intensifying—programs need more than compliance. They need a system that produces clear, defensible evidence of need while strengthening program design and positioning them for successful funding applications.
This training reframes the Community Assessment as the central operating system of a Head Start program. When built and used intentionally, the CA becomes the foundation for decision-making across all major systems while simultaneously reducing the workload associated with grant writing by embedding application-ready content into the process.
Community Assessment Community of Learners is a monthly virtual training series led by Jerry Parr, Chief Executive Officer of Willow Tree Early Education. Sessions meet every third Tuesday from 2:00–4:00 PM PST.
Participants will leave this series with a clear, actionable framework to transform their Community Assessment into a strategic, year-round planning tool. They will gain ready-to-use narrative language and data alignment strategies that directly strengthen funding applications, along with practical systems to connect data across ERSEA, PFCE, education, health, and fiscal decision-making. Throughout the series, participants will build increased internal alignment — reducing silos and improving program-wide decision-making.
This series is designed for programs ready to move beyond compliance and build lasting internal capacity. Ideal participants include
Ideal participants include:
• Executive Directors and Leadership Teams
• ERSEA and Data/Planning Staff
• Family and Community Engagement Staff
• Education and Child Development Teams
• Health, Nutrition, and Mental Health Staff
• Fiscal and Administrative Staff
• Governing Board and Policy Council Members
Programs that send cross-functional teams will see the strongest results through improved alignment and shared ownership of data-driven decision-making.
This series is designed for programs ready to actively engage, apply concepts in real time, and build sustainable internal systems.
Virtual Via Zoom- September 15, 2026 | 2:00-4:00 PM
Virtual Via Zoom- October 20, 2026 | 2:00-4:00 PM
Virtual Via Zoom- November 17, 2026 | 2:00-4:00 PM
Virtual Via Zoom- December 15, 2026 | 2:00-4:00 PM
Please contact our Training and Events Manager Melissa Sahagun.
I have been to management workshops, not leadership training. This has totally changed my perspective and encouraged me to propel forward in developing my skills.
I am honored and humbled to be a recipient of the Head Start WEST’s Legacy Scholarship. The scholarship helped me get one step closer to achieving my goal of becoming a Head Start Director.
I took part in The disproportionate impact of COVID 19, and how to provide “real” support for black/brown children and families and I just want to say this was an amazing webinar. I hope we can look forward to further conversation on this topic.
Thank you so much for making events like this! I really enjoyed and learned so much teaching strategies to implement STEM in the classroom.
The HR Network was an excellent opportunity to network and learn the best practices from other HR professionals within Head Start programs. You will be amazed by the level of talent and experience of the participants.
The Summer Camp training was powerful and inspiring! Each presenter was very engaging, it’s hard to even pick a favorite session!
The Leadership Challenge training was very relevant to my work as a Head Start leader! Great facilitation; stayed with the program yet allowed time for individual and small group reflections.
Regular price $12.00
Regular price $39.00
Questions? Contact us at headstartr9@headstartwest.org.
