Head Start WEST

Webinar - Media Training Masterclass: Sharpen Your Message, Amplify Your Voice
2026-05-19 10:00 - 11:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
In today’s fast-moving world, how you communicate can make or break your message.
Led by communications expert Lauren Lawson-Zilai of Zeal Communications, the Media Training Masterclass: Sharpen Your Message, Amplify Your Voice will give you the practical tools to communicate with clarity, confidence, and impact across any media format.
You’ll learn how to navigate the media landscape, prepare for interviews like a pro, and understand what reporters are really looking for so you can show up as a credible, compelling source every time.
The session covers essential techniques including bridging, blocking, flagging, and pivoting — powerful skills for staying on message even when the questions get tough. Whether you’re speaking to the press, addressing stakeholders, or building your public presence, this training will help you turn every media moment into an opportunity to advance the Head Start mission.
Don’t miss this interactive webinar that will transform the way you communicate.

Register Here!

Lauren Lawson-Zilai is an award-winning strategic communications executive with more than two decades of experience leading mission-driven storytelling, national campaigns, and brand strategy across the nonprofit and social impact sectors. She is the Founder and Principal of Zeal Communications, a consultancy that helps organizations amplify their impact through purposeful, results-oriented communications.
Previously, she held senior leadership roles at the National Head Start Association and Goodwill Industries International, serving as a national spokesperson and leading media relations, crisis communications, and integrated campaigns featured in CNN, The New York Times, NBC News, and The TODAY Show. Lawson-Zilai has been recognized by Ragan Communications, PR News, and the Public Relations Society of America and serves on advisory boards including iHeartRadio, Girl Scouts of the Nation’s Capital, the National Digital Roundtable, and Ragan Communications.

The Leadership Challenge
2026-05-13 08:00 - 2026-05-14 17:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
Head Start and Early Head Start staff are challenged with juggling the needs of children, parents, and co-workers as well as the myriad of tasks necessary to meet performance standards and organizational goals. Our work is both urgent and fast passed as well as very emotional. Because of passion and determination, Head Start achieves great outcomes. Organizations that are high functioning believe strongly in the power of leadership is everyone’s business. From the director to the new assistant teacher, from accounting to family services, well-lead teams do extraordinary services for their constituents. The Head Start WEST (HSW) believes strongly in the notion that we must build strong agencies that sustain both clients and staff. Since 2016, we have set out to strengthen the leadership skills of staff. We regularly bring forward The Leadership Challenge Workshop, coaching utilizing the Leadership Practice Inventory, and ongoing networking of our leadership community.

HR Network Session Two
2026-05-01 12:00 - 13:30 (America/Los_Angeles) | Virtual
This community of practice includes HR Directors or Managers, Recruitment Specialists, Training and Development Coordinators, Compensation and Benefits specialists, Coaches and generalists. for 2026, Head Start WEST has four sessions planned to be facilitated by Denitza Colores of Colores Enterprises. Participants are encouraged to email questions to Danya at dtorp@headstartwest.org

Session 1: February 6, 2026, 12:00 PM to 1:30 PM PST – Topic: Preparing for
Monitoring: Personnel Files & Systems Readiness;
Session 2: May 1, 2026, 12:00 PM to 1:30 PM PST – Topic: Workforce Wellness &
Reducing Turnover;
Session 3: August 7, 2026, 12:00 PM to 1:30 PM PST – Topic: Progressive
Discipline & Supportive Supervision;
Session 4: November 6, 2026, 12:00 PM to 1:30 PM PST – Topic: Building &
Sustaining a Compliant Workforce

The Fiscal Network Session 2
2026-04-22 13:30 - 15:30 (America/Los_Angeles) | Virtual
Session 2: Building Strong Fiscal Leadership: An Introduction for New Head Start Fiscal Officers | April 22, 2026 1:30-3:00pm PST

This session provides an overview of Head Start fiscal requirements and the regulatory framework while clarifying the roles and responsibilities of fiscal staff within a Head Start system. Participants will explore the connection between program operations and fiscal decision-making, examine the importance of strong program and fiscal communication and coordination, and gain an introduction to key fiscal reports and data that fiscal staff should understand and monitor. The session also highlights common pitfalls and compliance risks faced by new fiscal leaders.

Know Yourself Grow Your Wealth - Financial Wellness Badge
2026-04-21 14:00 - 15:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Virtual
Know yourself. Grow your wealth.
This four-part learning experience supports your financial journey from self-awareness to long-term security. Each session focuses on a distinct area of financial literacy—understanding your money habits, borrowing wisely, beginning to invest, and planning for the future—building practical knowledge and confidence at every stage. Together, these sessions create a clear, connected pathway toward informed decision-making and lasting financial well-being.
Financial Wellness Badge
Focus: Self-awareness with money.
Key Concepts:
Identify your financial goals and values.
Understand your money habits and motivations.
Learn to manage cash flow and apply financial ratios.
Outcome: Build a foundation for financial decision-making and future planning.

Practical Toolkit for Challenging Behaviors and Social Emotional Learning
2026-04-14 14:00 - 15:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Virtual
We are excited to welcome Dr. Neal Horen and Amy Hunter from Georgetown University’s Thrive Center for a special Community of Practice session on Monday, April 14 at 2:00 PM PST.
Neal and Amy bring decades of experience supporting Head Start programs through Georgetown’s Center of Excellence for IECMHC and the National Center on Health, Behavioral Health, and Safety. Together, they have worked with hundreds of grantees on exactly the challenges your programs face every day.
In this session, they will share a practical toolkit for:

Responding to challenging behaviors with strategies that teachers can use right away
Building social-emotional learning into daily routines without adding to teacher workload
Supporting staff well-being when classrooms feel overwhelming
Strengthening how programs use mental health consultation effectively

This session is grounded in what Georgetown has learned from working directly with Head Start grantees and Pyramid Model practitioners across the country. If you have ever wondered what to do after a child has been sent home again, or how to keep a teacher from walking out the door, this session is for you.
Directors, education coordinators, teachers, mental health consultants, and family advocates are all welcome.

Head Start Book Club 4.9
2026-04-09 15:00 - 16:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Online
Head Start Book ClubJoin program leaders, agency executives, and members of the Head Start WEST Board of Directors as we explore new ideas and share insights together. The Book Club is open to all who wish to read, reflect, and grow alongside peers from across the WEST region.Each gathering will focus on a key theme or chapter from our selected book. We’re not reading fast—we’re reading with purpose. Our goal is to go deep in reflection and consider how the book’s core lessons can be meaningfully applied in our work and leadership.First Book for 2026 – The 4 Disciplines of Execution, Chris McChesney, Sean Covey, Jim Huling – Available on Amazon and at most book sellers.We will be breaking the book into 3 conversations.

Part 1: Learning 4DX – Book Club Meeting, Thursday, January 22nd at 3 pm PT
Part 2: Applying 4DX as Leaders of Leaders, Thursday, April 9th at 3 pm PT
Part 3: Applying 4DX as Leaders of Frontline Team, Thursday, May 28th at 3 pm PT

Each session will be facilitated by a Head Start WEST board member or staff. We look forward to exploring with you.

2026 INNOVATE STEM Institute
2026-03-23 - 2026-03-26 | Virtual

Directors Exchange Network 3/18
2026-03-18 13:00 - 14:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Virtual
March 18th 1:00pm – Zoom Link Here
The Directors Exchange meetings are designed to create a space for executive directors, directors, and deputy directors to regularly connect, learn new skills, and strategize over effective practices to advance their programs. Directors Exchange meetings will consist of three meetings per year.
The goal of the Directors Exchange meetings is to nurture relationships among new and experienced directors, create a safe and collaborative environment for professional growth, and gain strategies to build high-impact organizations. In addition, these meetings will allow participants the opportunity to tour other agencies, meet with selected trainers and nurture professional friendship in an atmosphere of confidentiality and trust.
Facilitated by Cynthia Yao, these sessions take place every other month.

NHSA Winter Leadership Institute
2026-01-26 08:00 - 2026-01-29 17:00 (America/Phoenix) | Washington, DC

Head Start Book Club 1.22
2026-01-22 15:00 - 16:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
Head Start Book ClubJoin program leaders, agency executives, and members of the Head Start WEST Board of Directors as we explore new ideas and share insights together. The Book Club is open to all who wish to read, reflect, and grow alongside peers from across the WEST region.Each gathering will focus on a key theme or chapter from our selected book. We’re not reading fast—we’re reading with purpose. Our goal is to go deep in reflection and consider how the book’s core lessons can be meaningfully applied in our work and leadership.First Book for 2026 – The 4 Disciplines of Execution, Chris McChesney, Sean Covey, Jim Huling – Available on Amazon and at most book sellers.We will be breaking the book into 3 conversations.

Part 1: Learning 4DX – Book Club Meeting, Thursday, January 22nd at 3 pm PT
Part 2: Applying 4DX as Leaders of Leaders, Thursday, March 26th at 3 pm PT
Part 3: Applying 4DX as Leaders of Frontline Team, Thursday, May 28th at 3 pm PT

Each session will be facilitated by a Head Start WEST board member or staff. We look forward to exploring with you.

Governance Training 2/2
2026-01-22 14:00 - 16:00 (America/Phoenix) | Virtual
Why
Strong governance goes beyond compliance, it creates stability, ensures accountability, and drives decisions that sustain program viability and long-term success. Together, the Board and Policy Council play a critical role in shaping the future of Head Start services for children, families, and staff. A well-trained Governing Body is central to a governance system that fosters compliance, continuous improvement, and innovation. HSW is committed to supporting the knowledge, growth, and effectiveness of Governing Bodies and staff, recognizing that strong governance models directly contribute to high-quality experiences for children, families, and the workforce.
What
Head Start programs thrive when governance is strong, engaged, and aligned with the mission.
This two-part series is designed to strengthen leadership and accountability at every level—equipping Policy Council and Governing Board members, as well as community partners, with the knowledge and tools needed to lead with confidence.
A strong Governance System relies on clear processes, adherence to requirements, and positive, collaborative relationships between management and Governing Bodies. These elements are essential to maintaining compliance, driving continuous improvement, and fostering innovation.
Part 1: Policy Council Members (December 18, 2025)
Policy Council members are the voice of families and communities. This session highlights how parent and community representatives work with Governing Boards and program leadership to strengthen services, improve outcomes, and bring community needs forward. Participants will also explore how Policy Council participation connects to broader program priorities and services, showcasing and reinforcing a program’s commitment to its workforce.
Part 2: Governing Board Members (January 22, 2026)
Board members are entrusted with stewardship of the Head Start mission. This session goes beyond outlining roles and responsibilities—it emphasizes the impact of strong, sound, and effective governance on a program’s success, stability, and sustainability. Participants will gain tools to stay engaged, ensure accountability, and understand how their leadership directly influences the future of the program and the children and families it serves.
Where
Virtual & On-Demand via Zoom
When
Part 1 December 18, 2025 @ 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM PST
Part 2 January 22, 2026 @ 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM PST
Questions?
Please contact our Training and Events Manager Melissa Sahagun.gov

Directors Exchange Network 1/21
2026-01-21 13:00 - 14:00 (America/Phoenix) | Virtual
January 21st 1:00pm – Zoom Link Here
The Directors Exchange meetings are designed to create a space for executive directors, directors, and deputy directors to regularly connect, learn new skills, and strategize over effective practices to advance their programs. Directors Exchange meetings will consist of three meetings per year.
The goal of the Directors Exchange meetings is to nurture relationships among new and experienced directors, create a safe and collaborative environment for professional growth, and gain strategies to build high-impact organizations. In addition, these meetings will allow participants the opportunity to tour other agencies, meet with selected trainers and nurture professional friendship in an atmosphere of confidentiality and trust.
Facilitated by Cynthia Yao, these sessions take place every other month.
