Caring for Ourselves, Honoring Family Wisdom, and Creating Our Collective North Star. Successful family engagement begins with our ability to listen deeply—to ourselves, to one another, and to the stories, strengths, and aspirations of the families we serve. Grounded in the belief that families are children’s first and most important teachers, this immersive pre-conference experience invites Head Start and Early Head Start leaders, educators, family service professionals, and advocates to pause, reflect, and reconnect with the heart of their work. Through guided reflection, embodied learning practices, storytelling, and collaborative dialogue, participants will explore the realities facing today’s children, families, and workforce while honoring the wisdom and resilience that already exist within communities. Together, we will examine what we carry as leaders, what families are asking us to see, and how we can create the conditions for children and families to thrive. This experience moves beyond traditional professional development to focus on stewardship, relationships, and collective vision. Participants will engage in a process of imagining what becomes possible when family voice, family leadership, and family aspirations help shape the future of programs, communities, and systems of support. By the end of the day, participants will leave with renewed purpose, strengthened connections, practical tools for reflection and partnership, and a shared North Star for advancing family well-being, child development, and community flourishing

The Head Start landscape is experiencing significant change. Proposed regulatory updates, evolving federal priorities, fiscal pressures, workforce challenges, enrollment and attendance concerns, and increasing expectations for accountability are requiring leaders to adapt while remaining focused on quality services for children and families. This full-day pre-conference institute brings together program, fiscal, governance, and executive leaders to explore how organizations can successfully navigate change while maintaining stability and organizational effectiveness. Participants will examine emerging federal developments, potential changes to the Head Start Program Performance Standards and Uniform Guidance, and the implications these shifts may have for program operations, fiscal management, governance, and strategic planning. A central focus of the institute will be strengthening the partnership between program and fiscal leadership. Through interactive discussions, real-world scenarios, and data-informed planning activities, participants will learn how collaboration across disciplines can support stronger decision-making, continuous program improvement, and long-term sustainability. As changing tides continue to shape the Head Start environment, leaders must be prepared not only to respond, but to chart a course forward with confidence, clarity, and purpose.

“Step On Purpose” is an energizing and interactive keynote designed to inspire participants to be more intentional in how they connect, communicate, and support children, families, and colleagues. Through powerful reflection, audience participation, positive affirmations, and practical strategies, Justin Tutt will explore how we can POUR into ourselves and others, PULL people toward positive goals, and PUSH families toward emotional growth through empathy, regulation, and consistent support. Participants will leave feeling recharged, connected, and ready to step forward with purpose.

“R.E.A.L. Relationships” is an interactive training session by Justin Tutt that equips participants with practical, SEL-based strategies to build a shared language around emotional awareness, communication, and teamwork within their programs. Through group activities, small-group discussions, and real-life application exercises, attendees leave recharged and equipped to strengthen their school or program’s culture and climate.

Workday Wellness: A Healthy Space Builds Stronger Teams is an interactive workshop designed to help participants explore how workplace wellness directly influences productivity, morale, and team cohesion. Through engaging discussion and real-life examples, attendees will gain a clear understanding of the impact that physical, emotional, and mental well-being have on individual performance and overall organizational success. Participants will be introduced to practical, easy-to-implement tools that support daily wellness in the workplace. These strategies include stress management techniques, time management practices, boundary-setting, and simple habits that promote a healthier work environment. The workshop emphasizes realistic approaches that can be integrated into even the busiest schedules. In addition to learning, participants will actively engage in hands-on activities that encourage reflection and habit-building. These activities are designed to foster self-awareness, strengthen connections among team members, and promote a culture of support and accountability. By practicing these strategies in real time, attendees will leave with actionable steps they can immediately apply. This workshop ultimately empowers individuals and teams to create healthier, more positive workspaces where everyone can thrive. By prioritizing wellness, organizations can build stronger, more resilient teams that are better equipped to collaborate, innovate, and succeed.

This is a two-part session. While Part 1 and Part 2 are designed to stand alone, attending both offers a deeper learning arc for participants. In Head Start, programs families share their stories – their needs, strengths, and goals, with frontline staff. But somewhere between those conversations and the people with the power to act on it, the thread often gets lost. Family information isn’t always consistently documented, and when cross-cutting issues arise – a child’s health follow-up or a family in crisis, staff may not know who is responsible for following through. And governing bodies, including Policy Council, are often making decisions without a clear picture of families’ experiences. This two-part session invites leaders to examine who is truly holding the family story in their programs and what it takes to close the gaps.Rooted in the PFCE Framework, participants will explore a concentric responsibility model – families at the center, surrounded by staff who receive their stories, administrators who are meant to act on them, and governing bodies who steward the program on families’ behalf. Part 1 focuses on building shared language and identifying where ownership and accountability can break down.

Move beyond passive book-reading and step into the multi-sensory world of felt board storytelling! In this interactive workshop, educators will discover how to use flannel pieces to supercharge oral language development, vocabulary, and narrative comprehension in young learners. Participants will learn practical techniques to bring stories to life, engage Dual Language Learners (DLLs), and transition felt storytelling from a teacher-led circle time into a vibrant, child-led language center.

Teachers and parents need to support children not only in their developmental tasks and early childhood education, but also in their realities of home, community, and social/political/culltural stress. This includes helping adults manage their stress. The workshop prompts awareness of the emotional presentation of kids, what/how/where it develops, and how to support them. Differentiating between stress and trauma AND support so that formative stress or excessive stress is less likely to become problematic trauma.

This session highlights the important role that family services staff play in supporting children’s health and well-being through everyday family engagement work. Even if health services are not a primary focus of their role, family services staff are important connectors, communicators, and advocates who help families navigate health systems, understand recommendations and requirements, and follow through with care. Participants will explore how strengthening health literacy across all staff roles can improve communication, build trust, and support positive relationships with families. The session will review Head Start health requirements in simple, accessible language that staff can use with families to explain program expectations and the reasons behind them. The goal is to help staff shift the focus from compliance to purpose, so they feel confident sharing information in ways that are clear, meaningful and relevant to parents and caregivers. Participants will apply these ideas through discussion, reflection, sharing their experiences, exploring common barriers families face, and identifying strategies they have used in their own work. Participants will leave with practical language and approaches they can use to strengthen conversations with families around health. The session emphasizes relationship-based practice, cultural responsiveness, and strengths-based communication as key approaches to supporting family engagement and improving child health outcomes. When staff feel more comfortable and confident talking about health topics, they are better able to support and empower parents as advocates and partners in promoting their children’s health and well-being.

This 90-minute interactive workshop will help educators and family engagement professionals strengthen their ability to work with parents and caregivers who have been impacted by incarceration and reentry. Families navigating the criminal justice system often experience separation, stigma, disrupted relationships, economic instability, and challenges rebuilding trust. These experiences can affect a parent’s connection to their child, their confidence in engaging with schools and programs, and their willingness to seek support.Participants will explore how incarceration and reentry can shape family dynamics, parenting roles, communication, child development, and access to community resources. The workshop will also examine how assumptions, language, and program practices can unintentionally create barriers for families who may already feel judged, excluded, or misunderstood.Through discussion, reflection, real-world examples, and practical strategies, participants will learn how to create more welcoming and respectful environments for families impacted by the criminal justice system. The session will emphasize strengths-based engagement, trauma-informed communication, family reunification, and the importance of recognizing parents and caregivers as valuable partners in their children’s lives.Participants will leave with tools they can use to build trust, reduce stigma, improve communication, and connect families to meaningful support. The workshop will encourage educators to hold the full family story, not define families by one chapter, and help parents and caregivers feel seen, respected, and empowered.

This is a two-part session. While Part 1 and Part 2 are designed to stand alone, attending both offers a deeper learning arc for participants. In Head Start, programs families share their stories – their needs, strengths, and goals, with frontline staff. But somewhere between those conversations and the people with the power to act on it, the thread often gets lost. Family information isn’t always consistently documented, and when cross-cutting issues arise – a child’s health follow-up or a family in crisis, staff may not know who is responsible for following through. And governing bodies, including Policy Council, are often making decisions without a clear picture of families’ experiences. This two-part session invites leaders to examine who is truly holding the family story in their programs and what it takes to close the gaps.Rooted in the PFCE Framework, participants will explore a concentric responsibility model – families at the center, surrounded by staff who receive their stories, administrators who are meant to act on them, and governing bodies who steward the program on families’ behalf. Part 2 shifts to practice, what administrators can do to strengthen each level of the system, close the gaps, and engage governing bodies as a genuine partner in holding the family story. This session is designed for directors, program managers, and administrators who are ready to examine how their programs hold, share, and act on the family story.

This interactive session focuses on practical strategies to strengthen fathers’ skills, confidence, engagement, and connections within their families. Blending presentation and hands-on activities, the presenters will introduce two complementary approaches. Supporting Father Involvement (SFI) is an evidence‑informed fatherhood and co‑parenting program; and Parent Cafés is a peer‑focused model that extends learning and support while promoting engagement and leadership. Attendees will experience Parent Café conversations, participate in a father involvement activity, and reflect on real‑world applications for their own organizations. Whether new to father engagement or looking to deepen their impact, session participants will receive practical strategies, meaningful insights, and immediately applicable ideas they can apply to their work.

Family engagement outcomes are directly impacted by the strength and support of the workforce. This session explores how reflective supervision, trauma-informed practices, and clear expectations can improve staff capacity and strengthen relationships with families. Drawing from real experiences in home visiting within complex environments, participants will learn practical strategies to address burnout, improve communication, and build accountability systems that lead to more consistent and meaningful family engagement.

ERSEA is more than a system, it is a journey of engagement. This interactive session helps participants reframe compliance-driven processes as meaningful opportunities to build authentic connections with families. Every interaction matters, and how staff engage during recruitment, eligibility, selection, enrollment, and attendance can significantly impact trust, participation, and long-term outcomes. Participants will explore how to move beyond transactional, checklist-driven communication and toward intentional, purpose-driven engagement. Grounded in ERSEA and the PFCE Framework, this session emphasizes balancing compliance requirements with relationship-building to create positive, welcoming experiences for families from the very first interaction.Through real-world scenarios, guided discussions, and practical application activities, participants will identify common pitfalls and practice effective communication strategies, including language shifts that foster trust and collaboration. This session equips participants with actionable tools to transform routine tasks into impactful family experiences that support strong partnerships and sustained engagement.By the end of the session, participants will leave with a renewed perspective and practical strategies to ensure every interaction contributes to building meaningful, respectful, and supportive relationships with families.

The workshop will prompt participants to look at and honor the stories of those before them, and to learn how their personal narratives including relationship stories and current aspirations, and hopes for their children are formed. How to identify a “default” story of self that lacks hope or vision, to empower selves and support children to develop and own powerful stories of goals and dreams- to “write” the next better chapters of their and their family’s and children’s lives.

This interactive workshop invites participants into a reflective and collaborative space to explore the intersections of family engagement strategies and cultural adaptation tips used to successfully implement early childhood programming like AP-OD (also known as Abriendo Puertas/Opening Doors) to support family well-being, positive parent-child relationships, and families as lifelong educators, leaders, and advocates. Participants will learn about the AP-OD 4th Edition curriculum, launched in September 2025, an evidence-based parenting, leadership, and advocacy training program for parents of children ages 0–5. The session will highlight how AP-OD supports Head Start programs in implementing the Head Start Parent, Family, and Community Engagement (PFCE) Framework and the Early Learning Outcomes Framework (ELOF) through curriculum adoption and program implementation.Through reflection, discussion, and a sample activity, participants will experience how AP-OD integrates family voices, cultural identity, and community knowledge into meaningful engagement practices. They will have an opportunity to hear reflections from HeadStart West Agencies, who are AP-OD implementing partners, have successfully adapted this culturally relevant curriculum to meet the unique needs of the communities they serve, and have strengthened peer and community connections.

Literacy doesn’t begin in kindergarten — it begins at birth. The Science of Reading confirms that the brain is not pre-wired for reading; neural pathways essential for literacy are built through responsive language interactions, rich vocabulary, and meaningful conversations starting in infancy. Yet families are often the last to be equipped with this knowledge.This workshop centers families as their child’s first and most powerful literacy teachers. Grounded in the Science of Reading, participants will explore evidence-based strategies that bridge home, school, and community to accelerate early language and literacy outcomes.Three scalable tools will be highlighted as models for family-centered literacy ecosystems:Smart Talk — A free resource helping parents and caregivers of babies and toddlers (birth–age 3) use everyday moments — mealtimes, baths, bedtime — to build early language through back-and-forth conversation.LitHubAZ — A free online hub developed by Read On Arizona with the Arizona Department of Education, offering evidence-based literacy strategies, resources for families, and tools for identifying and supporting struggling readers.Science of Reading Made Simple for Families — Practical resources and strategies that help caregivers understand how children learn to read, debunk common myths, and apply proven methods at home.Participants will leave with actionable tools, developmental milestone frameworks, and family-centered approaches designed to improve literacy outcomes for all children.

Data tells a story—and when used effectively, it can help Head Start programs better understand family strengths, identify barriers, improve services, and drive meaningful outcomes for children and families. This two-session learning institute explores how programs can move beyond compliance reporting and use data as a strategic tool for continuous improvement. Participants will follow the journey from family engagement data to enrollment and attendance data, examining how these interconnected measures provide a more complete picture of family experiences and program effectiveness. Through practical examples, demonstrations, dashboards, and real-world reports from Child Care Resource Center (CCRC), participants will explore how Family Services, ERSEA, and Continuous Quality Improvement teams collaborate to transform data into actionable strategies that strengthen family outcomes, improve attendance, support full enrollment, and inform leadership decision-making. Designed as a connected learning experience, each session builds upon the concepts introduced in the previous session, demonstrating how multiple data sources can be integrated to strengthen outcomes for children, families, and programs.
Session 1
Families at the Center: Turning Family Engagement Data into Meaningful Action
Session Description
Family engagement data tells the story of a family’s journey, strengths, goals, and progress. Programs routinely collect information through family partnership agreements, needs assessments, referrals, surveys, and service tracking systems, yet many struggle to translate this information into meaningful measures of impact and outcomes. This session explores how family services teams can move beyond documenting services to understanding results. Participants will learn practical strategies for analyzing family engagement data, identifying trends, measuring progress toward family goals, and using information to inform planning, resource allocation, and service delivery. CCRC’s Continuous Quality Improvement team will share examples of how family engagement data is compiled, analyzed, and communicated to leadership teams to strengthen decision-making and support continuous improvement efforts. Presenters will also explore how family engagement data can provide important context for understanding participation, attendance, and enrollment patterns, laying the foundation for the second session and demonstrating how multiple data sources can be used together to tell a more complete story about family experiences and program effectiveness.
Learning Objectives
• Identify key family engagement data sources that can be used to measure family progress and program impact.
• Examine strategies for analyzing family services data to identify strengths, trends, gaps, and opportunities.
• Explore approaches for linking family partnership and service data to broader program goals and outcomes.
• Learn how dashboards and analytic reports can support leadership planning and continuous quality improvement.
• Connect family engagement data to broader indicators of participation, attendance, and program success.
Intended Audience
Family Services Managers, Family Advocates, Family and Community Engagement Staff, Program Directors, Deputy Directors, Continuous Quality Improvement Staff, Data Analysts, and Management Team Members.

This workshop, inspired by The Essential Roles of Maternal and Paternal Nurturance in Child Development, offers participants an engaging exploration of how both parents, with a focus on the father, uniquely influence a child’s social, emotional, and cognitive growth. Through evidence-based insights and practical strategies, attendees will learn about the critical importance of balanced parental nurturance and its lifelong impact on children’s resilience, trust, and development. The session will highlight the distinct yet complementary roles of mothers and fathers, emphasizing how their interactions foster empathy, independence, confidence, and social competence. Participants will examine the science behind dual nurturance, understanding how early emotional bonds shape lifelong outcomes and the risks associated with the absence of parental support. Additionally, the workshop will provide actionable approaches for strengthening family involvement, promoting shared parenting responsibilities, and creating nurturing environments that support optimal child development. Designed for family engagement practitioners, educators, and community leaders, this session aligns with the conference theme, Holding the Family Story, by emphasizing the power of nurturing relationships to build stronger, healthier families. Attendees will leave equipped with innovative strategies to foster meaningful parental involvement, improve family dynamics, and support families in their vital role as the primary architects of children’s futures.

Budget cuts, staffing shortages, and limited resources continue to impact many of our programs and the families we serve. This session will provide a platform for meaningful dialogue, collaborative problem-solving, and a deeper exploration of the systems and partnerships that support children and families.Together, participants will examine how to build and sustain intentional partnerships that empower families as equal stakeholders in their children’s educational and developmental journeys. Through discussion and shared learning, attendees will explore strategies for elevating family voices, strengthening support systems, and improving access to resources that promote child and family well-being.Participants will leave with practical insights and actionable approaches for creating sustainable, family-centered partnerships that foster stronger outcomes for children, families, and communities.

Family well-being requires a foundation of safety, health, educational opportunity, and economic mobility. Comprehensive support services—including early childhood education, housing, nutrition, and healthcare—are vital to mitigating the toxic stress of poverty and homelessness. By engaging families as active, strengths-based partners in goal-setting, providers can foster the stability necessary for children and parents to thrive together. It will inspire and motivate.

Building on the family engagement data explored in Session 1, this session examines how enrollment and attendance data can provide deeper insight into family participation, access to services, and program effectiveness. Attendance and enrollment data are more than operational metrics—they can serve as indicators of family engagement, family well-being, barriers to participation, and opportunities for support. When viewed alongside family engagement data, attendance patterns can help programs better understand family experiences, identify emerging needs, and develop responsive strategies that strengthen participation and outcomes. As Regional Offices and OHS place increased attention on attendance trends, chronic absenteeism, and maintaining full enrollment, programs must be prepared to use data proactively rather than reactively. Participants will explore practical strategies for analyzing ERSEA, enrollment, and attendance data to identify patterns, understand root causes, strengthen family supports, improve attendance, and maintain full enrollment. CCRC’s ERSEA and Continuous Quality Improvement teams will demonstrate how they compile, analyze, and present data through dashboards and leadership reports that support strategic planning, resource allocation, and continuous improvement. Participants will leave with practical examples of how attendance data can be used not only to monitor participation but also to inform family engagement strategies and improve outcomes for children and families.
Learning Objectives
• Identify key ERSEA, enrollment, and attendance metrics that support program oversight and continuous improvement.
• Analyze attendance and enrollment trends to identify opportunities for intervention and support.
• Explore how attendance data can be used as an indicator of family engagement and family needs.
• Learn how dashboards and analytic reports support leadership planning and decision-making.
• Examine data-informed strategies that strengthen family supports, improve attendance, and promote full enrollment.
Intended Audience
ERSEA Managers, Enrollment Staff, Family Services Managers, Family Advocates, Program Directors, Deputy Directors, Continuous Quality Improvement Staff, Data Analysts, Education Managers, and Management Team Members.

In this interactive workshop, Deidre Morgan, MSW, LCSWA, explores the critical link between emotional attachment and behavioral regulation. Grounded in the Head Start PFCE Framework, this session shifts the focus from “managing behavior” to “nurturing relationship.”Attendees will examine the neurobiology of co-regulation and learn how Positive Parent-Child Relationships serve as the primary vehicle for Family Well-being. By prioritizing connection, caregivers can reduce household stress and support their children’s development as Lifelong Learners. Participants will leave with trauma-informed, actionable strategies to share with families, helping them navigate challenging moments while maintaining the integrity of the bond.

Co-parenting plays a critical role in the healthy development, well-being, and school readiness of children. Regardless of family structure, when adults work together with a shared commitment to the child’s success, children experience greater emotional security, stronger relationships, and improved educational outcomes.This interactive workshop will explore practical strategies for effective co-parenting, communication techniques that reduce conflict, and approaches that strengthen family partnerships. Participants will gain tools to support families in navigating co-parenting challenges while keeping children at the center of decision-making. Through discussion, reflection activities, and real-life scenarios, attendees will leave equipped to foster stronger family engagement and promote positive outcomes for children.

This interactive session explores how early experiences, identity, and adversity shape the development of young children—especially those with disabilities and chronic health conditions such as Type 1 diabetes. While some needs are visible, many are not and can often be misunderstood as behavioral challenges in early learning environments.Drawing from lived experience as a bilingual author, speaker, and social worker, this session bridges storytelling with practical, evidence-informed strategies that educators and service providers can immediately apply. Participants will learn how to reframe behaviors through a developmental and health-informed lens, create inclusive and culturally responsive environments, and implement “tiny steps” that lead to long-term positive outcomes for children and their families.The session also emphasizes accessibility and inclusive design to ensure all children can fully participate in early learning environments.

Strong family partnerships are built long before difficult conversations occur. Yet many educators receive little preparation for navigating the complex realities families face, including trauma, stress, medical needs, cultural differences, and systems that may have eroded trust over time. This interactive workshop explores how educators can intentionally create relationships that move beyond compliance and toward authentic partnership.Drawing from more than two decades of experience as a teacher, principal, district administrator, and leader of student support and health services, the presenter will examine how trust is built through everyday interactions and how those interactions shape a family’s willingness to engage with schools. Participants will learn practical strategies for communicating with empathy, responding to challenging situations with curiosity rather than judgment, and fostering environments where families feel heard, respected, and valued as essential partners in their child’s education.Using real-world scenarios, guided reflection, and collaborative discussion, participants will explore common barriers to family engagement and develop approaches that strengthen relationships across diverse communities. The session will also examine the impact of educator self-awareness, emotional regulation, and trauma-informed practices on successful family partnerships.Participants will leave with actionable communication tools, conversation frameworks, and relationship-building strategies that can be implemented immediately in classrooms, schools, and early childhood programs. Whether supporting families during everyday interactions or navigating complex situations, attendees will gain practical skills to strengthen trust, deepen collaboration, and create more welcoming learning communities where children and families can thrive together.

Words can shape a child’s confidence, influence behavior, and impact future success. Unfortunately, negative labels, low expectations, and discouraging comments from adults can leave lasting emotional scars that affect self-esteem, academic performance, and overall well-being. This workshop explores the powerful role that educators, caregivers, mentors, and youth-serving professionals play in shaping a young person’s self-perception through their words and interactions.Drawing from personal experience, behavioral health practice, and youth mentoring, participants will examine how affirming language and strengths-based communication can foster resilience, build confidence, and create emotionally safe environments for children and adolescents. Attendees will leave with practical, trauma-informed strategies to encourage youth, challenge deficit-based thinking, and help young people recognize their potential despite obstacles or perceived limitations.This interactive session aligns with prevention-focused practices by promoting positive youth development, strengthening protective factors, and empowering adults to use their words as tools for hope, healing, and transformation.

“Making Family Connections” is an engaging and interactive workshop designed to strengthen relationships between families, educators, and communities within the Head Start framework. Grounded in the Parent, Family, and Community Engagement (PFCE) Framework, this session highlights the critical role that authentic connections play in promoting positive outcomes for children and families.This workshop explores strategies for building trust, fostering effective communication, and creating inclusive environments where families feel valued, heard, and empowered. Participants will examine the importance of understanding family experiences, honoring diverse backgrounds, and recognizing families as equal partners in their child’s development and education. Emphasis is placed on practical approaches that support family well-being, positive parent-child relationships, and family engagement in transitions.Through guided discussions and reflective activities, attendees will identify common barriers to engagement and explore solutions that promote accessibility, cultural responsiveness, and sustained involvement. The session also highlights the importance of connecting families to peer networks and community resources, while encouraging opportunities for families to serve as advocates and leaders.Participants will leave with actionable tools and strategies to strengthen family partnerships, enhance communication practices, and build supportive, relationship-centered environments. This workshop aligns with Head Start’s commitment to fostering strong family connections as the foundation for lifelong learning and overall family success.

This presentation introduces CT’s Head Start on Housing, a first-in-the-nation initiative that provides housing vouchers to children and families experiencing homelessness and enrolled in Head Start programs—linking stable, affordable housing directly with early childhood support. We will highlight how the program reduces housing instability, strengthens family well-being, and creates healthier learning environments for young children. The presentation also outlines early outcomes and the vision for expanding this innovative model across Connecticut and beyond to build stronger, more resilient communities.

Step into a space designed just for you— the ones who hold families together, calm the chaos, and carry the emotional weight no one else sees. The Connection Room is a restorative, reflective, and empowering session built to pour back into the people who pour into everyone else.In this experience, we’ll take you on a guided journey to:• Reconnect with who you are at your coreBefore the job titles, the deadlines, and the caseloads, there’s you. We’ll help you rediscover your identity, strengths, and the deep purpose that fuels your work.• Identify the “armor” you wearThe emotional shields, the coping mechanisms, the barriers you’ve built to survive demanding situations — we’ll explore which ones serve you and which ones silently drain you.• Build your personal toolkitWe’ll unpack the tools, mindsets, and practices that help you effectively support children and families without losing yourself in the process.• Strengthen your path forwardTogether, we’ll reflect on what it means to grow, evolve, and show up as an even better version of yourself — with clarity, confidence, and renewed energy.This is more than a session.It’s a reset.A breath.

When disagreements arise, it can feel like a barrier to collaboration. However, conflict is often an open door to a deeper understanding of a family’s perspective, values, and goals for their child. Rather than avoiding conflict, you will learn to use deep, active listening as a powerful tool to build trust and strengthen parent-educator partnerships.Through interactive case studies and peer discussions, you will practice navigating real-world classroom conflicts. You will leave this session with concrete, empathetic communication strategies you can use immediately to turn challenging moments into collaborative breakthroughs.

Garden to Table; Family to Future explores how garden-based learning can support children’s health, nutrition, social-emotional development, school readiness, and family engagement. This workshop will highlight practical ways early childhood programs can use gardening experiences to strengthen children’s curiosity, responsibility, problem-solving, patience, and emotional regulation while increasing exposure to fruits and vegetables and healthy lifestyle choices. Participants will examine how garden activities connect to child assessment, curriculum goals, and family engagement practices. Through discussion, reflection, hands-on learning, and a success story, participants will consider how gardens can become meaningful spaces for children, families, educators, and community partners to learn together. The session will also focus on culturally responsive and accessible strategies that can be adapted to meet the needs of diverse children and families. By the end of the workshop, participants will identify school readiness outcomes supported by garden experiences and develop an actionable implementation plan to bring Garden-to-Table or garden-based activities into their own programs. This session is designed to inspire participants with practical ideas, collaborative planning opportunities, and resources that support children’s learning, family connections, and long-term wellness.

Creating a culture of wellness is essential to delivering high-quality services and is now embedded in the Head Start Program Performance Standards. This session examines how staff engagement, well-being, and supervision shape organizational culture and overall program quality. Participants will explore the psychological foundations of engagement, identify key workplace behaviors, and analyze scenarios that reveal barriers to staff wellness and performance. Attendees will gain practical supervision strategies to deepen engagement, strengthen communication, build trust and fairness, and foster staff well-being.

This interactive two-part workshop explores how one Early Head Start program transformed the traditional Family Partnership Agreement process into a trauma-informed, strengths-based, family-led engagement framework designed to foster authentic relationships, resiliency, and meaningful family outcomes.Grounded in the Head Start Parent, Family, and Community Engagement (PFCE) Framework, the Family Vision Framework was developed to shift family engagement from a compliance-driven activity to a collaborative, vision-centered process that empowers families to identify strengths, define goals, and assess their own resiliency over time. Rather than relying on deficit-focused assessments and staff-driven planning, this approach combines relationship-building, needs identification, resiliency scoring, and differentiated family support into one living document that evolves alongside the family.Participants will explore how trauma-informed sequencing, strengths-based language, and family-led resiliency scoring can improve engagement, increase trust, and create more responsive family support systems. The session will also examine how differentiated service intensity models can help programs provide intentional support based on family stability, access to resources, and identified strengths.Through real-world examples, interactive activities, reflection opportunities, and implementation strategies, participants will leave with practical tools to reimagine their own family engagement systems while maintaining alignment with Head Start Program Performance Standards and PFCE outcomes.This workshop is presented in two connected sessions:Part A:”From Compliance to Connection: Reimagining Family Engagement Through the Family Vision Framework Part B:”From Survival to Thriving: Implementing a Trauma-Informed, Family-Led Engagement Model”

When disagreements arise, it can feel like a barrier to collaboration. However, conflict is often an open door to a deeper understanding of a family’s perspective, values, and goals for their child. Rather than avoiding conflict, you will learn to use deep, active listening as a powerful tool to build trust and strengthen parent-educator partnerships.Through interactive case studies and peer discussions, you will practice navigating real-world classroom conflicts. You will leave this session with concrete, empathetic communication strategies you can use immediately to turn challenging moments into collaborative breakthroughs.

This interactive workshop explores how anti-bias practices can strengthen family engagement by honoring and “holding the family story” within early childhood programs. Grounded in the Anti-Bias Curriculum developed by Louise Derman-Sparks, the session introduces participants to a relationship-centered framework that promotes identity, diversity, justice, and activism in everyday practice.Aligned with Head Start’s Parent, Family, and Community Engagement (PFCE) Framework, this workshop highlights how anti-bias approaches support family well-being, positive parent-child relationships, and the role of families as lifelong educators and advocates. Participants will examine how implicit bias and systemic inequities can impact family engagement and explore strategies to create more inclusive, culturally responsive environments.Through guided reflection, real-world scenarios, and collaborative discussion, attendees will gain practical tools to build authentic partnerships with families from diverse backgrounds. The session emphasizes elevating family voice, fostering trust, and creating spaces where families feel seen, respected, and valued.Participants will leave with actionable strategies to integrate anti-bias principles into daily interactions, program practices, and family engagement efforts. By centering the lived experiences of families, educators can move beyond surface-level engagement and toward meaningful, equitable partnerships that support children’s development and strengthen communities.

In this workshop participants will be introduced to the Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Competencies and practice using them as a lens to deepen their understanding of the families they serve. Participants will take on roles of teacher, caregivers and supervisors with a reflective and curious stance to learn more about each other’s experience.

Strong family engagement begins with strong leadership. When leaders intentionally cultivate a culture of trust, collaboration, and reflective practice, staff are better equipped to build authentic partnerships with families that support children’s learning, well-being, and long-term success. This interactive session explores how leaders can strengthen staff capacity by creating relationship-based practices that foster family engagement across all levels of the program. Participants will examine how leadership influences organizational climate, staff wellness, communication, and family partnerships while identifying practical strategies that can be implemented immediately. Grounded in the Head Start Parent, Family, and Community Engagement (PFCE) Framework, this workshop combines research, self-reflection, real-world examples, and collaborative activities that inspire participants to lead with empathy, cultural responsiveness, and purpose.