Upcoming Professional Development Opportunities |
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| Head Start/Early Head Start Directors Directors' Monthly Call |
Every third Thursday of every month, meet and connect virtually and have deeper conversations with those that are facing the same challenges. Grab your lunch and "call-in" or "log in" monthly on the date to make sure you stay in the loop with new happenings in the Head Start world! Don’t miss this monthly opportunity to stay informed on important federal and state initiatives and how they might affect your program. We will meet as one (north, south, and central regions), in one meeting scheduled for Thursday, November 20, 2025 from 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM. |
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ERSEA AND FAMILY ENGAGEMENT WEB SERIES |
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Questions? Contact Cathy, cwelsh@ilheadstart.org |
| Beyond Enrollment: Reimagining Family Engagement
A Web Series for Family Engagement Staff, Family Advocates, and Program Leaders |
Family engagement isn’t paperwork — it’s relationship-building.
And that takes skill, strategy, and stamina.
Join the Illinois Head Start Association and Yolanda Winfrey of Freystyle by Winfrey, LLC for a focused, interactive training that helps you strengthen how your program connects with families, supports staff, and builds lasting trust.
This web series is built for those who do the heart work of engagement and want tools that actually work in real life. |
What You’ll Gain - Understand how agency culture shapes engagement and enrollment
- Build systems that make family engagement sustainable
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Explore how values, norms, and beliefs influence interactions
- Learn why trust should come first — not last
- Leave with practical tools ready to use immediately
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Training Details:
- Virtual via Zoom
- $225 Individual | $175 per person (Teams of 5 or more)
- Date(s): Fridays | November 21, 2025; December 19, 2025, January 9, 2026; February 6, 2026
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Time: 10:00 am - 11:30 am
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Presenter:
Yolanda Winfrey, Freystyle by Winfrey, LLC
Trainer • Consultant • Family Engagement Specialist |
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PARTNERSHIP SPOTLIGHT: IHSA join forces with Child and Family Partners |
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The Illinois Head Start Association (IHSA) is pleased to announce a new partnership with Child and Family Partners (CFP)—a trusted leader in professional development for early childhood professionals. This collaboration brings IHSA members discounted access to two of CFP’s most impactful training programs: |
FAMILY PARTNERSHIP CERTIFICATE PROGRAM |
Built for Family Advocates, Family Service Workers, and Family Partners, this certificate strengthens participants’ ability to form meaningful, goal-oriented relationships with families. Core topics include:
- Cultural humility
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Reflective practice
- Ethical communication
- Trauma-informed engagement strategies
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HOME VISITOR CERTIFICATE PROGRAM |
Designed for Home-Based Educators, this program covers the full scope of home visiting services with training on: - Planning and facilitating parent-child activities
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Navigating challenging conversations with empathy
- Supporting child development and family well-being through strengths-based practices
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We are excited to support IHSA members in preparing a workforce that is confident, capable, and committed to serving children and families with excellence.
Learn more:
Visit cfpwyo.com
Email cfpwyo@gmail.com
Or connect with Cathy Welsh, IHSA Director of Learning, cwelsh@ilheadstart.org |
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SAVE THE DATE! - COMING THIS SPRING! |
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| COMING SPRING 2026! IHSA Annual Conference - "Head Start: The Power of Us" |
The Illinois Head Start Association's 48th Annual Conference brings together Head Start and Early Head Start professionals, parents, and partners from across Illinois. This year's theme, "The Power of Us" celebrates what happens when our community comes together - to connect, create, and cultivate the future of Head Start.
Join us as we come together in extraordinary times to share knowledge, inspire one another, and deepen our collective impact for children, families, and communities. |
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Do you have something helpful, creative, or inspiring to share? |
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We are excited to announce a call for presenters for the 48th Annual IHSA conference, themed "Head Start - The Power of Us." This is a fantastic opportunity to share your expertise, innovative tools, or inspiring success stories that can help other Head Start/Early Head Start program thrive.
We’re seeking presentations that focus on connecting, creating, and cultivating the future of Head Start in Illinois. Our community is full of creative problem solvers, innovative thinkers, and changemakers ready to share their ideas, strategies, and success stories. We welcome sessions on classroom practices, family engagement, leadership, wellness, and more.
Submit your proposal on or before November 21, 2025.
Don't miss your chance to inspire and make a difference. |
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