The Florida Head Start Association (FHSA) is excited to share that our office has officially relocated to a new, modern space designed to better support our members, partners, and the work we do across the state. 

As of June 15, the FHSA team is now operating from:

325 John Knox Road
Building L, Suite 200
Tallahassee, FL 32303 

This move represents an important step forward for our organization. The updated space enhances our ability to collaborate, host small meetings, and continue delivering high‑quality support to Florida’s Head Start and Early Head Start community. 

We look forward to welcoming members and partners into the new office. If you are in the Tallahassee area, we invite you to stop by, say hello, and see the new space. 

Thank you for your continued support as FHSA grows and strengthens its capacity to serve programs, families, and children statewide.

The Florida Head Start Association is proud to announce that registration is officially open for the 2026 Annual Conference & Expo, taking place October 27–29, 2026, in Orlando. This year’s theme—Stronger Together: Building Brighter Futures for Florida’s Families—reflects the collective power of Florida’s early childhood community and the essential role Head Start plays in shaping opportunity for children and families statewide. 

Early Registration is now open through July 21, 2026:

• Member Rate: $450
• Non-Member Rate: $575

With more than 30 high‑quality sessions spanning leadership, challenging behaviors, disabilities, mental health, fiscal management, and federal monitoring, this year’s conference offers one of the most robust professional development lineups to date. Sessions such as “Let’s Take It Outside: An Overview of Learning Through Nature and Outdoor Play” and “Thinking Like a Reviewer: Preparing Your Program for Federal Focus Area Reviews” highlight the breadth of expertise attendees can expect.

The 2026 conference features a rich lineup of sessions designed to meet the evolving needs of Florida’s Head Start and Early Head Start programs. Attendees will find practical, actionable learning across all major content areas, including:

• Challenging Behaviors – such as Prevent Teach Reinforce for Young Children (PTR‑YC) and Turning Conflict Into Connection
• Leadership & Team Development – including Strong Teams Change Everything and Reflective Leadership in Head Start
• Monitoring & Federal Reviews – with sessions like Thinking Like a Reviewer and SAUCE Up Your Systems™
• Disabilities & Inclusion – including Rethinking Inclusion and Inclusion in Action
• Mental Health & Wellness – from staff wellness strategies to supporting families and young children
• Fiscal & Systems Management – strengthening financial foundations and grant success

Whether you are a director, teacher, family advocate, coach, or community partner, this year’s conference offers the tools, inspiration, and connections to elevate your work and strengthen outcomes for children and families.

We invite you to be part of this statewide gathering of early childhood leaders and changemakers. Register early, secure your spot, and get ready for three days of learning, connection, and celebration. 

Early Registration ends July 21, 2026. 

Together, we are building brighter futures for Florida’s families.

After you secure your spot, don't forget to book your hotel accommodation! 

FHSA has a special room rate of $149/per night++. Use the "Book Now" button below to reserve your room or call 1-800-222-TREE (8733) using the special rate code (AE2). 

• Check-in 4:00 p.m.
• Check-out 11:00 a.m.

Parking: The overnight and event-day self-parking rate is discounted to $15+ tax a night. 

FHSA Annual Conference & Expo is quickly taking shape, and we’re inviting partners who strengthen Head Start operations to join us as sponsors and exhibitors. Taking place October 27–29, 2026, in Orlando, this statewide gathering brings together Head Start and Early Head Start leaders, educators, family services professionals, and community partners for three days of learning, innovation, and connection. 

This year’s conference offers high‑impact opportunities for organizations looking to elevate their visibility and engage directly with the professionals who shape program operations and purchasing decisions across Florida. 

Why Partner With FHSA?

As a sponsor or exhibitor, your organization will benefit from:

• Direct access to program leaders and decision‑makers statewide
• Exclusive 1:1 appointment opportunities with attendees, giving exhibitors dedicated time to showcase solutions and build meaningful connections
• High‑visibility branding before, during, and after the conference
• Opportunities to showcase products, services, and solutions that support children, families, and staff
• Meaningful engagement with attendees seeking new tools, resources, and partnerships
• Optional sponsored breaks and engagement activities that elevate your organization’s presence
• Year‑round visibility opportunities for higher‑tier sponsors

With conference promotions ramping up, now is the ideal time to secure your placement and maximize your exposure.

In May 2026, the Administration released a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) proposing to rescind the 2024 Head Start compensation and benefit requirements, which are scheduled to take effect in 2028 and 2031. These standards were designed to address long‑standing wage disparities and support a more stable, competitive early childhood workforce. The proposed rollback would remove those requirements. 

Learn more about the proposed changes here. 

FHSA submitted formal comments outlining how decades of flat funding and rising costs have strained Florida’s Head Start and Early Head Start programs—and why eliminating the compensation standards without addressing chronic underfunding will only deepen workforce instability. Our comments highlight the real‑world challenges programs face and the need for federal action that strengthens, rather than weakens, the early childhood workforce. 

Read FHSA’s full comment letter here.

When writing an article during the month of Father’s Day, I found myself thinking deeply about the word father. Much of my research and writing has been situated in the lived experiences of mothers, so I decided to take what I understand about mothers and use that lens to think about fathers for this discussion. 

When I think about mothers, I separate the concept into three parts: motherhood, mothering, and motherwork. 

Motherhood is a social construct. It is largely shaped by people outside of the mother and her lived experience. Society creates expectations about what mothers should do, how mothers should behave, and what makes someone a "good mother." In many ways, motherhood becomes a rule book created by society. 

Mothering is different. Mothering is the relationship a person develops with a child while working to meet that child's needs. If a mother has three children, she has three different mothering relationships because each child has different needs, personalities, strengths, and ways of being supported. 

Motherwork is the collection of actions connected to meeting those needs. It is the planning, teaching, protecting, guiding, advocating, comforting, correcting, encouraging, and showing up that helps a child feel seen, supported, valued, and secure. 

That is the logic I know. 

So, I want to use that same logic to think about fathers. 

Fatherhood is often defined by society. Society tells us who fathers are, what fathers should do, and what makes someone a "good father." 

Fathering is different. Fathering is the relationship a person develops with a child while working to protect and meet that child's needs. 

Fatherwork is the collection of actions connected to that relationship. It is the work of teaching, protecting, providing, guiding, listening, encouraging, creating safety, creating opportunity, and showing up. 

When we begin thinking about father as a verb instead of only as a noun, our understanding of parenting expands. 

Seeing father as a verb expands our understanding of the work children need from caring adults. When we understand mother as a verb, father as a verb, and parent as a verb, we recognize that raising children is active, relational work.

Children deserve to be mothered well, fathered well, and parented well. 

That is Village work. 

And that work is strengthened when a child is surrounded by a community of support made up of mission-aligned people within the child's ecosystem. 

In Head Start, we understand that children do not grow alone. 

Strong acorns need strong villages to grow into mighty, mighty Oak Trees

Within those villages, children benefit from adults in their ecosystem who engage in the work of fathering. Fathers. Grandfathers. Uncles. Mentors. Coaches. Teachers. Neighbors. Community members.

 Children benefit from adults who teach them how to solve problems. Adults who model responsibility. Adults who offer guidance. Adults who create safety. Adults who establish boundaries with care. Adults who help children believe in what is possible for themselves. 

Every day across Head Start programs, children interact with adults who contribute to their growth in meaningful ways. 

Some of those adults hold the title of father. 

Some do not. 

There is always space for responsible adults to engage in fathering work within their communities through relationship, investment, and a commitment to helping children move from acorn to mighty, mighty oak tree. 

There have been moments when fathering changed the trajectory of a child's life. There have also been moments when a grandfather, uncle, mentor, coach, teacher, or community member stepped in and let a child know in words and deeds... 

“I’ve got your back. You are not alone. I see you. I am here to help.” 

Children remember the adults who showed up, invested in them, believed in them, and helped them grow. 

Father's Day gives us an opportunity to celebrate fathers. 

It also gives us an opportunity to celebrate the work of fathering. 

Because every child deserves caring adults who are willing to invest their time, wisdom, guidance, encouragement, protection, and care into helping them grow. 

And when enough adults commit themselves to that work, acorns have a greater opportunity to become mighty, mighty oak trees. 

That is fathering. 

And that is work to celebrate.

NHSA hosted a roundtable discussion that brought Head Start directors from across the country together with senior leadership from the Administration for Children and Families (ACF), including Office of Head Start Director Lizbeth Casco White and ACF Chief of Staff Martha Verno. 

FHSA had two Florida-based programs represented during these important conversations: FHSA President, Dr. Maite Riestra-Quintero, Assistant Director Early Childhood Programs - Head Start and Early Head Start Division, Miami-Dade Community Action and Human Services and Department and Isabel Garcia, Executive Director, Redlands Christian Migrant Association (RCMA). 

The conversation created an important opportunity for those working most closely with children and families to hear the top priorities and approach from ACF leadership and then share their experiences, challenges, and ideas directly with federal leaders.

Important Upcoming Events

FHSA EVENTS

FHSA Directors Affiliate Group Monthly Check-In
July 7, 2026
Virtual
Click here for info

FHSA Professional Development Committee Meeting
July 15, 2026
Virtual
Click here for info

FHSA Annual Conference
October 27 - 29, 2026
Orlando, FL
Click here for info

 STATE TRAININGS or EVENTS

DCF Jacksonville Area Refugee Task Force Meeting
July 8, 2026
Virtual
Click here for info

DCF Broward Area Refugee Task Force Meeting
July 16, 2026
Virtual
Click here for info

DCF Palm Beach Area Refugee Task Force Meeting
July 17, 2026
Virtual
Click here for info

NATIONAL TRAININGS or EVENTS

NAFCC Annual Conference
July 15 - 18, 2026
Chicago, IL
Click here for info

Florida’s Head Start community is full of stories- stories of resilience, opportunity, and life-changing impact. FHSA is collecting stories year-round to celebrate Head Start and elevate the voices of families, staff, and alumni who make our programs extraordinary. 

Whether you’re a parent, teacher, leader, or graduate, your story can:

• Show policymakers why comprehensive services matter
• Highlight the dedication of Florida’s early childhood workforce
• Demonstrate Head Start’s long-term impact on families and children

FHSA is seeking passionate, committed members to serve on our committees. This is a meaningful opportunity to help shape the future of Head Start in Florida, strengthen our statewide network, and ensure our programs continue to thrive. 

Your leadership and perspective matter. We would be honored to have you at the table as we continue advancing Head Start’s mission across Florida. 

We are especially seeking volunteers for the By‑Laws, Finance, Membership, and our newly formed Impact & Resource Development Committee.

June is Pride Month, a time to recognize and honor the diverse families and communities we serve. FHSA remains committed to fostering welcoming, inclusive environments where every child and family feels valued and supported.

The Florida Head Start Association Dashboard is one of our most valuable advocacy tools, equipping programs with county-level data that demonstrates the impact of Head Start in communities across Florida.

Whether you're meeting with a local elected official, speaking with a state legislator, or engaging community partners, the dashboard helps tell the story of the children and families you serve through meaningful, data-driven insights. 

To ensure we are advocating with the strongest possible information, we encourage all programs to review their dashboard data and verify that it is current and accurate. Keeping your information up to date strengthens our collective voice and helps policymakers better understand the critical role Head Start plays in preparing children for success while supporting Florida's workforce and economy.

FHSA proudly recognizes Florida State University Early Head Start as it celebrates 30 years of supporting children and families in Gadsden County. Since 1996, the program has provided high‑quality early learning, family support, and comprehensive services that strengthen outcomes for infants, toddlers, and expectant families. 

For three decades, FSU Early Head Start has been a trusted resource in one of Florida’s most rural communities—offering relationship‑based care, home visiting, parent education, and strong community partnerships that uplift families and build long‑term stability. 

Congratulations to the FSU Early Head Start team on this milestone and for continuing to exemplify the heart of Head Start in action. 

Read the full story from Florida State University here.

FHSA is proud to celebrate Board Member, Alisa Thornton, Child Development Senior Manager at The Agricultural and Labor Program, Inc Head Start/Early Head Start, for an extraordinary milestone — 25 years of dedicated service with the Agricultural and Labor Program, Inc. This remarkable achievement was recognized with both the 25‑Year Service Award and the Staff‑Nominated Excellence in Service Award, a testament to her unwavering commitment and the deep respect she has earned from colleagues. 

In reflecting on this honor, she shared her gratitude for the opportunity to grow, learn, and contribute to meaningful work throughout her career. She also expressed heartfelt appreciation for ALPI CEO Arlene Dobison, whose leadership has been a guiding force and source of inspiration. 

FHSA celebrates her long-standing service, her passion for supporting children and families, and her continued impact on the early learning community. Proud of the past and excited for what’s ahead — we are grateful to have her leadership at our board table.

We are grateful to the Kiwanis Club of St. Petersburg for their generous $1,000 grant in support of our Lutheran Services of Florida Head Start program in Pinellas, FL. 

This contribution will help provide essential classroom supplies, sensory tools, and new storage cubbies — resources that create more engaging, organized, and supportive learning environments for the children we serve. 

Every investment in a Head Start classroom is an investment in a child’s future. FHSA extends our sincere thanks to the Kiwanis for their continued commitment to early learning and for helping Head Start programs deliver exceptional education and care to Pinellas County children and families.

ECS4Kids was honored to participate in the inaugural Florida Department of Juvenile Justice Fathers and Faith Symposium, a powerful gathering focused on the vital role fathers and father figures play in strengthening children, families, and communities. 

For Head Start programs, father engagement is a cornerstone of our family partnership work — and this event underscored just how transformative that involvement can be. From supporting children’s social–emotional development to building stronger family connections, fathers are essential partners in helping young children thrive. 

FHSA is grateful to Assistant Secretary Sims and Secretary Walsh for their leadership in creating such a meaningful convening. Their commitment aligns deeply with Head Start’s long-standing belief that when fathers are supported and empowered, children benefit, families grow stronger, and communities flourish.

FHSA leadership joined early learning partners at the Florida Chamber Foundation’s Prosperity & Economic Opportunity Summit on June 9 in Tampa, FL, where conversations centered on strengthening economic mobility, workforce development, and long‑term opportunity for Florida’s children and families. 

Executive Director Wanda Minick, along with FLAEYC President‑Elect Camille Eckrem, M.Ed., and Executive Director Wendy Occhipinti and Tammy Tener, Executive Director, FFCCHA, represented the early learning community, underscoring how high‑quality early childhood education and accessible childcare are essential drivers of Florida’s future prosperity. 

This convening reinforced what our field knows well: investing in young children is foundational to building a stronger, more economically resilient Florida.

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