From January 25-28, 2026, Mandy Gerhard, Program Administrator of Head Start and Pre-K Counts, along with Kate Bayer and Beth Weckel, Assistant Program Administrators for Head Start, attended the National Head Start Association (NHSA) Winter Leadership Institute in Washington, D.C. This annual national event brings together Head Start leaders, staff, parents, and advocates from across the country to celebrate the impact of Head Start while strengthening leadership capacity, collaboration, and advocacy efforts.
Throughout the institute, participants engaged in advocacy training, professional development, and educational sessions focused on policy issues of critical importance to Head Start. Highlights included meetings with members of Congress and meaningful dialogue about how Head Start programs nationwide are leading, innovating, and responding to the needs of their communities.
“Connecting directly with our federal partners gives us the opportunity to share what’s happening in our local programs,” said Mandy Gerhard. “These conversations help ensure policies reflect the real needs of our students, families, and educators.”
Participation in the NHSA Winter Leadership Institute strengthened the team’s understanding of the federal policy landscape and reinforced the importance of coordinated advocacy at the national level. By sharing local perspectives and learning from peers across the national Head Start network, the team gained valuable insights that will support informed leadership, continued advocacy, and the delivery of high-quality services for the children and families served by our programs.