Wisconsin Head Start Association

Currently in Wisconsin, there are 40,300 kids, aged 3-5 years old, who are living in extreme poverty. We are proud to be serving 29% of them.

Wisconsin Head Start Association

We provide educational experiences that have been proven to help kids succeed, both while they are in school and throughout the rest of their lives.

Wisconsin Head Start Association

Head Start babies are more likely to graduate from high school, attend college and break free from the cycle of poverty into which they were born.

Fall Launch: Communities of Practice

Join Wisconsin’s Head Start Movement for Collaborative Growth

We Need Your Expertise

Bring your proven strategies to Wisconsin’s largest gathering of Head Start professionals. 300+ leaders are ready for solutions that work.

Wisconsin Head Start Facts


16,197

Head Start & Early Head Start

2,346

MIGRANT/SEASONAL HEAD START

1,090

Tribal Children

401

STATE HEAD START

Latest News From Wisconsin Head Start Association

We Need You: Share Your Expertise at WHSA 2026

We Need You: Share Your Expertise at WHSA 2026

Right now, we need each other more than ever. Sixty-one years strong, Wisconsin's Head Start community gathers Monday - Wednesday, February 23-25, 2026 Kalahari Resort & Convention Center, Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin 300+ colleagues. 35+ expert sessions. Indoor...

read more
WHSA 2026 Annual Training Conference

WHSA 2026 Annual Training Conference

Join us for the Wisconsin Head Start Association's 24th Annual Training Conference Monday – Wednesday, February 23-25, 2026 Mark your calendars! This three-day educational experience will bring together Head Start and Early Childhood Education professionals, parents,...

read more
Communities of Practice Series 2025 – 2026

Communities of Practice Series 2025 – 2026

Join Wisconsin’s Head Start Movement for Collaborative Growth   Winter Deep Dive Begins December 2025 The Communities of Practice Winter Deep Dive is your opportunity for flexible, meaningful professional development that fits your schedule. For a fee of $90, you...

read more
Affiliate Scholarships  |  Becas Para Afiliadas de WHSA

Affiliate Scholarships | Becas Para Afiliadas de WHSA

**En inglés y español** The WHSA Affiliate Scholarships are annual awards funded through proceeds from WHSA fundraising efforts and event raffles. These scholarships are specifically designed for Head Start and Early Head Start parents and staff members who are...

read more
WHSA Governance Toolkit

WHSA Governance Toolkit

Description A strong Governance System is built on clear processes, adherence to requirements, and development of positive relationships between management and Governing Bodies, which are essential to support compliance, continuous improvement and innovation. This...

read more
WHSA Winter Advocacy Series 2025

WHSA Winter Advocacy Series 2025

WHSA Winter Advocacy Series Feb. 3, 10, & 17, Mar. 3, 2025 Join us for a virtual, 4-part, advocacy training series! WHSA has partnered with the Wisconsin Early Childhood Association advocacy team to bring short advocacy trainings that will be useful to the...

read more

Follow WHSA

Find A Program Near You

find-a-wisconsin-head-start-center

 In 2021, Wisconsin Head Start Association served…


2,372

Children with Disabilities

1307

HOMELESS CHILDREN

640

Foster Children

333

Pregnant Women

“Head Start gave us (my husband and I) both the initial tools we needed to become good students and successful professionals.”
Stephanie Gaines-Bryant

“The Head Start initiative will forever be close to my heart because it is the very place where I began interacting with the world and it has made the difference in my life.”
Crystal Swinton

“I am privileged to be part of a Head Start organization as an adult — an agency that changes lives, improves our community, and is dedicated to helping people help themselves and each other.”
Rosalie Fernandez