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.

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

WHSA Spring Advocacy 2025

WHSA Spring Advocacy 2025

Wisconsin Head Start Association Spring Advocacy Event: April 15-16, 2025 SAVE THE DATE! Wisconsin Head Start Association is collaborating with Wisconsin Early Childhood Association, Voices for Health Kids, Raising Wisconsin, and more to bring you our best advocacy...

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WHSA “Final” Rule 2024 Workshop Series

WHSA “Final” Rule 2024 Workshop Series

WHSA "Final" Rule 2024-25 Workshop Series The "Supporting the Head Start Workforce and Consistent Quality Programming" Final Rule, published on August 21, 2024, sets forth the most significant changes to Head Start and Early Head Start in almost a decade. With dozens...

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WHSA Challenging Behaviors Institute 2024

WHSA Challenging Behaviors Institute 2024

WHSA Challenging Behaviors Institute 2024 December 3-5, 2024 Join us for the Wisconsin Head Start Association's Challenging Behaviors Institute, an engaging virtual event designed for educators, administrators, and early childhood caregivers dedicated to supporting...

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WHSA 2025 Annual Conference

WHSA 2025 Annual Conference

Wisconsin Head Start Association is hosting the 23rd annual training conference on February 24-26, 2025. Hold these dates on your calendar to make sure you are free to join your ECE colleagues and the parents you serve in a educational experience that will leave us...

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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...

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WHSA Communities of Practice 2024-25

WHSA Communities of Practice 2024-25

Wisconsin Head Start Association Communities of Practice 2024-25 WHSA Communities of Practice (CoPs) are groups comprised of individuals with similar roles with the goal of solving common problems and developing best practices. Participating individuals engage in...

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 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