Description:
The Head Start Associations of Wisconsin & Minnesota are working together to bring you a truly special event! “Supported Staff Build Supported Communities” will be a hybrid-modeled event that will take place on October 23-25, 2023 at the Lismore Hotel in downtown Eau Claire, WI. This event is designed to support Head Start staff in all their roles and provide them with the tools and resources they need to succeed. The event will feature a keynote speaker, breakout sessions, and networking opportunities. Tribal Programs are especially encouraged to attend as this event will include an AIAN Head Start track with special appearances by Todd Lertjuntharangool from the Region 11 ACF Office and the Tribal Head Start TTA team (ICF).
When: October 23-25, 2023
Where: The Lismore Hotel, Eau Claire, WI
Event Fees: $295 General Admission. Ticket prices are the same for hybrid and in-person attendance.
Hybrid Attendance Options: Both In-Person and online attendance via Zoom will be available for this event. If you plan on attending virtually, please make sure to buy a virtual ticket when registering.
Who Should Attend: Parents, staff, managers and directors. All our welcome! Announcing: This event will include a special track for tribal program attendees!
Room Block Information: A room block is available until September 25, 2023. To book your sleeping rooms:
- Call 1-715-835-8888 (option 0 for guest services) and tell The Lismore agent you are booking under the Wisconsin Head Start Association (three digit code “WHS”).
- Booking direct-link: https://www.hilton.com/en/book/reservation/deeplink/?ctyhocn=EAUDTDT&groupCode=CDTWHS&arrivaldate=2023-10-23&departuredate=2023-10-24&cid=OM,WW,HILTONLINK,EN,DirectLink&fromId=HILTONLINKDIRECT
- Booking through website:
- Go to the hotel website: https://www.hilton.com/en/hotels/eaudtdt-the-lismore-hotel-eau-claire/?SEO_id=GMB-DT-EAUDTDT&y_source=1_MzI2NDc5OC03MTUtbG9jYXRpb24uZ29vZ2xlX3dlYnNpdGVfb3ZlcnJpZGU%3D
- Enter the appropriate dates, select the “Special Rates” tab and enter the three letter group code [ WHS ] into the “Group Code” box.
Questions: Contact Brian at Brians@whsaonline.org or Jennie at Jenniem@whsaonline.org.
Meet Your Keynote:
Mitch Factor has been a lead teacher in Tribal Head Start for over 30 years. Mitch now presents to Tribal Employees across the United States, Alaska and Canada. Mitch specializes in wellness, parent and family involvement, male involvement, and staff working as a collective unit to benefit the child and family. Mitch presents at conferences, national conferences and Tribal events. Mitch Factor is also a humorist and enjoys laughing and having fun while presenting.
Sessions Currently Scheduled:
Click Here to View the Full Tentative Schedule
Monday: October 23, 2023
Prime Your Brain: Executive Function Strategies for Adults and Children in the Classroom
Executive functions skills are crucial for children as they develop in early childhood, and for adults, as they navigate their daily lives. Join Twin Cities PBS in this interactive session, participants will learn how self-regulating strategies support executive function skills so that young children and adults can succeed in their everyday lives, now and in the future. We will practice an engaging strategy together and discuss the value and application of that strategy, as well as do an activity that promotes executive functioning. Participants will come away with instructions for leading the strategy with children and staff back at their organization, along with an activity to try out!
Active Threat/De-Escalation
This session will provide an overview of best practices for maintaining a safe environment in the school/childcare setting. This training will focus on common communication methods and common language that is being utilized to be able to effectively respond to a variety of different emergencies. We will also discuss how to increase individual situational awareness to enhance personal safety and how to contribute to the safety of students/staff in your setting.
Grow Your Own Professionals Model
PICA Head Start in Minneapolis, MN offers a number of parent training programs to help parents learn new skills, gain hands-on work experience and prepare for highly sought after, entry level positions in the workforce. Hear how PICA works with staff, parents, and community to continuously seed their Head Start and Early Head Start programs, as well as the greater community, with diverse and knowledgeable new professionals who are reflective of their Head Start community.
Tuesday: October 24, 2023
On the Road to Financial Wellness –Exploration of the Head Start Economic Mobility Toolkit
The session will build participants understanding of family economic mobility as a core aspect of Family-Well Being, within the Head Start Parent, Family, Community, Engagement Framework. Participants will explore strategies to partner with families to think about their goals that will support their overall family’s economic well-being. Participants will walk away with resources to support families’ financial capability.
Creating a Culture that Retains and Attracts Top Talent Series Part 1
This three-part series is designed to help leaders intentionally create a culture that retains and attracts top talent through a uniquely engaging environment and specific leadership capabilities. Attendance to all three sessions is encouraged.
Designing Your Community Assessment With Tribal Workforce in Mind
Head Start programs have been challenged by unprecedented staff shortages. Adapting your community assessment process to include a focus on the workforce will support effective long term program planning that supports ensuring an adequate workforce is available to meet program needs. Asking the right types of workforce questions and including key players that support the workforce will help you gather the information that is needed to make informed decisions, establish long-term goals and objectives, and to inform strategic planning that is based on the available workforce. It is more important than ever to provide a strong workforce for young children and their families.
Program Office Hours with Regions V
Karen McNamara, Regional Program Manager, Region V OHS will be on site to provide programs with individual office hours. This is the perfect time to brainstorm program improvements, ask questions, and generally build a stronger connection with those at the top of your region! Contact Brian or Jennie to reserve office hour slots for your program.
Don’t Miss the Tuesday Night Reception!
Wednesday: October 25, 2023
Workforce: Staff Recruitment, Onboarding and Staff Retention
Employee-focused organizations have an advantage when it comes to attracting and retaining talent. 2023 has been a year of transitions for many Head Start programs. Consider what “employee-focused organizations” do to support staff recruitment, onboarding, and retention of qualified staff. During the session will discuss best practices and share tools to support both brand new and long-term staff.
Program Office Hours with Regions XI
Todd Lertjuntharangool, Regional Program Manager, Region XI OHS will be on site to provide programs with individual office hours. This is the perfect time to brainstorm program improvements, ask questions, and generally build a stronger connection with those at the top of your region! Contact Brian or Jennie to reserve office hour slots for your program.
Creating a Culture that Retains and Attracts Top Talent Series Part 2
On the Road to Financial Wellness –Exploration of the Head Start Economic Mobility Toolkit Part 2
Click Here to View the Full Tentative Schedule
Click Here to Register Now!
Your Presenters:
So far, WHSA has enlisted a variety of presentations from:
PBS Education – Minnesota
Office of Head Start ACF Regional Offices for Regions V & XI
OHS Region V Training and Technical Assistance Center (STGi)
OHS Region XI Training and Technical Assistance Center (ICF)
More information coming soon!
Additional event support provided by: Discount School Supply
