Vermont Head Start Association HomepageVermont Head Start Association

VHSA is committed to giving every vulnerable child an opportunity to succeed.

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Staff Resources

Covid-19 Resources

Please go to this web page for updates and resources during the response to COVID-19.  Head Start and Early Head Start employees can check with their supervisors about this list of Virtual/Distance Strategies to Support Children, Families & Staff.

In the midst of the COVID-19 crisis, we know staff are looking for support to implement trauma-informed approaches to services.  Florida State University (FSU) has resources to help.  The University has compiled a menu of resources and training. This menu can be found on the FSU website.  Click on the “learn more” box under the Head Start logo and the title: Trauma-Related Resources for Early Head Start and Head Start Programs.

Our Staff Mean Everything to the Community

The Head Start community in Vermont is a close, supportive community. We think of our staff from the Head Start teachers to the cooks as part of a team that provide the very best early childhood educational experience.  One way to support the whole team is to advance their professional development.  Each Head Start and Early Head Start program set aside funds and plan for training throughout the year.

The Vermont Head Start Association is an integral part of this community.  VHSA board of directors are dedicated to encouraging and supporting staff to learn and grow through training, education, advocacy or community building. For example, VHSA’s goal is to support ongoing professional development to the workforce.  One step to achieve the goal is to partner each year with the Vermont Association for the Education of Young Children – VTAEYC that has hosted the well attended annual Early Childhood Fall Conference and Retreat.  In 2017, VTAEYC invited VHSA to help plan and co-host the conference.  Since then regional child care associations are partners with VTAEYC and VHSA to help plan and offer workshop presenters and keynote speakers who motivate and inspire early childhood practice.

Visit the Calendar and Events to see about upcoming events that support staff in their professional development.

Active Supervision

Head Start and Early Head Start programs offer regular in-service training to build their employees’ skills and knowledge.  Here is one example from Champlain Valley Head Start, recorded at a 2019 training session with staff.  Active supervision of children supports child health and safety and is a top priority for the field of early care and education. Click this link to play the video.

ECLKC Resources

Here are a few resources from the Early Childhood Learning and Knowledge Center (ECLKC), Training and Technical Assistance site that we think help build the highly qualified and valued staff to our parents, families and partners.