Training

Training

Organizations are only as good as the professionals who work for them. Even in highly committed learning organizations, keeping up with the pace of new information is a challenge. HGJA makes that job easier – and our clients more effective.

We specialize in hands-on training that produces results. From national, stand-alone events for individuals to turnkey, tailored programs for organizations, our priority is to deliver a unique experience that not only opens minds but puts them to work in new ways. Customized educational events can also be combined with consultation services for greater organizational impact.

Customer-designed solutions to suit unique needs can be delivered virtually to ensure the greatest number of staff, partners, and stakeholders can participate. Public seminars are also offered and designed to build skills and offer networking opportunities.

2025 In-Person, Partnership & Virtual Training Calendar

  • HGJA and TXHSA ERSEA Level One Course: Understanding the Fundamentals - (Virtual and In-Person, San Antonio, TX)
    • Day 1
      April 16, 2025
      9:30 am - 3:30 pm
    • Day 2
      April 17, 2025
      9:30 am - 3:30 pm

    HGJA and TXHSA have partnered to strengthen participants' knowledge and skills for meeting the requirements outlined in Part 1302 of the federal regulations regarding eligibility, recruitment, selection, enrollment, and attendance (ERSEA) in Head Start. Participants will gain an in-depth understanding of the ERSEA regulations, and the impact of the Head Start Act on eligibility and accessibility issues, such as in the cases of Homeless and Over-income families.

  • ERSEA Level Two Course: Implementing the Requirements - (In Person, Chicago, IL and Virtual)
    • Day 1
      April 24, 2025
      9:30 am - 3:30 pm
    • Day 2
      April 25, 2025
      9:30 am - 3:30 pm

    This training builds on the basics established in Level One. It develops a further understanding of the regulations, provides ideas for implementation, and places an emphasis on systems management. Level Two focuses on best practices in implementation and management that make ERSEA processes successful.

  • TXHSA & HGJA Head Start Leadership Summit - "Leading Through Change" (Austin, TX)
    • TXHSA Leadership Summit - Day One
      May 1, 2025
      9:00 am - 4:00 pm
    • TXHSA Leadership Summit - Day Two
      May 2, 2025
      9:00 am - 4:00 pm

    The 2025 Texas Head Start Leadership Summit is a key event for administrators, policymakers, leaders, and community advocates focused on enhancing early childhood education and social services in Texas. This year's theme, "Leading Through Change: The New Era of Thriving Through Uncertainty," emphasizes improving outcomes for children and families through innovative practices and strategic partnerships.

    The summit will underscore the essential role of innovation in generating impactful outcomes. It will feature workshops conducted by esteemed leaders in leadership, systemic operational management, early childhood, human, and social services development. These workshops will present evidence-based strategies designed to enhance outcomes, promote inclusion, and strengthen all levels of collaboration. Participants will have the opportunity to present case studies and engage in discussions that empower them to enact meaningful initiatives within their Head Start programs. We invite you to join us in exploring new directions in early childhood education and enhancing our collective influence on the lives of Texas children and families.

  • TXHSA & HGJA Partnership ERSEA Level Two Course: Implementing the Requirements - (Virtual and In-Person, Houston, TX)
    • Day 1
      May 7, 2025
      9:30 am - 3:30 pm
    • Day 2
      May 8, 2025
      9:30 am - 3:30 pm

    This training builds on the basics established in Level One. It develops a further understanding of the regulations, provides ideas for implementation, and places an emphasis on systems management. Level Two focuses on best practices in implementation and management that make ERSEA processes successful.

  • ERSEA Level Three Course: Managing the Process - (In-Person, Chicago, IL and Virtual)
    • Day 1
      May 29, 2025
      9:30 am - 3:30 pm
    • Day 2
      May 30, 2025
      9:30 am - 3:30 pm

    This training builds on Levels One and Two and is designed to assist programs to better track, monitor, and evaluate the overall ERSEA process and the systems that support it.

  • ERSEA Review and Exam: Successful Completion of Core Competencies - (Hybrid) (In-Person, Chicago, IL and Virtual)
    • Day 1
      June 17, 2025
      9:30 am - 3:30 pm
    • Day 2
      June 18, 2025
      9:30 am - 12:00 pm

    The ERSEA Certification Review and Exam is a day-and-a-half session to prepare each participant for the comprehensive ERSEA Certification Exam. The Exam includes 100 questions designed to test each participant's skills, knowledge, and understanding of the ERSEA process. Upon satisfactory completion of the Certification process, the ERSEA Certification will be good for one (1) year. After one year, it must be renewed by the completion of a ERSEA Re-Certification training and successful completion of the Re-Certification exam.

  • TXHSA & HGJA Partnership ERSEA Level Three Course: Managing the Process - (Virtual and In-Person, South Padre Island, TX)
    • Day 1
      June 23, 2025
      9:30 am - 3:30 pm
    • Day 2
      June 24, 2025
      9:30 am - 3:30 pm

    This training builds on Levels One and Two and is designed to assist programs to better track, monitor, and evaluate the overall ERSEA process and the systems that support it.

  • TXHSA & HGJA Partnership Head Start Summer Conference (South Padre Island, TX)
    • Summer Head Start Conference - Day One
      June 24, 2025
      8:00 am - 5:00 pm
    • Summer Head Start Conference - Day Two
      June 25, 2025
      8:00 am - 5:00 pm
    • Summer Head Start Conference - Day Three
      June 26, 2025
      8:00 am - 5:00 pm

    The Texas Head Start Association will host its 2025 Summer Conference on June 23-24 in South Padre Island, Texas. This year's theme, "One Voice, One Dream," focuses on fostering resilience in children and families through innovative practices and collaboration.

    Participants will engage in workshops and expert-led sessions covering vital topics such as ERSEA (Eligibility, Recruitment, Selection, Enrollment, and Attendance), trauma-informed care, social-emotional learning, and effective family engagement strategies. Attendees will learn evidence-based methods to support children facing adversity and emphasize the importance of community partnerships in creating a holistic support system.

  • Family Engagement: Managing the Partnership Development Process (Hybrid) (In-Person - Chicago, IL and Virtual)
    • Day 1
      July 16, 2025
      9:30 am - 3:30 pm
    • Day 2
      July 17, 2025
      9:30 am - 3:30 pm

    HGJA’s Family Engagement Training Session will demonstrate the critical elements of Family Engagement and Development with specific activities to understand the mandates, organize families, and increase outcomes. The session provides CDC Planning Guides and Resources related to COVID-19. In addition to the OHS PFCE framework and tools on how to encourage, involve, and measure families’ involvement at different levels, it provides early childhood and human/social services practitioners and professionals with the core fundamentals of enhancing and building sustainable partnerships with families intentionally and reciprocally.

  • ERSEA Re-Certification Masterclass - (In-Person Only, Chicago, IL)
    • Day 1
      July 23, 2025
      9:30 am - 3:30 pm
    • Day 2
      July 24, 2025
      9:30 am - 3:30 pm
    • Day 3
      July 25, 2025
      9:30 am - 3:30 pm

    This session will strengthen participants' knowledge and skills for meeting the requirements outlined in Part 1302 of the federal regulations regarding Eligibility, Recruitment, Selection, Enrollment, and Attendance (ERSEA). Participants will explore new ideas, strategies, solutions, and best practices for successfully leading, managing, and implementing ERSEA processes. Ultimately, the session will assist programs to understand better that ERSEA means access to services, not service delivery.

  • TXHSA & HGJA Partnership ERSEA Train the Trainer (In-Person Only, Austin, TX)
    • Day 1
      September 8, 2025
      9:30 am - 3:30 pm
    • Day 2
      September 9, 2025
      9:30 am - 3:30 pm
    • Day 3
      September 10, 2025
      9:30 am - 3:30 pm

    Details forthcoming.

  • TXHSA & HGJA Partnership ERSEA Review and Exam: Successful Completion of Core Competencies - (Virtual and In-Person, Austin, TX)
    • Day 1
      September 11, 2025
      9:30 am - 3:30 pm
    • Day 2
      September 12, 2025
      9:30 am - 3:30 pm

    The ERSEA Certification Review and Exam is a day-and-a-half session to prepare each participant for the comprehensive ERSEA Certification Exam. The Exam includes 100 questions designed to test each participant's skills, knowledge, and understanding of the ERSEA process. Upon satisfactory completion of the Certification process, the ERSEA Certification will be good for one (1) year. After one year, it must be renewed by the completion of a ERSEA Re-Certification training and successful completion of the Re-Certification exam.

  • ERSEA Level One Course: Understanding the Fundamentals - (Hybrid) (In-Person, Chicago, IL and Virtual)
    • Day 1
      September 24, 2025
      9:30 am - 3:30 pm
    • Day 2
      September 25, 2025
      9:30 am - 3:30 pm

    This training is designed to strengthen participants' knowledge and skills for meeting the requirements outlined in Part 1302 of the federal regulations regarding eligibility, recruitment, selection, enrollment, and attendance (ERSEA) in Head Start. Participants will gain an in-depth understanding of the ERSEA regulations and the impact of the Head Start Act on eligibility and accessibility issues, such as in the cases of Homeless and Over-income families.

  • TXHSA & HGJA Partnership Region VI Head Start Fall Conference (Dallas, TX)
    • Region IV Head Start Fall Conference - Day One
      October 21, 2025
      8:00 am - 5:00 pm
    • Region IV Head Start Fall Conference - Day Two
      October 22, 2025
      8:00 am - 5:00 pm
    • Region IV Head Start Fall Conference - Day Three
      October 23, 2025
      8:00 am - 5:00 pm
    • Region IV Head Start Fall Conference - Day Four
      October 24, 2025
      8:00 am - 5:00 pm

    The Texas Head Start Association (TXHSA) is honored to be the host state of the Region VI Head Start conference and is excited to promote the meaningful theme “One Voice, One Dream” for all the 2025 TXHSA events. This initiative reflects our collective hopes and aspirations, fostering unity and support within our community.

    This year’s conference will address critical themes that are of great importance, such as the necessity of providing Head Start services to low-income communities, the principles of ERSEA (Eligibility, Recruitment, Selection, Enrollment, and Attendance), trauma-informed practices, the advantages of inclusive and responsive teaching methods, and the imperative of integrating health and social services within early learning environments. Our collective goal is to foster nurturing environments that promote the well-being and development of our youngest learners while empowering dedicated stakeholders to enhance early childhood education and strengthen community connections across Region VI.

  • ERSEA Level Two Course: Implementing the Requirements - (Hybrid) (In Person, Chicago, IL and Virtual)
    • Day 1
      October 29, 2025
      9:30 am - 3:30 pm
    • Day 2
      October 30, 2025
      9:30 am - 3:30 pm

    This training builds on the basics established in Level One. It develops a further understanding of the regulations, provides ideas for implementation, and places an emphasis on systems management. Level Two focuses on best practices in implementation and management that make ERSEA processes successful.

  • ERSEA Level Three Course: Managing the Process - (Hybrid) (In-Person, Chicago, IL and Virtual)
    • Day 1
      November 12, 2025
      9:30 am - 3:30 pm
    • Day 2
      November 13, 2025
      9:30 am - 3:30 pm

    This training builds on Levels One and Two and is designed to assist programs to better track, monitor, and evaluate the overall ERSEA process and the systems that support it.

  • ERSEA Re-Certification: Building on Established Foundations - (San Juan, Puerto Rico)
    • Day 1
      November 17, 2025
      9:30 am - 3:30 pm
    • Day 2
      November 18, 2025
      9:30 am - 3:30 pm

    This session will strengthen participants' knowledge and skills for meeting the requirements outlined in Part 1302 of the federal regulations regarding Eligibility, Recruitment, Selection, Enrollment, and Attendance (ERSEA). Participants will explore new ideas, strategies, solutions, and best practices for successfully leading, managing, and implementing ERSEA processes. Ultimately, the session will assist programs to understand better that ERSEA means access to services, not service delivery.

  • ERSEA Summit IV: Masterclass on Innovation, Technology, and Finance (San Juan, Puerto Rico)
    • ERSEA Summit IV - Day One
      November 19, 2025
      9:00 am - 4:00 pm
    • ERSEA Summit IV - Day Two
      November 20, 2025
      9:00 am - 4:00 pm

    Smooth Entry Masterclass The ERSEA Summit IV: Masterclass on Innovation, Technology, and Finance, taking place in San Juan, Puerto Rico, is a key event for…

  • ERSEA Review and Exam: Successful Completion of Core Competencies - (Hybrid) (In-Person, Chicago, IL and Virtual)
    • Day 1
      December 4, 2025
      9:30 am - 3:30 pm
    • Day 2
      December 5, 2025
      9:30 am - 12:00 pm

    The ERSEA Certification Review and Exam is a day-and-a-half session to prepare each participant for the comprehensive ERSEA Certification Exam. The Exam includes 100 questions designed to test each participant's skills, knowledge, and understanding of the ERSEA process. Upon satisfactory completion of the Certification process, the ERSEA Certification will be good for one (1) year. After one year, it must be renewed by the completion of a ERSEA Re-Certification training and successful completion of the Re-Certification exam.