TXHSA & HGJA ERSEA For Decision Makers Summit – Hybrid (In-Person, Austin, TX and Virtual)

About the ERSEA for Decision Makers Summit

The Texas Head Start Association (TXHSA) and H.G. Jones & Associates (HGJA) are partnering together to promote and deliver a Statewide ERSEA Initiative focusing on advocacy, professional development, training, and partnerships to assist Head Start programs to reduce and eliminate under-enrollment. The ERSEA Initiative will assist programs with strengthening Eligibility, Recruitment, Selection, Enrollment, and Attendance (ERSEA) oversight, management, and accountability.

As a professional in the Head Start, early care and education, childcare, or health and human services community, Head Start leaders and managers understand that the Head Start Act (the law) requires all Head Start programs to serve children and families with the greatest need as well as meet and maintain full enrollment. These children are from families who live at or below the poverty lines, receive public assistance such as Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI), and categorially eligible children who are in foster care, homeless, or receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. Not serving these families is not an option; it is mandatory and with good reason. Head Start’s comprehensive services are needed and the average annual cost per child is $7,500+, and in Early Head Start is $15,500+ annually. Program Information Reports (PIR) and other statistical data show that some programs struggle to meet and maintain full enrollment, equating to approximately 180,000+ vacancies annually. The TXHSA and HGJA plan to be a part of the solution to address this critical issue impacting local programs.

The ERSEA for Decision Markers Summit titled “Exploring Solutions to Address Critical Issues Impacting Head Start Enrollment”. The Summit is designed to strengthen leaders’ and managers’ knowledge and skills required to strengthen Head Start ERSEA operations, strategy, and performance. We are encouraging Head Start teams to join us in exploring ideas, strategies, and solutions for executing the requirements of the Head Start Act, the Final Rule on Head Start Eligibility, performance standards, federal, state, and local regulations, and industry best practices.

Learning Outcomes

Each participant will:

• Better understand the root causes of under-enrollment.
• Be equipped with new information, knowledge, and skills to reduce and eliminate under-enrollment.
• Better understand ERSEA systems and the importance of a team’s approach to meet regulatory and programmatic requirements.
• Better understand leaders’ and managers’ roles and responsibilities in supporting direct service/center staff in carrying out ERSEA requirements.
• Develop new ideas, strategies, and solutions to meet and maintain full enrollment.
• Understand the resources available at the national, regional, state, and local levels to support Head Start programs to meet and maintain full enrollment.

Target Audience

Emerging and seasoned professionals of varying specialties will benefit from this unique learning experience. It is the ideal management retreat experience, and grantees are encouraged to register as an organizational team: Chief Executive Officer or Executive Director, Board, and Policy Council Chair/Members, Head Start Director, Finance Director, Human Resource Director, Information Technology Director, Operations and Program Coordinator, Content Area Managers, Supervisors as well as others who hold a position of responsibility and accountability in ERSEA.

Agenda at a Glance

Day One: Wednesday, May 8, 2024

• Welcome and Overview
• Update on OHS Full Enrollment Initiative
• Update on Advocacy Efforts to Support Workforce, Eligibility, and Enrollment
• States Enrollment Perspectives
• Addressing Economic, Social, Legal, and Programmatic Aspects of Under-enrollment
•  Examining the Root Causes and Impacts of Under-enrollment
• Q&A, Wrap Up Day One Activities

Day Two: Thursday, May 9, 2024

• Review of Day Two Activities
• Exploring Innovative ERSEA Strategies and Solutions to Reduce and Eliminate Under-enrollment
• ERSEA Budget Planning and Development for Change of Scope
• Data, AI, Technology, & Enrollment
• Leadership and Management Responsibilities Related to ERSEA Performance
• Q&A, Evaluation, and Wrap Up

Payment

TXHSA members receive discounted registration (TXHSA Member Early Bird Rate $475; TXHSA Member Regular Rate $525; and Non-Member Rate $575). This is a limited-ticket event. Tickets are non-refundable.

Hotel Information

Sheraton Austin Hotel at the Capitol
701 East 11th St, Austin, TX 78701
1-512-478-1111
CLICK HERE to book your hotel room. (opens in new window)

Room Rates
Standard Room Rate $170 per night single/double occupancy

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the event an In-Person or Hybrid Event?

TXHSA & HGJA is hosting the event as an in-person conference in Austin, TX. All sessions and events will be live; there will be consideration for virtual option.

Will there be COVID mitigation measures?

TXHSA and HGJA is committed to the health and safety of all participants – attendees, speakers, exhibitors, and staff. We plan to deliver the same world-class conference experience associated with our brand and the industry-leading hygiene practices of our event venue. We will continue to monitor developments, make protocol adjustments as required, and post updates accordingly.

Changes, Cancellations and Substitutions

HGJA and TXHSA reserves the right to change the training or cancel an activity if enrollment criteria are not met or when conditions beyond its control prevail. Registrants will be contacted in the event of cancellation. Liability will be limited to the refund of the training registration fee only. Cancellations can be made up to ten business days before your scheduled training: your registration fee will be refunded less a $50 fee. No refunds will be made for cancellations made less than ten business days before your scheduled Summit; however, you may send a substitute. All cancellation and substitution requests must be received in writing.