National Head Start Association

The National Head Start Association is a non-partisan, not-for-profit organization committed to the belief that every child, regardless of circumstances at birth, has the ability to succeed in life. NHSA is the voice for more than 1 million children, 200,000 staff and 1,600 Head Start grantees in the United States.

Our vision is to lead - to be the untiring voice that will not be quiet until every vulnerable child is served with the Head Start model of support for the whole child, the family and the community – and to advocate – to work diligently for policy and institutional changes that ensure all vulnerable children and families have what they need to succeed. Our mission is to coalesce, inspire, and support the Head Start field as a leader in early childhood development and education.

Head Start’s Parent, Family, and Community Engagement Framework:

Two Generations Together

With the support and partnership of Ascend, NHSA’s Two Generations Together project will highlight the most successful two-generation efforts that have developed in Head Start programs across the country and disseminate strategies and resources to help other Head Start and early learning programs develop or enhance two-generation work of their own.

Six selected programs will be:• Featured in a nationally-distributed case study report on Head Start two-

generation models• Invited to present at the Two Generations Together Institute before NHSA's

2015 Winter Leadership Institute• Involved in webinars and other efforts to raise awareness of all that Head

Start does for families beyond providing preschool education• Highlighted across NHSA and Ascend at the Aspen Institute's national

networks

Other programs whose applications demonstrate a commitment to two-generation work will be mentioned in our nationally-distributed case study report and highlighted in other ways.

All applicants will be included in the first phase of a new NHSA Learning Network on two-generation efforts.