Professional Development - Head Start - U.S. Department of Health ...

Photo by J. Brough Schamp.
Welcome to the Professional
Development Bulletin
Channell Wilkins
GREETINGS FROM THE OFFICE OF
HEAD START! It is a pleasure to
send you this issue of the Head
Start Bulletin focused on professional
development. Head Start has been a
leader in early childhood and family services
professional development since its inception.
As the Director of the Office of Head
Start, I am happy to have this opportunity
to share the present and future strategies
and innovations on the topic of professional
development.
Head Start has achieved a milestone.
More than half of Head Start teachers are
reported to hold a CDA, BA or beyond. We
are committed to improving that number each
and every year.
Innovation is a prime ingredient in the
OHS support of professional development
and this year is no different. This Bulletin
identifies numerous innovations in professional
development with a computer mouse
icon. I encourage you to become familiar
with these exciting concepts.
Currently, we are embarking on two
approaches that will once again move Head
Start quality services forward. These two
major initiatives are the National Head Start
Training and Technical Assistance Network
and the new Early Childhood Learning and
Knowledge Center.
The National Head Start Training and
Technical Assistance Network is entering its
fourth year. The promise of the new network
has been realized—every Head Start
program has a T/TA plan that is approved
by the regional office to guide the programs
through the comprehensive planning process
required by the Head Start Program
Performance Standards. And a Local TA
Specialist is assigned to every grantee. In the
near future, the T/TA plans will be archived
in OHS in the new electronic Enterprise
System designed to collect data and other
relevant information about grantees and to
track grantee achievements.
The Early Childhood Learning and
Knowledge Center (ECLKC) is an exciting new
venture. It opened in the fall of 2006 and
serves as an electronic platform for the burgeoning
materials developed by Head Start
and other early childhood partners. It puts current
information and expertise at your fingertips!
Designed for staff, parents and community
partners, this interactive, dynamic center
houses the following—
� content information
� training modules
� directories of programs and consultants
� streaming videos of recent conferences
� distance learning information.
Our future is bright! We have before us
everything we need to achieve quality services
in every program—people close to the programs,
the latest technology, and new ways of
sharing information and communicating 24/7.
My vision is that by 2012 we will have an
enormous galaxy of highly qualified and skilled
performers in Head Start who are able to offer
quality services to every child and family.
Please join us on this journey to the future! ■
Channell Wilkins is the Director of the Office
of Head Start.
online…For more information on Head Start, visit our site at www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/hsb/
Head Start Bulletin 3