On March 8th and 9th, the Minnesota Head Start Association held their quarterly meeting in St. Paul.
Angie Lindseth, President Head Start/Early Head Start Policy Council, Parent Affiliate, Andy Nissen, Vice President Head Start/Early Head Start Policy Council, Parent Affiliate, Tara Morrison, Program Area Specialist, Staff Affiliate, Laurie Coleman, Head Start Child and Family Program Director, Director Affiliate, all attended the event. Denny DeMers, former CEO of Tri-Valley Opportunity Council, Inc., also attended the event and got voted in as a Friend of the Director Affiliate.
Membership in MHSA provides members with networking, training, policy development, and advocacy opportunities through organized peer and interest groups. Attendees heard from The Minnesota Department of Human Services on what is new for licensed providers, and from Minnesota Reading Corps on new opportunities for coaching corp members. They also had discussions about workforce recruiting within Head Start and heard from Dave Synder with the MN Building Asset Coalition. (pictured with Angie in the attached photo)
On March 9th, MHSA held their annual Head Start Heroes event to honor members of the Minnesota Head Start community who overcame tremendous challenges and achieved personal and family success. Our very own, Angie Lindseth, President Head Start/Early Head Start Policy Council, presented an award to one of the recipients this year! The event was held at the Science Museum of Minnesota. Attendees had time to view the Wonder Years, the science of early childhood development, exhibit at the museum as well.
Also on the 9th, Yasmina Vinci, Executive Director for the National Head Start Association, held a discussion about the future of Head Start. Specifically, what is happening in Washington D.C. and how Head Start can prepare for the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead.
Concluding the two day event, Angie and Andy traveled to the State Capitol to bring Head Start Heroes booklets to legislators’ offices.