Leadership Summit

About the Summit

Every nonprofit organization must balance the pursuit of its mission and financial viability.  The health of the organization depends on its ability to weigh its mission, capital structure, and organizational capacity in equal measure both as individual areas of concerns as well as on a larger scale in relation to each other.  Our event theme exemplifies the shared journey of Head Start (HS) and Early Head Start (EHS) leadership in this quest.  Join us at the Leadership Summit to expand your understanding and application of management principles, quality initiatives and best practices.

A Unique Conference Experience 
The event attracts hundreds of early care and learning professionals, parents and partners from throughout the region and around the country. It is this diverse gathering of participants which gives our conference its energy and wide-reach.  Participants are encouraged to take advantage of incredible opportunities to connect with colleagues and experts in your own field and across disciplines. The conference experience has been curated to offer a unique blend of pre-conference events, speaker expertise, learning tracks, presentation formats as well as our corporate sponsor expo showcasing the latest materials and products by industry leaders. From inspiring general sessions and informative educational sessions to meaningful engagement opportunities, the Leadership Summit is designed to encourage breakthrough thinking and collaborative problem-solving.

Target Audience & Learning Objectives

With educational sessions uniquely designed to meet the diverse interests and needs of the Head Start community, participants will not only deepen their knowledge base but also expand their awareness of key frameworks, quality initiatives and best practices.  It is the ideal management retreat experience, and grantees are encouraged to register as an organizational team: Executive Director, Head Start Director, Fiscal Officer, Content Area Managers, Board and Policy Council Chairs/Members, as well as others who hold a position of responsibility and accountability.

• Administrators & Managers: Organizations are experiencing great opportunities for reinvention or growth but many are also vulnerable to considerable risk. The health of the organization depends on its ability to effectively balance its mission, capital structure, and organizational capacity. Participants will expand their understanding and application of management principles, quality initiatives and best practices.
• Center-based & Home-based Teams: From social-emotional and cognitive skills to physical well-being and parent involvement, programs support and nurture all areas of a young child’s development and learning through coordinated and connected strategies. Participants will expand their understanding and application of prevention and intervention strategies, best practices and quality initiatives.
• Parents & Families: Parents are young children’s first and most important teachers, and their socialization is most influenced by their family. Programs engage parents and families as equal partners to support children's ongoing development and learning. Participants will explore strategies and resources to strengthen the connection between family engagement, healthy development, and school readiness.
• Board & Policy Members: Organizations recognize the importance of established and well- functioning governance bodies that share the responsibility for the delivery of high-quality services to children and families. Participants will expand their understanding of program governance as well as related elements of program design and management.
• Community Partners:  The collaboration between Head Start, families, and community agencies builds positive relationships and also supports parent progress toward their goals for themselves and their children. Community partners provide culturally and linguistically responsive services and helpful resources.  Participants will be exposed to strategies to advance their work from parent educational advancement to economic mobility to other aspects of family well-being.

Diamond Jubilee | Head Start Turns 60

At ATCE, we will launch our yearlong Diamond Jubilee celebration of Head Start's 60 years of opportunity. This celebration is not just a reflection of our past achievements, but a joyful invitation to all stakeholders to come together to honor the invaluable contributions of educators, families, partners and sponsors. See how you can get involved in the celebration!

6o Year as Grantee Recognizing grantees that have provided Head Start services since its launch in 1965!

60 Years as Staff   Recognizing staff who have been employed by Head Start since its launch in 1965!

Thank You Head Start Video Capturing videos from Head Start alumni, currently enrolled children and/or families as well as staff at all levels.

Theme Days (Wed) Denim & Bling (Thurs) Head Start Pride - Logo (Gala) A Night in White (Fri) Red Takeover

Activate Membership We will recognize RIVHSA Agency Members as of May 31 at the annual conference in a few ways! Reactivate now to be included.

Purchase Ad in Souvenir Program Celebrate this Head Start milestone year with an ad from your program spotlighting local impact in the souvenir ATCE program.

Order RIVHSA Jubilee T-Shirts Celebrate this Head Start milestone year with one of our signature t-shirts.  This order form is for bulk orders only with a minimum order of 10 in a single color (e.g. white or red).  The order deadline is April 30 at 12pm EST (no exceptions).  Apparel will also be available at the event for small quantity purchases.  See design image below as well as the white shirt modeled by our events team.      

Sign the national Birthday card! Not only will this activity build excitement in our community but will also be used as part of the national advocacy strategy.

Tell Your Head Start Story Your stories are not just memories; they are part of the rich legacy that makes Head Start what it is today. Add to the national collection!

Share Local Celebration Plan Share how your program will be celebrating Head Start's 60th birthday with the National Head Start Association.

Learn More and Register

Use our tentative schedule at-a-glance as a planning reference | Tentative Schedule [Updated 3.10.25]

The app event page provides users with access to real-time information such as an active registration        button, agenda, workshops as well as speaker, sponsor and exhibitor listings.  Stay on the cutting edge with training sessions designed to promote best practice, innovation, and collaboration.  Sessions are confirmed and released in rounds.  Visit regularly to check for new releases! | Event Page [Opens 3.10.25]

Get details about event registration fees, deadlines, payment options and policies.  Members receive a discount on conference registration.  | Consult the Event Registration section to download our Payment Guidelines.

Ready, set, register!  This is a limited ticket event. | Register Today

Download Our Event App Powered by Whova

We are using an online platform called Whova.  Once you have purchased event tickets, you will gain complete app access. You will receive an e-mail from Whova with a download link and instructions prior to the event. You must use the email address entered when registered for the event as your user login. then create/input password.  The app is compatible for download on Apple or Android devices and can be accessed via a mobile device or web platform on a desktop computer.  In Whova, participants will be able to:

• View our event agenda and plan their personal schedule;
• Access handouts, pre-recorded sessions, and live webinar sessions directly within the agenda and utilize the session Q&A and chat to ask questions and interact with other participants;
• Set up in-person/virtual meetups with other attendees to connect and network;
• Create and converse through various discussion topics in the Community Board;
• Receive updates such as last-minute session changes;
• And much more!

Download App (Reminder: App access granted with ticket purchase only)

Frequently Asked Questions

(1) Is the event in-person or hybrid? RIVHSA is hosting our Annual Training Conference & Expo (ATCE) as an in-person conference in Atlanta, Georgia.  All sessions and events will be live; there is not a virtual option.

(2) Are CEUs available for purchase at this event?  Currently, RIVHSA does not offer CEUs.  However, a certificate of attendance is available at no-cost and is available in the app post-event.

(3) App Troubleshooting

< The app does not accept my login > Make sure you are using the correct email address.  Participants must use the email address entered when registered for the event as your user login.

< I cannot remember my password > If the participant has forgotten their password, they must reset by clicking “forgot password”.   RIVHSA does not have access to the password.

< The current event does not show in the app > If the app was downloaded for a previous event but does not show the current event, the best fix is to: (1) uninstall the app; (2) reinstall the app; (3) login using the correct email address.

(4) Will there be health and safety measures?  RIVHSA prioritizes the health and safety of all participants - attendees, speakers, exhibitors, and staff.  We are committed to delivering the world-class conference experience associated with our brand while observing industry-leading health and safety practices in collaboration with our partners and contractors. In keeping with our duty of care and responsibility as an event host, RIVHSA is guided by recommendations from the event venue as well as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and will abide by the legal mandates of the State of Georgia at the time of the event.   RIVHSA will continue to monitor CDC guidance, make protocol adjustments as required, and post updates accordingly because we are committed to delivering this year’s conference content in a format that makes you feel comfortable while still allowing you to receive the industry’s best training.