hen Dr. Deborah Bergeron joined the National Head Start Association (NHSA) in 2021, she saw an opportunity for the organization to lead in a way it never had before: by becoming an online hub for professional development.

“NHSA has always done excellent in-person professional development conferences,” says Dr. Bergeron. “But we knew that expanding our online presence could make learning more accessible and equitable, which is what Head Start is all about.”

Head Start supports school readiness for young children via programs for pregnant women and children from birth to age five. It often serves income-eligible families facing housing instability or other challenges. NHSA advocates for these programs at the national level and provides essential resources, training, and support to the professionals who lead them.

As the voice for Head Start programs around the country, NHSA considers training a key part of its work supporting the field.

“My focus is making sure that Head Start programs have everything they need, from recruitment and onboarding to in-service training, leadership development, compliance, and community building,” says Dr. Bergeron. “E-learning has significantly changed the game for us in all of those areas.”