2026 Parent's Unite in Washington D.C.
Nebraska is proudly represented on the national stage as Head Start parents and leaders travel to Washington, D.C. to participate in the Parents Unite movement—an initiative led by the National Head Start Association that empowers parents to advocate for the future of Head Start.
Mark Haba and Bobbi Mason, alongside Nebraska Head Start Association representative Christie Ference, are joining more than 100 parents and caregivers from across the country. Together, they are meeting directly with members of Congress and their staff to share firsthand experiences and highlight the critical role Head Start plays in supporting children, families, and communities.
Their stories bring to life the real impact of Head Start—providing early learning opportunities, supporting working families, and creating stability that strengthens communities across Nebraska. As federal funding decisions are considered, these voices are essential in ensuring policymakers understand both the value of the program and the importance of continued investment.
Participation in Parents Unite extends beyond Washington. Nebraska’s advocates will return home equipped with new knowledge, strengthened connections, and a renewed commitment to champion Head Start at the state and local levels.
We are grateful for their leadership and proud to see Nebraska families helping shape the future of Head Start.
NeHSA presence in Nebraska leads to an increased understanding of the long-term positive impact of Head Start programs and services on children, families, and communities.
The Nebraska Head Start team visits the hill to help educate our congress members during the Fall Leadership conference held September 24, through the 27th. Our team consisted of 10 Head Start Staff from 5 different programs across our state. We had the opportunity to make visits to all 5 representatives either in person or via zoom. Each program shared their stories that addressed workforce concerns, COLA and the need to match the inflation rates, the FY 2023 Appropriations bills and ask for their continued support moving forward. Each representative received the handout on the Nebraska 2022 Head Start Early Head Start Profile, An Overview of Head Start & Early Head Start, FY23 Recommendation Document, Head Start Workforce Report and NHSA FY23 Conference Letter
The total impact of NHSA Head Start & Early Head Start on the hills is as follows: We worked with 52 State Captains/State Leads in 38 States. We had over 136 Hill meetings with at least 20 meetings directly with the Congressmembers that all seemed to go very well! We had 17 members of Congress attend and give remarks at the Head Start Hill Rally. 12 Representatives and 5 Senators.
NAESP PRE-K-3 LEADERSHIP ACADEMY — COHORT 5
Roxane Humphrey (ESU 13 Head Start) and Amanda Kline (Blue Valley Community Action Head Start) are participants of the current Cohort
Nebraska’s NAESP PreK-3 Leadership Academy is an opportunity for Nebraska elementary principals, instructional leaders, Head Start and community child care providers to take part in a year-long professional learning and resource program to better develop their knowledge and skills for leading and directing programs for children age three to eight.
Participants will engage in a blended professional learning environment that includes 3 in-person and/or virtual meetings, online coursework, and collaboration with peers through online discussions and Zoom meetings while working through Leading Learning Communities: A Principal’s Guide to Early Learning and the Early Grades (Pre-K-3rd Grade).
