2025 Head Start Data Strategy Workshop
📅 March 25-26, 2025
REGISTRATION NOW OPEN!
REGISTRATIONS OPEN:
January 25, 2025
REGISTRATIONS CLOSE:
March 11, 2025
COST:
$999 for tuition
LOCATION:
GoEngage Training Center
1801 Robert Fulton Drive Suite #500
Reston, VA 20191
OVERVIEW
In this training session, our Founder & President Mr. Lihong Ma will discuss strategies, recommendations, and anecdotes from 34+ years working with Head Start agencies:
1991: Lead programmer for the Comprehensive Child Development Program (CCDP), the foundation for today’s Early Head Start.
1993: Lead programmer for national PIR.
1997: Contracted by Office of Head Start to build HSFIS (Head Start Family Information Services), a free Head Start software.
2002: Contracted by Office of Head Start to build Fiscal Assistant, a free tool for Head Start agencies to learn about Head Start funding.
2003: Contracted by Office of Head Start to build Transportation PathFinder, a free tool for Head Start agencies to find safe transportation.
2004: Contracted by Office of Head Start to build the free ECLKC (Early Childhood Learning & Knowledge Center).
2004: Launched PROMIS.
2016: Launched myHeadStart, now known as GoEngage.
✅ Mr. Ma will cover how to strategize for quality data capture and monitoring—the high-level strategies for making the most of GoEngage.
❌ Mr. Ma will not teach how to use the platform step by step.
Head Start Standards: 1302.101 Management system; 1302.102 Program goals, continuous improvement, and reporting
Who should attend? Head Start Directors, Data Managers, and other Leadership (C-Suite, Assistant Directors, Center Directors)
The Workshop will take place at the GoEngage Training Center, located in Reston, Virginia amidst tranquil lakes, winding trails, and cozy cafes.
Participants are housed in Hilton Homewood Suites, just a 10-minute Lyft ride (complimentary) from the Workshop location. All rooms are singles and include a private kitchen. Wheelchair-accessible rooms are available, as are rooms with elevator access.
Catered meals (complimentary) are served during the Workshop. Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and non-dairy items will be available upon request.
AGENDA & REGISTRATION
FACULTY
Lihong Ma
AMENITIES
Reserved "Special Offer" Spots at Homewood Suites by Hilton
GoEngage partners with Homewood Suites by Hilton to provide special rates on your stay before, during, and after the GoEngage Workshop. Your stay includes:
Breakfast
Full Kitchen
Fitness Center
WiFi
Catered Lunches
Your lunch will be catered from local restaurants. We will accommodate vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and non-dairy.
Coffee & Snacks
Each morning, we provide freshly brewed coffee. Throughout the day, we offer snacks.
Goodie Bags
All GoEngage Workshop attendees receive a goodie bag with exclusive (not for sale!) Head Start or CAP swag.
SCHOLARS
Mia Mackey
Executive Director Head Start Services
🎨Hobbies: Yoga
✨ Fun fact:I am completing my 500 Yoga Teacher Training in December
🕒 Head Start for... 20
Supporting three regions with their comprehensive services and ensuring that their is consistent alignment. I spent the first 10 years of my Head Start career as a Federal Reviewer so I am excited to spend time on the program side and use my knowledge to support a successful program.
Carlita Miller
Director Early Head Start CCP
🎨Hobbies: watching football, basketball, and tennis; creating seasonal/themed tablescapes, spending time with family
✨ Fun fact: My two older children are 13 and 8 years older than my son
🕒 Head Start for... 18 years
My primary responsibility is managing program operations, including budget obligations. I'm deeply committed to the Head Start mission and its 2 generation, strength-based approach for supporting families. Favorite is supporting and witnessing the transformation of parents, staff, and educational environment.
Lymary Alvarez
Health & PFCE Coordinator I
🎨Hobbies: Go to the beach and Shopping
✨ Fun fact: I hate frogs
🕒 Head Start for... 11
As part of my job my primary responsibility is the planning, organizing, and the implementation of the Family Service area, recruiting and enrolling children. Develops and implements individualized Family Partnership agreements with parents. Acts as community liaison for the agency. My favorite part is the opportunity to build strong, positive relationships with families and childcare partners, witness their growth and progress, and making a tangible difference in their lives by connecting them to resources, all while empowering the parents to actively participate in their child's education and development.
Sophia Weaver
Quality Improvement Specialist
🎨Hobbies: Cooking, exercising, traveling
✨ Fun fact: I’m clumsy lol
🕒 Head Start for... 1 year
Quality/Auditing, I enjoy working with families and providing them with the support needed
Felicia Williams
Child Development and Disability Specialist
🎨Hobbies: Fishing, kayaking and, some crafting
✨ Fun fact: I am adventurous, outgoing, and free spirited!
🕒 Head Start for... 5 years in my position
I work with CCP sites with educational supports by mentoring and coaching teachers. By supporting the teaching staff with the completion of screener's and assessments. I also have HR tasks with our hiring team. I love working in Early Head Start because we have the ability to support sites and their staff by providing high quality supports that yield quality services to the children and families enrolled. My favorite part of working in Early Head Start is having the ability to serve and advocate for my partners, their staff, and our families.
Makayla Espinoza
HR/Inventory Consultant
🎨Hobbies: fiber arts, papercrafts
✨ Fun fact: I am the youngest person in my component
🕒 Head Start for... I have been with Head Start for 8 months.
I started as Component Secretary and moved to HR/Inventory Consultant in September,I am responsible for hiring staff, entering data, and our inventory. I am in Head Start because I understand the importance of early childhood development and recognize the barriers that children living in poverty experience. My favorite part about working in Head Start is having the opportunity to give staff the tools and support they need to be successful.
Sarah Ramirez
Data Coordinator
🎨Hobbies: Soccer and painting
✨ Fun fact: I did my first solo trip this year!
🕒 Head Start for... 2.5 years
My job responsibilities are to verify Head Start eligibility for all applicants (Head Start/Early Head Start). Review and approve all applications in GoEngage for Head Start and Early Head Start. Update databases as students are enrolled, exited, or transition out of the program. Monitor data and prepare data reports relevant to Eligibility, Recruitment, Selection, Enrollment, and Attendance (ERSEA) for monthly data meetings and as requested/required, including tracking student daily attendance, extended leave requests, and modified schedules.
Shannon Thomas
Data Coordinator
🎨Hobbies: photography
✨ Fun fact: I specialize in sports photography.
🕒 Head Start for... 11
"As the data coordinator, I manage and ensure the accuracy of data within Head Start programs. My responsibilities encompass system administration for data management systems, data management and reporting, compliance with regulations, data analysis and strategic planning, training and support, collaboration with program teams, documentation and record-keeping, as well as problem-solving and continuous improvement. These responsibilities collectively ensure that program data is used effectively to enhance service delivery and meet compliance standards, ultimately contributing to the overall success of Head Start initiatives."
Tabitha Williams
Data Manager
🎨Hobbies: Tablescaping
✨ Fun fact:I am former American Idol contestant. Made it several rounds, but not the rounds that counted apparently.
🕒 Head Start for... 9 years
As the Data Manager and Database Administrator for Y Head Start Baltimore City, I oversee data management, analysis, and database administration to support informed decision-making across our program. I joined Head Start because I’m passionate about creating equitable opportunities for children and families. My favorite part of working here is collaborating with team members when they start and watching their growth throughout their journey with Head Start, contributing to a shared mission that impacts our community.