WELCOME

WSA provides a strong voice in Washington, DC and Olympia as our legislators make decisions that affect low-income children and families. Our voice is made stronger by the continuing involvement of hundreds of Head Start and ECEAP parents and graduates.

Click here to find a program in your region. 

 
 

Thanks to our Sponsors


EVENTS & TRAINING

Our Second Annual WSTC Birth to Three Institute is coming up May 17-28!  A great selection of in-depth workshops on topics important to Home Visitors, B-3 classroom staff, and Family Support.  Find out more here!

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Stay tuned - our Virtual Summer Institute with 10 hour courses is coming up June 7-25, on your computer!

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More online training!  WSA has partnered with the Region 9 Head Start Association to provide quality early childhood education courses through ContinuED.  

We have a great Winter Directors Meeting planned for Head Start and ECEAP directors and senior staff.  As you know, these meetings are a great opportunity to get valuable updates, help guide WSA’s work in Olympia and DC, and learn from your peers. - See more at: http://wsa.iescentral.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=mf_event_detail&event_time_id=3#sthash.9MLuOAvY.dpu
Winter Directors Meeting planned for Head Start and ECEAP directors and senior staff - See more at: http://wsa.iescentral.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=mf_event_detail&event_time_id=3#sthash.8LlBDENE.dpuf

NEWS & UPDATES

 

WSA Advocacy Week & Rally
(02/22-02/25)

Make a difference!  Join us for a week of virtual advocacy opportunities and training. Come learn more and sign up here.


WSA Winter Association Meeting
(02/24-02/25)

Great speakers, great training, great opportunities to talk to your fellow parents and staff!  You can sign up here today!


Join the WSA Board!

We have several board positions open, and would love for you to apply!  Click here for more information.


Donate to the WSA COVID-19 Relief Fund

We're hearing from families in crisis and the staff who support them every day.  Families are struggling to afford diapers, food, rent, gas and other necessities while their income has disappeared.  We would be honored to pass along 100% of your donation to a local program to support family needs.


We have Zoom events!

We're working hard  to provide training, discussions, and story time for folks stuck at home - check out our schedule and what has already been recorded on our youtube channel


Joel's Blog:  Head Start Programs On Front Line During COVID-19 Emergency

Head Start and Early Head Start are doing amazing and creative things - click here to find out more.


NHSA Releases New Research Compendium on "The Head Start Advantage"

Click here to read NHSA's new research.


Watch WSA testify at the House Human Services and Early Learning Work Session!

Executive Director Joel Ryan and Deputy Director Katy Warren testified alongside ECEAP graduate Lauryn Terry at the House Human Services and Early Learning Work Session! Watch here!


Support the Early Learning Chess Initiative

Can learning chess help at-risk preschoolers start ahead and stay ahead? A pilot study launched in partnership with Chess4Life is showing positive results. With the help from a seed evaluation grant from Boeing Foundation, we are expanding this innovative and first of its kind of approach to help low income children get ready for kindergarten. Click here to learn more about how you can be involved!


Immigration Rights Resources

We have compiled some online immigration rights resources that we hope will help families and programs. 


ECEAP Fact Sheets

Does ECEAP Work?  Why do we want to invest in Pre-K?  How does ECEAP help homeless families?  Check out our fact sheets to find out.  


Great new study on The Long-term Impact of The Head Start Program

Check out this great new study on the long-term impacts that the Head Start has on children.


New study in Tulsa shows the lasting effects Head Start has on children through Middle School. 

Full article here


News Release:  WA Ranks #32 in Pre-K Access

Our state pre-k program serves only 9.3% of 4 year olds, compared to 29% national average.  NIEER says we're #32.  That's why we're asking for 3400 new children next year!  News Release.


Poll: 68% Support More ECEAP Funding

We asked voters statewide whether they would support more ECEAP funding.  And guess what - they did!  Check out our poll results.


Our Letter to the Office of Head Start on Family Engagement

Over 20 organizations signed on to our letter to the Office of Head Start. Check it out here.


Study Shows ECEAP is a GREAT Investment!

An analysis requested by the legislature showed amazing results for ECEAP.  High quality early learning programs like ECEAP and Head Start help kids get ready for school, and the impacts last!  More info here.


Check out our Advocacy video!

What can one person do to advocate for young children?