Frequently Asked Questions
Overview Questions
Parents Unite is a nationwide initiative that brings Head Start parents and caregivers together to speak directly with their members of Congress. Led by the National Head Start Association (NHSA) in partnership with state and regional associations, this effort is designed to ensure families have a seat at the table in decisions that affect Head Start and the communities it serves. Parents Unite is rooted in a simple truth: the greatest strength of Head Start is the families who know its impact best.
Whether it’s increased stress on children and families, rising costs amidst flat funding, or complex community dynamics, Head Start programs are navigating a challenging and uncertain environment. In addition, many Head Start families face barriers that can make engagement on behalf of their children more difficult. Parents Unite reaffirms a core Head Start principle: parents are leaders, not just participants. When families speak from lived experience, policymakers gain a clearer understanding of what is at stake for children, families, and communities.
Parents are the most authentic voices on the impact of Head Start. By sharing their experiences, parents help policymakers understand why Head Start is a vital investment in children, families, and communities. Their voices help protect and strengthen Head Start for generations to come.
Public officials at every level of government make decisions that affect Head Start, and they rely on families to help them understand what those decisions mean in their communities. Parents Unite provides participants with the tools, confidence, and opportunities to share their child’s story and explain how Head Start supports healthy development, school readiness, family stability, and opportunity in communities across the country.
Parents Unite aims to:
- Build a strong, connected national network of parent advocates
- Elevate parent voices at the local, state, and national levels
- Strengthen relationships between families and policymakers
- Lay the groundwork for lasting parent leadership beyond the campaign
Participation Questions
Parents Unite is open to all Head Start caregivers, including:
- Parents
- Foster parents
- Grandparents
- Guardians
- Older siblings
Parents Unite also welcomes supporters, including directors, staff, alumni, and anyone who believes in the power of Head Start families.
All parents and caregivers participating in Parents Unite are eligible for these trainings, including those in local, in-district visits and those attending the Washington, D.C., fly-in event. Core training materials will be shared broadly so participants can prepare regardless of how they engage.
Sign up for Parents Unite. Participants will receive email updates with information about trainings, meetings, and opportunities to take action.
Participants will:
- Work with their associations
- Take part in virtual trainings and informational sessions
- Participate in advocacy activities leading up to April 2026
Everyone can choose how they engage based on their capacity and interests.
Every member of Congress is visited by a group of parents either in D.C. or in their district. To make this happen, there will be two types of visits:
- Local district meetings: Parents and caregivers across the country will meet with their congressional representatives and senators at their local district offices in April.
- A Washington, D.C., fly-in event: A select group of parent advocates will travel to Washington, D.C., to meet directly with their congressional leaders on Capitol Hill.
Timeline and Dates Questions
Here is the timeline for Parents Unite.
Every member of Congress is visited by a group of parents either in D.C. or in their district. To make this happen, there will be two types of visits:
- Local district meetings: Parents and caregivers across the country will meet with their congressional representatives and senators at their local district offices in April.
- A Washington, D.C., fly-in event: A select group of parent advocates will travel to Washington, D.C., to meet directly with their congressional leaders on Capitol Hill.
Our next fly-in event will take place in early 2027, stay tuned!
Training and Preparation Questions
The Academy at NHSA has created online, free trainings to help parents and caregivers feel prepared, confident, and supported as parent leaders when engaging with members of Congress. Trainings focus on:
- The goals of the campaign
- What to expect in congressional meetings
- How to share personal stories clearly and effectively
- How to set up a visit with a member of Congress
- And more
All parents and caregivers participating in Parents Unite are eligible for these trainings, including those in local, in-district visits and those attending the Washington, D.C., fly-in event. Core training materials will be shared broadly so participants can prepare regardless of how they engage.
Congressional Meetings Questions
NHSA and state associations will work in partnership to determine the best method for scheduling Hill visits for their state.
Washington, D.C., Fly-In Questions
- A detailed agenda will be finalized in early January 2027.
Participants will include:
- Two parents from each state, supported by a Head Start program representative
- Parents from Migrant and Seasonal Head Start programs with support staff
- Parents from Native and Tribal Head Start programs with support staff
NHSA anticipates more than 200 participants in Washington, D.C.
Head Start associations from all 12 regions will lead the selection process. Parents interested in participating should connect with their Head Start association, which coordinates selection and next steps.
Parents should sign up through the Parents Unite campaign and connect with their Head Start association, which serves as the primary point of coordination for interest, selection, and participation details.
The 2027 fly-in event will take place in early 2027, sign up for updates to learn more!
Capitol Hill visits will take place in early 2027, sign up for updates to learn more!
Travel, Lodging, and Financial Support Questions
NHSA will cover:
- Travel
- Lodging
- Meals during the event*
- A child care stipend
*Programs will provide per diem support for meals during travel days.
Travel arrangements and payment methods will be coordinated in advance through state associations and NHSA. Parents will receive clear guidance before travel to ensure costs are covered and financial barriers are minimized.
Yes. Travel options may include flying, train travel, or driving, depending on what is most practical and cost-effective. Parents who live within a reasonable distance of Washington, D.C., may be able to drive or take a train.
No. Hotel arrangements will be coordinated as part of the overall travel planning process. Specific lodging details will be shared with selected parents in advance.
Consent and release
By registering for an NHSA event, all registrants understand and agree that the National Head Start Association (NHSA) and its employees and agents have the right and permission to copyright and/or use, reuse and/or publish, and republish photographic pictures or portraits of them, recorded images of them, including recordings of their voice, in any medium, including motion picture and video images and reproductions thereof in color or black and white, made through any media by or on behalf of NHSA, for any purpose whatsoever, including the use of any printed matter in conjunction therewith. Registrants further waive any right to inspect or approve the finished photograph, motion picture, videotape, advertising copy, or printed matter that may be used in conjunction therewith or to the eventual use that it might be applied.
Registrants further release, discharge, and agree to save harmless NHSA, its employees and agents, and any firm publishing and/or distributing the finished product, in whole or in part, from and against any liability as a result of any distortion, blurring, or alteration, optical illusion, or use in composite form, either intentionally or otherwise, that may occur or be produced in the taking, recording, processing, editing, or reproduction of the finished product, its publication or distribution of the same, even should the same subject them, the designated property, to ridicule, scandal, reproach, scorn, or indignity.
Registrants further warrant that they are over eighteen years of age, or if they are not, their parent or guardian consents to their agreement, upon registration, to this release.