Illinois Head Start Association

Day 2 of the 2026 Directors Institute focused on the issues shaping Head Start's future.

The morning opened with Advocacy in Action, where our J&J Legislative lobbyists showed directors what their work for IHSA and its members really involves. Rather than a standard update, directors stepped into it themselves through role play, learning how the case for Head Start gets made in the Illinois legislature.

Lauri Morrison-Frichtl and Donna Emmons then facilitated Future of Head Start, a hard look at leading through federal uncertainty, flat funding, and proposed changes to program requirements.

In the afternoon, Ann Linehan, former Acting Director of the Office of Head Start, joined for Heart to Heart, a candid discussion on resilience, leadership, and the future of Head Start.

A demanding day, faced together. A reminder that no Head Start leader is in this alone. One more to go.

VRLE Class of 2026. Fifty-five Head Start and Early Head Start leaders, three days in the wilderness, one journey together.

That's a wrap on the Vanessa Rich Leadership Experience. Over three days, our Head Start and Early Head Start leaders stepped into the wilderness, named the doubts and stories they carry, and built the power suit to carry it all home. Same leaders who walked in Monday, a little more ready for the work ahead, for the children, families, and teams who need them. 💪🏽

👏🏽Thank you to every leader who showed up, and to everyone who made these three days possible. In the spirit of Vanessa's words, we each craft our one brick as well as we can, and trust the next to carry it forward.