Build stronger, happier teams through practical professional development.
We’ve worked with Head Start programs for nearly 20 years. We’ve been there with you as you manage changing times and constant challenges. Acorn Learning professional development is here to help you with the work you do every day. Join the hundreds of Head Start and Early Head Start programs nationwide that trust us to help them create and sustain the change they want to make in their programs.
How your program will benefit from trusting Acorn Learning:
- Motivate staff to make the most of their time and effort
- Improve communication of your outcomes for families and children
- Provide staff with the training they need they will actually use
Our 2025 calendar is below! Explore a Learning Event for you and/or your team today!
2025 Program Schedule - Register Now!
- Feb 26 - Free Webinar: Data Literacy - Supporting Staff Wellness with Professional Development
- Mar 7 - Workshop: Using Data Workflows
- Mar 13 - 14 - Head Start Data Camp
- Mar 20 - 21- Workshop: Creating a Culture of Motivation
- Mar 26 - Free Webinar: Guidance Documents - Building Accessible and User-Friendly Tools
- Apr 1 - Workgroups begin (ongoing)
- Apr 8 - Data Literacy Credential Spring Session begins (8 weeks)
- Apr 9 - Workshop: Better Surveys
- Apr 15 - Data Analyst Certificate Spring Session begins (8 weeks)
- Apr 25 - Workshop: Better Program Guidance Documents
- Apr 30 - Free Webinar: Data Climate - Re-imagining Data
- May 2 - Workshop: Better Meetings
- May 15 - Workshop: Cultivating a Healthy Data Climate
- May 28 - Free Webinar: Data Capacity - Assessing Your Data Resources
- Jun 6 - Workshop: Better Pre-Service
- Jun 13 - Workshop: Engaging Program Staff with Data
- Jun 18 - Workshop: Storytelling with Data
- Jun 25 - Free Webinar: Data Infrastructure - Making the Most of Your Data Tools and Assets
- Jul 17 - 18 - Head Start Data Camp
- Jul 24 - Workshop: Using Data Workflows
- July 30 - Workshop: Building a Strong Data Infrastructure
- Jul 30 - Free Webinar: FA1 and FA2: Preparing your Program for Successful Reviews
- Aug 6 - 7 - Workshop: Communicating with Confidence
- Aug 13 - Workshop: Better Monitoring Tools
- Aug 27 - Free Webinar: Data Storytelling - Using Data to Tell your Program's Story
- Sep 16 - Data Analyst Certificate (DAC): Fall 2025
- Sep 16 - Data Literacy Credential (DLC): Fall 2025
- Sep 24 - Free Webinar: Continuous Improvement - Meaningful Program Improvement Efforts
- Sep 26 - Workshop: Better Program Guidance Documents
- Oct 17 - Workshop: Practicing Continuous Improvement
- Oct 29 - Free Webinar: NHSA PFCE Workshop Conference Topic (TBD)
- Nov 7 - Workshop: Building Teams for Problem Solving
- Dec 3 - Free Webinar: Leadership and Management Culture - Laying the Foundation for Employee Well-Being
- Dec 4 - 5 - Head Start Data Camp
Workgroups
Workgroups
An exciting new professional development opportunity, coming in April 2025. Click “Learn more” to find out more and apply for this invaluable experience.
Workshops
Better Meetings
Valuable strategies to help you and your team examine and positively transform your meeting culture.
Better Monitoring Tools
Could your Head Start program’s monitoring tools benefit from a refresh? In the Better Monitoring Tools workshop, we explore techniques for tailoring monitoring tools so that they are more precise, easier to use, and produce better data.
Better Pre-Service
Learn how to fully engage your staff and keep them feeling motivated and confident!
Better Program Guidance Documents
Did you know that strong guidance documents (i.e. Policies and Procedures, Monitoring Plans, Data Entry Instructions, etc.) are the key to successful program management AND employee well-being? In this workshop, we will explore specific ways to enhance your program’s guidance documents.
Better Surveys
Learn a set of tools and techniques for designing and implementing surveys in social service programs.
Building a Strong Data Infrastructure
A strong data infrastructure is critical to a Head Start program’s data capacity, but building and maintaining one can be complex! Our Building a Strong Data Infrastructure workshop is ideal for managers, data teams, and administrators who are ready to create a clear, actionable plan for a stronger, more integrated data infrastructure.
Building Teams for Problem-Solving
In the world of Head Start, diverse teams are key to tackling complex challenges. Our Building Inclusive Teams for Problem Solving workshop is designed to help you create teams that not only embrace diversity but harness it to drive innovative solutions and collaborative decision-making.
Communicate with Confidence
Learn strategies to help you strengthen your communication skills with the many stakeholders in your program.
Creating A Culture of Motivation
Strategies to help you build and sustain a culture of motivation within your workplace.
Cultivating a Healthy Data Climate
A positive, inclusive data climate is foundational to a successful Head Start program, but after decades of compliance-focused work, it can be hard to achieve. Our Cultivating a Healthy Data Climate workshop provides practical strategies for improving your program’s data climate.
Engaging Program Staff with Data
It’s not unusual for Head Start programs to report that staff feel lackluster about data. In our workshop Engaging Program Staff with Data, we’ll unpack this common challenge and explore actionable approaches that boost employee engagement with data.
Practicing Continuous Improvement
Continuous Improvement (CI) is more than just a buzzword — it’s a mindset and an approach that drives innovation and growth. Our Practicing Continuous Improvement workshop is designed for managers, team leaders, and anyone looking to implement or improve Continuous Improvement practices within their Head Start program.
Storytelling with Data
In a world overflowing with information, the ability to tell a powerful story is more important than ever. Our Storytelling with Data workshop teaches you how to use data to tell stories that captivate, inform, and inspire your audience.
Using Data Workflows
In Head Start, efficient data workflows are essential for ensuring data is collected, processed, and shared seamlessly across teams. Our Using Data Workflows workshop will provide you with the tools, strategies, and insights to design, evaluate, and optimize your data workflows, helping you streamline your processes for greater effectiveness and transparency.
Data Camps
Head Start Data Camp (virtual)
Foundational learning in the use and application of data in Head Start programs.
CAP Data Camp (virtual)
CAP Data Camp provides a solid foundation in the use of data in Community Action Programs, introducing key concepts and how to apply them in practice.
Head Start Data Camp (in person)
Foundational learning in the use and application of data in Head Start programs.
Certificates & Credentials
Head Start Data Literacy Credential
Build a foundation for working effectively with data in Head Start programs.
NHSA Members: $3,995
Data Analyst Certificate for Head Start Professionals
Gain a foundation in data analyst skills in the Head Start context, with emphasis on understanding the practical interactions between people, data, and systems.