Professional Development

View our professional development offerings below. If you have questions about a particular offering feel free to contact us.

Certificates & Credentials

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Practical Data Skills Certificate for Head Start

This certificate program equips Head Start leaders with practical skills to use data effectively in daily management. Designed for those who may not see themselves as “data people,” it focuses on building a data-informed culture, improving team engagement, and using data to support program goals.

$1199
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Manager Skills Certificate

The Management Skills Certificate provides a foundation of basic management skills for managers of Head Start programs.

Learn more and hear from a program that has applied the skills included in the certificate in their daily practice! This is cool and great and awesome and you should take it and it’s a really great class and I’m just rwiting a bunch of stuff here to share about it cause thats’ great.

$1499
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Head Start Data Literacy Credential

Build a foundation for working effectively with data in Head Start programs.

Non-NHSA Members: $5,495
NHSA Members: $3,500
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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.

$3,250
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Camps

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Visualizing Head Start Data in Excel

Learn how to turn your program’s data into powerful, easy-to-understand visuals that tell your story and drive improvement. This introductory course shows Head Start staff how to move beyond standard reports and use Excel to create meaningful data visualizations—no advanced skills required.

$599
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Management Team Boot Camp

This program is an excellent way to motivate and energize management teams. The management boot camp focuses on preparing managers to tackle the challenges of the program year. Emphasis is placed on change management, quality improvement, communication, and motivation.

$3500
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Head Start Data Camp (virtual)

Foundational learning in the use and application of data in Head Start programs.

$600
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Head Start Data Camp (in person)

Foundational learning in the use and application of data in Head Start programs.

$600
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Consulting Services

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FA1 Review Prep for Head Start

Make your program shine when reviewers come calling.

Our FA1 Review Prep is a structured coaching and preparation package that strengthens your written responses and interview readiness. We help you present your program clearly, confidently, and aligned with review expectations.

$3500
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Workshops

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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.

$299
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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.

$299
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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.

$299
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Subscription Plans

AL Subscriptions Silver

Acorn Learning Silver Subscription Plan

Unlock access to learning for your whole team at a fixed cost.

This subscription gives Head Start agencies a fixed number of credits including in-kind support to use across Acorn Learning’s professional development offerings throughout the year. It’s a flexible, scalable way to support staff growth.

$30,000
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AL Subscriptions

Acorn Learning Gold Subscription Plan

Unlock access to learning for your whole team at a fixed cost.

With a larger annual credit allotment and in-kind support, this gold-level subscription allows your agency to deliver more professional development across a wider team. It’s designed for organizations ready to invest broadly in capacity building.

$60,000
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