How do I register for Growing Your Reach?

You can register directly through our website. Once your registration is complete, you will receive a confirmation email with important event information.

How do I access the Zoom link?

A few days before the training, you'll receive an email containing your personalized Zoom access link and any additional information you'll need to participate.

Each Zoom link is unique to your registration and is intended for your use only. If you need assistance accessing your link, please email events@headstartca.org.

Is this training live or recorded?

Growing Your Reach: Building Meaningful Connections with Families and Communities is a live, instructor-led virtual training.

The workshop includes activities, reflection, discussion, and opportunities to practice what you learn. Participants should plan to attend live and participate in both days of the training.

What are the dates and times?

October 14, 2026 | 9:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. Pacific Time
October 15, 2026 | 9:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. Pacific Time

Registration includes both days of training. Day 2 builds on the learning and activities from Day 1, so participants should plan to attend both sessions.

What does my registration include?

Your registration includes:

• Six hours of live, instructor-led training over two days

• Interactive activities and opportunities to practice your messaging

• Strategies for communicating your purpose and impact

• Guidance for telling the Head Start story in a relatable and compelling way

• Practical approaches to marketing, outreach, and relationship building

• Development of your own elevator pitch

• An actionable Relationship Growth Plan

• Certificate of participation

Will I receive a certificate of participation?

Yes. Participants who attend the training and complete the post-training evaluation will receive a certificate of participation.

Certificates will be emailed within 2 business days after the training.

What if I need technical help?

If you experience issues accessing Zoom or have questions before or during the training, please contact:

events@headstartca.org

Our team will be available to assist participants throughout the event.

Can I share my Zoom link or registration with someone else?

No. Each registration is valid for one participant only.

Your Zoom link is personalized to your registration and cannot be shared or transferred. Anyone wishing to participate must register separately to receive their own access link.

Unauthorized sharing of registration credentials or Zoom links may result in removal from the training without refund.

What is the refund policy?

This training follows Head Start California's standard event cancellation and refund policy.

• Full refund (less a $30 administrative fee): Cancellations received 30 or more days before the event.

• 50% refund: Cancellations received 15–29 days before the event.

• No refunds: Cancellations received 14 days or fewer before the event.

Please visit our Event Policies page for complete details.

Who should attend?

This training is designed for Head Start and Early Head Start professionals who communicate with families, build community relationships, support enrollment and outreach, or represent their program in the community, including:

• Family and Community Engagement staff

• ERSEA and Enrollment staff

• Outreach and Recruitment staff

• Family Services staff

• Program Directors, Managers, and Coordinators

• Site Leaders and Supervisors

• Communications and Community Relations staff

• Anyone responsible for increasing awareness, strengthening relationships, or helping families and community partners better understand Head Start

You do not need to have "marketing" or "outreach" in your job title to benefit from this training. If you interact with families, partners, or your community, this training is for you.

What will I learn?

Participants will explore how to:

• Communicate who you are, what you do, and why your work matters with confidence and authenticity

• Tell the Head Start story by focusing on impact, not simply a list of services

• Develop a clear and compelling introduction and elevator pitch

• Understand the differences between outreach, marketing, and recruitment

• Build trust through purposeful communication, empathy, and active listening

• Strengthen relationships with families, community partners, referral sources, and advocates

• Identify opportunities to increase awareness of Head Start in the community

• Create an actionable plan for growing and strengthening relationships

Will there be work to complete between Day 1 and Day 2?

Yes, but don't worry, it's designed to help you put what you're learning into practice.

During Day 1, you'll begin developing your own Head Start elevator pitch. Between sessions, you'll have an opportunity to refine and practice your 30-second pitch and come prepared to use it during Day 2.

Why is this training relevant for Head Start?

Families and community partners don't always know everything Head Start offers or understand the full impact programs have on children, families, and communities. In some cases, Head Start isn't even part of a program's public-facing name, making it even more important for staff to be able to clearly communicate who they are and what Head Start represents.

Every interaction is an opportunity to build awareness and trust. This training helps Head Start professionals move beyond simply describing services and instead communicate their purpose and impact, strengthen relationships, and create connections that can lead to greater engagement, referrals, partnerships, and community awareness.