Monitoring Readiness Bootcamp: FA1 – FA2 Edition
Zoom
* Registration open until 10/19/26 at 4:59 PM (PDT)
Ready to Turn Monitoring Anxiety into Confidence?
Prepare your Head Start team for federal monitoring with Dr. Desiree Del-Zio, The Monitoring Strategist™ and CEO of D.E.&C Consulting. This interactive two-day virtual Bootcamp provides the practical tools, strategies, and confidence your team needs to prepare for FA1 and FA2 monitoring reviews.
What You'll Master
- Build documentation systems that align with FA1 and FA2 monitoring expectations.
- Prepare leadership for confident, high-impact monitoring interviews.
- Organize evidence and documentation to demonstrate compliance effectively.
- Strengthen program readiness through practical monitoring strategies and best practices.
- Identify common monitoring pitfalls and learn how to avoid them.
- Align staff messaging and build a cohesive, monitoring-ready team.
What You'll Leave With
By the end of the Bootcamp, you'll have a clear action plan, practical tools and templates, and a stronger understanding of the federal monitoring process. Most importantly, you'll leave with greater confidence and the strategies needed to help your program prepare for a successful FA1 or FA2 review.
Monitoring Readiness Bootcamp™: FA1 & FA2 Edition
Prepare your Head Start team for federal monitoring with Dr. Desiree Del-Zio, The Monitoring Strategist™ and CEO of D.E.&C Consulting. This immersive virtual Bootcamp provides the practical tools, strategies, and confidence your team needs to prepare for FA1 and FA2 monitoring reviews.
What You'll Master
- Build documentation systems that align with FA1 and FA2 monitoring expectations.
- Prepare for data tours and confidently showcase your program's systems and practices.
- Strengthen classroom and center readiness.
- Prepare leadership and governance teams for monitoring interviews.
- Navigate fiscal reviews and transaction testing with confidence.
- Align staff messaging and create a cohesive, monitoring-ready team.
What You'll Leave With
By the end of the Bootcamp, you'll have practical tools, templates, and a clear action plan to strengthen your program's monitoring readiness. You'll leave with a comprehensive 90-day readiness roadmap and greater confidence in preparing your team for a successful FA1 or FA2 review.
Bootcamp Schedule
Day 1
- Documentation & Systems for FA1/FA2
- Data Tours & Classroom Readiness
Day 2
- Governance Preparation & Leadership Alignment
- Fiscal Reviews, Transaction Testing & Team Cohesion
Event Details
Dates & Times
- October 20, 2026 | 1:00–4:00 p.m. Pacific
- October 21, 2026 | 9:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. Pacific
Location
- Live on Zoom
Who Should Attend
This Bootcamp is ideal for:
- Head Start and Early Head Start Directors
- Executive leadership and management teams
- Center directors and site leaders
- Fiscal staff
- ERSEA teams
- Program governance partners
- Education managers and staff
- Anyone involved in preparing for an upcoming FA1 or FA2 monitoring review
Dr. Desiree Del-Zio-Walker, the Chief Executive Officer and Principal Consultant for D.E.&C Consulting, has served public and private organizations for over 30 years. Her extensive background and expertise promote high-functioning organizational management, internal monitoring evaluation and measurement systems, targeted self-assessment procedures, training and technical assistance, and improved service delivery models. Toward that aim, Dr. Del-Zio-Walker leverages her innate ability to conduct gap analysis, identify opportunities, assess inefficiencies, and collaborate with external and internal stakeholders to design projects, programs, and initiatives to drive productivity, sustainability, and success.
She is a results-driven professional with outstanding skills in leading various facets of operations management, including designing and implementing strategies, ensuring regulatory compliance, and integrating technological solutions while meeting and exceeding set expectations. Dr. Del-Zio-Walker's broad staff development and supervision background allows her to collaborate with organizational leadership to establish, lead, and motivate high-performing teams committed to achieving collective goals.
Dr. Del-Zio-Walker earned a Master of Arts in Nonprofit Leadership and Management from the University of San Diego and a Doctoral Degree in Organizational Change and Leadership from the University of Southern California. She earned a Certificate in Generative AI for Business Transformation from Purdue University, a Diversity and Inclusion Facilitator Certification from Cornell University and a Nonprofit Management and Leadership Certification from the Nonprofit Leadership Alliance. Dr. Del-Zio-Walker is a globally recognized leader and a best-selling author. She launched D.E.&C Consulting to share her passion for uniting teams toward a sustainable shared vision and organizational outcomes.
Agenda
| October 20 | |
| 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM |
Pre-Review Planning & Readiness Architecture
Topics Covered FA1 & FA2 expectations • Documentation systems • CRCs, matrices & eligibility files • HSES uploads • Governance & Policy Council preparation • Director Touchpoint Briefs • Leadership readiness • Pre-review action planning |
| 2:30 PM - 4:00 PM |
Data Tours, Staff Discussions & Review-Week Flow
Topics Covered: Simulated monitoring kickoff • Data tours (ERSEA, PM, FCE, ECD, Health & HR) • What reviewers look for and required artifacts • Creating a tour-ready room • Preparing education, family services, and parent representatives for reviewer interviews • Staff messaging alignment • Role-play exercises and live Q&A |
| October 21 | |
| 9:00 AM - 10:30 AM |
Classroom & Center Explorations + Safety Protocols
Topics Covered: Classroom and center observations during FA1 & FA2 • Reviewer flow, timing, and consistency • Classroom readiness checklists • Safety and safe/sanitary environment expectations • Center Exploration Quick Pack tools • Preparing facilities, custodial, and maintenance teams • Connecting center conditions to overall program performance |
| 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM |
Fiscal Monitoring, Transaction Testing & Final Touchpoints
Topics Covered: Fiscal reviewer expectations and core documents • Internal controls and transparency practices • Preparing fiscal teams for review week • Transaction testing workflow simulation • Procurement compliance • Director communication strategies • Reviewer closeout conversations • Building a 90-day monitoring improvement roadmap |
Registration Options
|
Registration Options
|
Price |
|---|---|
|
Member Ticket
|
$600.00 |
|
Non-Member Ticket
|
$775.00 |
How do I register for the FA1 & FA2 Monitoring Bootcamp™?
You can register directly through our website. Once your registration is complete, you will receive a confirmation email with important event information and access to the training.
How do I access the Zoom link for the Bootcamp?
A few days before the Bootcamp, you'll receive an email containing your personalized Zoom access link, participant materials, and any additional information you'll need to join the training.
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 the Bootcamp live or recorded?
The Bootcamp is a live, instructor-led virtual training presented by Dr. Desiree Del-Zio, The Monitoring Strategist™.
To encourage participation and discussion, the live sessions are not intended to be viewed as recordings. Participants are strongly encouraged to attend both days.
What are the dates and times of the Bootcamp?
The next Bootcamp will be held:
October 20, 2026 from 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm PST
October 21, 2026 from 9:00 am – 12:00 pm PST
The program includes approximately three hours of live instruction each day, including a short break.
Do I have to attend both days?
Yes. The Bootcamp is designed as a comprehensive two-day learning experience. Each day builds on the previous day's content to prepare participants for FA1 and FA2 monitoring.
What does the Bootcamp include?
Your registration includes:
- Two days (6 hours total) of live instruction
- Step-by-step guidance through the FA1 and FA2 monitoring process
- Practical tools, checklists, and preparation templates
- Real-world examples and best practices
- Interactive Q&A with Dr. Desiree Del-Zio
- Certificate of completion
Will I receive a certificate of completion?
Yes. Participants who attend the Bootcamp will receive a certificate of completion following the training.
Certificates will be emailed within 2 business days after the Bootcamp.
What if I need technical help?
If you experience issues accessing Zoom or have questions before or during the Bootcamp, please contact:
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 attend must register separately to receive their own secure access link.
Unauthorized sharing of registration credentials or Zoom links may result in removal from the Bootcamp without refund.
What is the refund policy?
The FA1 & FA2 Monitoring Bootcamp 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 Bootcamp?
This training is designed for:
- Head Start and Early Head Start Directors
- Executive leadership teams
- Program managers and coordinators
- ERSEA, education, family services, health, and disabilities managers
- Monitoring and quality assurance staff
- Anyone preparing for an upcoming FA1 or FA2 review
Whether you're preparing for your first review or looking to strengthen your monitoring systems, this Bootcamp provides practical strategies, tools, and guidance to help you prepare with confidence.
Does this training align with the Head Start Act and HSPPS?
Yes. The Bootcamp is designed around the federal monitoring protocols used during FA1 and FA2 reviews and aligns with the Head Start Act, the Head Start Program Performance Standards (HSPPS), and applicable grant requirements.
Participants will learn how to prepare documentation, demonstrate compliance, identify potential areas of concern, and confidently navigate the federal monitoring
