Operationalizing ERSEA Excellence

Strengthen your program's ERSEA systems with Desiree Del-Zio, The Monitoring Strategist™ and CEO of D.E.&C Consulting. This interactive virtual training is designed to help Head Start professionals move beyond compliance by building stronger, more sustainable systems for eligibility, recruitment, selection, enrollment, and attendance (ERSEA).

Whether you're refining existing processes or addressing ongoing challenges, you'll gain practical strategies, real-world examples, and actionable tools that can be implemented immediately to improve program operations and support successful monitoring outcomes.

What You'll Master

• Strengthen eligibility determination practices and documentation.

• Align recruitment strategies with community needs and funded enrollment.

• Improve selection and enrollment processes for consistency and compliance.

• Develop practical approaches to improve attendance and reduce chronic absenteeism.

• Identify common ERSEA challenges before they become compliance risks.

• Build sustainable ERSEA systems that support continuous improvement and successful monitoring.

What You'll Leave With

By the end of the training, you'll have practical tools, resources, and proven strategies to strengthen your program's ERSEA systems. You'll leave with greater confidence in applying the Head Start Program Performance Standards to your daily work, improving operational efficiency, and creating systems that support children, families, and successful monitoring outcomes.

Training Schedule

Day 1

Building Strong ERSEA Foundations

• Eligibility

• Recruitment

• Selection

• Enrollment

Day 2

Sustaining ERSEA Excellence

• Attendance

• Internal monitoring and continuous improvement

• Common compliance challenges and practical solutions

• Action planning for implementation

Event Details

Dates & Times

February 22, 2027 | 9:00–10:30 a.m. Pacific
February 23, 2027 | 9:00–10:30 a.m. Pacific

Location

Live on Zoom

Who Should Attend

This training is ideal for:

• Executive Directors

• Head Start and Early Head Start Directors

• ERSEA Managers, Specialists, and Coordinators

• Family Services Managers and Staff

• Program Managers and Coordinators

• Education Managers

• Data and Compliance Staff

• Anyone responsible for eligibility, recruitment, selection, enrollment, attendance, or ERSEA oversight

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I register for Operationalizing ERSEA Excellence?

You can register directly through our website. Once your registration is complete, you'll receive a confirmation email with important event information and details about accessing the live virtual training.

How do I access the Zoom link?

A few days before the training, you'll receive an email containing your personalized Zoom access link, participant materials, and everything 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 the training live or recorded?

Operationalizing ERSEA Excellence is a live, instructor-led virtual training presented by Dr. Desiree Del-Zio, The Monitoring Strategist™ and CEO of D.E.&C Consulting.

To encourage interaction, discussion, and real-time learning, the sessions will not be available as recordings. Participants are strongly encouraged to attend both days.

What are the dates and times?

The training will be held:

• February 22, 2027 | 9:00–10:30 a.m. Pacific

• February 23, 2027 | 9:00–10:30 a.m. Pacific

The program includes approximately 1.5 hours of live instruction each day.

Do I have to attend both days?

Yes. This training is designed as a two-day learning experience, with each session building on the previous day's content. We encourage participants to attend both days to receive the greatest benefit.

What does the training include?

Your registration includes:

• Two live virtual training sessions (3 hours total)

• Practical strategies for strengthening ERSEA systems

• Guidance on eligibility, recruitment, selection, enrollment, and attendance

• Real-world examples and implementation strategies

• Interactive discussions and Q&A with Dr. Desiree Del-Zio

• Certificate of completion

Will I receive a certificate of completion?

Yes. Participants who attend the training will receive a certificate of completion following the event.

Certificates will be emailed within two 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 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 training without a refund.

What is the refund policy?

Operationalizing ERSEA Excellence 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 Directors

• ERSEA Managers, Specialists, and Coordinators

• Family Services Managers and Staff

• Program Managers and Coordinators

• Education Managers

• Data and Compliance Staff

• Anyone responsible for eligibility, recruitment, selection, enrollment, attendance, or ERSEA oversight

Whether you're new to ERSEA or looking to strengthen your existing systems, this training provides practical strategies and tools you can implement immediately.

Does this training align with the Head Start Act and HSPPS?

Yes. Operationalizing ERSEA Excellence aligns with the Head Start Act and the Head Start Program Performance Standards (HSPPS) related to eligibility, recruitment, selection, enrollment, and attendance.

Participants will learn practical approaches to strengthen ERSEA systems, improve compliance, enhance documentation and internal processes, and support successful monitoring and continuous program improvement.