Head Start California’s Health Institute provides training for Head Start professionals who work with families in all aspects of health, including physical and mental well-being. This unique conference has been a signature event for over a decade. 

The 2023 HSC Health Institute will be held November 6-8, 2023. 

HSC is seeking proposals from those who are interested in presenting in person. Submissions are due by Friday, June 30, 2023.

The number of sessions will be limited to approximately 25. This means the selection process will be highly competitive. HSC seeks thoughtfully prepared, original proposals from established experts and seasoned presenters on the following topics: 

Safety Practices

• Indoor and Outdoor Safety

• Safety and Security for Head Start Centers.

• Addressing Special Health Care Needs – asthma, seizure disorders, others

• Cleaning and Disinfecting, Green Cleaning

• COVID-19 Guidance

• Special Health Care Needs (medical needs in the classroom)

• Healthy Air & Ventilation Best Practices

• Environmental Health (Lead in the water)

• Medication administration (storage, record keeping, etc.)

• Emergency Prep (Fire, earthquake, etc.)

• Sleep Safety

• Home Safety (home visits, checklists)

Nutrition & Food Services

• Meal Services: Family Style - Starting up again

• Teaching Nutritional Activities in the Classroom - How to do it Safely

• Food Resources for Families: CSA boxes, food scarcity, SNAP

• WIC Resources and Partnerships

• Remote Nutrition Education for Families

• Food Allergies/Intolerances/ Special Nutrition Needs

• Food & Culture (Equity within Nutrition/Menu Diversity)

• Feeding Infants and Toddlers

• IMIL, Eat Healthy Stay Active

• Food insecurity

Mental Health & Wellness

• Staff wellness

• Social-Emotional Learning

• Mental Health Consultants

• Family Wellness

• Parental Mental Health

• Father Engagement & Health

• Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACES)/ PEARLS

• Trauma & Healing

• Racism/Inequity – how to address

• Equity and Inclusion – Cultural diversity

• Teaching pyramid

Maternal & Infant Health

• Pregnant people & Health Outcomes

• Doulas

• Increasing Breastfeeding Rates

• Partnering with WIC and other Community Partners

• Postpartum Visits

• Maternal Nutrition during pregnancy

• Maternal Mental Health

Health Services

• Immunizations/medical exemptions/COVID Vaccine

• Health Equity

• Health Services Advisory Committee

• Head Start Child Health Requirements

• Health Data & Tracking & Monitoring

• Community Health Partnerships

• Telehealth Services

• Health Education via remote access (creative content, best practices)

• Hearing and Vision Screenings

• Oral Health (Tooth brushing care/fluoride)

• Short-term exclusions

• Contagious Diseases

In order for a presentation to be considered, it must:

• Address health disparities and inequities
• Appropriately integrate COVID19 requirements—including social distancing, personal protective equipment and cleaning policies and procedures
• Focus on one of the topics listed within the track descriptions

Topics that are not included in the list of conference tracks will likely not be considered.

If you have questions on anything listed above, please get in touch with Kindell Graham, the Engagement Coordinator, at kindell@headstartca.org