Our Mission
The Mission of the New Jersey Head Start Association is to provide leadership to strengthen and inspire stakeholders through advocacy, support, collaboration and communication to benefit New Jersey’s youngest children and families.
Join Us for Our Annual Conference
2026 New Jersey Head Start Association
Annual Conference & Professional Development
Dates: May 18-21, 2026
Location: Tropicana, Atlantic City, NJ
Who We Are
The New Jersey Head Start Association represents 14,908 pregnant women, infants, toddlers, and preschool children. In the 2021-22 program year more than 1,664 families were served throughout the state of New Jersey. The New Jersey Early Head Start and Head Start programs work together to ensure families receive high quality, comprehensive early education services that address education, health, oral health, mental health, disabilities, nutrition, social services, family engagement, and parent leadership.
Planning and Growing
The New Jersey Head Start Association brings together Directors, Program Staff, Community Leaders, and Parents to develop resources for Early Head Start and Head Start programs. Their strategic plan provides a framework for ensuring training opportunities, connecting with the community at the state and local level, and for being a voice for families.
Leadership
New Jersey Early Head Start and Head Start programs are an integral part of the community. They connect with schools, businesses, and, most importantly, families. In the 2021-22 program year, despite the pandemic, more than 6,071 people volunteered in the program, 77% of which were parents. Volunteers assist in the classrooms, read stories, provide medical and dental services, donate materials, and work with the leadership of the programs.
News and Events
President Trump’s proposed budget would cut the Cash Value Benefit (CVB) from WIC to less than half of current levels. Make your voice heard! Let your representatives know, WIC’s enhanced fruit and vegetable benefit and full funding are essential to our nation’s health.
Please join organizations, businesses, and community leaders across the country in urging Congress to stand with and strengthen Head Start for the children, families, and communities who need it most.
Head Start Works
Learn More About New Jersey Head Start Programs
Read Our
Position Paper
“Head Start is the smartest decision I have ever made for my child. I have seen such growth not only with my child, but with myself as well. Head Start to me is a dream come true in so many ways and it gets better and better for my child and I as we go along. I wish I could keep my child in Head Start until college!”
– Samantha Loguidice
New Jersey Head Start Association 