• Do you have a desire to advance your professional life but are not quite sure how?
• Have you reached a plateau professionally and are not sure how to overcome it?
• Are you yearning to move outside the box but don't know what's beyond it?

A year in Washington, DC, as a National Head Start Fellow may be an option for you. One of the best opportunities in early childhood education is the National Head Start Fellowship program. This program helps to bring a local perspective to the national office and develops the leadership skills of seasoned and emerging leaders from the field.

For the past 10 years, between 8 and 10 early childhood education and human services professionals from around the country have lived in the Washington area as Fellows while working at the Office of Head Start. While in Washington, they serve as full-time paid special assistants to senior managers at the Office of Head Start by writing position papers, reviewing research findings and proposed legislation, chairing meetings, assisting with policy analysis and participating in policy making discussions.

Professional development is a component of the Fellowship. Fellows study leadership under the guidance of Head Start senior managers and are mentored by professionals in the field. They also visit government and non-government agencies to gain an understanding of policy and advocacy at the national level. Many Head Start Fellows return to their communities with their new skills and knowledge to enhance quality services for children and families.

For more information on the National Head Start Fellowships Program, please contact Jean Swift, Fellowships Coordinator, Head Start Resource Center, at 703-247-8303 or via email at jswift@pal-tech.com.