This publication represents an on-going effort of the Early Head Start National Resource Center (EHS NRC) to collect and disseminate information on issues of critical importance to the Early Head Start (EHS) community. This is the first paper in a series designed to present the experiences of Early Head Start programs in meeting the challenges of planning and implementing high quality services to expectant parents and families with infants and toddlers.

Section One profiles five Early Head Start programs that illustrate the creative and thoughtful ways that EHS programs have demonstrated their commitment to staff development. All EHS programs around the country were invited to participate by completing the detailed questionnaire found in Appendix A. The programs profiled in this document were selected based on the depth and breadth of their response.

Each program profile in this document consists of:

• a general description of the program;

• the programs approach to professional development;

• the process for developing a training plan;

• the process for reflective or supportive supervision;

• opportunities for career advancement;

• resources used for professional development;

• strategies for meeting the challenges unique to each program; and

• the perspective of staff members who are actively participating in the programs staff development activities.

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