Head Start East Regional Conference
HSE L I V E Syracuse
2026 Conference Schedule
📅 Sep 23–25, 2026 📍 Turning Stone Resort · Verona, NY
Meet the Speakers →
Passport Open Passport Leaderboard Photo Gallery Live Display
Plenary Education Leadership Fiscal & Wellness Featured Break
Day 1 · Pre-Conference

Wednesday, Sep 23

Two parallel pre-conference programs run all day — each on a separate ticket from HSE Live.

All
DAY
Parallel pre-conference programs
Fiscal Summit · Day 1 of 2 Seneca · 9:00–4:30
HSE Fiscal Leadership Summit
🎤 Perry Davis, MBA
🎟 Separate registration required
CLASS Cert · Day 1 of 3 Oak · 8:30–4:30
CLASS 2nd Edition Observer Certification
🎤 Teachstone · 17-seat cohort
🎟 Separate registration required
6:00
PM
8:00
PM
Wednesday Evening Onondaga
Parent / Governing Body Dinner
For governing body, Policy Council & Parent Committee leadership.
Day 2 · Main Event

Thursday, Sep 24

The full HSE Live day — keynote, three breakout slots, and the evening reception. The Fiscal Summit & CLASS Cert cohorts run in parallel all day.

7:30
AM
8:30
AM
☕
Registration & Morning Coffee
Pre-function Foyer · check-in, materials, sponsors
All
DAY
Parallel all-day programs · separate tickets
Fiscal · Day 2
Fiscal Leadership Summit
Seneca · 8:30 AM–4:00 PM
🎟 Separate ticket
CLASS Cert · Day 2
Observer Certification
Oak · 8:30 AM–4:30 PM
🎟 Separate ticket
8:30
AM
9:30
AM
Plenary · All attendees Mohawk · 60 min
Welcome & Opening Keynote
🎤 Andy Roszak + Keynote Speaker TBD
9:30
AM
11:00
AM
Breakout 1 · pick one session
Education Onondaga
Inclusive Play for Children of All Abilities
🎤 Ryan Miller · Special Olympics NY
Leadership Coming soon
LUME Session — title to be announced
Tuscarora
Health & Wellness Coming soon
Health & Wellness — session TBD
Cayuga
Featured Coming soon
Featured session — to be announced
Mohawk
11:00
AM
11:30
AM
☕
Mid-Morning Break
Pre-function Space · coffee & refreshments
11:30
AM
1:00
PM
Breakout 2 · pick one session
Education Onondaga
Supporting Toddlers' Language Development Through CLASS
🎤 Quiera Evans, Ed.D. · The Leaguers Inc.
Leadership Tuscarora
Regulated Adults, Resilient Classrooms
🎤 Melissa Blotter, M.Ed. · ATD Master Trainer
Health & Wellness Coming soon
Health & Wellness — session TBD
Cayuga
Featured Coming soon
Featured session — to be announced
Mohawk
1:00
PM
2:30
PM
Plenary · All attendees Mohawk · 90 min
Working Luncheon & Networking
🎤 Featured lunch speaker · all tracks reconvene · open seating
2:30
PM
4:00
PM
Breakout 3 · pick one session
Education Onondaga
AI in the Early Childhood Classroom
🎤 ReShaun Webb
Leadership Cayuga
Trauma-Informed Without Burnout
🎤 Quiera Evans, Ed.D. · The Leaguers Inc.
Health & Wellness Tuscarora
Home Visit Safety
🎤 Ron Roszak · ICP Senior Safety Advisor
Featured Coming soon
Featured session — to be announced
Mohawk
4:00
PM
4:45
PM
Plenary · Closing Mohawk · 45 min
Closing General Session
Wrap-up, key takeaways & announcements.
5:00
PM
10:00
PM
Evening · All welcome Turquoise Tiger
Evening Reception
Appetizers, passed drinks & open bar at the Turquoise Tiger.
7:00
PM
10:00
PM
🎤
Don't miss it
Karaoke Night
Turquoise Tiger · 7:00–10:00 PM · grab the mic and sing 🎶
Day 3 · Post-Conference

Friday, Sep 25

A leadership brunch in the morning while the CLASS Observer cohort reaches its final certification day.

All
DAY
CLASS Cert · Day 3 of 3 Oak · 8:30–4:30
Observer Certification — Final Day & Reliability Testing
🎤 Teachstone
🎟 Separate registration required
9:00
AM
11:30
AM
Leadership Brunch Room TBD
Leadership Brunch
Leaders from any early childhood program welcome. A relaxed brunch before everyone heads home.
Before you arrive
🏨 Lodging
The Tower & Brook are inside the main property; the Lodge & Crescent are a 5-min walk. Book at turningstone.com or call 1-800-771-7711.
📋 Check-In
Opens Wednesday afternoon and again Thursday morning at the HSE Live table in the main concourse. Pick up your badge.
🎫 Registration
Spots remain for the main conference, Fiscal Summit & Director Brunch. Register at hsereg.org →
✉️ Questions?
Email info@headstarteast.org — happy to help with registration, lodging, or anything else.
Save the Date · April 12–15, 2027

Join us in Puerto Rico for the Head Start East Annual Conference

Our full annual conference returns to the island — April 12–15, 2027 at the Royal Sonesta San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Visit 2027.headstarteast.org →