On Sept. 9, 2021, President Biden announced a plan requiring all Head Start program staff to be vaccinated against COVID-19. Head Start teachers, program staff, and certain contractors must be fully vaccinated to help ensure the health and safety of staff, children, families, and their communities. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) will issue implementation regulations this fall.

During the next month, the Strategies for Staff Vaccination: Voices from the Field series will support programs in planning to meet the COVID-19 staff vaccination requirement. Find helpful resources and hear from a new Head Start grant recipient each week! Program leaders will highlight the strategies, processes, and best practices they have used to support staff with the vaccine requirement.

Head Start leaders across the country are using a variety of strategies to encourage their staff to become vaccinated. They have developed innovative practices to provide information and support, including paid leave to get the vaccine and recover from potential side effects.

In this video, hear the director of Georgia’s Tallatoona Community Action Partnership discuss her program’s most successful strategies for implementing their “Let’s Get Vaccinated” campaign. Discover how this Head Start program worked in partnership with their local health department, provided incentives, and engaged in supportive conversations to meet their vaccination goals. Get ideas of how to help staff to feel comfortable and confident in their decision to roll their #SleeveUp4HeadStart.

Watch the Video