Georgia Head Start Association
Georgia Head Start Association (GHSA) is a 501(c)(3) statewide non-profit founded in 1975 that represents Georgia's 31 Head Start and Early Head Start agencies, providing advocacy, professional development, and resources to programs serving over 22,000 low-income children and families.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1975
- HeadquartersClarkston, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Georgia Head Start Association does
Georgia Head Start Association, Inc. (GHSA) is a 501(c)(3) statewide non-profit membership organization founded in 1975 and headquartered at One West Court Square, Suite 750, Decatur, Georgia. Its mission is to support Head Start and Early Head Start programs in delivering high-quality comprehensive services to Georgia's children, families, and communities. GHSA represents all 31 Head Start and Early Head Start grantees operating in the state, which collectively run 350 centers, 1,648 classrooms, and employ nearly 6,813 staff serving over 22,000 low-income children from birth through age five and their families. The organization is the unified voice for Georgia's Head Start programs, providing state and federal advocacy, professional development, compliance resources, and convening infrastructure.
GHSA's core offerings are a tiered annual membership program (Parent $7, Student $6, Staff $16, Alumni $11, Friend $31, Director $61, Corporate $300), two anchor conferences per year (Spring Training Conference at Epworth by the Sea and Fall Leadership Institute at Fort Valley State University), a Director Resources Portal, a careers job board, a speaker registry, and a quarterly newsletter. Professional development is delivered through partnerships with NHSA Academy (Executive Leadership Credential, Head Start Manager Credential, Site Leader Credential), the UCLA Anderson Head Start Management Fellows Program, and Grand Canyon University tuition discounts. Fundraising is supplemented through consumer campaigns with Krispy Kreme and Regal Cinemas and corporate sponsorships.
GHSA does not sell a technology product and operates as a traditional association business model. Revenue is the sum of membership dues, conference and event fees, sponsorships, and philanthropic/fundraising income, with no disclosed figures. The organization is governed by a Board of Directors and led by Executive Officer Juanita Yancey, and is formally engaged with the Georgia Children's Cabinet, the National Head Start Association (NHSA), Region IV Head Start Association (RIVHSA), Bright from the Start (Georgia DECAL), and Georgia DFCS. In 2025–2026, GHSA is celebrating its 50th anniversary.
Georgia Head Start Association firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Georgia Head Start Association
- Legal name
- Georgia Head Start Association, Inc.
- Website
- https://georgiaheadstart.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1975
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Georgia Head Start Association (GHSA) is a 501(c)(3) statewide non-profit founded in 1975 that represents Georgia's 31 Head Start and Early Head Start agencies, providing advocacy, professional development, and resources to programs serving over 22,000 low-income children and families.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Georgia Head Start Association industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Nonprofit Membership Association Services
- NAICS
- Business Associations (813910), Professional Organizations (81392), Business, Professional, Labor, Political, and Similar Organizations (8139)
- SIC
- Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Head Start & Public Pre-K Programs (EDACABAK)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Early Head Start & Publicly Funded Infant/Toddler Programs (EDACAGAH), ECE Leadership & Administration Training (Directors/Owners/Supervisors) (EDACAIAD)
Keywords
Where Georgia Head Start Association is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Clarkston
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Georgia Head Start Association business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Membership Dues: Annual membership fees at multiple levels (Parent $7, Staff $16, Director $61, Friend $31, Corporate $300, Student $6, Alumni $11) providing access to professional development, networking, and resources.
- Conference and Event Fees: Revenue from annual conferences including the Spring Training Conference (May 13-15, 2026 at Epworth by the Sea) and Fall Leadership Institute (November 19-20, 2025 at Fort Valley State University), with tiered hotel rates and sponsorship opportunities.
- Fundraising Campaigns: Partnerships with Krispy Kreme and Regal Cinemas for fundraising campaigns where a percentage of sales are donated back to the association.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | Parent Member - Current Head Start/EHS Parents only |
| Subscription | Annual | Student Member - High School or College (Non Head Start/EHS Staff) |
| Subscription | Annual | Head Start Staff Member - Current Head Start/EHS Staff Only |
| Subscription | Annual | Head Start Alumni Member |
| Subscription | Annual | Friend Members |
| Subscription | Annual | Head Start Director Member |
| Subscription | Annual | Corporate Member/Sponsor |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels6 records
Georgia Head Start Association product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Georgia Head Start Association is a statewide non-profit membership organization that advocates for, supports, and provides professional development to Head Start and Early Head Start agencies across Georgia. It delivers training events, an annual conference, policy advocacy, and peer-networking resources to its member programs serving low-income children and families.
Product overview
The Georgia Head Start Association operates as a statewide non-profit membership organization rather than a technology product company. Its core offerings consist of membership programs at multiple tiers (Director, Staff, Parent, Corporate, Student, Alumni, Friend) providing networking, training access, and professional development benefits. The organization facilitates professional development through annual Spring Training Conference, Fall Leadership Institute, and partnerships with UCLA and NHSA Academy. Additional services include a Head Start Careers Portal for job matching, Director Resources Portal with compliance and operational materials, quarterly newsletters, speaker registry, and RIVHSA awards program. The organization also manages the Georgia Early Head Start Dashboard providing data on Early Head Start services impact.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- GHSA Membership Annual membership program for Georgia Head Start and Early Head Start agencies, providing access to advocacy, training, networking, and member-only resources.
- Annual Statewide Conference Multi-day professional development and networking event for Head Start staff, directors, and partners across Georgia.
- Professional Development Training Training programs and workshops designed for Head Start agency leadership and staff to maintain program quality and compliance.
- Statewide Advocacy and Policy Representation Collective advocacy on behalf of Georgia's Head Start and Early Head Start agencies with state policymakers and funders.
Quantifiable outcome
- Over 22,000 children and families receive Head Start services through GHSA member agencies
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use Georgia Head Start Association
Customer profileNamed customers1 record
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles1 record
Georgia Head Start Association technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Georgia Head Start Association partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.
- Regal CinemasminorFundraising partnership where 25% of each Regal Movie Ticket Bundle is donated back to GHSA until April 1.
- Krispy KrememinorFundraising campaign partnership where doughnut purchases support GHSA programs.
- National Head Start Association (NHSA)coreNational partnership for professional development through The Academy, Head Start Rising Project, Academy Course Offerings, Executive Leadership Credential, Head Start Manager Credential, Site Leader Credential, and advocacy support. GHSA is endorsed by NHSA for the HEADWAY Act legislation.
- Region IV Head Start Association (RIVHSA)coreRegional partnership for awards, scholarships, and professional development recognition across the southeast region including Georgia.
- Bright from the Start (Georgia DECAL)corePartnership with Georgia's Department of Early Care and Learning for Early Head Start services and coordination.
- Georgia Children's CabinetcoreGHSA is represented on Georgia's Children's Cabinet, which supports a sustainable comprehensive system of education and care for children and families.
- UCLA Anderson School of ManagementminorPartnership for the Head Start Management Fellows Program providing 12-day intensive leadership training for directors and managers.
- Grand Canyon University (GCU)minorOnline cohort program offering Georgia Head Start staff and parents up to 25% tuition discount for educational programs.
- Georgia OrganicsminorPartnership for Apple of Our Eye farm-to-school campaign celebrating Farm to School Month during October 2025.
- Georgia DFCSminorPartnership with Georgia Division of Family and Children Services for coordinated family support.
- AetnaminorHealth insurance partner supporting Head Start programs.
- Non-Profit ConnectionminorTraining partner offering pre-service training and professional development for Head Start programs.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Georgia Head Start Association competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Florida Head Start Association: Florida Head Start Association is the state-level peer for Head Start agencies in Florida. Identical mission (advocacy, professional development, member support) and comparable scale, operating in a different geographic market within the same southeast region as GHSA.
- North Carolina Head Start Association: North Carolina Head Start Association is a southeast peer state-level Head Start association. Comparable organizational structure, member agency representation model, and focus on professional development and state-level advocacy — but serving a different state.
- Region IV Head Start Association (RIVHSA): RIVHSA is the multi-state regional Head Start association covering the southeast U.S. (including Georgia). GHSA is a member of RIVHSA, and both organizations co-administer the awards and scholarships program. Same mission, overlapping membership, but RIVHSA operates across multiple states while GHSA is Georgia-only.
- Texas Head Start Association: Texas Head Start Association is the state-level membership association for Head Start agencies in Texas, structurally identical to GHSA in mission, membership-tier model, and statewide advocacy role. Comparable scale of member agencies, children served, and conference programming in a different state.
Broad incumbents
- National Head Start Association: NHSA is the national membership association for Head Start agencies and the parent ecosystem GHSA operates within. It delivers the Academy credentials (Executive Leadership, Manager, Site Leader, CDA) that GHSA distributes locally and coordinates federal advocacy GHSA extends to Georgia. Direct peer in mission and offerings, but operating at national scale.
- National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC): NAEYC is the national professional membership association for early childhood educators. GHSA's membership tiers (Director, Staff) overlap with NAEYC's individual members, and both deliver professional development and credentials. Broader scope (birth–age 8 across all ECE settings) versus GHSA's Head Start-only focus.
Regional players
- Voices for Georgia's Children: Voices for Georgia's Children is a statewide child advocacy organization covering K–12 and early childhood policy. Overlaps with GHSA on early childhood advocacy and Georgia Children's Cabinet representation, but operates across broader age range and uses different advocacy mechanisms.
- Georgia Early Education Alliance for Ready Students (GEEARS): GEEARS is a Georgia-based coalition focused on expanding high-quality early learning. It overlaps with GHSA on early childhood advocacy and stakeholder convening in the same state, but GEEARS emphasizes policy research and coalition-building rather than representing Head Start agencies directly.
Others
- Bright from the Start: Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning: DECAL is Georgia's state agency overseeing early childhood education, including licensing and Quality Rated for child care programs. GHSA partners with DECAL on Early Head Start coordination; comparable in early childhood focus but operating as a government regulator rather than a membership association.
- Council for Professional Recognition: The Council administers the Child Development Associate (CDA) credential, which GHSA supports as part of its professional development offerings. They are an enabling/credentialing peer that GHSA routes members to, rather than a direct competitor.
Market position
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Georgia Head Start Association social profiles
Digital presenceGeorgia Head Start Association financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Georgia Head Start Association leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
Georgia Head Start Association funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Georgia Head Start Association M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Georgia Head Start Association
What does Georgia Head Start Association do?
Georgia Head Start Association is a statewide non-profit membership organization that advocates for, supports, and provides professional development to Head Start and Early Head Start agencies across Georgia. It delivers training events, an annual conference, policy advocacy, and peer-networking resources to its member programs serving low-income children and families.
Is Georgia Head Start Association a public or private company?
Georgia Head Start Association is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Georgia Head Start Association founded?
Georgia Head Start Association was founded in 1975. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Georgia Head Start Association based?
Georgia Head Start Association is headquartered in Clarkston, United States, in the North America region.
How does Georgia Head Start Association make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Membership Dues are the primary driver. The others are conference and Event Fees and fundraising Campaigns.
Who are Georgia Head Start Association's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Florida Head Start Association, North Carolina Head Start Association, Region IV Head Start Association (RIVHSA) and Texas Head Start Association. Broad incumbents are National Head Start Association and National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). Regional players are Voices for Georgia's Children and Georgia Early Education Alliance for Ready Students (GEEARS). Others are Bright from the Start: Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning and Council for Professional Recognition.
Does Georgia Head Start Association have an API?
No public API is recorded for Georgia Head Start Association.
What industry is Georgia Head Start Association in?
Georgia Head Start Association's product category is Nonprofit Membership Association Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDACABAK, Head Start & Public Pre-K Programs, with a secondary code of EDACAGAH, Early Head Start & Publicly Funded Infant/Toddler Programs. Its NAICS code is 813910 and its SIC code is 8600.