January 30th l Beyond COVID: Managing Influenza and RSV Outbreaks in Head Start Programs

This practical 90-minute virtual training equips Head Start operations staff, facilities managers, and center directors with essential knowledge and strategies to prevent and manage respiratory illness outbreaks like RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus), influenza, and COVID-19 in early childhood settings. Participants will understand how their daily work—from cleaning protocols and ventilation systems to attendance policies and facility maintenance—directly protects children's health and prevents the spread of illness. The session explores how RSV and other respiratory viruses spread in childcare environments, and offers actionable protocols for outbreak response, communication with families, and maintaining program operations during illness surges. Through real-world scenarios and practical tools, staff will learn how proper ventilation, hygiene practices, and operational decisions can significantly reduce illness transmission and keep children and staff healthy.
By the end of this training, participants will be able to:

Understand Respiratory Illness Impact -- Explain how RSV and other respiratory viruses affect young children and spread in early childhood settings, and why operations and facilities work matters.
Implement Prevention Strategies -- Apply facility-based prevention measures including ventilation improvements, cleaning protocols, and hygiene practices that reduce illness transmission.
Manage Outbreaks Effectively -- Use current CDC guidance to respond to outbreaks, make operational decisions about exclusion policies, and communicate with families during illness surges.
Connect Facilities Work to Child Health -- Recognize how daily maintenance, cleaning, and operational decisions directly impact children's health outcomes and program quality.

Dates: January 30th, 2026
Targeted Audience: Facilities Managers, Operations Directors, Center Directors, Site Supervisors, Maintenance Staff, Health/Safety Coordinators
$1,000 per agency