When you’re out of sync, it can feel like nothing in your life is going right. You may struggle mentally, face challenges at work and be unable to give your best self to your family. That’s why everyone must find balance in managing one’s mental, emotional and physical well-being.  

On Oct. 24, more than 100 educators, families and wellness advocates gathered at the Irvington Conference Center for the 11th Annual Healthy Minds, Healthy Families Conference. Harris County Department of Education’s Head Start division partnered with the Hogg Foundation for Mental Health to host the daylong event, which provides early childhood educators, community partners and parents with resources and professional development to “Level the Wellness Scale.” 

Attendees gained access to more than 15 breakout sessions about various philosophies, including how student behavior can affect long-term development and how to build mental fortitude through physical wellness. HCDE’s Dr. Tiffany Chaney, a climate and culture specialist in the Center for Safe and Secure Schools, and Arvis Greenleaf, the physical education coach at Academic and Behavior School East, teamed up to explain how a child’s success starts with parents and educators taking care of themselves.  

Keynote speaker Dr. Nicole Willis, department chair for Texas Southern University’s Department of Social Work, discussed how the weight of the world’s stressors can impact educators’ longevity, effectiveness and ethical conduct. Her presentation, titled “The Weight of Wellness,” explained how to articulate various stages of wellness and take proactive steps in self-care. 

The Healthy Minds, Healthy Families Conference aligns with Head Start’s mission to provide comprehensive services to families and serves as a reminder that developing the next generation takes a village and is only successful when everyone works at their best.