Division for Early Childhood 2024 Conference: Full Schedule

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11:00am CDT

Empowering Families Through Play

Wednesday September 18, 2024 11:00am - 12:00pm CDT

Through a transdisciplinary model we will provide EI therapists with tools they can use to educate families on the importance of play in their child's development. We will demonstrate through play how babies explore their world and work toward developmental milestones. Participants will learn how to use play to empower families to meet their child's foundational growth.

Speakers

Sara Lemons

Early Childhood Special Education Teacher, The Bell Center

Cindy Florence

ECSE Teacher, The Bell Center

Kierstin Cusumano

Early Childhood Special Education Teacher, The Bell Center

Angela Anselmo

Early Childhood Special Education Teacher, The Bell Center

The Bell Center for Early Intervention Programs

Program Director, The Bell Center for Early Intervention Programs

The Bell Center is dedicated to maximizing the potential of children from birth to three years of age who are at risk for developmental delay. Since 1984, The Bell Center has provided best-in-class early intervention services in the only center-based program of its kind in Alabam... Read More →

Chair Time The Bell Center pdf

Play for Infants and Babies The Bell Center pdf

Play Ideas for Home The Bell Center pdf

STAGES AND STRATEGIES FOR TOY PLAY The Bell Center pdf

Wednesday September 18, 2024 11:00am - 12:00pm CDT
Eglinton Winton - 2nd fl

By Practitioners for Practitioners

Age 0-3
Audience 1 Families
Audience 2 Practitioners
Content Level Introductory

11:00am CDT

Join Us for More: Common Sense Assistive Technology Made Simple

Wednesday September 18, 2024 11:00am - 12:00pm CDT

GrandSalon 16 - 1st fl

The future of AT depends on the knowledge and skills practitioners and families have in developing, accessing, and using such items. Based on feedback from the previous session, practitioners want MORE! This session provides multiple opportunities to brush up on and learn new low tech skills for developing items that can be used in natural environments across every day.

Speakers

Sarah Hawkins-Lear

Assistant Professor, University of Kentucky

Julie Rutland

Associate Professor, Eastern Kentucky University

Amanda Duncan

BCBA, Research Assistant, Doctoral Candidate, University of Kentucky

Wednesday September 18, 2024 11:00am - 12:00pm CDT
GrandSalon 16 - 1st fl

By Practitioners for Practitioners

Age 3-5
Audience 1 Families
Audience 2 Practitioners
Content Level Intermediate

11:00am CDT

Big Feelings! Using the HUGS Framework to Build Responsive Interactions

Wednesday September 18, 2024 11:00am - 12:00pm CDT

GrandSalon 6 - 1st fl

All behavior is communication. Reading the message behind the child’s behavior can help parents and caregivers respond in ways that diffuse tense situations, build positive social-emotional skills, and coregulate. In this session learn to use the HUGS framework to 1) hear children’s cues 2) understand the child’s underlying message 3) give a response and 4) build success.

Speakers

April Robinson

Danielle Gaglio

Occupational Therapist, Family, Infant & Preschool Program (FIPP)

Communicating with your child using H.U.G.S. 1 pdf

Tune in and hear your childs cues HUGS2 pdf

Letting your child know you understand HUGS3 pdf

Giving your child support HUGS4 pdf

4 Steps to Diffuse Challenging Social Interactions pdf

HUGS References pdf

Wednesday September 18, 2024 11:00am - 12:00pm CDT
GrandSalon 6 - 1st fl

Practice

Age 0-5
Audience 1 Families
Audience 2 Practitioners
Content Level Introductory

11:00am CDT

Caregiver Coaching in EI: Partnering to Support Children & Families

Wednesday September 18, 2024 11:00am - 12:00pm CDT

GrandSalon 7 - 1st fl

This session will explore caregiver coaching for early interventionists. We define research-based coaching quality indicators of fostering trusting relationships, joint planning, observation, guided practice, reflection, and feedback and reflect on video vignettes from real-world EI sessions to discuss how providers support caregivers’ confidence and competence.

Speakers

Serena Wheeler

Assistant Professor and Associate Director, Coaching in Early Intervention Training and Mentorship Program, University of Louisville

I train and mentor EI Providers in a statewide PD program and support ongoing program quality and improvements efforts. My primary areas of interest are evidence-based practices related to effective PD for early intervention providers and caregiver coaching to build family capaci... Read More →

Minda Kohner-Coogle

Early Intervention Specialist Coach, University of Louisville

I work for Coaching in Early Intervention Training and Mentorship Program, which provides professional development around caregiver coaching to early interventionists in the state of Kentucky. I am a Speech Language Pathologist. Let's chat about caregiver coaching, early intervention... Read More →

Scott Tomchek

Professor, University of Louisville

Caregiver Coaching in EI Partnership DEC 2024 9.13.24 pdf

Wednesday September 18, 2024 11:00am - 12:00pm CDT
GrandSalon 7 - 1st fl

Professional Development

Age 0-3
Audience 1 Families
Audience 2 Practitioners
Content Level Introductory

2:45pm CDT

Keeping It Real – Skill Versus Participation in Routines

Wednesday September 18, 2024 2:45pm - 3:45pm CDT

GrandSalon 16 - 1st fl

Enhancing child participation in real-life family routines is a hallmark of EI. Coaching and natural learning environment practices lie at the intersection of practitioner expertise, building caregiver capacity, and targeting families’ real-life interactions. This session is designed to support practitioners in keeping interventions grounded in families’ real lives.

Speakers

Kris Everhart

Associate Director, FIPP

I am presenting a session at this year's conference titled "What to expect when you are expecting an early intervention provider in your classroom." I work at the Family, Infant and Preschool Program in Morganton, North Carolina. My duties at FIPP include serving as FIPP's associate... Read More →

Wednesday September 18, 2024 2:45pm - 3:45pm CDT
GrandSalon 16 - 1st fl

By Practitioners for Practitioners

Age 0-5
Audience 1 Families
Audience 2 Practitioners
Content Level Intermediate

2:45pm CDT

The More We Get Together, the Happier We'll Be

Wednesday September 18, 2024 2:45pm - 3:45pm CDT

Prince of Wales - 2nd fl

EI professionals, childcare providers and community programs can create welcoming and inclusive interactions for all infants, toddlers, and families. We will consider the ways we can support children of all abilities at home, at childcare, and in the community, to promote access and participation for all.

Speakers

Meg Liebreich

PD Training Consultant and Physical Therapist, EITP

Handout inclusion session pdf

Wednesday September 18, 2024 2:45pm - 3:45pm CDT
Prince of Wales - 2nd fl

By Practitioners for Practitioners

Age 0-3
Audience 1 Families
Audience 2 Practitioners
Content Level Introductory

2:45pm CDT

Strategies To Effectively Empower Families in all levels of the Early Childhood Systems

Wednesday September 18, 2024 2:45pm - 3:45pm CDT

GrandSalon 6 - 1st fl

Fostering strong partnerships between Parent Centers and state partners is crucial for supporting families of students with diverse needs effectively. By sharing successful strategies and collaborative activities, participants can gain valuable insights into building mutually beneficial relationships and enhancing engagement with families.

Speakers

Michelle Lewis

Executive Director, Parent Information Center NH

Susan Barlow

Director of Special Projects/Consultant, Parent Network of WNY/SPAN

The Center for Parent Information and Resources is the central “Hub” of information and products created for the network of Parent Centers serving families of children with disabilities

Jenna Nguyen

Strategies to Effectively Empower Families pdf

Wednesday September 18, 2024 2:45pm - 3:45pm CDT
GrandSalon 6 - 1st fl

Family

Age 0-5
Audience 1 Families
Audience 2 Administrators
Content Level Intermediate

2:45pm CDT

We Hear You Sis: Black Mothers Advocacy in Special Education Process (including Keynote Speakers: Monique Matute-Chavarria & William White)

Wednesday September 18, 2024 2:45pm - 3:45pm CDT

Eglinton Winton - 2nd fl

This presentation will discuss the lived experience of three Black mothers navigating the special education process. We will discuss (a) the inequities our children experience and (b) the barriers we navigated to ensure our children receive appropriate services.

Speakers

Monique Matute-Chavarria

Assistant Professor, New Mexico State University

Dr. Monique Matute-Chavarria is an assistant professor of Special Education at New Mexico State University (NMSU). Before obtaining her Ph.D. in Special Education, she worked with Nevada Early Intervention Services, working with children from birth to three with disabilities. Dr... Read More →

Lydia Ocasio-Stoutenburg

Asia Johnson M.S. BCBA, LBA

Founder | BCBA | Executive Advisor, Seizing 611 LLC

As an executive advisor and licensed behavior analyst, I specialize in driving organizational success through strategic behavior analysis and executive coaching. With over eight years of experience in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), I empower leaders and ambitious professionals to... Read More →

Mirage Sanders

OT, N/A

Meridith M. Rose, MS, CCC-SLP

Education of Students with Exceptionalities Doctoral Student and Graduate Research Assistant, Georgia State University

Meridith M. Rose, MS, CCC-SLP is a pediatric speech-language pathologist (SLP) of over 15 years. Her journey to become an SLP began over 20 years ago following her youngest brother’s diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder. She has worked with neurotypical and neurodiverse populations... Read More →

William White

Dr. William L. White hails from Seattle, WA and holds a PhD in special education from the University of Washington where he received the Gordon C. Lee Dissertation Award for his dissertation entitled “Through Our Eyes: The Lived Experiences of Black Male Early Childhood Teachers... Read More →

Wednesday September 18, 2024 2:45pm - 3:45pm CDT
Eglinton Winton - 2nd fl

Family

Age 5-8
Audience 1 Families
Audience 2 Practitioners
Content Level Intermediate

2:45pm CDT

Foundations of the Neurorelational Framework - Nurturing Well Being For All

Wednesday September 18, 2024 2:45pm - 3:45pm CDT

GrandSalon 3 - 1st fl

The NeuroRelational Framework helps practitioners and families identify stress and regulation in adults and children. It emphasizes the importance of sleep for optimal development, and the importance of relationships across the lifespan, starting in early childhood. Participants will see themselves in the framework and their role in supporting children’s brain development.

Speakers

Twyla Bruce

Early Childhood Services Manager, GRIT-Edmonton

Sara Murchison

Neurorelational Framework final DEC WORKBOOK docx

Neurorelational Framework DEC final ppt No Notes pptx

Wednesday September 18, 2024 2:45pm - 3:45pm CDT
GrandSalon 3 - 1st fl

Practice

Age 0-5
Audience 1 Families
Audience 2 Practitioners
Content Level Introductory

2:45pm CDT

Understanding Mother-Educators Raising Children with Disabilities

Wednesday September 18, 2024 2:45pm - 3:45pm CDT

GrandSalon 12 - 1st fl

Despite legal mandates, family engagement in special education remains uneven, particularly across ethnoracial lines. Our study interviewed 25 special education professional mothers parenting children receiving part C and part B services. Findings underscore challenges faced by this group of mother-educators while advocating for their children.

Speakers

Ruby Batz

Assistant Professor, University of Nevada, Reno

I am a former preschool and special Ed teacher. Currently I research and teach about family engagement in EI/ECSE examining aspects of race/ethnicity, language and disability. I’m interested in improving EI/ECSE systems and working collaboratively with others to do so.

Sheresa Blanchard

Wednesday September 18, 2024 2:45pm - 3:45pm CDT
GrandSalon 12 - 1st fl

Research

Age 0-5
Audience 1 Families
Audience 2 Practitioners
Content Level Introductory

4:00pm CDT

Experienced Parents Supporting Early Intervention

Wednesday September 18, 2024 4:00pm - 5:00pm CDT

GrandSalon 21 - 1st fl

This session will share information and activities of the Experienced Program in one state. The program utilizes a parent with personal experience in early intervention to support parents who are currently in early intervention. Learn how the Experienced Parent program supports families through a variety of strategies, one on one support, and family-centered practices.

Speakers

Kristen Votava

Associate Professor, University of North Dakota

Nicki Maddock

Carol Johnson

Roxane Romanick

Self-employed, NA

Roxane Romanick is the Executive Director of Designer Genes of North Dakota. Roxane's lived experience comes from being the "momager" for Elizabeth who is 24, graduated from college with an associate's in Early Childhood Special Education Paraprofessional, works for ND’s UCED... Read More →

Wednesday September 18, 2024 4:00pm - 5:00pm CDT
GrandSalon 21 - 1st fl

Family

Age 0-3
Audience 1 Families
Audience 2 Administrators
Content Level Intermediate