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

It Takes a Village: Community Partnerships Supporting Inclusive Childcare

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

GrandSalon 3 - 1st fl

Hear from inclusive childcare providers and interventionists about partnerships to meet child, family, and teacher needs. This creative blend of individualized supports includes PD/coaching, EI, public preschool, Head Start, music therapy, and community-based mental health and related services. Challenges such as limited funding and personnel burnout will be addressed.

Speakers

Elizabeth McLaren

Wednesday September 18, 2024 11:00am - 12:00pm CDT
GrandSalon 3 - 1st fl

By Practitioners for Practitioners

Age 0-5
Audience 1 Administrators
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

1:30pm CDT

Improving Reflection and Practice: EI Competencies

Wednesday September 18, 2024 1:30pm - 2:30pm CDT

Cambridge - 2nd fl

This presentation reviews the process and use of EI Competencies designed by stakeholders to support the reflection and practice of Early Intervention professionals in their growth as leaders in EI. The competency areas include family-centered practices, professionalism, evidence- based practice, collaboration and consultation, and administration and supervision.

Speakers

Carol Johnson

Kristen Votava

Associate Professor, University of North Dakota

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 1:30pm - 2:30pm CDT
Cambridge - 2nd fl

By Practitioners for Practitioners

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

1:30pm CDT

Watch this! The Steps to Intentional Modeling

Wednesday September 18, 2024 1:30pm - 2:30pm CDT

Marlboro B - 2nd fl

Building caregiver confidence and capacity is an essential goal of early intervention. Caregiver coaches make intentional decisions about the level of support provided to caregivers during early intervention visits. Learn how to decide when to use the highest level of scaffolding, intentional modeling, and how to do it effectively.

Speakers

Rebekah Norris

Speech-Language Pathologist, Family, Infant & Preschool Program (FIPP)

Kaitlin Porter

Physical Therapist, Family, Infant and Preschool Program (FIPP)

5 Ways to Scaffold Caregiver Learning pdf

Scaffolding caregiver learning plain text pdf

Intentional Modeling Plain text pdf

Steps to Intentional Modeling pdf

Wednesday September 18, 2024 1:30pm - 2:30pm CDT
Marlboro B - 2nd fl

By Practitioners for Practitioners

Age 0-5
Audience 1 Practitioners
Content Level Intermediate

1:30pm CDT

Neurodivergent Play! A Different Way! (presenter Amy Nelson, Keynote Speaker)

Wednesday September 18, 2024 1:30pm - 3:45pm CDT

Grand Ballroom C (General Sessions) - 1st fl

To support neurodivergent children, we must recognize that different brains need different approaches! Diverse needs necessitate implementing various strategies, sensory supports, and environmental modifications. This workshop will teach you how to understand better, appreciate, and support neurodivergent play. Ages: 3-8

Speakers

Amy Nelson

💜 Keynote Speaker 💙 Preschool Play Therapist 💛 Award Winning Children's Book Author 💚 Founder of Emotional Milestones, Emotional Milestones

Meet 'Quirky Kid' Amy Nelson, the creative force behind the award-winning children's book Every Bunny Can Learn: A Tail of Inclusion. With firsthand experience as an autistic professional and extensive expertise as a Play Therapist and Social Emotional Learning Coach/Consultant... Read More →

NDPLAY DEC2024 EM 9.18.2024 pdf

Wednesday September 18, 2024 1:30pm - 3:45pm CDT
Grand Ballroom C (General Sessions) - 1st fl

By Practitioners for Practitioners

Audience 1 Practitioners
Audience 2 Families
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

Navigating Intra-Family Conflict for Service Coordinators in EI

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

Chequers - 2nd fl

Prolonged conflict between parents can be harmful to a child and challenging for service coordinators to work within. This interactive session will introduce the CADRE Early Intervention Service Provider Resource: Navigating Intra-Family Conflict and provide opportunities to discuss strategies such as establishing roles, boundary setting , and de-escalating high emotions.

Speakers

Elisabeth Teller

Part C Family Liaison / Supervision & Monitoring, CT Office of Early Childhood

Kelly Rauscher

Learning and Development Specialist, CADRE

Kelly Rauscher provides trainings and TA to support the development and implementation of a full continuum of dispute resolution options. Rauscher specializes in system design and improvement, building local-level capacity, family engagement, and early dispute resolution. She co-leads... Read More →

Resource Navigating Intra family Conflict Final Accessible 0 (8) pdf

Navigating Intra family Conflict Final pdf

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

By Practitioners for Practitioners

Age 0-3
Audience 1 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

4:00pm CDT

Creating a Collaborative Space for Learning Through a Community of Practice

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

Kabacoff - Riverside Bldg.

A Community of Practice (CoP) is an effective, equitable, and culturally supportive platform that enhances professional learning, improves family engagement, and strengthens community relationships, while utilizing funds of knowledge. We will analyze the characteristics of a successful CoP and participants will design an individualized framework.

Speakers

Kimberlee Telford

Program Specialist, University of Nebraska: Buffett Early Childhood Institute

Helen Evans

Molly Colling

Birth to 5 Program Specialist, Buffett Early Childhood Institute

Mary Beth Pistillo

CoP Final DEC (1) pdf

4 phases pdf

belonging inclusion diversity equity pdf

Community of Practice Resources pdf

identity & positionality pdf

passing the fitness test pdf

Wednesday September 18, 2024 4:00pm - 5:00pm CDT
Kabacoff - Riverside Bldg.

By Practitioners for Practitioners

Age 0-5
Audience 1 Practitioners
Content Level Introductory

4:00pm CDT

Moving From “Compassion Fatigue” to “Compassion Satisfaction”

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

Eglinton Winton - 2nd fl

Over 50% of children in early childhood settings have experienced trauma. Meanwhile, early educators support and nurture this population under their own emotional, physical and financial stressors. This session helps practitioners to build positive supports, proactively nurturing “Compassion Satisfaction” rather than surviving “Compassion Fatigue.”

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Speakers

Teri Dawn Pentz

Clinical Training Supervisor, Theiss Center for Child and Adolescent Trauma

Kimberly Blair, PhD

Program Director, Child and Adolescent Trauma Services (CATS) Outpatient Program, UPMC Theiss Center for Child & Adolescent Trauma

Moving from Compassion Fatigue to Compassion Satisfaction DEC 2024 pdf

Compassion Satisfaction Fatigue Self Test pdf

Wednesday September 18, 2024 4:00pm - 5:00pm CDT
Eglinton Winton - 2nd fl

By Practitioners for Practitioners

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