Division for Early Childhood 2024 Conference: Full Schedule

arrow_back View All Dates

8:00am CDT

Adapting the Early Childhood Environment for Children with Disabilities - Poster 1

Thursday September 19, 2024 8:00am - 9:00am CDT

This poster session explores the critical role of adapting the physical, social, and temporal
environment of early childhood settings to support children with disabilities. Acknowledging the
diverse needs and abilities within this population, the session advocates for a holistic approach
that considers various dimensions of the environment.

Speakers

April Crutcher

Instructor of Special Education, Midwestern State University

Beth Barnard

Instructor, Midwestern State University

Thursday September 19, 2024 8:00am - 9:00am CDT
Grand Ballroom A (Exhibits) - 1st fl

Professional Development

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

9:15am CDT

Finding a Friend: Key Social Skills for Children with Visual Impairments

Thursday September 19, 2024 9:15am - 10:15am CDT

Starboard/Port - Riverside Bldg

This session will discuss a variety of interventions that enable children with visual impairments to be effectively included in early childhood settings. Topics to be discussed include strategies that will increase social opportunities, peer-mediated interventions, and simple modifications that can make social activities more engaging for children with visual impairments.

Speakers

Kathy Boisvert

Integrated Early Childhood Teacher & Assistant Professor, Blackstone-Millville Regional School District & Worcester State University

DEC HANDOUT Finding a Friend (SEPT 2024) pdf

Thursday September 19, 2024 9:15am - 10:15am CDT
Starboard/Port - Riverside Bldg

By Practitioners for Practitioners

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

9:15am CDT

Exploring Family-Profession Partnerships Through Intersectionality

Thursday September 19, 2024 9:15am - 10:15am CDT

Cambridge - 2nd fl

Research suggests that refugee families and early educators struggle to develop equitable family-professional partnerships in the U.S. This session will address the challenges faced and the support needed by early educators to develop partnerships with refugee families. We will also discuss how their multiple identities influence their partnerships.

Speakers

Ankita Bhattashali

Education Specialist, Utah State University

Gregory Cheatham

higher ed faculty, University of Kansas

Thursday September 19, 2024 9:15am - 10:15am CDT
Cambridge - 2nd fl

Research

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

1:00pm CDT

Disability, Diversity, and Identity in Early Childhood

Thursday September 19, 2024 1:00pm - 2:00pm CDT

Chequers - 2nd fl

Disability is a naturally occurring human variation. Some variations, such as nearsightedness, are so common that they're no longer considered disabilities. Others are considered an inconvenience to society. How do professionals help children and families form a positive disabled identity amid these implicit and explicit messages created by society?

Speakers

Charissa Darland

Educational Resources Specialist, Indiana University Bloomington

Thursday September 19, 2024 1:00pm - 2:00pm CDT
Chequers - 2nd fl

Family

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

1:00pm CDT

Strategies to Include Family Voice and Choice in the Behavior Support Plan

Thursday September 19, 2024 1:00pm - 2:00pm CDT

Prince of Wales - 2nd fl

Empowering families and practitioners collectively in communication, planning, and social-emotional support development is pivotal for enhancing outcomes in young children. With practical examples and user-friendly resources, participants will learn to foster family partnership, amplifying voice and choice in the Individualized Positive Behavior Support Process (IBSP).

Speakers

Meghan von der Embse

Learning and Development Facilitator, University of South Flordida

Ben Riepe

Senior Project Manager, University of Denver

Ben began his early childhood experience as a Head Start teacher, coach, and trainer. He is on staff at both the National Center for Pyramid Model Innovations and the Early Childhood Technical Assistance Center, where he supports high fidelity program-wide implementation of the Pyramid Model with families of diverse backgrounds in Denver, Colorado. His previous work includes the Colorado Center for Social Emotional Competence and Inclusion, where he supported communities in their efforts to embed evi... Read More →

Jackie Joseph

Research Associate Professor, University of Denver

Jackie Joseph is a Research Associate Professor at the University of Denver Positive Early Learning Experiences Center, where her work promotes high-quality inclusion across the early care and education system. She specifically focuses on family partnerships and evidence-based strategies... Read More →

Aniva Lumpkins

National Center for Pyramid Model Innovations (NCPMI) Fellow; Doctoral Candidate, FIU

Aniva Lumpkins, Ed.S., is a clinical supervisor of school psychologists and a doctoral candidate pursuing her PhD in Special Education at Florida International University. As a recipient of the National Center for Pyramid Model Innovations (NCPMI) and Project INCLUDE fellowships... Read More →

family voice choice pdf

DEC Family Voice and Choice PPT Handout pdf

Thursday September 19, 2024 1:00pm - 2:00pm CDT
Prince of Wales - 2nd fl

Family

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

1:00pm CDT

Tiered Online Training and Supports for Parents of Children with IDD

Thursday September 19, 2024 1:00pm - 2:00pm CDT

Marlboro B - 2nd fl

This randomized controlled trial evaluates the efficacy of the Tiered Online Training and Support (TOTS) virtual parent training model for parents of children with developmental disabilities. Participants will leave with an understanding of the usability, efficacy, and impact of TOTS and know how to access the program to use with the families they serve.

Speakers

Sabine Scott

Megan Kunze

Assistant Research Professor, Megan Kunze

Christina Karns

Assistant Research Professor, University of Oregon

Laura Lee McIntyre

Thursday September 19, 2024 1:00pm - 2:00pm CDT
Marlboro B - 2nd fl

Research

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

2:15pm CDT

CDC's Learn the Signs. Act Early: Milestones, Materials, and More!

Thursday September 19, 2024 2:15pm - 3:15pm CDT

GrandSalon 6 - 1st fl

Would you like to improve your efforts and skills in the early identification of developmental concerns in young children? CDC’s “Learn the Signs. Act Early.” campaign has developed FREE materials to share with families and providers. Join us to learn new skills about how to integrate these tools into existing EC systems. Leave with an action plan and a materials toolkit.

Speakers

Janel Preston

Program coordinator- Autism Specialist, Institute for Disability Research Policy and Practice -USU

Deana Buck

Act Early Ambassador, Early Childhood Consultant

Deepa Srinivasavaradan

Bethanne Vergean

CT Learn the SIgns Act Early Ambassador, UCONN UCEDD

Bethanne Vergean provides technical assistance and training for Connecticut’s Early Childhood system. Her work over the past 20 years has been centered on improving developmental monitoring in Connecticut. Through her dedicated advocacy, she has developed strong networking systems... Read More →

Jennifer Hall

Melissa Crist

Director of Early Childhood Programs, Idaho Center on Disabilities and Human Development

Melissa Crist, M.S. is the Director of IdahoSTARS at the Idaho Center on Disabilities and Human Development, the state University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDD). IdahoSTARS houses the majority of quality initiatives in early care and education for the... Read More →

DEC 2024 pptx

Thursday September 19, 2024 2:15pm - 3:15pm CDT
GrandSalon 6 - 1st fl

By Practitioners for Practitioners

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

3:30pm CDT

Caring Across Colors: Bridges to Understanding

Thursday September 19, 2024 3:30pm - 4:30pm CDT

Prince of Wales - 2nd fl

Explore the personal journey of a caregiver and provider, navigating ruptures and repairs shaped by their different racial identities. They will reflect upon the influence of historical racism on their individual stances and actions. Gain valuable insights into dismantling discrimination through self-awareness and proactive behavior in this enlightening discussion.

Speakers

Kirsten Sippel-Klug

Physical Therapist, Early Intervention

Kirsten Sippel-Klug, PT, MPP, I/ECMH-C is an early intervention physical therapist. For over 25 years she has been partnering with military families to facilitate their children’s development. Kirsten acknowledges Nat Vikitsreth, whose writings, classes, and clinical work have a... Read More →

Kena Chambers

Parent, Self

Handout Story Starters StroudLLC pdf

RacismInfographic 2020 pdf

Thursday September 19, 2024 3:30pm - 4:30pm CDT
Prince of Wales - 2nd fl

By Practitioners for Practitioners

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