Division for Early Childhood 2024 Conference: Full Schedule

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9:00am CDT

Systems Level Change in Early Intervention: Access to Quality Coaching

Friday September 20, 2024 9:00am - 10:00am CDT

This panel will elicit discussion related to change at different system levels so that families and children, particularly those that are historically marginalized, access evidence-based early intervention services. We discuss a statewide professional development program and then discuss how such practices may be implemented in a shelter setting for unhoused families.

Speakers

Lauren Little

Scott Tomchek

Professor, University of Louisville

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 →

Anne Hoffmann

Kristen Vincent

Speech and Language Pathologist, Rush Univeristy Medical Center

Friday September 20, 2024 9:00am - 10:00am CDT
GrandSalon 13 - 1st fl

Policy

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

9:00am CDT

Where Do We Begin? Talking with Families about Developmental Screening

Friday September 20, 2024 9:00am - 10:00am CDT

GrandSalon 6 - 1st fl

A community-driven, systematic approach to developmental screening and referral supports families’ equitable access to Part C services. This OSEP-funded project involved collaboration among rural Part C programs, community partners, and families to strengthen Child Find and resulted in culturally responsive approaches to screening and referral for underserved families.

Speakers

Jenine Schmidt

Program Associate, WestEd

Jenine Schmidt is an Early Childhood Program Associate at WestEd. Schmidt holds expertise in early childhood development and culturally responsive pedagogy. Currently, Schmidt is developing early math resources to support professional learning providers throughout California. She... Read More →

Beth Cole

TA Liaison, WestEd

I’ve been working in EI since 1996 and have worked at the local, state and now, national levels. One of my projects is an OSEP-funded model demonstration project to pilot a model that communities can use to increase the use of developmental screening and referrals to Part C early... Read More →

Leslie Fox

Director, Early Childhood Intervention, Mental Health & Inclusion, WestEd

Jamie Michaud

DEC Presentation PPT 2024 0911 Full Slides pdf

DEC Presentation Handout Family Scenarios pdf

DEC Handout CIM C Value of EI Flyer pdf

Friday September 20, 2024 9:00am - 10:00am CDT
GrandSalon 6 - 1st fl

Policy

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

9:00am CDT

Inclusive Play for Infants & Toddlers

Friday September 20, 2024 9:00am - 10:00am CDT

GrandSalon 7 - 1st fl

This interactive session explores techniques to facilitate inclusive play for infants & toddlers across developmental levels. Attendees will be able to transform spaces, select materials, and apply inclusive strategies through small group discussions and share-outs. Takeaways: accessible play space checklist; accommodations; and prompts to facilitate peer interactions.

Speakers

Valencia Ashley

Owner/Director, ElevatED Solutions

Inclusive Play for Infants Toddlers pdf

Friday September 20, 2024 9:00am - 10:00am CDT
GrandSalon 7 - 1st fl

Practice

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

9:00am CDT

Infant Mental Health Endorsement and Early Intervention Supports

Friday September 20, 2024 9:00am - 10:00am CDT

Kabacoff - Riverside Bldg.

This session will share the outcomes of research regarding infant mental health and early intervention practices. Particularly with those who have Connecticut's Infant Mental Health Endorsement. Attendees will understand how to implement Infant Mental Health Endorsement in their state and how to tie practices together for optimal early intervention supports.

Speakers

Nicole Cossette

Part C Coordinator, Office of Early Childhood - Birth to Three

Nicole Cossette, PhD, currently works for the Connecticut Office of Early Childhood in the field of Early Intervention. She is the Part C Coordinator and Early Intervention Division Director. Nicole has presented to multiple agencies on child development, taught courses on the subject... Read More →

Infant Mental Health Endorsement of Early interventionists (1) pptx

Friday September 20, 2024 9:00am - 10:00am CDT
Kabacoff - Riverside Bldg.

Practice

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

9:00am CDT

Advancing Specialized Competence: A Statewide Early Intervention Credential

Friday September 20, 2024 9:00am - 10:00am CDT

GrandSalon 18- 1st fl

This session will share how one state revised the existing early intervention (EI) credential, partnered with higher education, and garnered inservice professional development initiatives to prepare, evaluate, and recognize highly specialized, effective EI professionals who are responsive to all families and the systemic marginalization of those from diverse identities.

Speakers

Bonnie Keilty

Sabrina Crowe

Birth to Three Professional Development, Connecticut Office of Early Childhood

Sabrina Crowe joined the CT Office of Early Childhood Birth to Three division in early 2021 in the Education Outreach position and more recently supporting Professional Development. Her background is as a Speech Language Pathologist. She has spent over the past 20 years working within... Read More →

Koleen Kerski

Personnel and Development, Office of Early Childhood: Birth to Three

Advancing Specialized EI Competence pptx

Friday September 20, 2024 9:00am - 10:00am CDT
GrandSalon 18- 1st fl

Professional Development

Age 0-3
Audience 1 Administrators
Audience 2 Faculty
Content Level Advanced

9:00am CDT

What New EI Providers Need to Know about Home Visiting

Friday September 20, 2024 9:00am - 10:00am CDT

GrandSalon 3 - 1st fl

Preparing for your first home visits can feel daunting considering the importance of initial interactions with families. This session highlights strategies for building the confidence and competence of EI providers new to the field. Participants will gain insight into the intricacies of home visits and develop essential skills to navigate them proficiently.

Speakers

Kimberly Hile

Nikki Thompson

Director of Early Childhood Services/EI Service Coordinator, UCP Huntsville

Elizabeth Rodriguez

Doctoral Student/Primary Interventionist, UT-Austin

Howdy! I have been an early interventionist for the past decade. I am currently a doctoral student at UT-Austin. My reserach interest include therapuetic alliance and providing increased acessbility to early intervention services to marginalized groups. A large emphasis of my reseach... Read More →

Friday September 20, 2024 9:00am - 10:00am CDT
GrandSalon 3 - 1st fl

Professional Development

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

9:00am CDT

Equitable Part C Services: Perspectives of Early Intervention Coordinators

Friday September 20, 2024 9:00am - 10:00am CDT

Marlboro B - 2nd fl

To maximize the impact of Part C early intervention services, it is essential that all eligible infants and toddlers and their families are served, especially those from low resourced, marginalized communities. Through surveys and individual interviews with Early Intervention Coordinators, we examined supports and barriers to providing high quality equitable services.

Speakers

Rebecca G. Lieberman-Betz

Professor, University of Georgia

Cynthia Vail

Professor, University of Georgia

Dr. Cynthia Vail received her Ph.D. from Florida State University and has been on the faculty of the University of Georgia in the Department of Communication Sciences and Special Education since 1989, where she is currently Professor. She teaches in the Birth through Kindergarten/Early... Read More →

Jennifer Brown

Associate Professor, University of Georgia

Dr. Jennifer A. Brown is an Associate Professor in the Department of Communication Sciences and Special Education at the University of Georgia. She is a clinically certified speech-language pathologist and has provided early childhood services to young children with and at-risk for... Read More →

Heather Benton

Karrah Bowman

Ashley Harrison

Friday September 20, 2024 9:00am - 10:00am CDT
Marlboro B - 2nd fl

Research

Age 0-3
Audience 1 Administrators
Audience 2 Faculty
Content Level Advanced

10:15am CDT

"I just ask a parent" - Partnering with Families the Smart Way

Friday September 20, 2024 10:15am - 11:15am CDT

Prince of Wales - 2nd fl

When early childhood providers work with infants and toddlers with special needs, they often rely on families to provide knowledge and support, and fill gaps in their expertise. How can we partner with families to build trust and to respect boundaries? How can we design PD that supports educators and reduces the burden on families? When should we just 'ask a parent?'

Speakers

Dr. Kim Bennett

Visiting Assistant Professor, Fitchburg State University

Dr. Kimberly Bennett is an assistant professor for Fitchburg State University. Dr. Bennett has more than 17 years of experience in the areas of Early Intervention and Early Childhood Education. She has held various early childhood professional and leadership positions as well as being... Read More →

Friday September 20, 2024 10:15am - 11:15am CDT
Prince of Wales - 2nd fl

Family

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

10:15am CDT

An Equity Analysis of a State’s Early Intervention Program

Friday September 20, 2024 10:15am - 11:15am CDT

GrandSalon 12 - 1st fl

This session will discuss results from an equity analysis of a state’s early intervention (EI) program. Key equity findings will be shared on eight components: governance, Child Find, eligibility criteria, EI service coordination, transitions and exits, child and family outcomes, and the personnel system. Implications for creating an equitable EI system will be shared.

Speakers

Evandra Catherine

Director of Disability and Mental Health Policy, Children's Equity Project

Shantel Meek

Eric Bucher

Brittany Alexander

Adai Tefera

Diana Abarca

Friday September 20, 2024 10:15am - 11:15am CDT
GrandSalon 12 - 1st fl

Policy

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

10:15am CDT

Actionable Insights: Building Collaborations for Positive SE Growth in EI

Friday September 20, 2024 10:15am - 11:15am CDT

GrandSalon 21 - 1st fl

Struggling to foster state collaboration that enhances social-emotional outcomes for EI-eligible children and families? Join VA infant mental health and EI partners to learn strategies to overcome barriers and promote capacity-building. Through an interactive discussion, participants will leave with an action plan to cultivate local and state collaborative systems.

Speakers

Jackie Robinson Brock

Project Director, Virginia Commonwealth University

Jackie Robinson Brock earned her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Social Work from Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) with a concentration in Social Work Administration, Planning, and Policy Practice (SWAPP). She also obtained a Post Baccalaureate Certificate in Non-Profit... Read More →

Lorelei Pisha

Professional Development Consultant, Virginia Early Intervention Professional Development Center at VCU

Cori Hill

VEIPD Center Director, Partnership for People with Disabilities at VCU

I oversee VA's early intervention Comprehensive System of Personnel Develop (CSPD). I am passionate about EI, especially family-centered practices, effective implementation, personal/professional biases, and preservice preparation.

Lisa Terry

Early Intervention Professional Development Consultant, Virginia Commonwealth University/Partnership for People with Disabilities

Lisa provides support for the design and implementation of professional development activities for early intervention providers and administrators in Virginia. She has worked in early intervention for over 15 years as an educator, service coordinator, clinical supervisor, and consultant... Read More →

Tracy Walters

Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Coordinator, Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services

Actionable Insights Handout DEC pdf

Friday September 20, 2024 10:15am - 11:15am CDT
GrandSalon 21 - 1st fl

Professional Development

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

12:00pm CDT

How Neurodiversity Creates Language Diversity

Friday September 20, 2024 12:00pm - 1:00pm CDT

Marlboro A - 2nd fl

Many myths exist about language development in autistic children, myths about milestones, prognosis and treatment. Participants will review the research to decipher neuromyths from neurotruths. Participants will learn how that research should be guiding the conversation on how best to support early language development.

Speakers

Tracey Tasker

Friday September 20, 2024 12:00pm - 1:00pm CDT
Marlboro A - 2nd fl

By Practitioners for Practitioners

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

12:00pm CDT

Advocating for Early Intervention: Our Passion, Our Future

Friday September 20, 2024 12:00pm - 1:00pm CDT

GrandSalon 12 - 1st fl

This interactive session will consist of Early Interventionists and advocates from three states to discuss the struggles, strategies, and solutions they each engaged in to form new partnerships and strengthen their Early Intervention systems. Key themes including equitable access, adequate funding, workforce recruitment/retention, and family voice will be highlighted.

Speakers

Zareen Kamal

Policy Specialist, Start Early

Leanne Barrett

Rhode Island KIDS COUNT

Leanne is a Senior Policy Analyst at Rhode Island KIDS COUNT and works to improve early childhood policy statewide (Birth – Age 8). She is the coordinator of the RIght from the Start Campaign and the Rhode Island Early Learning Council. Leanne has been a leader in developing state... Read More →

Karen Berman

Managing Director, Advocacy and Policy, Start Early

I am so happy to be joining everyone for this conference. I focus on advocacy for children and families and state level systems change to support more equitable access to high quality and inclusive early childhood experiences for child with or at risk for developmental disabilities... Read More →

Caitlin Conley

Kentucky Early Intervention Providers Association

Friday September 20, 2024 12:00pm - 1:00pm CDT
GrandSalon 12 - 1st fl

Practice

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

12:00pm CDT

Family Rights in EI Video Series: From Referral Through Transition

Friday September 20, 2024 12:00pm - 1:00pm CDT

Marlboro B - 2nd fl

This session features one state’s innovative approach to talking with families about their family rights in early intervention – watching and discussing videos! Join the creators of the Family Rights in EI Video Series to learn more about why and how they developed the series, and how it can be used to strengthen families’ understanding of their rights.

Speakers

Kristen Schraml-Block

PD consultant, EITP

Maria Kastanis

Associate Director, Early Intervention Training Program

Susan Connor

Director, EITP at the University of Illinois

Chris Guillen

Photographer/Producer, Chris Guillen

Chris Guillen is a photographer, producer and creative partner, and brings a unique skill set for the Early Intervention field. He is a husband of 31 years to Early Interventionist Chelsea Guillen, who ran an EI program for 12+ years and who is currently the EI Ombudsman for the state... Read More →

Friday September 20, 2024 12:00pm - 1:00pm CDT
Marlboro B - 2nd fl

Professional Development

Age 0-3
Audience 1 Practitioners
Content Level Intermediate

1:15pm CDT

Infant Mental Health in Early Intervention: The Role of Reflection

Friday September 20, 2024 1:15pm - 2:15pm CDT

GrandSalon 21 - 1st fl

This session will focus on the role of infant mental health in early intervention, emphasizing reflection as a tool for culturally informed, equitable practice. We will present two approaches for building reflection into Part C: Reflective Groups for providers and FAN (an approach for family engagement and reflective practice). Implementation strategies will be presented

Speakers

Sarah Martinez

Erikson Institute

Linda Gilkerson

Susan Connor

Director, EITP at the University of Illinois

DEC presentation 2024 final pptx

Friday September 20, 2024 1:15pm - 2:15pm CDT
GrandSalon 21 - 1st fl

Family

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

1:15pm CDT

Building Bridges: Early Care Providers as Key Partners in EI

Friday September 20, 2024 1:15pm - 2:15pm CDT

Kabacoff - Riverside Bldg.

This session aims to explore the crucial role of early care providers in identifying and supporting young children with disabilities through early intervention. Recognizing child care providers as primary referral sources, we will delve into how they can contribute to the Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) team and play a pivotal role in a child's developmental.

Speakers

Julie Parker

Professor, Mississippi State University

Building Bridges Early Care Professionals as Key Partners in EI (1) pdf

Friday September 20, 2024 1:15pm - 2:15pm CDT
Kabacoff - Riverside Bldg.

Practice

Age 0-3
Audience 1 Practitioners
Content Level Intermediate

1:15pm CDT

What About Service Coordinators? Preparing for the Future

Friday September 20, 2024 1:15pm - 2:15pm CDT

GrandSalon 12 - 1st fl

Service coordination requires a highly specialized set of skills to support the needs of young children with developmental delays/disabilities and their families. This session focuses on the partnership of a university and Part C program to support the development of EI professionals and the mentorship needed for implementation of service coordinator activities.

Speakers

Ei ECSE Standards2020 pdf

Friday September 20, 2024 1:15pm - 2:15pm CDT
GrandSalon 12 - 1st fl

Professional Development

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