Division for Early Childhood 2024 Conference: Full Schedule

arrow_back View All Dates

9:00am CDT

Building Family Voice- Impact for Family Advocacy and Professional Learning

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

Every family has a story to tell, and we can empower families to build and share their voice in advocating for their child and family, connecting with others, and informing professionals. Parents will share their stories and describe their experiences, and we will share practical strategies for including family voice in both pre- and in-service professional learning.

Speakers

Carol Stein

Coordinator, Georgia Sensory Assistance Project ~ UGA

Aynsley Hill

Michelle John

President, Vermont Hands & Voices

Doris Tellado

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 →

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

Family

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

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

Empowering Families: The Who, What, Why & How of the Parent Center Network

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

Cambridge - 2nd fl

IDEA funded parent centers play a crucial role in promoting educational equity, empowering parents, fostering community and enhancing outcomes for all children. This session highlights the pivotal role of parent centers in supporting families of children with disabilities. Participants will explore the mission, structure and services provided by the parent center network.

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

Michele Tyler

CPIR Associate Director, 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

DEC 2024 Parent Center Network pdf

Friday September 20, 2024 10:15am - 11:15am CDT
Cambridge - 2nd fl

Family

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

10:15am CDT

Honoring Intersectional Identities of Families

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

GrandSalon 6 - 1st fl

How do we honor the intersectional identities of families? Utilizing the family system’s theory, we hear from a parent of color, who has children with disabilities, her experiences holding multiple identities and how she navigates the education system. We will engage in reflection and discussion on ways to strengthen collaboration and deepen our understanding of families.

Speakers

Karina Du

Doctoral Student, San Francisco State University & UC Berkeley

Krystal Anderson

Danielle Grayson

Friday September 20, 2024 10:15am - 11:15am CDT
GrandSalon 6 - 1st fl

Family

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

10:15am CDT

Online Preservice Training: Strategies for Family-Professional Partnerships

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

GrandSalon 10 - 1st fl

Attendees will learn about designing online preservice training for early intervention students, focusing on enhancing engagement, using technology, and integrating authentic experiences with families. They'll explore strategies to boost students' confidence and competence in collaborating with families, discuss benefits, and learn strategies to overcome barriers.

Speakers

Chelsea Barone

Assistant Teaching Professor, Mississippi State University

Annie George-Puskar

Assistant Professor, Fordham University Graduate School of Education

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

Family

Age 0-5
Audience 1 Faculty
Content Level Introductory

12:00pm CDT

Building Blocks of Communication (WE-BBC) - Singapore

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

Burgundy - 1st fl

WE-BBC was developed to support parents of children with developmental needs. Parents are coached over six sessions on specific interaction strategies to support their child’s social communication development. The parents who participated in WE-BBC have reported improvements in their child’s social communication outcomes.

Speakers

Shaun Ng

Senior Research Assistant, Thye Hua Kwan Moral Charities

Multi-disciplinary research experience across industries from social service to healthcare, with diverse and adaptable capabilities in psychology and business development. Passionate about youth development and aspire towards working with like-minded individuals to promote positive... Read More →

Nurul Ain Bte Mohd Komari

Senior Speech Therapist, Head of Programs Development (Early Intervention), THK Early Intervention Centres (Singapore)

Nurul, a speech therapist by training, currently serves as the Head of Program Development in an early intervention service within a social service agency. Passionate about family-centered practices, she is committed to developing solutions that create a meaningful and lasting impact... Read More →

DEC 2024 Building Blocks of Communication Singapore pdf

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

Family

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

12:00pm CDT

Parental Empowerment: The Role of Interagency Coordinating Councils (ICC)

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

GrandSalon 9 - 1st fl

Have you heard of your state or local early intervention coordinating council (ICC)? Despite the ICC's important role and required parental involvement, many parents and practitioners have never heard of the ICC. This interactive session invites parents, practitioners, and administrators to learn about and actively discuss ICC issues, including equity and diversity.

Speakers

Hollie Hix-Small

Associate Professor, Portland State University

Dr. Hollie Hix-Small is an associate professor in the College of Education at Portland State University where she directs the Early Childhood Intervention Program. Prior to joining PSU she led Open Society Foundation's early childhood intervention work in Central and Eastern Europe... Read More →

Denise Tafen

Friday September 20, 2024 12:00pm - 1:00pm CDT
GrandSalon 9 - 1st fl

Family

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

12:00pm CDT

Retrospective: Mothers of Children with ESN Reflect on Inclusive EI/ECSE

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

GrandSalon 7 - 1st fl

This session provides an insightful perspective on the importance of inclusive early intervention/early childhood special education services (EI/ECSE) for children with extensive support needs (ESN), focusing on the retrospectives shared by two teacher educator mothers. Their experiences provide valuable insights into the impact of EI/ECSE supports on fostering inclusion.

Speakers

Carrie Wysocki

Assistant Professor, University of Findlay

Dr. Carrie Wysocki began her education at Ohio State where she earned her Bachelors and Masters in Education. She taught both elementary and middle school, and after several years she left teaching to work as an Instructor for Ohio State Newark in the Education Department. She... Read More →

Kimberly Christensen

Teaching Professor, Bowling Green State University

Friday September 20, 2024 12:00pm - 1:00pm CDT
GrandSalon 7 - 1st fl

Family

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

1:15pm CDT

Applying Evidence-Based Practices for Young Children with ADHD

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

Cambridge - 2nd fl

Evidence-based practices are essential to improve the qualify of life for families of young children with Attention Deficit and Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD). In this session, we will share a systematic review of meta-analysis research and experience in applying these practices in supporting young children with ADHD.

Speakers

songtian zeng

associate professor, University of Massachusetts Boston

Michael Kim

Muqing Zhang

Fang Xu

Assistant Professor, Heritage Unversity

Xiaotong Liu

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

Family

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

1:15pm CDT

Building Racial Equity in Policy and Practice Through Family Leadership

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

GrandSalon 6 - 1st fl

Racially diverse families who share their lived experience by engaging in policy formation, peer support, and professional development provide invaluable contributions while building their own leadership skills. This session will showcase family leadership from multiple states, strategies to recruit and retain diverse participants, and prospective long term equity impact.

Speakers

Mary Mikus

Mary Mikus has spent close to thirty years as a technical assistance provider and family advocate for young children receiving Early Intervention services and their families. Recently retired as an Education Consultant for Early Intervention Technical Assistance (EITA), Pennsylvania... Read More →

Sarah Holland

Director, Parent to Parent of PA

Vanessa Allen

Family Engagement Coordinator, Department of Children, Youth, and Families

Marisol Rose

State Parent Consultant, Early Steps, CMS, FDOH

I am the State Parent Consultant for Florida’s early intervention program, Early Steps, under the Division of Children’s Medical Services within the Florida Department of Health. I have served in this capacity since April 2021. Prior to my role at the state level, I spent 6 years... Read More →

Will Moncrease, Jr.

Partnership & Collaboration Manager, DCYF/ESIT

Misti Pollaro

Parent Training Coordinator, Family Network on Disabilties

About MeMisti Pollaro is a dedicated professional with over 14 years of experience at Family Network on Disabilities, where she has held various roles, from volunteer to IParent Training Coordinator. With more than 30 years of lived experience raising three neurodivergent sons and... Read More →

E Renae` Antalan

Community Collaboration Coordinator & Kinship GrandParent-Caregiver, Department of Children, Youth and Family Services (DCYF)

Good Sipping the Sweet Tea September, Everyone :-)!I hope you and yours are doing well. I come to you from the Squaxin Island and Nisqually Tribal lands of Washington State. I am a grandParent, with a capital 'P' for having raised my two special needs grandchildren for the last 9.5... Read More →

earlyint fam res update nov2023 v01 1 pdf

Division for Early Childhood Racial Equity Point of View pdf

Fact Sheet Advancing Racial Equity in Early Intervention and Preschool Special Education ECTA pdf

DEC One Page Handout FDOH Early Steps appv 9.2024 pdf

Friday September 20, 2024 1:15pm - 2:15pm CDT
GrandSalon 6 - 1st fl

Family

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

1:15pm CDT

Building Strong Connections: An ISD Early Learning Family Engagement

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

Marlboro B - 2nd fl

This presentation provides a model of a family engagement series in a Large Public-School District setting through a co-design approach. Families help generate the agenda for families with young children (including those with disabilities). Resources provided to promote a child’s development, social emotional. and academic learning with a home to school connection.

Speakers

Luisa Sanchez-Nilsen,Ed.D

Issaquah School District Special Services

Dr. Luisa Sanchez-Nilsen brings over 20 years of dedicated experience in advancing educational opportunities for PreK-12 students and adult learners. A recognized leader in public education, Dr. Sanchez-Nilsen has held influential roles as a state administrator, principal, school... Read More →

Carina Piscitelli

Special Education Instructional Specialist, Issaquah School District

Carina Piscitelli has worked for 13 years in the field of special education, supporting families and teachers in using high-leverage and evidence-based practices to enable success of all children in inclusive classroom, clinical, and community settings. This includes direct service... Read More →

Friday September 20, 2024 1:15pm - 2:15pm CDT
Marlboro B - 2nd fl

Family

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

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

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