Division for Early Childhood 2024 Conference: Full Schedule

11:00am CDT

Family Voices Matter: Innovation in Collection of Family Outcomes Data

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

This session will provide information about one state’s efforts to enhance their understanding of families’ early intervention experiences. Participants can expect to learn about an innovative approach to collecting family outcomes information that has resulted in increased responsiveness and more diverse representation.

Speakers

Keena Sims

Project Manager, EITP at the University of Illinois

Susan Connor

Director, EITP at the University of Illinois

Chelsea Guillen

EI Ombudsman, EITP at University of IL

Family Voices Matter DEC2024 pdf

FOS Revised pdf

Wednesday September 18, 2024 11:00am - 12:00pm CDT
GrandSalon 10 - 1st fl

Policy

Age 0-3
Audience 1 Administrators
Content Level Intermediate

1:30pm CDT

Resources to Support Meaningful Participation and Quality Inclusion

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

GrandSalon 10 - 1st fl

This session is about increasing participants’ knowledge of resources that are available at no-cost to support each child’s access to meaningful participation and foster quality inclusive classrooms with emphasis on the areas of Environment, Instruction, and Interaction. Examples related to supporting children ages three to five within a classroom will be featured.

Speakers

Allison Jones

TA Specialist, ECTA

The ECTA Center supports state IDEA Part C and Part B, Section 619 programs in developing more equitable, effective, and sustainable state and local systems, that support access and full participation for each and every young child with a disability, and their family.

Lisa M. Gehring

Early Childhood Specialist/TA Provider, Virginia Training & Technical Assistance Center at Old Dominion University

Lisa currently serves as an Early Childhood Specialist for the Virginia Department of Education's Training and Technical Assistance Center (TTAC) at Old Dominion University. Her passion for supporting young children with disabilities has been evident across settings, with a commitment... Read More →

Supporting3 5yearolds with DEC RPs Accessible Slides pptx

Official DEC 2014 Recommended Practices with Examples (6) pdf

INS 2 Embedded Instruction 2018 pdf

INT 1 Adult Child Interaction 2018 es pdf

INT 1 Adult Child Interaction 2018 pdf

PGF INS3 encouraging 2018 es pdf

PGP INS3 embedded 2018 pdf

PGP INS3 embedded 2018 es pdf

PGF INS3 encouraging 2018 pdf

Wednesday September 18, 2024 1:30pm - 2:30pm CDT
GrandSalon 10 - 1st fl

Practice

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

2:45pm CDT

Family-Centered Early Intervention-Deaf/Hard of Hearing (FCEI-DHH)

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

GrandSalon 10 - 1st fl

This presentation will describe the processes and outcomes of bringing together a) families of children who are deaf/hard of hearing (DHH); b) DHH leaders; c) EI Providers; and d) Researchers to develop International Guidelines for FCEI-DHH, informed by Consensus Panelists from 14 countries. The FCEI-DHH Principles are evidence-informed & reflect current best practices.

Speakers

Amy Szarkowski

Researcher, Institute for Community Inclusion, University of Massachusetts Boston

I am a psychologist, passionate about supporting families and their young children who are deaf or hard of hearing and/or have communication challenges. Ask me about family-centered early intervention (FCEI), parent-child interaction, social-emotional development in deaf children... Read More →

Wednesday September 18, 2024 2:45pm - 3:45pm CDT
GrandSalon 10 - 1st fl

International

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

4:00pm CDT

Wellbeing: Early Childhood Education (Bienestar para la Educación Infantil)

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

GrandSalon 10 - 1st fl

This session will share a curriculum that was designed by and for Spanish speaking early childhood educators. The focus is on understanding stress and trauma in both adults and children using a trauma informed lens. Tools to supporting positive well-being of both adults and children will be shared to enhance co-regulation and authentic connection.

Speakers

Sara Daniel

Executive Director, Daniel Educational Services

Yimma Davila Castro

ECE Manager, Milwaukee Succeeds

Diana Billstrom

Director of Family Learning and Community Engagement, Bay View Community Center

Experienced Bilingual Director of Family Learning and Community Engagement Leading Transformational Prevention and Early Education ProgramsWith over 7 years of expertise in community engagement, program management, and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, I have successfully... Read More →

Bienestar para la Educación Infantil pdf

Adult Sensory Checklist English pdf

Sensorial Para Adultos pdf

Sensory for Children pdf

Sensorial Para Niños pdf

Escenarios Sensorial docx

Wednesday September 18, 2024 4:00pm - 5:00pm CDT
GrandSalon 10 - 1st fl

Professional Development

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

9:15am CDT

DECIDE: Fostering Future Leaders through Mentorship

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

GrandSalon 10 - 1st fl

DECIDE supports Doctoral Students in Research, Teaching, and Service in early intervention and early childhood special education. In this session, current doctoral students and faculty will discuss the DECIDE mentoring program along with how to find a mentor during the doctoral program and as an early career scholar. Strategies for high-quality mentoring will be shared.

Speakers

Samantha Riggleman

Associate Professor, Saint Joseph's University

Veronica Kang

Assistant Professor, University of Maryland at College Park

Thursday September 19, 2024 9:15am - 10:15am CDT
GrandSalon 10 - 1st fl

Professional Development

10:30am CDT

The Current and Future Status of the ECI (0-8) Workforce: What Practitioners Have Told Us About Shortages, Diversity and Their Knowledge and Skills. **SPOTLIGHT SESSION"

Thursday September 19, 2024 10:30am - 11:30am CDT

GrandSalon 10 - 1st fl

Join us for a joint session led by the Early Childhood Intervention Personnel Center for EQUITY (ECIPC-Equity) and the Division for Early Childhood (DEC). We will share the results from a national survey of the ECI workforce and discuss the implications of the findings for the future of ECI. We will then ask for input from the audience about their current workforce challenges and opportunities as we collectively try to attract, prepare, and retain a competent and diverse workforce for the future.

Thursday September 19, 2024 10:30am - 11:30am CDT
GrandSalon 10 - 1st fl

Audience 1 Faculty
Audience 2 Administrators

1:00pm CDT

Developmental Monitoring PD: Educator Change and Family Engagement

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

GrandSalon 10 - 1st fl

Results from a coaching PD designed to improve infant-toddler educators’ developmental checklist use, systematic monitoring, and collaboration with families. Data from pre and post-assessments, interviews, and conference notes will be shared. Attendees will gain insights on engaging families, expanding the study, and accessing monitoring tools/resources.

Speakers

Audra Classen

Associate Professor, University of Southern Mississippi

Jean Kang

Thursday September 19, 2024 1:00pm - 2:00pm CDT
GrandSalon 10 - 1st fl

Research

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

2:15pm CDT

Black Fathers of Children With Disabilities: A Ripple Effect

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

GrandSalon 10 - 1st fl

Becoming a father is a developmental milestone for men and has potential to support their mental health and wellness. Little research exists about the caregiver roles of Black fathers of children with disabilities. An understanding of the lived experiences of Black fathers of children with disabilities is warranted. Review of experiences and next steps will be reviewed.

Speakers

Brandy James, PhD

Early Childhood Learning Coordinator, Mt. Vernon Community School Corporation

Thursday September 19, 2024 2:15pm - 3:15pm CDT
GrandSalon 10 - 1st fl

Research

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

3:30pm CDT

Addressing Gaps in Family Support Through Family-Informed Micro-Trainings

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

GrandSalon 10 - 1st fl

Participants will learn about the co-creation with families and early childhood professionals of brief "micro-trainings" on topics identified as gaps during family interviews with families of young children with disabilities. Participants will understand how format and content decisions were made and will consider new methods for dissemination.

Speakers

Katherine Herron

Director, Indiana University Early Childhood Center

Thursday September 19, 2024 3:30pm - 4:30pm CDT
GrandSalon 10 - 1st fl

Family

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

9:00am CDT

Develop, Nurture, and Coach: Deconstructing Key Skills in a Leader

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

GrandSalon 10 - 1st fl

This session will highlight how leadership can be developed, nurtured, and coached in all ECSE practitioners. Leadership must also be viewed as an ongoing process to positive outcomes for young children (0-8) and their families and building capacity in practitioners. These efforts can also contribute to fostering equity and inclusive practices in the field.

Speakers

Deborah Bruns

Professor, Southern Illinois University Carbondale

Annie George-Puskar

Assistant Professor, Fordham University Graduate School of Education

Elizabeth Beavers

University of Houston-Clear Lake

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

Professional Development

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

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

Relationship-Based Partnerships: Pathways to Enhance Educator Well-Being

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

GrandSalon 10 - 1st fl

Educators’ well-being impacts how they respond to challenging behaviors and build relationships with children. Well-being improves when educators are in partnerships that center their voices and help mitigate burnout and compassion fatigue. Partnerships are vital for rural educators who have limited workplace resources and experience high rates of poverty and stress.

Speakers

Lori Caudle

Cathy Grist

Professor, Western Carolina University

Cathy L. Grist, Ph.D. is a professor in the Birth-Kindergarten Program at Western Carolina University. Her teaching and work focus on preschool personality, assessment, infant, toddler, and preschool assessment, social-emotional issues, and self-regulation in young children

Hannah Thompson

Doctoral Student, University of Tennessee, Knoxville

Friday September 20, 2024 12:00pm - 1:00pm CDT
GrandSalon 10 - 1st fl

Professional Development

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

1:15pm CDT

Strategic Alchemy: Forging a Powerful Stakeholder Engagement Blueprint

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

GrandSalon 10 - 1st fl

Join us in the dynamic process of transforming stakeholder engagement into an ongoing and impactful experience. Through strategic and energizing activities, this session provides tools to reshape the engagement process to authentically involve stakeholders in informing your program’s policies and structures and promoting improved outcomes for children and families.

Speakers

Greta Stanfield

TA Specialist, IDEA Data Center/University of Kentucky

Greta Stanfield currently serves as a Technical Assistant specialist for the IDEA Data Center (IDC). Through her role at IDC, she fosters relationships with colleagues and state leadership teams to build systemic processes, based on quality data, which will improve outcomes for children... Read More →

Christina MacDonald

TA Specialist, IDEA Data Center (IDC) and Data Center for Addressing Significant Disproportionality (DCASD)

Christina MacDonald is a TA Provider for the IDEA Data Center (IDC) and the Data Center for Addressing Significant Disproportionality (DCASD) at Westat. A passionate early childhood educator, Ms. MacDonald utilizes her extensive experience engaging diverse stakeholders and sparking... Read More →

StrategicAlchemyStakeholderEngagement DEC2024 508 compliant pptx

Friday September 20, 2024 1:15pm - 2:15pm CDT
GrandSalon 10 - 1st fl

Policy

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