Division for Early Childhood 2024 Conference: Full Schedule

11:00am CDT

Prevent Marginalization and Promote Resilience in Trauma-Informed Care

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

Trauma-informed care can create a safe and supportive environment for young children who have experienced trauma and their families. However, if not approached carefully, children and their families could be further marginalized. This presentation discusses practical strategies to prevent marginalization and promote resilience in trauma-informed care.

Speakers

Zhe An

Assistant Professor, University of Wisconsin-Madison

songtian zeng

associate professor, University of Massachusetts Boston

DEC 2024 TIC Handout docx

DEC 2024 TIC References docx

20240917 DEC 2024 TIC PPT pdf

Wednesday September 18, 2024 11:00am - 12:00pm CDT
GrandSalon 21 - 1st fl

Practice

Age 3-5
Audience 1 Practitioners
Content Level Intermediate

1:30pm CDT

Can Family Confidence Help with the Effects of Caregiver Burden on FQoL?

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

GrandSalon 21 - 1st fl

We analyzed the effects of caregiver burden and family confidence on FQoL in 58 Spanish families in early intervention. Hierarchical regression and mediation analyses were used. FqoL ratings were influenced by income, burden and confidence. More confident mopthers showed higher FQoL. Family confidence helped lessen the impact of burden on FQoL.

Speakers

Margarita Canadas

Catholic University of Valencia

Gabriel MartÍnez-Rico

Rómulo González-García

Claudia Escorcia-Mora

Wednesday September 18, 2024 1:30pm - 2:30pm CDT
GrandSalon 21 - 1st fl

Research

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

2:45pm CDT

Executive Function and Play: Authentic Assessment in Natural Environments

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

GrandSalon 21 - 1st fl

Executive Functions (EF) refer to neurocognitive processes manifested by sustained attention, working memory, emotional control, and the ability to shift between attributes. The field needs authentic methods of assessing EF in natural early childhood environments. In this topic session, We will discuss how children’s naturally occurring play activities can be evaluated for

Speakers

Patricia Blasco

Professor, OHSU

Dr. Patricia M Blasco is a researcher at the Oregon Health & Science University. Her research projects includes a Clinical Feasibility Study of the NIH Baby Toolbox and the Healthy Brain and Child Development Study. She is a former associate editor of Young, Exceptional Children and... Read More →

Karin Lifter

Tara Rutter

Postdoctoral Research Fellow

Tara M. Rutter, PhD, is a T32 postdoctoral research fellow in the Department of Psychiatry at Oregon Health & Science University. Her research interests pertain to the study of diagnostic and pre-diagnostic markers of atypical neurodevelopment in the aim to inform interventions.

Wednesday September 18, 2024 2:45pm - 3:45pm CDT
GrandSalon 21 - 1st fl

Practice

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

4:00pm CDT

Experienced Parents Supporting Early Intervention

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

GrandSalon 21 - 1st fl

This session will share information and activities of the Experienced Program in one state. The program utilizes a parent with personal experience in early intervention to support parents who are currently in early intervention. Learn how the Experienced Parent program supports families through a variety of strategies, one on one support, and family-centered practices.

Speakers

Kristen Votava

Associate Professor, University of North Dakota

Nicki Maddock

Carol Johnson

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 4:00pm - 5:00pm CDT
GrandSalon 21 - 1st fl

Family

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

9:15am CDT

Actualizing DEC’s Racial Equity Point of View

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

GrandSalon 21 - 1st fl

Liberation is a complex journey towards freedom and justice. It requires collective effort and diverse perspectives. DEC PPAC seeks to build a more equitable future for EI/ECSE through collaboration and shared leadership. This process involves personal growth and systemic change. Join us to discuss the future of championing DEC's RE POV throughout DEC's resource system.

Speakers

Lori Meyer

Associate Professor, University of Vermont

Hsiu-Wen Yang

Researcher, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Matt Klein

Thursday September 19, 2024 9:15am - 10:15am CDT
GrandSalon 21 - 1st fl

Professional Development

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

10:30am CDT

Practical Strategies for Engagement Across Online & In-Person Instruction

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

GrandSalon 21 - 1st fl

Teaching in higher education continues to evolve in skills needed to support student learning and engagement. This session will provide practical strategies in promoting student engagement in college classrooms for both online and in-person learning environments.

Speakers

Lindsay Diamond

Associate Professor, University of Nevada, Reno

Cynthia Baughan

Associate Dean, Anderson University

Laura McCorkle

Assistant Professor, University of North Carolina at Charlotte

Thursday September 19, 2024 10:30am - 11:30am CDT
GrandSalon 21 - 1st fl

Professional Development

Age 3-5
Audience 1 Faculty
Content Level Intermediate

2:15pm CDT

From External- to Self-Regulation: Inclusive Practices for Infants/Toddlers

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

GrandSalon 21 - 1st fl

Self-regulation early in life provides a strong foundation for learning. Thus, engaging in intentional activities designed to promote early precursors of self-regulation with infants & toddlers is critical. This presentation will provide information on understanding the relevance of early regulation and introducing inclusive practices focused on promoting these skills.

Speakers

Sara Schmitt

Elizabeth Schlesinger-Devlin

Chanele Robinson-Rucker

Megan Purcell

Purdue University

DEC presentation final pdf

Thursday September 19, 2024 2:15pm - 3:15pm CDT
GrandSalon 21 - 1st fl

Practice

Age 0-3
Audience 1 Practitioners
Content Level Intermediate

3:30pm CDT

Using a Mental Health Framework to Support Retention in a State EI System

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

GrandSalon 21 - 1st fl

The past several years has seen unprecedented increases in both referrals to early intervention, and the complexity of children and families being served, leading to high staff turnover.

Presenters will review their experience using the Surgeon General’s Five Essentials for Workplace Mental Health & Well-Being as a framework for state-level staff retention efforts.

Speakers

Laurie Thomas

ESIT Service Delivery & Technical Assistance Manager, WA DCYF

Laurie Thomas has worked in the field of early intervention for more than 30 years. She completed her undergraduate work at Western Washington University, where she was selected as the Outstanding Graduate in Special Education. She has her Masters degree in Early Childhood Special... Read More →

Molly Stryker

Iris Dunaway

Technical Assistance Specialist, Washington State Early Support for Infants and Toddlers

Thursday September 19, 2024 3:30pm - 4:30pm CDT
GrandSalon 21 - 1st fl

Policy

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

9:00am CDT

The Pyramid Model for Kindergarten: How it Started...How it's Going!

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

GrandSalon 21 - 1st fl

The PM is a tiered framework used in diverse early childhood settings to promote social-emotional competence and address challenging behaviors. In recent years, kindergarten teachers in multiple districts have been trained to implement PM in their classrooms. Find out more about the new PM-K materials, hear what outcomes have been noted, and see the practices in action!

Speakers

Kiersten Kinder

Assistant Professor, Vanderbilt University

Kiersten Kinder, Ph.D., is an Assistant Professor of the Practice in Early Childhood Special Education at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee. She has recently coordinated large multi-year research studies to support implementation and sustainability of the Pyramid Model... Read More →

Andrea Riddle

Education Consultant, Vanderbilt University

Beth Vorhaus

Education Consultant, Vanderbilt

Mary Louise Hemmeter

Professor of Special Education, Vanderbilt University

Dr. Mary Louise Hemmeter is a professor of Special Education at Vanderbilt University and holds the Nicholas Hobbs Chair of Special Education and Human Development. Her research focuses on effective instruction, supporting social emotional development and addressing challenging behavior... Read More →

Friday September 20, 2024 9:00am - 10:00am CDT
GrandSalon 21 - 1st fl

Practice

Age 5-8
Audience 1 Practitioners
Audience 2 Administrators
Content Level Introductory

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

Opportunities and Challenges of Virtual Assessment in EI and ECSE

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

GrandSalon 21 - 1st fl

The pandemic required that early intervention and preschool special education programs adopt virtual assessments, and some programs continue to use them today. This session will share how programs are implementing virtual assessment along with its benefits and challenges. Participants will be encouraged to reflect on the potential of virtual assessment in their programs.

Speakers

Sheresa Blanchard

Kathy Hebbeler

Senior Principal Education Researcher, SRI International

Lori Ganz

Director of Clinical Services, The Resource Exchange Early Intervention

Ryan Grimm

Education Researcher, SRI International

Lauren Barton

Geneva Dischinger-Smedes

Virtual Assessment INTECA DEC 2024 pptx

Friday September 20, 2024 12:00pm - 1:00pm CDT
GrandSalon 21 - 1st fl

Practice

Age 0-5
Audience 1 Practitioners
Audience 2 Administrators
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