Workshop Schedule by Day

Tuesday, May 6th 8:30 AM - 12:00 PM

101. Signing with Young Children
Kelly Barnhart and Nickie Gael, Hands4Learning
Discover how to integrate sign language into your program to promote social-emotional development, early literacy, behavior management and language acquisition. During this interactive session, learn the basics of signing with young children and learn 25 signs to get started.
Credits - 3
Room - Imperial AB
Register online

102. A Major Collaboration to Improve Children's Health
Anne Laukaitis, Cabarrus Partnership for Children; Kim Dehler, Julia Patterson, Cappie Stanley and Anita Sweeney, Cabarrus Health Alliance
The Cabarrus Partnership for Children and the Cabarrus Health Alliance formed a strong collaborative partnership in 1998 that has resulted in tremendous benefits for thousands of preschool children. Community leaders will describe the collaboration and the community needs that generated its creation. They will also share goals, strategies, outputs and outcomes of each of the primary programs within the collaboration - Comprehensive Dental Services, Intensive Home Visiting, Child Care Health Consultant, and Parent Education Outreach.
Credits - 3
Room - Biltmore
Register online

155. Facilitative Leadership: Making the Most of the Gifts Around You
Seth Bate and Vanessa Lohf, Wichita State University
A facilitative leadership style makes the best use of your organization's resources - especially your human capital. In this highly interactive workshop, you will receive and use practical tools that will allow you to identify the sometimes hidden strengths in your organization.
Credits - 3
Room - Colony B
Register online

175. Creating a Community of Problem Solvers: Winners Not Whiners
Holly Elissa Bruno, Wheelock College
Imagine a program where everyone took responsibility for solving her own problems and where negativity is replaced with optimism and resilience. Communication standoffs can be transformed into productive teamwork through effective problem solving strategies. Even the thorniest of issues are resolvable with the right tools.
Credits - 3
Room - Blue Ashe
Register online

220. Autism 101: Building Relationships, Building Bridges
Laurie Eckinrode, Wake County Public Schools; Pat Fennell, Tasks Galore; Terri Meyers, Exceptional Children's Assistance Center; Maureen Morrell and Ann Palmer, Autism Society of North Carolina
A panel of parents and professionals who work with children with autism and their families will present an introduction to autism spectrum disorder and facilitate a discussion with participants on ways that students, parents and professionals can build relationships that lead to a circle of support around children with autism and their families.
Credits - 3
Room - Colony A
Register online

303. Motivate Your Board to Raise Funds and Awareness
Gail Perry, Gail Perry Associates
Learn how to reignite your board members' passion for your organization so they will advocate on your behalf to raise funds and create awareness in your community.
Credits - 3
Room - Imperial F
Register online

312. Introduction to NC's Infant and Toddler Early Learning Guidelines
Gretchen Conway and Patsy West, NC Even Start
North Carolina has joined other states to develop early learning guidelines for infants/toddlers (birth-36 mos). Find out how they can improve your understanding of what children need from caregivers to grow and thrive. Learn practical methods for incorporating them into 'natural' daily moments and develop your own early learning guidelines implementation plan. NC Only
Credits - 3
Room - Imperial C
Register online

362. Applying System Mapping and Strategic Planning: Case Studies from Michigan
Colin Newlin, Braintree Consulting; Pat Sargent, Great Start Collaborative-Wayne; Darlene Zimny, Great Start Collaborative-Oakland
Hear about case studies of the two largest counties in Michigan and their ambitious efforts to bring about systemic transformation on behalf of children and families. The experiences of Great Start Collaboratives in Oakland and Wayne counties can help you improve community collaboration to address needs, raise funds and measure and improve outcomes.
Credits - 3
Room - Imperial E
Register online

382. Working with Resistance in the Consultation Relationship
Brenda Dennis and Rhodus Riggins, Partnerships for Inclusion
Consultants working in preschool classrooms often name resistance to change as one of their biggest challenges. This session explores various types of resistance and ways to prevent it or work with it and provides opportunities for participants to practice introducing the topic in conversation with consultees.
Credits - 3
Room - Imperial GH
Register online

405. Child Care Business Basics
Morgan Diamond and Karen O'Mansky, Self-Help
Running a quality child care program requires strong program and business skills. We'll provide exercises and a curriculum you can use to help providers strengthen their business practices, including budgeting and cash flow projections, determining the number of children they need to pay their bills and marketing strategies. You'll leave with tools you can use!
Credits - 3
Room - Meadowbrook
Register online

515. Professional Development Forum
Debra Torrence, NC Institute for Early Childhood Professional Development
Teams representing professional development services in North Carolina will provide a comprehensive review of professional development research and data about North Carolina's professional development provider workforce in order to develop strategies and a policy agenda in collaboration with the NC Professional Development Institute Advisory Committee. By invitation only. Email debra@debratorrenceconsulting.com. NC Only
Credits - 3.0
Room - Imperial D
Register online

Tuesday, May 6th 8:30 – 5:00 PM

125. Unlock Your Team's Potential: Workplace Excellence through the 7 Childhood Treasures
L. Carol Scott, LC Associates
Workplace teams are often distracted by interpersonal conflict, preventing an organization from developing its highest potential. Team members' daily dramas can occupy time and attention, preventing each person from achieving best productivity and destroying workplace satisfaction. Leaders can unlock their team's full potential when they help them develop seven essential capacities from early childhood. The 7 Childhood Treasures is a child development-based framework for intrapersonal development that ensures healthier interpersonal relationships.
Credits - 6
Room - Cedar
Register online

520. Public Awareness Network Pre-Conference Day

This is a pre-conference session for the NC Smart Start Public Awareness Network. This meeting is designed for staff, board or committee members of local Smart Start partnerships who are responsible for outreach and education. The workshop portion of this meeting will focus on the upcoming legislative session and proposed strategies for maximizing success at the local level in building greater support for the Smart Start legislative agenda. Time for sharing and networking will also be included. NC Only
Credits -
Room - Pebble Beach
Register online

533. Venture Grantees Meeting
Representatives, Linking Child Care and Economic Development Project
This meeting is being held for participants in the Linking Child Care and Economic Development Learning Community Project and is by invitation only.
Credits -
Room - Grandover West
Register online

534. Building Comprehensive Early Childhood Systems: A Focus on Governance

This full-day meeting is being co-hosted by Smart Start's National Technical Assistance Center and the Build Initiative and will focus on elements related to governance of early childhood systems. It will particularly highlight the potential role of the new early learning councils that were approved in the 2007 Head Start reauthorization. This meeting is by invitation only. To apply for participation, email gscobb@ncsmartstart.org.
Credits -
Room - Victoria A
Register online

Tuesday, May 6th 1:30 – 5:00 PM

122. Authentic Leadership: Growing the Capacity to Reflect and Respond to Diversity
Lynette Aytch, NC Partnership for Children; Camille Catlett, FPG Child Development Institute; Florianna Thompson, Wake Technical Community College
This session will offer strategies for supporting systemic changes in our increasingly diverse communities. Learn about effective practices that local Smart Start partnerships are using and discover tools and resources that can support and sustain this work. A variety of strategies will be used to build awareness and develop new capabilities.
Credits - 3
Room - Colony B
Register online

167. Supporting Families of Medically Fragile Infants from Hospital to Home
Brooke Juneau, Nancy Micca and Lisa Shoffner, Family Support Network of Central Carolina
This presentation will be an overview of the supports we have found effective for families of medically fragile babies. Speakers will demonstrate how other programs can support families in similar ways and offer tips on understanding the concerns of 'NICU graduate families' as their babies grow and enter the community.
Credits - 3
Room - Imperial GH
Register online

172. What To Do About Grants - A Primer in Grant Writing
Anne Short, Alliance for Health in Cleveland County
How can you respond in a professional manner when someone, staff or board volunteer, drops a grant proposal in your lap at the last minute to resolve the organization's fiscal issues. Learn how to research, match, evaluate and write effective proposals for your organization.
Credits - 3
Room - Imperial AB
Register online

196. Questionnaire Writing - the Good, the Bad and the Ugly
Jane Morrow, Albemarle Smart Start Partnership
The data from a bad survey may result in faulty decision-making. Writing questionnaires is hard and many are asked to do so with no training. This skill-building workshop for people who have no experience in developing questionnaires will provide an overview of issues in questionnaire construction.
Credits - 3
Room - Imperial C
Register online

253. Prenatal Intelligence: The Unfolding Story
David Chamberlain, Association for Pre- and Perinatal Psychology and Health
Psychologist David Chamberlain will review the scientific breakthroughs which are the foundations for the new paradigm of prenatal intelligence.
Credits - 3
Room - Blue Ashe
Register online

307. Wage and Hour Law for Small Businesses
Michele King, US Department of Labor
Both for-profit and nonprofit businesses must comply with the federal "Fair Labor Standards Act." This workshop will be a comprehensive review of the law's requirements including the differences between "exempt" and "non-exempt" employees, overtime pay, record-keeping requirements, paying for the time employees spend traveling and/or in training, and other issues frequently raised under this statute.
Credits - 3
Room - Imperial E
Register online

313. Our Hands Are Tied! The Teacher's Role in Fostering Healthy Social Emotional Skills
Olga Martinez and Karen Mintz, Child Care Directions
This session will present evidence-based strategies that early childhood teachers and technical assistance providers can use to support young children's social and emotional development. Using the DECA as a model, we will focus on how to conduct assessments and promote teacher and parent relationships.
Credits - 3
Room - Biltmore
Register online

326. Fragile Families Fatherhood Curriculum Training
Sheila Bazemore, NC Practitioners Network for Fathers and Families
This interactive session is designed for program personnel grappling with how to recruit and engage men as part of the child's family and education support network. It will increase the participants' knowledge on how to create an environment that is conducive to men. It is an introductory course to the full 3-day intensive curriculum certification course.
Credits - 3
Room - Meadowbrook
Register online

389. Professional Development Connections
Marta Koesling, Iredell County Partnership for Young Children; Jani Kozlowski, NC Partnership for Children; Debra Torrence, NC Institute for Early Childhood Professional Development
Building and supporting an educated workforce is a key goal for many early childhood programs across North Carolina. The Professional Development Connections group will be offered an opportunity to learn more about state-level initiatives, available resources and effective local strategies to support teacher education. To attend this session, email debra@debratorrenceconsulting.com. NC Only
Credits - 3.0
Room - Imperial D
Register online

401. Stronger Families, Stronger Children: Successful Strategies for Change
Lee Lesser and Jenny Ocon, Parent Services Project; Wendy Price, Down East Partnership for Children
We are all 'stronger together' when families and caregivers partner towards the success of children. Strategies and tools for implementing a family-centered approach from child care sites, to child care resource and referrals, to college classes, will be modeled and shared based on the experiences with Parent Services Project's 'Stronger Together' curriculum.
Credits - 3
Room - Colony A
Register online

403. Strengthening a Community through Healthy Families
Allison Nelson and Debbie Russell, Hampton Healthy Families Partnership
Interested in developing sustainable community-based prevention initiatives with outcomes that include increasing school readiness and reducing the rate of child abuse and neglect, infant mortality, and repeat teen births? This workshop describes how a community used a crisis created by increasing demand for services and decreasing resources to shift to an investment in prevention.
Credits - 3
Room - Imperial F
Register online

Wednesday, May 7th 1:30 PM – 3:00 PM

100. Playgroups Curriculum: Outcome-Based Activities
Kelly Barnhart and Nickie Gael, Hands4Learning
Want to move beyond freeplay in your playgroups? Discover strategies to integrate development, parent education, literacy and early intervention into your program in the form of budget-friendly activities designed to increase child development and parent participation.
Credits - 1.5
Room - Grandover West

142. Partners for a Healthy Baby Home Visiting Curriculum Evaluation
Joseph Sparling, MindNurture, Inc.; Noreen Yazejian, FPG Child Development Institute
Early Head Start parents and their home visitors need resources to foster optimal development. This session describes an evaluation of a home visiting curriculum, Partners for a Healthy Baby, which is linked to LearningGames, a parent-child interaction curriculum. We will describe the curricula, study design, challenges, results and implications.
Credits - 1.5
Room - Pebble Beach

151. Using Community Collaboration to Build a Comprehensive Early Childhood System
Toni Cacace-Beshears, Children's Harbor; Lisa Howard and Lorie Lee, Smart Beginnings South Hampton Roads; Bill Millett, Scope View Strategic Advantage
This session will equip participants with an understanding of system building processes including how to identify, analyze and leverage information, partnerships and resources using the collaborative effort of South Hampton Roads as an example. This discussion will include ways that the region has used collaborative relationships to create action plans for the five-city region.
Credits - 1.5
Room - Victoria A

162. Changing Federal Landscape
Adele Robinson, National Association for the Education of Young Children
This session will go over the key policy changes and debates at the federal level including Head Start, Child Care Development Block Grant, No Child Left Behind, the Higher Education Act, and appropriations and their impact on states, programs, early childhood educators, and children.
Credits - 1.5
Room - Imperial H

189. Creating Our Image in the Community
Maureen McKeon and Tina Newcomb, Partnership for Children of Cumberland County
A nonprofit organization's brand is its most important asset. A strong brand strategy creates an organization that is better able to generate awareness of its mission and attract supporters. Learn tips to develop a brand strategy that will pull together different departments and funding sources under the umbrella of a single organization.
Credits - 1.5
Room - Biltmore

195. Recruitment - Getting it Right the First Time
Kay Robinson, RSM McGladrey
It is important to have an effective recruitment process to ensure you attract and hire good employees. This workshop will help you overcome selection pitfalls, use behavioral interviewing to predict effective performance, and learn the legal do's and don'ts - including the value of reference checks.
Credits - 1.5
Room - Pinehurst

205. Going Outside with Your Infants and Toddlers
Staci Herman and Kristina Ketcham, Child Care Services Association
This workshop will open a discussion on why infant and toddler age children need to be brought outside on a daily basis. It will also give some suggestions on how to create an appropriate and engaging outdoor classroom.
Credits - 1.5
Room - Imperial C

239. Early Childhood Oral Health
Andrea Chiasson, United Way of Tucson and Southern Arizona; Margaret Perry, Pima County Health Department
Dental decay is the most common chronic condition in children and it's on the rise among preschool children. What can preschools and child care centers do? Find out what one Southern Arizona public private partnership decided to do to make a difference.
Credits - 1.5
Room - Auditorium IV

255. Early Parenting is Prenatal Parenting
David Chamberlain, Association for Pre- and Perinatal Psychology and Health
This brief workshop will define and justify a new timetable for parenting that begins at or preferably before conception, based upon the new psychology of consciousness that babies are demonstrating in experimental and clinical studies and by parental report.
Credits - 1.5
Room - Imperial D

262. A Guide to Developing Early Learning Guidelines for Infants and Toddlers
Lynn Jones and Karen Alexander McGinley, ZERO TO THREE
Join us as we discuss the recommendations in a newly released national report to improve the quality of Early Learning Guidelines for Infants and Toddlers. Learn about strategies related to both process and content, hear about lessons learned in other states, and reflect on how the information applies to your own states and programs.
Credits - 1.5
Room - Augusta

267. Meeting Education Standards for the NC Star-Rated License
Jeanne Barnes and Karen Ferguson, NC Division of Child Development
Confused about how to navigate the education assessment process for the NC Division of Child Development? Wondering how to make sure child care staff receive full credit in education points for the rated license? This workshop will clarify the application process, de-mystify how coursework is reviewed and assessed, and share tips, tools and resources for smooth sailing through child care education standards.
Credits - 1.5
Room - Auditorium II

292. Smart Start Fiscal Update
Finance Staff, NC Partnership for Children
This session is designed for local Smart Start partnership staff who would like an update on Smart Start fiscal matters. Discussion will include issues such as audit results, common monitoring issues and any planned accounting or contracting changes. NC Only
Credits -
Room - Grandover East

297. NAP SACC and Smart Start: A Statewide Collaboration to Address Childhood Obesity in Child Care
Sarah Ball, Center for Health Promotion & Disease Prevention; Cynthia Turner, NC Partnership for Children
Childhood obesity is at epidemic levels in NC! Learn about NAP SACC, an intervention to improve nutrition and physical activities in child care settings. Participants will learn how Smart Start has teamed up with NAP SACC to develop a two-year pilot project. Presenters will share how, through this collaboration, they are creating healthier classrooms and, ultimately, healthier children.
Credits - 1.5
Room - Meadowbrook

320. Early Childhood FAST: For the Sake of the Child
Pat Bundy, McDowell County Public Schools; Pat Davenport, Families and Schools Together
This presentation will introduce participants to Early Childhood Families and Schools Together (FAST), a model program for children 3-5 years old and their families which is designed to build protective factors for children. FAST brings parents, child care providers and community agencies together to create a supportive environment for families.
Credits - 1.5
Room - Victoria B

325. Early School Success for English Language Learners: A Review of Evidence-based Instruction
Dina Castro, FPG Child Development Institute
This session will describe the current context for the education of young English language learners (ELLs) from three to eight years of age and discuss the state of knowledge on evidence-based practices to support development and learning in young children who are English language learners.
Credits - 1.5
Room - Tidewater

333. Effective Sharing Resources for Latino Families
Hilda Gurdian and Irania Patterson, La Noticia
Explore the multiple ways to empower Latino families with pre-school children. By sharing the experience used in the Spanish publication, Ventana Magica, libraries and community initiatives, participants will discover a world of literacy, media, and on-line and community resources effective in reaching the Latino family.
Credits - 1.5
Room - Imperial G

344. Sustaining Quality: Enhancing Child Care Management Practices
Margaret Anne Biddle and Kelli Rushing, Consultants
Sustaining quality environments for children requires quality work environments for adults. Learn how this Quality Management activity provides professional development for child care directors and supervisors and enhances management practices in early childhood programs by bringing significant change to individual programs and creating a network of directors to share ideas and resources to support each other's efforts toward quality management practices.
Credits - 1.5
Room - Sandpiper

352. Working with Military Families: The Parents as Teachers' Heroes at Home Program
Janet Crow and Sue Stepleton, Parents as Teachers National Center
The need for additional support for military families with young children led to an initiative in which Parents as Teachers National Center has teamed with the Department of Defense. This session will introduce participants to this program, the unique stressors experienced by military families and resources available for work with military families.
Credits - 1.5
Room - Turnberry

359. Planning for Change: A Guide for Getting from Here to There
Kate Thegen, Red Broom Training and Consulting
Technical assistance professionals are asked to move a program to "improved" quality. To avoid "Quality for a Day" results, this tool uses organizational and systems change theories to organize our thinking into where a program falls on a strength-based continuum, so that we can understand its current readiness for change and effective strategies.
Credits - 1.5
Room - Tanglewood

373. Strengthening Our Businesses: Shared Services for the Early Care and Education Industry
Sue Renner, Merage Foundation; Louise Stoney, Alliance for Early Childhood Finance
Early education programs tend to be very small, with limited fiscal/management staff. They often find it difficult to weather bad economic times (when enrollment is down), take financial risks or try new service delivery strategies. Shared platforms can help these small businesses increase financial stability and operational efficiencies. This workshop will explore what it takes to launch and maintain a shared service network, as well as strategies for partnering with funders.
Credits - 1.5
Room - Imperial E

396. The Regulatory Process for Improving Quality Care: How NC has Managed Ongoing Improvement
Anna Carter and Laura Hewitt, NC Division of Child Development
Making changes in licensing requirements to improve the quality in child care programs cannot be made in a vacuum. This session will describe the regulatory process, the partners that need to be at the table and the research to use to support the change. You'll also learn how to ensure a smooth transition for child care programs as well as licensing staff when making such changes.
Credits - 1.5
Room - Blandwood

413. Unions and Home-based Child Care Providers
Susan Hibbard, Build Initiative; Sessy Newman, Illinois Action for Children; Sue Williamson, Monday Morning, Inc.
Unions are an interesting new voice in state efforts to improve the compensation, training and treatment of home-based child care providers - family child care providers and family, friend, and neighbor caregivers. This workshop will highlight union efforts in Illinois and Wisconsin and include a national family child care leader to help us discuss the opportunities and challenges union efforts present.
Credits - 1.5
Room - Arrowhead

500. Bridging the Social Synapse: Using Relationships to Promote Children's Development
Betty Rintoul, Encouraging Connections
The new field of social neuroscience is discovering how our brains are designed to connect us with one another. Learn the many ways that caring and responsive adult-child relationships set the stage for empathy, imitation, and learning. The presentation includes discussion of the mirror neuron system, social referencing, and joint attention.
Credits - 1.5
Room - Colony A

513. Financial Planning for Preschool Classes in Public Schools
Gisele Crawford, and Stephanie Shreve Reszka, FPG Child Development Institute; Barbara Coatney, Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools
Schools are increasingly serving preschool aged childen in public school facilities. As schools seek to initiate or expand services to these young children, a major task is to determine how much services cost and how to pay for these services. Participants will learn about estimating costs, identifying potential revenue sources, matching revenue and spending to maximize use of the various sources of funds, and other special financial issues in serving young children in school settings.
Credits - 1.5
Room - Heritage

528. 15 Years of Lessons Learned in Building a Statewide Early Education System
Peggy Ball, Carolyn Cobb, Stephanie Fanjul, Anne Mitchell, Karen Ponder and Sue Russell
Come and talk to some of NC's top early childhood leaders about the past, present and future of the work in North Carolina to build our early education system. Hear their lessons learned, what worked and what didn't, how they worked together, the strategic moments they capitalized on and their expectations for the future.
Credits - 1.5
Room - Imperial AB

541. Shifting the Odds: How to Advance State Policies & Increase Investments in At-Risk Children Birth to Five
Cindy D’Ercole, Kansas Action for Children; Becky Veak, Nebraska Children and Families Foundation; Margie Wallen, Ounce of Prevention Fund
Advocates from Kansas, Nebraska, and Illinois will discuss innovative policy and advocacy strategies, funding approaches, successes, challenges, and lessons learned that can inform other states’ efforts to advance a statewide birth to five policy agenda over time. By investing in at-risk children from the prenatal period onward, states have the opportunity to change the lives of individual children today, maximize their preschool and K-12 investments, and strengthen their state for years to come. Participants will be encouraged to share their experiences.
Credits - 1.5
Room - Auditorium III

542. Using Real Time Results to Meet Stakeholders' Needs for Information
Michael Bates, Michael Furlong, and Prashant Rajvaidya, Mosaic Network, Inc.
Timely monitoring of process and outcome indicators is critical for the effectiveness of early childhood initiatives. We have successfully solved the challenge of meeting the information needs of diverse stakeholders, including service providers, county and state level staff, and funders. We will present our coordinated information management system, using examples of its successful application in several multi-site early childhood initiatives.
Credits - 1.5
Room - Carolina

Wednesday, May 7th 1:30 PM – 5:00 PM

121. Tools for Supporting Culturally Responsive Programs.
Camille Catlett, FPG Child Development Institute; Florianna Thompson, Wake Technical Community College
This session will offer resources for creating early childhood environments and practices that support children who are culturally, linguistically and ability diverse and their families. A variety of activities will be used to build awareness and develop new capabilities.
Credits - 3
Room - Colony B

180. Building Collaborative Relationships with Families: Partnerships that Work.
Jodi Whiteman, Zero to Three
This highly participatory workshop focuses on understanding the elements of helping relationships and applying knowledge, skills, and strategies for building effective partnerships with families.
Credits - 3
Room - Victoria C

243. The Price of Silence: Raising Issues that Aren't Discussed Enough.
Lee Lesser, Parent Services Project; Florianna Thompson, Wake Tech Community College
Sometimes the things that are hardest to talk about are also the most important. This session will offer tools and strategies for discussing complex and thorny topics like bias, prejudice and privilege. Strategies for integrating personal experiences and creating safe environments for dialogue and exploration will be shared and practiced.
Credits - 3
Room - Blue Ashe

402. Issues, Challenges and Strategies Involved in Providing Quality Prekindergarten and Strengthening Mixed Delivery Systems.
Phil Acord, Children's Home/Chambliss Center; Helen Blank, National Women's Law Center; Eric Karolak, Early Care and Education Consortium; Sara Moleski-Rice, Learning Care Group; Laurie Walker, Skip-A-Long Child Development Services
Using National Women's Law Center research as a basis, this forum will discuss issues confronting child care centers and Head Start providers delivering state-funded prekindergarten including funding, staffing, curriculum and assessment. Participants will understand the challenges and opportunities involved in providing quality pre-k as well as strategies to strengthen mixed-delivery systems.
Credits - 3
Room - Imperial F

Wednesday, May 7th 3:30 PM – 5:00 PM

127. Healthy Families: Where Are We Headed in North Carolina?
Katie Rosanbalm, Duke Center for Child & Family Policy; Anne Sayers, Prevent Child Abuse North Carolina; Jan Williams, Healthy Families Durham
This panel presentation will provide an overview of the current research on the Healthy Families model, preliminary results from the randomized control study of Healthy Families Durham, and information about future directions for the NC Healthy Families program. NC Only
Credits - 1.5
Room - Imperial AB

149. Facilitating Play with Children on the Autism Spectrum in the Inclusive Classroom
Vivian James, NC Office of School Readiness
Many inclusive classroom teachers find themselves trying to facilitate the play and social communication of children with an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). This session will address the characteristics of higher functioning children with ASD and give practical suggestions for teachers to use in the inclusive classroom.
Credits - 1.5
Room - Imperial D

165. Creating a Community of Collaboration to Strengthen the Early Intervention Community
Charles Kronberg, Project Enlightenment; Lillian Matthews, Tammy Lynn Center for Developmental Disabilities; Juliellen Simpson-Vos, TelAbility; Cheryl Smith, Pediatric Therapy Associates; Emily Williams, Children's Developmental Services Agency
Collaboration requires the commitment of passionate and knowledgeable participants and unique tools to link them together. This presentation will discuss the definition of a community of practice, tools that help build the network, challenges to establishing/maintaining the network, lessons learned and applications for early intervention models.
Credits - 1.5
Room - Auditorium IV

185. Polliwog Project: Beating the Odds of Preschool Expulsion
Annie Fongheiser, Easter Seals United Cerebral Palsy; Niki Goodale and Rosa Underwood, Thompson Child and Family Focus; Barbara Rein, Smart Start of Mecklenburg County
Gain knowledge of reducing the preschool expulsion rate and discover how parents, teachers, providers and an entire county came together to ensure that children who traditionally fall through the educational cracks will have successful early childhood experiences and be ready for school.
Credits - 1.5
Room - Biltmore

188. FirstSchool: Uniting the Best
Kelly Maxwell and Sharon Ritchie, FPG Child Development Institute
Learn about FirstSchool, a new vision for the education of children from the ages of three to eight, designed by families, early education providers, public schools, the Frank Porter Graham Child Development Institute, the University of North Carolina and community partners. With state and local governments investing billions in pre-kindergarten, what should schools do to meet the needs of young children?
Credits - 1.5
Room - Blandwood

192. Dealing with Harassment in the Workplace
Kay Robinson, RSM McGladrey
Workplace harassment can be destructive and create morale and productivity problems. Harassment in the workplace is against the law. This workshop will help you become the expert. You can then take the information back to supervisors and employees and train them on this important issue.
Credits - 1.5
Room - Pinehurst

211. SCHOLARSHIPS and INCENTIVES - Professional Development Programs in Early Care and Education
Jane Brown, Care Solutions, Inc.
SCHOLARSHIPS and INCENTIVES are Georgia's premiere professional development programs in early care and education. SCHOLARSHIPS supports child care professionals who wish to increase their formal education in early childhood education while INCENTIVES reward those who do.
Credits - 1.5
Room - Auditorium II

230. Developing Effective Early Childhood Teachers: Findings from Three Language/Literacy Interventions
Carolyn Layzer, ABT Associates; Jean Layzer, Belmont Research Associates
Using information and findings from a recently completed rigorous experimental test of three language and literacy interventions for low-income four-year-olds in child care centers, the session will address the effectiveness of focused training and mentoring for child care staff.
Credits - 1.5
Room - Grandover East

277. Florida Transition Tools
Bettianne Ford, Florida's Transition Project
This session will provide an overview and samples of a variety of written and web-based tools used in Florida to promote more effective transitions for young children, birth to kindergarten. The tools can be used at the administrative, staff and family levels to strengthen communication when children leave one educational setting and begin another.
Credits - 1.5
Room - Tidewater

298. Interviews, Assessments and Evidence Used to Evaluate Ready Schools
Paula Plonski and Bruce Yelton, Praxis Research
Helping children to be ready for school is only part of the battle. Schools also need to be ready to receive, nurture, and support these "ready children." Come hear about the evaluation process used in the implementation of this local ready schools initiative.
Credits - 1.5
Room - Imperial C

342. Play Outside! North Carolina's Outdoor Learning Environment (OLE) Alliance
Trish Mengel, FPG Child Development Institute; Debra Torrence, Debra Torrence Consulting
This session will highlight the compelling research on why young children need to re-connect with nature and the outdoors, including statistics on the alarming increase in obesity and the relationship of outdoor experiences to Attention Deficit Disorder. Key resources and funding sources will be shared.
Credits - 1.5
Room - Imperial G

345. The Lone Ranger Syndrome: Help Others Find Solutions, Ride into the Sunset, Then What?
Margaret Anne Biddle and Kelli Rushing, Consultants; Elizabeth Santana, Wake County Smart Start
Providing consultation in early childhood programs is solitary work. When consultation ends, do we, like the Lone Ranger, ride into the sunset, hearing, "Who was that masked (wo)man?" What then? How do we stay energized and inspired? This workshop addresses building resiliency and support for ourselves as we work to help others identify their needs, find their own solutions, and support their process for making lasting change.
Credits - 1.5
Room - Sandpiper

347. Starting and Scaling a Raising A Reader Bookbag Movement in Your Community
Katie Behroozi, Silicon Valley Community Foundation; Sarah Bishop, United Way of South Hampton Roads
Raising A Reader is a nationally acclaimed early literacy program that fosters read-aloud routines in the homes of low-income families. Learn how to launch and sustain a Raising a Reader bookbag movement in your community, using lessons from the field and proven fundraising and donor engagement techniques from the Center for Venture Philanthropy.
Credits - 1.5
Room - Grandover West

353. The Content of Infant-Toddler Early Learning Guidelines: What Has Been Addressed and Why It Matters
Catherine Scott-Little, UNC-Greensboro; Victoria Stebbins Frelow, Teachers College
Approximately 20 states have early learning guidelines for infants and toddlers. Learn what areas of development have been addressed (and not addressed) in the early learning guidelines. Discuss implications for states developing guidelines and for professional development designed to support practitioners who will be using the guidelines.
Credits - 1.5
Room - Victoria A

356. From Policy to Practice: Implementing the Medical Home Approach
Eileen Forlenza and Kathy Watters, Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment
This overview of how Colorado's Medical Home Initiative successfully passed legislation supporting the implementation of the Medical Home approach will demonstrate how to successfully integrate the Medical Home approach into early childhood initiatives, how to move the medical home from concept to implementation and illustrate the need for strong family involvement.
Credits - 1.5
Room - Morehead

360. Lessons from Four Years of Model Work Standards Projects
Kate Thegen, Red Broom Training and Consulting
A panel of Model Work Standard participants will share their experiences, the successes and the lessons learned from this unique approach to improving the quality of child care. Teachers, directors and Quality Improvement professionals will discuss how this tool supported quality improvement efforts in their programs.
Credits - 1.5
Room - Tanglewood

363. Updates and Questions About the Assessment Process and FCCERS-R
Tanya Covington and Nansi White, NC Rated License Assessment Project
Assessors for the NC Rated License Assessment Project will provide a general overview of the assessment process from start to finish. The presenters will explain what to expect during the assessment and provide a broad overview of the FCCERS-R such as key definitions and important issues to consider. There will be time to address questions from the audience. NC Only
Credits - 1.5
Room - Carolina

368. Helping the Early Care and Education Industry Succeed in a Market Economy
Kathy Halas and Libbie Poppick, Child Care Council of Westchester
Westchester County (NY) struggles with market forces that make it difficult to provide affordable, high-quality early education. As a result, families at all income levels are opting out of regulated child care due to concerns about cost, quality and flexibility. A new initiative, ECE Forward, seeks to galvanize leadership and better understand market demand, usage and alternative approaches to policy and finance.
Credits - 1.5
Room - Heritage

380. Measuring Outcomes: SC's Efforts to Assess the First Steps to School Readiness Initiative
Susan DeVenny and Dan Wuori, SC First Steps to School Readiness
Get an overview of South Carolina First Steps' recent efforts to transition from its early focus upon outputs data, to a mission-focused and results-driven statewide initiative. Participants will receive information on both the First Steps client data collection system and the initiative's statewide assessment tools.
Credits - 1.5
Room - Imperial H

381. Endowments: Do you Want or Really Even Need One?
Vance Davidson, Region A Partnership for Children
This interactive workshop introduces endowment funds and how they can be used to assist for-cause organizations in accomplishing their mission. Learn endowment fund basics including what they are, how they are set up, why you may or may not want one, how they are funded and how they can be used.
Credits - 1.5
Room - Pebble Beach

383. Round Table Discussion for North Carolina Smart Start Evaluators
Joy Sotolongo, NC Partnership for Children
This session provides the opportunity for Smart Start evaluators across North Carolina to discuss common issues and topics. Participants will have the opportunity to participate in small group discussions on a variety of evaluation related topics. NC Only
Credits - 1.5
Room - Arrowhead

384. Promoting Evidence-Based Programs to Strengthen Families: North Carolina's Approach
Michelle Hughes, Prevent Child Abuse North Carolina
This workshop will provide participants with an overview of how many funders and agencies in North Carolina are promoting the use of evidence-based programs to strengthen families.
Credits - 1.5
Room - Meadowbrook

414. Protecting Children from Lead Poisoning
Neasha Graves, UNC Institute for the Environment; Amy MacDonald, NC Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program
This workshop will focus on research involving the sources and health effects of lead exposure among small children in the United States. The workshop instructors will also demonstrate engaging activities that participants can use in promoting lead poisoning prevention among young children and their parents.
Credits - 1.5
Room - Victoria B

503. Using Emotion to Help Children Behave: Implications of Social Neuroscience
Betty Rintoul, Encouraging Connections
Do you know all the behavior management strategies, but find managing angry and disruptive children is still a major cause of stress in the home and classroom? Learn how you can use recent neuroscience findings on the effects of positive emotion to adapt your current strategies to help children build healthy self-regulation from infancy to school age.
Credits - 1.5
Room - Colony A

521. Understanding and Working with Different Ages and Generations
Emily Ballance, Emily Speaks
Each age group and generation (Nexters, 28 and under; GenXers, 28-48; Baby boomers, 48-65; and Traditionalists, 65-84) has its own characteristics. Join the fun as we listen to the music of each generation and discuss the values, struggles, strengths and challenges. You will learn new ways to improve communication, productivity and workplace morale. There will be prizes and surprises!
Credits - 1.5
Room - Augusta

524. Using Tax Credits to Promote High Quality Early Care and Education Services
Anne Mitchell and Louise Stoney, Alliance for Early Childhood Finance
The presenters recently co-authored a paper that explores the feasibility of using a market intervention - tax credits, linked to quality and accountability measures like a Quality Rating and Improvement System - to help promote and finance higher quality early education services. Findings from this research, including examples from states and cities that have created targeted tax credits, will be discussed.
Credits - 1.5
Room - Imperial E

539. Subsidized Child Care Monitoring in North Carolina - A Model
Jennifer Hubler and Kim Miller, NC Division of Child Development
Subsidized Child Care Program monitoring is gearing up as a result of the Improper Payments Information Act of 2002! What has already been done in the area of program compliance monitoring related to expenditures of child care subsidy funds? Hear about what North Carolina has been doing for over five years to monitor for compliance in a state-supervised, county-administered program.
Credits - 1.5
Room - Turnberry

540. Raising Young Children to the Top of the Policy Agenda: Lessons from Illinois
Sessy Nyman, Illinois Action for Children; Jerry Stermer, Voices for Illinois Children; Margie Wallen, Ounce of Prevention
Preschool for All put Illinois at the forefront of early childhood policy and practice as the first state to invest in voluntary high-quality preschool for all 3- and 4-year-olds and fund a wide range of high quality child development services for at-risk infants and toddlers. What accounts for Illinois’ progress? What might advocates, policymakers, and funders in other states learn from Illinois’ approach? Get answers to these questions and what it takes to raise young children to the top of your state’s policy agenda.
Credits - 1.5
Room - Auditorium III

Thursday, May 8th 8:30 AM – 10:00 AM

111. Applying Best Practice in Child Developmental Services in the Primary Care Office Setting
Edward Curran and Mary Webster, Charlotte Area Health Education Center
Developmental screening is an important responsibility for pediatricians. ABC-123, through Charlotte AHEC's quality projects team, aims to incorporate a standardized, family-centered developmental screening tool into well-child visits, thereby enhancing communication between physicians, parents, referral sources and other community service agencies in the identification and management of children with special needs.
Credits - 1.5
Room - Augusta

134. What Would a Culturally Relevant Curriculum Look Like for Diverse Young Learners?
Romy Allen, Winston-Salem State University
Outcomes for this session will include redefining an alternative pedagogy and rethinking traditional best practice techniques for diverse young learners. Benefits will include informing participants of alternate instruction for success in their diverse classroom milieus and providing a framework for equity early education.
Credits - 1.5
Room - Imperial C

135. Reaching Out to Latino Parents and Families
Andrew Behnke, NC State University
Join us for an interactive workshop that will focus on factors contributing to successful engagement of Latino parents. Participants will gain a greater understanding of barriers faced by Latino parents and how to overcome these. Issues to be discussed include Latino father involvement, immigration issues, access to services and Latino child health.
Credits - 1.5
Room - Colony A

138. Parents as Teachers: An Evidence-Based Home Visiting Program for School Readiness
Alice Bullock and Robin Roberts, NC Parents as Teachers Network; Val Wilson, Project Enlightenment
Parents as Teachers (PAT) is a family support, parent education program for families of children beginning during pregnancy and continuing until kindergarten entry. This workshop will share the PAT Logic Model, Quality Standards, and research demonstrating the effectiveness of the Born to Learn model as it supports families in their role as their child's first teacher.
Credits - 1.5
Room - Grandover West

140. Just Who's Running This Show Anyway? Sustainable Governance in Changing Times
Lisa Howard, Smart Beginnings South Hampton Roads; Bill Millett, Scope View Strategic Advantage; Jim Morrison, United Way of North Carolina
Great boards both advocate and scrutinize, thereby fulfilling their governance responsibilities. While most boards advocate effectively, many underperform when it comes to the critical aspect of governance - protecting the public interest. This session will explore the interplay of advocacy and governance and what that means for the relationships between Board and staff members.
Credits - 1.5
Room - Grandover East

143. Rules and Regulations in Outdoor Learning Designs
Mary Jo Deck, Region A Partnership for Children; Janet McGinnis, NC Office of School Readiness
There's a growing awareness of the importance of the outdoors as an environment with positive impacts on physical, cognitive, social and emotional development. Often, rules and regulations are believed to be barriers. Come ask a panel of regulatory policy makers and designers of outdoor learning envionments how rules and designs play well together.
Credits - 1.5
Room - Imperial F

181. NAEYC Associate Degree Accreditation: A New Resource for Professional Development Programs
Margaret Annunziata, Davidson County Communty College; Marica Mitchell, National Association for the Education of Young Children
There are now more than 140 programs from 35 different states participating in NAEYC's new associate degree accreditation system. Join us to discuss ways accreditation can support quality improvement and strategic planning in associate degree programs as well as innovative responses to state and community needs.
Credits - 1.5
Room - Victoria C

197. Charting Progress for Babies in Child Care: How State Policies Can Help Families
Danielle Ewen and Elizabeth Hoffmann, Center for Law and Social Policy
Families with babies and toddlers need access to nurturing, safe, and supportive child care. How can state leaders help? Join us to hear about the 'Charting Progress for Babies in Child Care' project, and discuss key research-based recommendations for state child care, licensing and quality polices and how you can implement them in your state.
Credits - 1.5
Room - Turnberry

198. ECE-Learning: A National Distance Learning Scan for the Early Childhood Workforce
Debra Torrence, Debra Torrence Consulting
Policymakers and professional development providers are encouraged to attend this session for an up-to-date picture about e-learning and strategies from the Center for Child Care Workforce's distance Learning Scan. Participants will learn about the latest strategies being implemented by distance learning providers to improve accessibility, facilitate portability of credits and weave e-learning into early childhood professional development systems.
Credits - 1.5
Room - Morehead

203. Overloaded, Overwhelmed and Over It!
Denise Ryan, FireStar
If you are overwhelmed by everything you need to do or if you find yourself angry, tired and frustrated, this session is for you. We'll discuss many of these overwhelming causes of stress and how to deal with them. You'll learn the magic stress equation and three major strategies on how to reduce your stress. You'll get a ton of new ideas and you'll have a great time!
Credits - 1.5
Room - Blue Ashe

210. Extending the Welcome Mat to Men: What's the Secret?
Sheila Bazemore, NC Office of School Readiness
This session will examine existing "gate keeping practices" in family support and early care and education settings, and engage participants in discussions and small group exercises which welcome and encourage greater father/male involvement in children's care and early education.
Credits - 1.5
Room - Imperial D

214. Using Existing Individual and Organizational Highlights to Create an Energized Future
Janice Edgerton and Robin Minick, Region A Partnership for Children
Participants in this workshop will explore personal strengths, skills and interests in the light of an appreciative inquiry approach to generating change in organizations or groups. They will experience how to use these skills in combination with the best of existing organizational successes to envision and create a desired future.
Credits - 1.5
Room - Imperial AB

236. NC Early Learning Guidelines (Birth-36 Months): The Research Behind the Guidelines
Edna Neal Collins, Meredith College; Lorie Pugh, NC Division of Child Development
The writer and researcher for North Carolina's Early Foundations will provide in-depth information about how North Carolina's infant and toddler early learning guidelines were developed and validated using current research in early childhood development.
Credits - 1.5
Room - Meadowbrook

237. Linking with Economic Development - The Latest and Greatest from the Field
Nam Douglass, NC Partnership for Children; Saskia Traill, The Insight Center for Community Economic Development
Across the country, early care and education leaders are strengthening systems by integrating early care and education with economic development. This session will describe the most recent advances from around the nation and provide in-depth discussion on how these advances can be replicated.
Credits - 1.5
Room - Cedar A

280. Web-Based Early Learning System: Managing Your Data Just Got Easier
John Fiedler, Carlos Valdes and Muriel Wong-Lundgren, National Institute for Innovative Leadership
This session will present a web-based application for a centralized data base that automates and streamlines data collection, management and reporting especially for quality rating systems. Web-Based Early Learning System (WELS) can be used to create consolidated work plans from assessment.
Credits - 1.5
Room - Tidewater

288. Building Strategic Communities for Children
Jennifer Greenwald, Smart Start of Mecklenburg County; Libby Kelligrew, Janet Harmon and Ellen Thompson, Council for Children's Rights
Complex problems force child-serving initiatives to work in crisis mode. The need to focus on intervention leaves few resources for prevention. An overview of 2 community-based projects, designed to create and implement a sustainable agenda for children, will help stakeholders understand the need for structure in driving prevention efforts. An introduction to Mecklenburg Families First will illustrate the valuable role of a "connector" in developing a continuum of family support.
Credits - 1.5
Room - Biltmore

293. IRS Form 990
Representatives, Internal Revenue Service
In December 2007, the IRS released a redesigned Form 990, Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax. An IRS representative will provide an overview of the changes.
Credits - 1.5
Room - Arrowhead

310. A Statewide Initiative: The Incredible Years - BASIC Parent Training Program
Sarah Currier, Prevent Child Abuse North Carolina; Kate Irish, Durham's Partnership for Children; Collette Meador, NC Partnership for Children
This workshop will provide basic information about the Incredible Years: BASIC Parent Training Program. The session will also include information about the statewide initiative being implemented by local Smart Start Partnerships in partnership with the NC Partnership for Children and Prevent Child Abuse North Carolina.
Credits - 1.5
Room - Cedar BC

318. Start Strong: Virginia's Preschool Initiative
Kathy Glazer, Office of the Virginia Governor
This workshop will describe Virginia's experience in expanding access to high quality preschool. Through the work of the Start Strong Council, appointed and guided by Governor Kaine's vision, Virginia has proposed a preschool network built on the state's existing at-risk program, Head Start and private and faith-based providers.
Credits - 1.5
Room - Sandpiper

323. Paying Your Employees Fairly and Equitably
Mike Womble, Carolina Human Resources
The objective of every employer is to pay employees fairly and competitively. How do we know what is fair and competitive? This session explains how to establish internal and external equity in your pay plan. We will also discuss hidden benefits that make an employee's total compensation package.
Credits - 1.5
Room - Imperial H

327. Making the Dream Real - Alaska's Best Beginnings
Susan Anderson, The CIRI Foundation; Abbe Hensley and Melinda Myers, Best Beginnings; David Wight
Best Beginnings is Alaska's new statewide initiative to ensure every child begins school ready for success. Like other states, Alaska faces unique challenges and opportunities, especially in terms of geography and cultural diversity. This session will offer common "lessons learned" that other states and communities can adapt, build on and share with others.
Credits - 1.5
Room - Pinehurst

338. Blogs, Podcasts and Webinars: Getting Your Message Out Electronically
Kivi Leroux Miller, Ecoscribe Communications
Reach your target audience with electronic media. In this session, you will learn how to use blogs, podcasts and webinars to raise awareness about your organization and its key issues.
Credits - 1.5
Room - Imperial E

355. Steps to Success: Early Childhood/Education Curriculum Improvement Project
Sharon Davis, NC Community Colleges System; Ellen Wenner, Forsyth Tech Community College
The NC Community College Early Childhood/Education Curriculum Improvement Project will address the rising demand for qualified early childhood educators to improve child learning outcomes to meet the industry needs. The 'Steps to Success' include professional development, research course development and review. Research determines best practices for community college curriculum standards that are NAEYC accredited.
Credits - 1.5
Room - Colony B

375. Evaluating the System Components in Comprehensive Early Childhood Systems
Scott Raun, Colorado Department of Human Services; Kim Stokka, Colorado Department of Education
States and communities struggle to evaluate progress with building an early childhood system. Participants will receive a template Colorado is using to measure a variety of systems-building components. The template includes guidelines and resources for communities along a developmental continuum. Attendees will also learn about experiences measuring the quality of systems changes over time in Colorado.
Credits - 1.5
Room - Tanglewood

386. Health Check/NC Health Choice: A New Decade of Culturally/Linguistically Diverse Children
Norma Marti, NC Division of Public Health; Cinnamon Narron, NC Division of Medical Assistance
North Carolina has a more diverse population of immigrants and refugees than ever before. Looking at demographic trends and those enrolled in Health Check/NC Health Choice, the state's public insurance for children, dissussion will focus on what the implications are for providing quality health care when serving the limited-English proficient and culturally diverse population.
Credits - 1.5
Room - Blandwood

393. Updates and Questions about the Assessment Process and the ITERS-R and ECERS-R
LaToya Hedgspeth, Linda Rowley, and Lia Rucker, NC Rated License Assessment Project
Assessors from the NC Rated License Assessment Project will provide a general overview of the assessment process from start to finish, explain what to expect during the assessment and provide a broad overview of the ITERS-R and ECERS-R such as key definitions and important issues to consider. There will be time to address questions from the audience. NC Only
Credits - 1.5
Room - Auditorium IV

395. Do Away with BORED Committees
Ann Ward and Gale Wilson, NC Partnership for Children
Join us to discuss how restructuring your board committees can re-energize your board. This participatory session will help you define committee tasks, develop committee job descriptions and committee composition considerations and define criteria for establishing committees on an as-needed basis.
Credits - 1.5
Room - Pebble Beach

505. Federal Head Start Update
Khari Garvin, NC Head Start-State Collaboration Office
Since 1965, Head Start has delivered comprehensive, high quality services to low income children and families designed to foster healthy developmental outcomes and break the cycle of poverty. Head Start was reauthorized by Congress and signed into law in December, 2007 – the first time since 1998! Come hear updates on the new requirements of the Improving Head Start Act 2007 and the exciting initiatives of the Office of Head Start.
Credits - 1.5
Room - Auditorium II

512. Calling All Early Childhood Advocates: Are You Ready for the NC General Assembly Short Session?
Roz Savitt, NC Child Care Coalition
How does the NC General Assembly operate? Who are the key players? Learn how the legislative process works, how to stay informed, how to communicate with public officials and what to expect during this next legislative session and beyond.
Credits - 1.5
Room - Heritage

518. The Ready School District
Patrick A. Curtis, Rivka Friedman and Kate Anderson Simons, Walter R. McDonald & Associates
Using narrative, photographs, and story-telling, the presenters will describe the development and rationale for a ready school district. Key components include the implementation of the superintendent's vision for the success of all children and strategies for addressing the challenges of becoming a ready school district.
Credits - 1.5
Room - Auditorium III

522. Using the Earned Income Tax Credit to Finance Child Care Providers
Gene Severens, Corporation for Enterprise Development
Most people view the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) as a tax credit for low-wage workers. In fact, 20% of EITC recipients are self-employed business owners with household incomes under $40,000. The biggest type of self-employed business receiving this credit are child care businesses. With a federal tax credit worth up to $4,700, plus a rare annual teaching moment to help new child care providers become better businesses and free tax preparation available at local community-based tax sites, the child care industry needs to better understand this option.
Credits - 1.5
Room - Carolina

Thursday, May 8th 8:30 AM – 12:00 Noon

269. Evaluation that Matters: A Practical ("Utilization") Approach
Kristin Bradley-Bull and Tobi Mae Lippin, New Perspectives Consulting Group
Yes, program evaluations can be do-able and of great strategic value! A utilization-focused evaluation emphasizes involving your intended evaluation "users" right from the start to ensure the evaluation increases your organization?s effectiveness and wisdom. Join this interactive session to explore strategies for success.
Credits - 3
Room - Imperial G

287. Leading for Success: Perspectives on Exceptional Leadership
Karen McNeil-Miller, Kate B. Reynolds Charitable Trust
Drawing on her 16 years in international leadership development and research at the Center for Creative Leadership, the presenter will lead a discussion on the opportunities and challenges of nonprofit leadership in the 21st century. Using film and case studies, she will illustrate leadership models and perspectives that are particularly relevant and instructive to executive staff and board members. This session is tailored specifically for local Smart Start board members and executive directors. NC Only
Credits - 3
Room - Victoria A

374. Quality Rating Systems: Keys to Successful Design and Implementation
Peggy Ball, National Child Care Information Center; Judy Collins, Judy Collins Consulting; Deborah Neill, Neill Consulting
This session will discuss different approaches to the design and implementation of a Quality Rating System in a variety of early care and education system environments. Presenters, former state child care administrators, will discuss coordination of the design components to fit existing systems and key principles for successful and manageable implementation.
Credits - 3
Room - Victoria B

Thursday, May 8th 10:30 AM – 12:00 Noon

105. Developing an Employee Handbook
Mike Womble, Carolina Human Resources
Should we have an employee handbook or not? If so, what information should we include? Federal law requires that certain information regarding wages and benefits and terms and conditions of employment are provided to employees in writing. The employee handbook can be a useful and positive communications tool to help accomplish this requirement. Participants will receive a copy of several 'key' policies that should be included as part of any organization's employee handbook.
Credits - 1.5
Room - Imperial H

109. How to Get Home Before Midnight: Effective Meeting Strategies and Basic Parliamentary Procedure
Tannis Nelson, Registered Parliamentarian
Learn how to maintain orderly meetings, expedite business, encourage pertinent discussion, and ensure the will of the majority while protecting the rights of the minority. This workshop will be based on Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised.
Credits - 1.5
Room - Auditorium II

116. Lessons Learned in the NC Infant Toddler Enhancement Project
Lanier DeGrella, Child Care Services Association
NC's Infant Toddler Enhancement Project will share information on the outcomes used to measure the effectiveness of the project, as well as field-tested "best practices" from NC's team of 25 Infant Toddler Specialists, providing technical assistance in child care programs since 2004.
Credits - 1.5
Room - Auditorium III

130. Getting "On-Board": Board Member Roles and Responsibilities
Gail Kiker, Kiker, Strickland & Associates
If you are a new local Smart Start partnership board member, this session covering nonprofit board member roles and responsibilities is for you. Questions and interactive discussion will be encouraged. You will leave with an understanding of a board member's role in keeping an organization afloat and on course.
Credits - 1.5
Room - Tidewater

131. Family Support to Prevent Child Abuse and Neglect: The Parent-to-Parent Model
Julie Davis, Family Support Network of Region A; Brenda Dunford, Family Support Network of Northeastern North Carolina; Joann Haggerty and Irene Zipper, Family Support Network of North Carolina
The Family Support Network of North Carolina promotes and provides support for families with children who have special needs. Participants will learn about a new Parent-to-Parent support project to address prevention of child maltreatment; implementation of the model; and project evaluation.
Credits - 1.5
Room - Imperial F

139. Linking Early Learning Standards to Outdoor Play and Learning
Cindy Bagwell, Janet McGinnis, and Catherine Woodall, NC Office of School Readiness
Research shows that children need connections with the natural world as a regular part of their healthy growth and development. Participants will explore ways to ensure this important connection is embedded throughout all domains of development as Early Learning Standards are developed and implemented.
Credits - 1.5
Room - Colony B

170. Off to School: Transition Into Kindergarten
Nichelle Cole, Wake County SmartStart; Deborah Connell and Sherri Lambeth, Wake County Public Schools
A successful transition into kindergarten can affect a child's future school success and support a stronger home-school partnership. Project Enlightenment's Transition to Kindergarten Program supports elementary schools and early care and education providers in providing activities that encourage a successful transition.
Credits - 1.5
Room - Imperial D

212. Ready Communities: Building the Community's Capacity to Support Early Education
Pattie Allen, Viola Barnes-Gray and Myra Wooten, Down East Partnership for Children; Marvin Pittman, NC State Board of Education; Debora Sydnor, NC Department of Public Instruction
Successfully launching children as learners is the responsibility of the entire community. This workshop will provide strategies to build the community's capacity through leadership development to ensure that all children are successful through grade 2 and that schools have the integrated tools they need for children to experience school success.
Credits - 1.5
Room - Imperial C

224. Friendraising as Fundraising
Rosie Allen, Prevent Child Abuse North Carolina; Elizabeth Hundley, NC Partnership for Children
Learn the basics of making friends in your community and raising resources for your organization, featuring some tried and true ideas that can work almost anywhere. This session is ideal for fundraising newbies, old fundraisers who want to get back to the basics, board members, volunteers and those who want to understand why fundraisers do what they do.
Credits - 1.5
Room - Victoria C

238. Rural Communities Have Kids, Too! How to Get More by Linking with Economic Development
Nam Douglass, NC Partnership for Children; Saskia Traill, The Insight Center for Community Economic Development
Across the country, leaders strengthen early care and education (ECE) systems by integrating with economic development. What unique challenges and opportunities do rural communities face? Discuss issues in linking ECE with rural economic development and learn how to replicate successful strategies.
Credits - 1.5
Room - Cedar A

296. Findings from the National Study of Early Child Care and Youth Development
James Griffin, National Institute of Child Health and Human Development; Bonnie Knoke, RTI International; Marion O'Brien, UNC-Greensboro
Participants will get an overview of this longitudinal study, started in 1991 by the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, to examine how variations in early child care and other contexts of children's development are related to developmental outcomes. Child care findings and policy implications based on the research to date will also be presented.
Credits - 1.5
Room - Turnberry

299. Inclusion and Professional Development: What We Know and What We Should Do
Shelley deFosset, and Pam Winton, FPG Child Development Institute
This interactive session will provide participants with a chance to learn about the data on inclusion and professional development. Presenters will work with participants to identify ways to contribute to improving the quality of personnel working in inclusive settings.
Credits - 1.5
Room - Imperial AB

301. Greater Than the Sum of Its Parts: Strategies for Linking and Integrating Early Childhood Data Systems
Caroline Gooden, University of Kentucky; Joe Haenn, NC Office of School Readiness; Duncan Munn, Munn & Munn; Kim Stokka and Nan Vendegna, Colorado Department of Education
This session will provide practical information on realistic approaches to linking/integrating child data systems of early intervention, health, preschool special education and early childhood agencies in North Carolina, Colorado and Kentucky. Goals of such linkages include comprehensive service system evaluations, reductions of duplicative data entry and interagency child and family outcome measurement.
Credits - 1.5
Room - Biltmore

305. Your Education, Your Certification
Sue Russell, Child Care Services Association; Debra Torrence, NC Institute for Early Childhood Professional Development
Join this session to learn about a pilot project currently underway through the NC Institute for Early Childhood Professional Development to design strategies to formally recognize individual education accomplishments. The presenters will share innovative ideas from national and state groups about how to employ the lessons learned from other occupations. Participants will discuss the design and implications and develop information dissemination strategies. NC Only
Credits - 1.5
Room - Carolina

306. The Power of K
Eva Phillips and Amy Smith, NC Department of Public Instruction
This session will focus on "The Power of K: NC Position Statement on 21st Century Kindergartens" and the 3-year initiative to develop kindergarten teacher leaders. Through discussion and active experiences, participants will be introduced to the position paper's contents, implications for classroom practice and the goals of the teacher leader initiative.
Credits - 1.5
Room - Heritage

314. Smart Start Program Match (Cash & In-Kind)
Christine Bauer, NC Partnership for Children
Looking for additional sources of Smart Start Program Match? Concerned about having adequate documentation? Confused about WebApps and data entry? This session is perfect for you! We will review the most current guidance regarding match allowability, documentation and reporting. This session is specific to requirements in North Carolina for Smart Start. NC Only
Credits -
Room - Grandover East

329. Virginia's New Parent Kit: A Governor's Initiative
Susan Tlusty, Virginia Department of Health
Virginia's New Parent Kit contains items related to health, safety, child care, parent-child interaction, and other resources for all new parents. This workshop will cover the Kit's development, the public-private partnership forged to plan and manage the initiative, funding, publicity, the key role of home-visiting programs, evaluation and institutionalization.
Credits - 1.5
Room - Pebble Beach

331. Story Exploring
Bertha Gorham, Motheread, Inc.
Join us to learn how much you can teach using story books! In this interactive workshop you'll experience first hand the Story Exploring curriculum, created by Motheread, Inc., and see how you can use it in your classroom.
Credits - 1.5
Room - Meadowbrook

346. Early Intervention Services for Children and Families Referred from the Intensive Care Nursery
Joey Bishop-Manton and Cris Loesser, Mecklenburg County Children's Developmental Services; Robbie Brown, Parent
Enrolling children in the Infant-Toddler program from neonatal intensive care units is challenging due to the unique and stressful experiences of these families. Discussion will focus on the benefits the Mecklenburg Children's Developmental Services Agency has found in developing a team of Service Coordinators who work exclusively with families who have had children in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.
Credits - 1.5
Room - Cedar BC

348. Older Employees and Today's Workforce: Recruiting and Retaining Older Employees
Lonnie Harvey, The JESCLON Group
With a shrinking workforce resulting from the graying of America and a declining birth rate, employers will be hard pressed to find employees and even harder pressed to find "good employees." Here managers will learn that it may not be as costly to employ older workers as some have suggested.
Credits - 1.5
Room - Tanglewood

357. Quality Child Care: Reaching for the Next Steps
Anna Mercer-McLean and Beth Pierce, Community School for People Under Six
'Reaching for the Next Steps' provides a Center Director's perspective of what it takes to move to high quality programming. This session will provide an overview of one center's struggles and successes as they moved from an AA licensed to a 5-star licensed program to national accreditation and the vision, partnership and work to maintain both.
Credits - 1.5
Room - Imperial E

364. Making the Connection: Linking What Takes Place in Preschool Classrooms to the ECERS-R
Stacie Marsh, Nansi White and Nicole Wyrick, NC Rated License Assessment Project
This session will illustrate creative ways North Carolina teachers have implemented best practices often through low cost, teacher-made materials and supportive language. Classroom clips of activities and guided learning will be shown that correlate specifically to many indicators of the ECERS-R. NC Only
Credits - 1.5
Room - Augusta

371. One More Point Toward Quality for Family Child Care Home Providers
Charlene Daye, Child Care Services Association
Learn about 'Child Care Basics', a program designed for family child care home providers interested in strengthening the business side of their existing child care program. Presenters will discuss management of the course and examine successes and challenges.
Credits - 1.5
Room - Grandover West

372. New Partners, New Approaches: Strategies for Connecting Immigrant Families with Early Care and Education
Hannah Matthews, Center for Law and Social Policy; Marla McDaniel, Urban Institute
This session highlights emerging models for providers and policymakers to improve access to high-quality early care and education for immigrant families and to make programs more responsive to the needs of diverse immigrant communities. Learn strategies to identify and work with new partners to create linkages with immigrant families.
Credits - 1.5
Room - Pinehurst

376. Creating State Agency Partnerships: Keys to Building an Early Childhood System
Rosemarie Allen, Colorado Division of Child Care; Jenna Davis and Sharon Triolo-Moloney, Colorado Department of Education; Jodi Hardin, Smart Start Colorado
This session will highlight the opportunities and challenges of state interagency collaboration and will focus on the outcomes these partnerships have had on their systems building work.
Credits - 1.5
Room - Sandpiper

378. Measuring Parent Outcomes: South Carolina's Experience with an Observational Scale
Marilee Comfort, Comfort Consults, LLC; Mary Anne Mathews, SC First Steps to School Readiness
This session will share South Carolina's First Steps Program experience with using The Keys to Interactive Parenting Scale to obtain consistent outcome measures for family support programs across the state.
Credits - 1.5
Room - Blandwood

406. Lessons Learned from a Learning Community for QRS and Infants/Toddlers
Kathie Boling, ZERO TO THREE; Lori Pugh, NC Division of Child Development
The inclusion of infants and toddlers in quality child care systems will be the focus of discussions. Implementing systems to support specific needs of infants and toddlers is challenging for many states. Zero to Three convened a Learning Community to explore states' quality rating systems (QRS) and lessons learned will be shared. North Carolina’s experiences with revisions to their QRS will be highlighted.
Credits - 1.5
Room - Auditorium IV

412. Just Down the Hall: Mental Health in Primary Care Pediatric Practice
Deborah Ainsworth and Tamara Stevens, Washington Pediatrics; Steve Shore, NC Pediatric Society; Marla Smith, NC Partnership for Children
Pediatricians are a "first resource" for parents who are worried about their children's behavioral problems but they face challenges in meeting this need. A local pediatrician, child psychologist and the NC Pediatric Society will provide an overview of mental health in pediatric primary health care settings and some tips to help child health advocates address this issue in their communities.
Credits - 1.5
Room - Colony A

514. Two States' Journeys to Comprehensive Prenatal to Five Systems
Carolyn Cobb, Carolyn Cobb Consulting; Barbara Gebhard, ZERO TO THREE; Ramona Paul, Oklahoma Department of Education; Albert Wat, Pre-K Now
ZERO TO THREE and Pre-K Now partnered to produce a paper highlighting states that are advancing an agenda for young children, prenatal to five years. Participants will hear from and dialogue with North Carolina and Oklahoma about strategies, successes and challenges in their journey to build an early childhood system in their states.
Credits - 1.5
Room - Morehead

537. Building Public Awareness with the Business Community
Natasha Gore, Smart Start of Forsyth County; Karine Stallings, Durham's Partnership for Children
Are you unsure how to begin building awareness with the business community for the needs of young children and their families? Not sure how you can begin to connect with local businesses? Two local Smart Start partnerships will share several strategies and initiatives they have implemented in their communities. Learn how these organizations have increased resources and are building non-traditional voices for children through their work with the business community.
Credits - 1.5
Room - Arrowhead

Thursday, May 8th 1:30 – 3:00 PM

137. Enough Already with the Warm and Fuzzies: The Global Economic Case for Quality Early Education
Marsha Basloe, Durham's Partnership for Children; Bill Millett, Scope View Strategic Advantage; Marie Sarchet, Charlevoix-Emmet Great Start Collaborative
Key business organizations have made forceful cases for the long-term economic importance of quality early education to the long-term economic vitality of local communities, states, and the nation. This session focuses on quality child care from a global competitiveness perspective, a position too often ignored by early education advocates.
Credits - 1.5
Room - Grandover East

141. Harnessing the Power of Data for Effective Decision Making (Part I)
Michelle Chambers, Patty Huffman and Don Magoon, Partnership for Children of Wayne County
This introductory workshop will outline a system design for effective data collection including checklists, flow charts, data source considerations, and a demonstration of a system currently in use by several local Smart Start partnerships that is easily adaptable to any human service organization. Presenters will explain how to create a roadmap for developing an effective system design.
Credits - 1.5
Room - Victoria C

154. Supporting New Immigrant Families: A Multidisciplinary Collaborative Approach
Jennifer Brobst and Rachel Mills, Center for Child and Family Health
In this panel presentation, early intervention, mental health, and legal staff from the Center for Child and Family Health in Durham, NC will lead a resource sharing workshop on innovative multi-disciplinary approaches to supporting new immigrant Latino families.
Credits - 1.5
Room - Imperial C

169. Supporting Children with Challenging Behaviors: The Power of Relationships
Ruth Hudgins, Wake County Public Schools
Active and non-compliant children present challenges to teachers, therapists, and parents. This workshop will focus on the importance of relationships and effective communication skills in serving these children. Real-life examples will demonstrate techn