TweetSharePinShare0 Shares Trying Together will host UnConference: Navigating Early Intervention Partnerships on Saturday, March 8, at the Kaufmann Center. Participants will attend expert-led sessions that focus on systemic challenges relating to access to early intervention services as well as the impacts of systemic racism, suspensions and expulsions, staffing shortages, and under-investments in early childhood education. Details Saturday, March 8 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. Kaufmann Center 1825 Centre Avenue Pittsburgh, PA 15219 Limited parking at the venue is available as well as street parking. A light breakfast with coffee and tea and a buffet lunch will be provided to participants. Opening remarks at the event will provide an overview of early intervention projects and partnerships developed by Trying Together. These will include the expansion of the Rapid Response Team, development of the Early Intervention Toolkit, and Early Intervention Equity Analysis. Participants will explore resource tables and attend a large group workshop and panel in the morning. After lunch, they will attend three 30-minute workshops. Tickets for UnConference: Navigating Early Intervention Partnerships cost $25. Space is limited. For questions about registering large groups, contact Ben Filio at ben@tryingtogether.org Register now. Keynote Presentation State Rep. La’Tasha D. Mayes (D-24) will deliver the morning’s keynote speech, “Envisioning Change: The Power of Early Childhood Educator Voice in Early Intervention Advocacy.” The mini-keynote will inspire participants to see themselves as having an active role in early intervention advocacy and policy change that leads to a more inclusive early childhood system. During the keynote, Rep. Mayes will share insight about why it’s important for policymakers to hear from early childhood experts and the role of educators’ voices in policy making and systemic change. Participants will be encouraged to think about their individual roles in young children’s lives, how to envision a more inclusive system for all, and how to begin to explore steps for achieving the vision through advocating for early intervention – both in their daily practice and systemic policy change. Workshops There will be one large group workshop in the morning followed by three 30-minute workshops in the afternoon. Morning Exploring the Impact of Systemic Challenges on Access to Early Intervention Services: A Collaborative Approach to Supporting Children in Early Childhood Settings Speakers: Emily Neff and Hailee B. Roye This session explores how systemic racism, under-investment in early childhood education (ECE), and staffing shortages impact access to early intervention services and suspensions and expulsions in early childhood settings. Participants will examine these issues through multiple perspectives—ECE teachers, support services, and parents—using real-world data and case studies to identify systemic barriers. Through group activities and collaborative discussions, participants will develop actionable strategies to reduce exclusionary practices and better support children. Circle Time: Let’s Talk About EI This panel discussion will feature experts from Infant/Toddler Early Intervention, Preschool Early Intervention, Infant Early Childhood Mental Health (IECMH), Intensive Behavioral Health Services, and the parent perspective. Facilitated discussion topics will include strategies for partnering with families, coaching and collaborating with ECE programs, determining when Intensive Behavioral Health Services are necessary, and envisioning ideal partnerships between ECE and EI. Participants will also have the opportunity to ask questions and engage in the discussion. Afternoon Pyramid Model and Prevention Tips for Challenging Behaviors Speaker: Deysi Keegan In this training, participants will be introduced to the Pyramid Model, focusing on Tier 1 strategies to create supportive classroom environments and prevent behavior escalation. We will review a classroom checklist and explore how these supports can reduce triggers for children, along with alternative communication techniques from the “Words Matter” handout. The session will also cover the Rapid Response Team (RRT) process and how to support teachers in working with children exhibiting a variety of behaviors. Early Intervention Toolkit: Tools and Resources for Early Care and Education Programs Speaker: Ashley Harland In this session, participants will be provided with an overview of an Early Intervention Toolkit and interactive website, created by Trying Together in partnership with early care and education programs and early intervention providers across Allegheny County. The toolkit aims to increase mutual understanding early care and education programs, EI providers, and families with young children. Participants will leave the session knowing how to use the EI Toolkit to access support resources for both families and early educators. Early Intervention 101 Speakers: Vonna May-Miller; Betsy Gamza, M.Ed; Melissa Friend; and Amanda Harrison In this session, representatives from The Alliance for Infants and Toddlers, Allegheny Intermediate Unit Preschool Early Intervention, and Pittsburgh Public Preschool Early Intervention will provide participants with tools to better understand early intervention services and how to access those services. Trauma-Informed Classrooms: Supporting Children with Early Childhood Trauma Speaker: Candace Shoenberger This course provides an exploration of trauma and its effects on learning. Participants will learn how trauma influences learning, emotional regulation, and interpersonal relationships. Through interactive activities and case studies, educators will gain practical strategies for creating trauma-informed classrooms that support all students. Breaking the Stigma: How to Have Difficult Conversations with Families and Young Children Speaker: Dominique R. Webster-Outten Stigma still exists around disability, mental health, and seeking support services. In this session, speakers will explore tools to support difficult conversations with families and, ultimately, help reduce stigma. Participants will also have a chance to consider how they talk to young children in a manner that can help promote inclusion, integration, and acceptance of classroom peers of all abilities. Creating Calm: Interactive Sensory Strategies for Early Childhood Classrooms Speaker: Julia Kingera It can be challenging for young children to regulate their emotions and processing. This session will focus on sensory strategies that can be used classroom-wide as a way to teach children to self-regulate. In this hands-on and interactive training, participants will be coached on how to implement sensory strategies in the classroom setting. Closing Session: From Awareness to Advocacy Action Speakers: Emily Neff and Ashley Harland For the final workshop of the day, the full group will reconvene for closing remarks. Participants will have a chance to illustrate how they are collectively taking action towards creating equitable early childhood opportunities. For the final 15 minutes of this workshop, participants will engage in an advocacy action pledge to leave them with concrete and actionable next steps. What Do I Receive? PQAS and Act 48 credit hours Lunch Networking with colleagues Hands-on, interactive workshops Questions? Any questions about the UnConference should be emailed to Ben Filio at ben@tryingtogether.org. About UnConference The UnConference is an innovative, hands-on professional development training format in which a deeper experience is provided around a particular theme. Local and national speakers are invited to present and participants are encouraged to engage hands on in the workshops. The day concludes with a roundtable discussion on how to apply these experiences and ideas in the early childhood environment and share ideas on how to partner with new colleagues. Thank You To Our Sponsor and Partners A huge thank you to our series sponsor PNC Grow Up Great and our workshop partners. TweetSharePinShare0 Shares
