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WHSA 2025 Annual Conference
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Monday, February 24
 

10:00am CST

Keynote: Dr. Kim Johnson
Monday February 24, 2025 10:00am - 11:30am CST
ABC/FGH
More information coming soon!
Monday February 24, 2025 10:00am - 11:30am CST
ABC/FGH
  Keynote

12:00pm CST

Lunch
Monday February 24, 2025 12:00pm - 1:00pm CST
ABC/FGH
Have a great lunch! 
Monday February 24, 2025 12:00pm - 1:00pm CST
ABC/FGH
  Meal

1:00pm CST

Breakout: Dr. Johnson
Monday February 24, 2025 1:00pm - 2:30pm CST
TBA
More information coming soon!
Monday February 24, 2025 1:00pm - 2:30pm CST
TBA
  Breakout

1:00pm CST

Culturally Responsive Teaching
Monday February 24, 2025 1:00pm - 2:30pm CST
Guava
Culturally Responsive Teaching: Creating a sense of belonging in the early childhood environment for each and every child is critical for their success. Teachers/caregivers can ensure a sense of belonging by being intentional in their relationships with each child. Being culturally responsive can help children feel seen and valued. In this session, we will discuss the importance of building relationships by gaining an understanding of what culturally responsive teaching is and is not.
Speakers
JW
Monday February 24, 2025 1:00pm - 2:30pm CST
Guava
  Breakout

1:00pm CST

Family Partnerships: Using the Youth Wellness Hub to Create an Individualized Resource Guide
Monday February 24, 2025 1:00pm - 2:30pm CST
Suite 4
The Youth Wellness Hub (YWH) is an innovative new tool designed to help you create a customized resource guide to support youth with behavioral and mental health needs. The YWH assists in locating an individualized list of resources across the continuum of social, health, insurance and other community services. We’ll explore how to use the tool, complete a demonstration and discuss ways to use this innovative resource to empower families and staff in achieving family partnership goals.
Speakers
EO
Monday February 24, 2025 1:00pm - 2:30pm CST
Suite 4
  Breakout

1:00pm CST

Region 12 OHS TTA/ICF - Hold
Monday February 24, 2025 1:00pm - 2:30pm CST
TBA
More information coming soon!
Monday February 24, 2025 1:00pm - 2:30pm CST
TBA
  Breakout

1:00pm CST

Region 5 OHS TTA/STGI - Hold
Monday February 24, 2025 1:00pm - 2:30pm CST
TBA
More information coming soon!
Monday February 24, 2025 1:00pm - 2:30pm CST
TBA
  Breakout

1:00pm CST

Supporting Autism in Early Childhood Settings
Monday February 24, 2025 1:00pm - 2:30pm CST
Suite D
"But I'm not a therapist!" This session will equip participants to support children with autism in early childhood settings. Using evidence-based strategies and practical tools, participants will address communication, sensory, and behavioral needs, and learn how to effectively collaborate with care teams. By course end, participants will feel more confident and prepared to work with children with autism.
Speakers
avatar for Anna Barthen

Anna Barthen

Inclusion and Exceptionalities Specialist, Youngstar Connect
Mary Niec is a passionate advocate for quality early care and education. Her career began at Olbrich Botanical Gardens in Madison, WI, where she immersed herself in outdoor education youth programs from 2006 to 2009. Following Olbrich, Mary served as a Lead Teacher and Program Director... Read More →
Monday February 24, 2025 1:00pm - 2:30pm CST
Suite D
  Breakout

1:00pm CST

Supporting Kids with Challenging Pasts (trauma)
Monday February 24, 2025 1:00pm - 2:30pm CST
Suite 5
Let’s explore the monumental task of working with kids who have_x000D_
challenging pasts. We’ll balance theory, research and strategies to up the_x000D_
odds that we handle the toughest of situations without breaking a sweat._x000D_
You will learn powerful insights into:_x000D_
How trauma affects the brain._x000D_
Why the intense and extremely upsetting behaviors seen in some kids represent attempts to self-protect and survive._x000D_
The science behind healthy attachment relationships._x000D_
How to apply Love and Logic strategies
Speakers
CP
Monday February 24, 2025 1:00pm - 2:30pm CST
Suite 5
  Breakout

1:00pm CST

The Four Step Approach to Difficult Conversations
Monday February 24, 2025 1:00pm - 2:30pm CST
Tamerind
Managing difficult conversations can be challenging. The four-step approach offers strategies for promoting positive interactions with families that are collaborative, supportive, and focused on problem-solving. Participants will have the opportunity to practice these strategies and leave with strengthened communication skills that can be used personally and professionally.
Speakers
avatar for Nina Bottomley

Nina Bottomley

Social and Emotional Learning Content Development Specialist, Youngstar Connect
Nina Bottomley is a passionate, driven, and creative educator, coach, and facilitator. She has been inthe educational field for over 15 years teaching 4K, first grade, and second grade. In addition, she hasbeen an instructional coach and, most recently, an Intervention Specialist... Read More →
HO Managing Difficult Conversations with Families pdf
PG FourStepApproachDifficultConv pdf
Monday February 24, 2025 1:00pm - 2:30pm CST
Tamerind
  Breakout

2:30pm CST

Break
Monday February 24, 2025 2:30pm - 3:00pm CST
ABC/FGH
Visit Exhibitors and Grab a Snack!
Monday February 24, 2025 2:30pm - 3:00pm CST
ABC/FGH
  Break

3:00pm CST

Connecting and Communicating with Compassion
Monday February 24, 2025 3:00pm - 4:30pm CST
Suite E
Discover innovative, responsive resources to strengthen the connections with the families in your care. Gain an understanding of learning media and corresponding bilingual, printable materials for working in partnership with families around children’s learning and development. Explore practical strategies for integrating these resources into your daily routines to support whole-child learning and foster meaningful family engagement.
Speakers
JH
Monday February 24, 2025 3:00pm - 4:30pm CST
Suite E
  Breakout

3:00pm CST

Internal Tornados and Trauma: How to Help Calm The Storm
Monday February 24, 2025 3:00pm - 4:30pm CST
Guava
Trauma creates an internal storm of emotions and chaos, typically resulting in significant behavioral dysfunction. This presentation will walk you through a story of experienced childhood trauma, the negative impacts on learning, interpersonal relationships and behaviors, during early childhood development years. Listeners will gain an understanding of how to help calm the storms of those struggling.
Speakers
TA
Monday February 24, 2025 3:00pm - 4:30pm CST
Guava
  Breakout

3:00pm CST

Nature Play for Every Child: Explore PLT’s “Trees & Me”
Monday February 24, 2025 3:00pm - 4:30pm CST
Tamerind
Nature play doesn’t have to be limited to special outdoor schools. Every child deserves to have outdoor exploration in their day! We will get hands-on with Project Learning Tree’s “Trees & Me” curriculum, looking at fun and meaningful ways to bring little learners outside regardless of their location. We will also explore using natural materials for indoor learning. Participants (limit 25) will receive “Trees & Me” and will leave feeling prepared to add more nature play into their curriculum.
Speakers
NF
Monday February 24, 2025 3:00pm - 4:30pm CST
Tamerind
  Breakout

3:00pm CST

Region 12 OHS TTA/ICF - Hold
Monday February 24, 2025 3:00pm - 4:30pm CST
TBA
More information coming soon!
Monday February 24, 2025 3:00pm - 4:30pm CST
TBA
  Breakout

3:00pm CST

Region 5 OHS TTA/STGI - Hold
Monday February 24, 2025 3:00pm - 4:30pm CST
TBA
More information coming soon!
Monday February 24, 2025 3:00pm - 4:30pm CST
TBA
  Breakout

3:00pm CST

Taking the Stress out of Parent Conferences...even the contentious ones
Monday February 24, 2025 3:00pm - 4:30pm CST
Suite 5
Have you ever dreaded a phone call or conference because you just weren’t sure how it would turn out? Today, we’ll build the skills and framework to handle the toughest of situations without breaking a sweat and building better relationships at the same time._x000D_
Explore some ideas and principles that can limit stressful interactions with parents._x000D_
Develop an understanding of why a parent might be upset._x000D_
Discover a 5 step generic plan that you can utilize with upset parents
Speakers
CP
Monday February 24, 2025 3:00pm - 4:30pm CST
Suite 5
  Breakout

5:00pm CST

WHSA Evening Social: Head Start Birthday Party!!!
Monday February 24, 2025 5:00pm - 6:30pm CST
ABC/FGH
Monday February 24, 2025 5:00pm - 6:30pm CST
ABC/FGH
  Special
 
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