Action for Children's 2021 Early Learning Conference: Full Schedule

Welcome to Action for Children’s 2021 Early Learning Conference! Please head to here to purchase tickets.

You may choose one OA eligible keynote and breakout session per time slot. You may also choose from our clinics, networking sessions and Meet the Author session (these do not count towards OA credit).

Be sure to select your session to get the Zoom link to join! Once you’ve added a session to your video stream, a clickable Zoom link will appear in the session description 10 minutes before it starts.

If you have questions, please direct them to conference@actionforchildren.org Thank you and enjoy the conference!

8:00am EDT

Networking Session: Administrators

From safety concerns to staffing challenges, running a facility during a pandemic can often feel like a superhuman task. The good news is, you’re not alone! In this networking session, you’re invited to meet other administrators, exchange ideas, tips, and techniques, and hear how others in the field are overcoming challenges and finding success.

Saturday May 15, 2021 8:00am - 8:30am EDT
Zoom Meeting

Social/Networking

8:00am EDT

Networking Session: Child Care Professionals

Are you a highly skilled professional or student with a passion for early learning and child care? If you’re at this conference, we’re guessing the answer is yes! Whether you’re a veteran in the early education profession, just entering the field, or just want to learn more, join this networking session to connect with like-minded professionals!

Saturday May 15, 2021 8:00am - 8:30am EDT
Zoom Meeting

Social/Networking

8:00am EDT

Networking Session: Family Child Care (FCC) Professionals

We know that operating home-based child care program comes with unique opportunities, needs, and challenges – so we’ve designed a networking session just for you! Join this networking session to connect with other FCC providers, learn about FCC-specific resources, and hear exciting new ideas from your colleagues!

Saturday May 15, 2021 8:00am - 8:30am EDT
Zoom Meeting

Social/Networking

8:45am EDT

Welcoming New Beginnings: Essentials for Our Journey Ahead

Join us as we open this amazing day with our keynote speaker, Valora Washington!

This past year has been unprecedented. We know it will take all of us working together to welcome the new beginnings that are possible post-pandemic. Our current role is to take the essential journey that will make life better for all children and families, as well as for our profession. We begin the journey with the essentials we need to move forward: respect and honor for our colleagues who have shown so much strength under stress; information about who are children and families are, so that we can serve them well; and huge doses of courage, commitment and compassion! Let’s talk together about moving from survival toward sustainability. Let’s leverage this moment into a movement.

Grounded in research underlying child development, frameworks for our profession, and the Alpha Generation (children born since 2010), this session offers participants opportunities to explore new ideas and engage in reflective practice.

Session Presenters

Dr. Valora Washington, Ph.D

Chief Executive Officer & President, The CAYL Institute

Dr. Valora Washington is an internationally recognized authority in early childhood education. She is known for conceptualizing, leading, and executing significant change initiatives impacting policy, programs, and practice in higher education, philanthropy, and national nonprofits... Read More →

Saturday May 15, 2021 8:45am - 10:00am EDT
Zoom Meeting

Keynote

10:15am EDT

Advancing Quality Early Learning in Ohio: Communications and Advocacy Training

Want to elevate your voice for young children in Ohio? The families you serve? The early education workforce? The team at Groundwork Ohio works to educate key decision makers in our state about the importance of quality, early learning and healthy development as the most transformative strategy to increase the life-long success of Ohio's children and lay a strong foundation for economic prosperity in our state. Join us for this interactive virtual session to learn how you can advocate for improvements in Ohio’s quality early learning system.

Make your voice heard!

https://www.votervoice.net/GroundworkOhio/campaigns/84990/respond

Resources for this session can be found here:

Groundwork Ohio Budget Advocacy Website: https://www.groundworkohio.org/budgetadvocacy
Groundwork Ohio Advocacy Toolkit: https://www.groundworkohio.org/advocacytoolkit
Groundwork Ohio Race & Rural Equity Reports: https://www.groundworkohio.org/equity
Additional Groundwork Ohio Reports & Research: https://www.groundworkohio.org/resources

Session Presenters

Julia Jackels, BA

Policy Associate, Groundwork Ohio

Julia Jackels supports the development and implementation of Groundwork’s policy agenda, priorities and strategies through effective communication, advocacy, research and data analysis. Julia provides targeted support to Groundwork’s research and advocacy elevating the early childhood... Read More →

Lynanne Gutierrez, Esq.

Assistant Director and Legal Council, Groundwork Ohio

Lynanne Gutierrez supports Groundwork Ohio’s statewide effort to advance quality early care and education by increasing the quality of and access to evidence-based interventions that support the healthy development of young children and position them for lifelong success. A dedicated... Read More →

Saturday May 15, 2021 10:15am - 11:45am EDT
Zoom Meeting

Breakout Session: Morning

10:15am EDT

Create the Ask, Get the Results: Funding Opportunities

Programs are continually seeking ways to add value to their programs without breaking the budget. This training will provide an overview of funding opportunities through local, corporate and foundation funding streams. Also, providers will learn how to identify their needs in a way that funding streams are likely to provide support and explore how to request funds and services. Additionally, this training will highlight other community resources to enhance child care program operations.

Session Presenters

Patrick Frueh, MOD

Technical Assistance Coach, Action for Children

Patrick Frueh is a Technical Assistance Coach at Action for Children, working with center-based providers. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Education from The Ohio State University and a Master’s Degree in Organization Development from the BGSU College of Business. He has over... Read More →

Saturday May 15, 2021 10:15am - 11:45am EDT
Zoom Meeting

Breakout Session: Morning

10:15am EDT

Make Way for Play

As early childhood educators, we know play is essential for every aspect of children's health and wellbeing. Open-ended creative explorations offer a perfect outlet for play, however not every parent feels comfortable or confident in engaging in such activities. With the current COVID 19 crisis, supporting the adults who support our youngest learners has never been more important. Taking an empathetic and compassionate approach, this session will share strategies and resources to help address for common barriers that keep parents and caregivers from supporting creative play at home and in the classroom.

Resources for this session can be found here: https://padlet.com/crlynch2/2uh8a3rg0kyydcau.

Session Presenters

Cat Lynch, BA

Lead Teaching Artist & Coordinator for Young Child Programming, Columbus Museum of Art

Cat Lynch is an artist-educator at the Columbus Museum of Art where she works with children five years old and under and their grown-ups, including Wonder School, an arts-rich laboratory preschool launched in 2018 in collaboration with Columbus State Community College, Columbus Museum... Read More →

Saturday May 15, 2021 10:15am - 11:45am EDT
Zoom Meeting

Breakout Session: Morning

10:15am EDT

Outdoor Learning to Increase Resiliency

Participants will learn the benefits of including nature in working with young children, analyze where they lie on the nature-based education continuum and create a goal for moving forward on that continuum.

Session Presenters

Meredith Florkey, MA

Principal, Ohio Naturally LLC

Meredith Florkey is a nature-based educator from Dayton, Ohio. Meredith holds a BS in Secondary Education, a MA in TESOL, and a MA certificate in Educational Leadership and Advocacy. She led a team that founded a licensed, three-star nature-based center at an educational farm... Read More →

Saturday May 15, 2021 10:15am - 11:45am EDT
Zoom Meeting

Breakout Session: Morning

10:15am EDT

Resilience: Recalibrating and Re-Orienting During Times of Uncertainty

During a time of uncertainty, we have the opportunity to practice and strengthen our resiliency muscles. This session is a 90 minute session which provides a brief overview of what resiliency is and participants will gain a better understanding of its connection to stress. Participants will explore the concepts of compassion fatigue, secondary trauma and burnout and learn a few strategies to mitigate risk associated with these experiences.

Session Presenters

Kelly Pack, MSW, LISW-S, OIMHP-III

ECMH Regional Master Trainer, Nationwide Children's Hospital

Kelly Pack, MSW, LISW-S is employed by Nationwide Children’s Hospital as a Regional Early Childhood Mental Health Master trainer. Her 30 plus years of experience in the field of community mental health includes case management, counseling, administration, team leadership, teaching... Read More →

Saturday May 15, 2021 10:15am - 11:45am EDT
Zoom Meeting

Breakout Session: Morning

12:00pm EDT

Child Development Associates Certificate (CDA) Clinic

Interested in getting your CDA? Need help putting together your CDA portfolio? Nervous about taking the CDA exam or being observed by a PD Specialist? Then this clinic is for you! Drop in to have all your CDA questions answered by our team of experts in this informal clinic.

Clinic Support Professionals

Natalie Cook, MS

CDA Technical Assistance Specialist, Action for Children

Natalie Cook has a B.A. in International Studies and an M.S. in Outdoor Education. She began her Early Childhood Career as an Assistant Teacher in Head Start and fell in love with the work, learning about the importance of the ECE profession. She then became the Lead Teacher in Head... Read More →

Tammy Freeman, M.Ed

CDA Coordinator, Action for Children

Tamara L. Freeman, has her Masters in Early Childhood Education from The Ohio State University, and has worked as a Child Care Director for over 9 years in Columbus, Ohio. Working in Head Start Programs and with Columbus City Schools, she has over 20 years of experience in Early... Read More →

Saturday May 15, 2021 12:00pm - 12:45pm EDT
Zoom Meeting

Clinic

12:00pm EDT

OCCRRA and TEACH Clinic

In this informal clinic, experts from OCCRRA will be available to offer technical assistance and information about the Ohio Professional Registry and TEACH Scholarships. Register for this clinic and get ready to have your questions answered!

Clinic Support Professionals

Jessica Wuerstl, BA

Scholarship Counselor, Ohio Child Care Resource and Referral Association (OCCRRA)

Jessica Wuerstl received a Bachelors in Educational Studies with a Minor in Human Development and Families. She has served the Early Care and Education field as a private kindergarten teacher and program administrator prior to her employment with OCCRRA. She has been employed with... Read More →

Tiffany Blumhorst, BS

Assistant Director of the Ohio Professional Registry, Ohio Child Care Resource and Referral Association (OCCRRA)

Tiffany Blumhorst has a BS in Human Development from Bowling Green State University. She been the Assistant Director of the Ohio Professional Registry at OCCRRA since 2017. Prior to her time with OCCRRA, she was a center administrator at a Step Up to Quality (SUTQ) highly rated child... Read More →

Saturday May 15, 2021 12:00pm - 12:45pm EDT
Zoom Meeting

Clinic

12:00pm EDT

ODJFS Licensing Clinic

You have the questions, we have the experts! Stop into this clinic to get your licensing questions answered directly from Licensing Specialists from ODJFS.

Clinic Support Professionals

Michelle Vent, BA

Child Care Licensing Supervisor, Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS)

Michelle Vent received her BA in Elementary Education from Wittenberg University and is currently a Child Care Licensing Supervisor with the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS). She has many varied experiences in Child Care and Education including, 8 years’ experience... Read More →

Stephanie Walters, BS

Child Care Licensing Specialist, Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS)

Stephanie Walters is an Child Care Licensing Specialist for Ohio Job and Family Services. She received a BS in Early Childhood Development from University of Cincinnati. She has a long history of work within the Child Care field including almost 7 years’ experience with ODJFS... Read More →

Saturday May 15, 2021 12:00pm - 12:45pm EDT
Zoom Meeting

Clinic

12:00pm EDT

Guided Chat with Dr. Valora Washington

You are invited to share in an interactive conversation with National Speaker and Author Dr. Valora Washington and Action for Children's CEO Dr. Eric Karolak. Submit your questions by emailing conference@actionforchildren.org, or tweet us your question using #AskValora, and tag @Act4kidz.

Session Presenters

Dr. Valora Washington, Ph.D

Chief Executive Officer & President, The CAYL Institute

Dr. Eric Karolak, Ph.D

Chief Executive Officer, Action for Children

Dr. Eric Karolak is Chief Executive Officer of Action for Children, the source for child care and early learning services in central Ohio. Previously, he directed the efforts of the Early Care and Education Consortium (ECEC), an alliance of more than 8,000 early learning programs... Read More →

Saturday May 15, 2021 12:00pm - 12:45pm EDT
Zoom Meeting

Meet the Author

1:00pm EDT

Building Calm Out of Chaos

In the rush to return to normal, use this time to consider which parts of normal are worth rushing back to. In a time when we often have more questions than answers, we hope you can join us to reflect on thoughts that may be helpful in guiding your future work both personally and professionally. In this session we will review ways to sharpen our tools for managing change, increase our circle of influence and direct our energy by focusing our thoughts and deeds.

Session Presenters

Geania Dickey, MPA

Principal, Dot2Dot Consulting

Geania B. Dickey holds a Bachelor of Science in Education and a Master’s in Public Administration. Geania is currently an educational consultant at A-State University and the Principal of Dot2Dot Consulting, LLC. Recent endeavors include facilitation of the State Board of Education’s... Read More →

Saturday May 15, 2021 1:00pm - 2:30pm EDT
Zoom Meeting

Breakout Session: Afternoon

1:00pm EDT

Courageous Conversations: Engaging Children by Supporting Their Curiosity

As an early childhood professional how many times have you been approached by a child with a question, gesture or word that catches you off guard, brings on feelings of confusion and worry or simply leaves you speechless? Courageous Conversations: Engaging Children by Supporting Their Curiosity is a professional development training NOT designed to equip you with a menu of “correct” responses. It was developed to help early childhood professionals embrace these teachable moments with comfort and a level of confidence. Courageous Conversations will provide respectful listening strategies for educators and tips for successful conversations with children on complex topics. During the professional development training, attendees will participate in various activities to put these skills into practice. Courageous Conversations provides supports for valuing children’s unique perspective of our complex world and a toolkit to build a culture of inquiry at your early learning programs and in your homes.

Session Presenters

Simone Ellerson, BS

Case Manager, Action for Children

Simone S. Ellerson is a case manager and early childhood education professional development instructor with Action for Children. Simone has worked in the social services field for over 25 years. Her work includes, lead head start teacher, family services advocate, classroom observer... Read More →

Karen Crockett, MS

Professional Development Coordinator, Action for Children

Karen earned both of her degrees at The Ohio State University, a Bachelor of Arts degree is Music/Music Education, and a Masters of Science degree in Early Childhood Development and Family Sciences. Her profession in Early Care and Education has spanned several decades working in... Read More →

Saturday May 15, 2021 1:00pm - 2:30pm EDT
Zoom Meeting

Breakout Session: Afternoon

1:00pm EDT

High Quality Early Care & Education: Steps to Success with SUTQ

Moving your program to a higher level of quality can be a daunting process. Whether you are an FCC provider or a program administrator/director/lead teacher who will be helping your program prepare for this challenge, this session is designed for you! This session provides a framework to work on achieving and/or maintaining high quality programming, using Step Up to Quality criteria. This overview will help you to understand the process to prepare your staff and program for implementing a curriculum, using screening and assessment tools for enrolled children, and setting program goals using standardized tools.

Session Presenters

Melinda Moreno, BA

Technical Assistance Coach, Action for Children

Melinda Moreno has been in the ECE field for almost 20 years and has been working at Action for Children for 8 years. She advocates for childcare providers and families, with a special focus on Family Child Care and bilingual education. She has worked with several early intervention... Read More →

Saturday May 15, 2021 1:00pm - 2:30pm EDT
Zoom Meeting

Breakout Session: Afternoon

1:00pm EDT

Resilience is Within Reach: Helping Children Bounce Back from the Trauma of COVID

The early childcare setting has been significantly impacted by COVID-19. Trauma-Informed Care teaches us that whenever we experience Adversity, there is an opportunity for Resilience. During this session, participants will learn the 5 Skills of Resilience and will identify specific strategies that can be used in the classroom, school and workplace settings. Together, we can build Resilience in our students and families, and in ourselves! This engaging session will utilize active learning tools and multiple participation modes from attendees. Come ready to contribute!

Session Presenters

Jesse Schroeder, MSW, LISW-S

Lead Community Trainer, Franklin County Family and Children First Council

Jesse A. Schroeder (he/him), LISW-S, is the Lead Community Trainer of Building Better Lives - a brain-trauma informed initiative started by Franklin County Family & Children First Council. He has had the privilege of working with children, students and families in the Central Ohio... Read More →

Saturday May 15, 2021 1:00pm - 2:30pm EDT
Zoom Meeting

Breakout Session: Afternoon

2:35pm EDT

Closing and Sponsor Prizes

You’ve all been waiting – it’s prize time! Stay with us for door prize drawings, special thank you offers from our sponsors, and ways you can continue to connect with Action for Children.

Be sure to choose this session for updated information on the fabulous prizes from our sponsors so you know what you could win just by attending the conference and to join us live for the prize drawings!

Saturday May 15, 2021 2:35pm - 3:00pm EDT
Zoom Meeting

Closing