2026 DFSS PreService: Full Schedule

Welcome to the 2026 3-Day DFSS PreService

📍Palmer House Chicago
17 E Monroe St, Chicago, IL 60603

Breakfast and Registration open at 8:00am
Conference programming from 9:00am -4:10pm

You will be able to validate your attendance (Check-In to sessions) using your personal schedule.

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9:20am CDT

“Back to Basics: Home Visiting Safety & Boundaries Refresher”

LIMITED

Tuesday August 4, 2026 9:20am - 11:00am CDT

Salon 10

Limited Capacity seats available

This training provides home visiting professionals with practical tools and strategies to maintain clear professional boundaries while ensuring personal safety in the f ield. Working in participant’s homes presents unique challenges, and this session is designed to help staff navigate those environments with confidence, consistency, and care. Participants will explore what professional boundaries look like in home-based services and why they are essential for building respectful, effective relationships. In addition, the session will focus on safety awareness before, during, and after home visits. Participants will learn how to assess risk, recognize warning signs, apply situational awareness, and use practical strategies for safe entry, engagement, and exit.

Speakers

Chevon Townsend-King

Chevon is the Assistant Program Manager for our PLN division at Start Early. She provides in-person and virtual trainings and technical assistance to program staff who work in center-based and home-based programs across Chicago and Illinois. She is also a Parents as Teachers (PAT)... Read More →

Tuesday August 4, 2026 9:20am - 11:00am CDT
Salon 10

Start Early

11:10am CDT

Understanding and Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP)

FILLING

Tuesday August 4, 2026 11:10am - 12:10pm CDT

Salon 10

Limited Capacity filling up

This training will provide participants with an in-depth look at the contents of an Individualized Family Service Plans (IFSP). Participants will learn how to link family outcomes to their curriculum to better plan for and individualize for a child who has an IFSP as well as discuss various adaptations and accommodations that can be made in their classroom to better support the needs of children.

Speakers

Zakiya Gilliam

Infant Toddler Inclusion Consultant, Erikson Institute

Pamela Stutzman

Infant Toddler Inclusion Project Consultant, Erikson Institute

I'm a former school social worker and administrator. I have 20 years of experience working in public schools with a focus on early childhood and early childhood special education. I am excited to be a part of the Infant Toddler Inclusion Project (ITIP) as a Consultant at Erikson Institute... Read More →

Tuesday August 4, 2026 11:10am - 12:10pm CDT
Salon 10

Erikson Institute

1:20pm CDT

Supporting Interactions to Enhance Literacy Development

LIMITED

Tuesday August 4, 2026 1:20pm - 2:20pm CDT

Salon 10

Limited Capacity seats available

The process of learning words, sounds, and language is enhanced by the meaningful interactions children
have with the adults and children around them. This session focuses on how educators can develop early
literacy skills and ensure each child is a valued conversational partner through intentional daily interactions

Moderators

Alisha Bourque

Teachstone

Bibi Rahim

Teachstone

Speakers

Melissa Wilhelm

Teachstone

Tuesday August 4, 2026 1:20pm - 2:20pm CDT
Salon 10

Teachstone

3:10pm CDT

Supporting Interactions to Enhance Math Development

LIMITED

Tuesday August 4, 2026 3:10pm - 4:10pm CDT

Salon 10

Limited Capacity seats available

It is important for educators to understand how educator-child interactions can impact the way children think
and learn about mathematics. This session focuses on supporting educators in promoting early childhood
math concepts through intentional interactions during activities, conversations, and play.

Moderators

Teachstone

2026 DFSS PreService

9:20am CDT

Chevon Townsend-King

11:10am CDT

Zakiya Gilliam

Pamela Stutzman

1:20pm CDT

Alisha Bourque

Bibi Rahim

Melissa Wilhelm

3:10pm CDT

Alisha Bourque

Bibi Rahim

Monica Barrera

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