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

Advancing in ECE - Chicago Early Learning Workforce Scholarship (CELWS)!

LIMITED

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

Salon 5

Limited Capacity seats available

Learn about the Chicago Early Learning Workforce Scholarship, a citywide initiative supporting aspiring and current early childhood education professionals. This program covers full tuition and book costs at partner institutions, helping Chicagoans grow their careers and strengthen the early learning workforce.

Speakers

Darrell Brown

Manager - Chicago Early Learning Workforce Scholarship, CELWS

Moe Azaan

Manager, Chicago Early Learning Workforce Scholarship

Tuesday August 4, 2026 9:20am - 10:20am CDT
Salon 5

CELWS

11:10am CDT

Annual Nutrition Training for Head Start and Child Care Staff

LIMITED

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

Salon 5

Limited Capacity seats available

As a Nutrition Consultant, an annual training for Head Start and Child Care Programs is a mandatory requirement from CACFP and should focus on compliance, healthy eating environments, and practical staff implementation. Core topics to be covered are: USDA CACFP standards, family-style dining practices, and accommodating special dietary needs of children.

Speakers

Maria Pepito

Nutrition Consultant

Public Health Nutrition has been my passion for many years, starting from the remote villages, teaching mothers on healthy meals and proper nutrition for their families.Coming to the United States, worked with the City of Chicago Department of Health as a Coordinator of WIC, Nutritionist... Read More →

Tuesday August 4, 2026 11:10am - 12:10pm CDT
Salon 5

Nutrition Consultant

1:20pm CDT

Peer to Peer Networking Session: Home visiting

LIMITED

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

Salon 5

Limited Capacity seats available

Speakers

Fredy Carranza

SSC Program Management Quality Unit, DFSS

Former federal reviewer and Adjunct CDA professor at St. Augustine College Currently City of Chicago Children Services Division. Specializing in Systems Evaluation Compliances, Federal and State Eligibility, Human Resources, Health and Safety, Ongoing Monitoring etc.

Tuesday August 4, 2026 1:20pm - 2:20pm CDT
Salon 5

DFSS

3:10pm CDT

Gateways Credentials Overview

LIMITED

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

Salon 5

Limited Capacity seats available

This presentation will provide a general overview of Gateways Credentials and the application process. We'll go over the three Credential components, the Gateways career lattice, how to apply, and what happens after an application is received. A brief walk through the website and the Registry Professional Development Record will be shared. General questions can be addressed but please, no applicant specific questions during the presentation.

Speakers

Stephanie Hellmer - INCCRRA

Program Manager, INCCRRA

Tuesday August 4, 2026 3:10pm - 4:10pm CDT
Salon 5

INCCRRA

2026 DFSS PreService

9:20am CDT

Darrell Brown

Moe Azaan

11:10am CDT

Maria Pepito

1:20pm CDT

Fredy Carranza

3:10pm CDT

Stephanie Hellmer - INCCRRA

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