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

New Head Start Disabilities Coordinators Training

LIMITED

Wednesday August 5, 2026 9:20am - 10:20am CDT

Salon 4

Limited Capacity seats available

Participants will learn about the key components of the role of the Head Start Disabilities Services Coordinator including the recruitment, enrollment, screening, referral, service delivery, advocacy and transition of students with suspected and identified disabilities ages 3-5 years.

Speakers

Gina Pacella

CPS-DFSS Disabilities Subject Matter Expert (SME) & Liaison, CPS-DFSS Disabilities Team

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

CPS-DFSS Disabilities Liaison

11:00am CDT

Individualization through an Observation Lens

LIMITED

Wednesday August 5, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm CDT

Salon 4

Limited Capacity seats available

This workshop will focus on planning for all childrens learning skills using observation.
Participants will learn how to write observations, reflections, and plans. Will also learn how to
develop learning activities for each individualized child based on their skill development to
support learning in the classroom environment.

Speakers

Vincent Rodriguez

Christopher House Inclusion Coordinator, Christopher House

Vincent has over 30 years of experience working in the field of early childhood and with Diverse learners’ students. He is currently the Diverse Learners Coordinator for Christopher House Early Childhood school and Trainer/Consultant at Simple Solutions Educational services .He... Read More →

Wednesday August 5, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm CDT
Salon 4

Christopher House

2:10pm CDT

New Head Start Disabilities Coordinators Training

LIMITED

Wednesday August 5, 2026 2:10pm - 3:10pm CDT

Salon 4

Limited Capacity seats available

Speakers

Gina Pacella

CPS-DFSS Disabilities Subject Matter Expert (SME) & Liaison, CPS-DFSS Disabilities Team

Wednesday August 5, 2026 2:10pm - 3:10pm CDT
Salon 4

CPS-DFSS Disabilities Liaison

3:20pm CDT

Strategies to Support Dual Language Learners (Sp)

LIMITED

Wednesday August 5, 2026 3:20pm - 4:20pm CDT

Salon 4

Limited Capacity seats available

Global perspectives provide an invaluable opportunity to encourage
children’s linguistic and intellectual development. This session stresses
the power of using rich, high-quality language with children and provides
concrete strategies for promoting bilingualism in classrooms.

Moderators

Teachstone

2026 DFSS PreService

9:20am CDT

Gina Pacella

11:00am CDT

Vincent Rodriguez

2:10pm CDT

Gina Pacella

3:20pm CDT

Alisha Bourque

Bibi Rahim

Monica Barrera

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