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

Budget Ready

Wednesday August 5, 2026 9:20am - 11:00am CDT

Salon 6

Do you want to know how not to have you budget help up in the city process? Do you know all the right documentation to send in along with your budget? Come let's talk about the documentation and allow us to explain the reasoning why?

Speakers

Eleni Tianis

Supervisor of Children Services, DFSS CSD

Jacinta Passamentt

Assistant Director Program Admin/Fiscal, DFSS CSD

Angel Jones-Dotson

Simple Servant, DFSS

Dr. Jones-Dotson has worked in the field of H/R, Grants Management, & Auditing for over 30+ years. She is found of learning new things and helping others bridge the gap to what they thought numbers were to what the possibilities of what they could be.

Budget Ready Preservice Training 2026 2027 pdf

Wednesday August 5, 2026 9:20am - 11:00am CDT
Salon 6

DFSS

11:00am CDT

An Overview and Refresher of DFSS Recruitment Plan Template

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

Salon 6

This PDM training is designed to assist agencies in the development of marketing strategies for your program(s). As our work today involves more families with young children, there is an obvious need to reach out and network within Chicago’s communities to accommodate such needs. Providing services for a greater number of families who need Early Childhood Education programs and supportive services is an important goal. This includes meeting or exceeding enrollment targets for your program(s)

Speakers

Ken McGhee

Engagement Manager, Claridgigm Inc.

Wednesday August 5, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm CDT
Salon 6

Claridigm

2:10pm CDT

Observation-Ready: Preparing Programs for High-Quality On-Site Assessments Aligning Staff, Practices and Environments for Success

Wednesday August 5, 2026 2:10pm - 3:45pm CDT

Salon 6

"This workshop is designed to strengthen teacher leaders and administrator capacity to effectively prepare staff, learning environments, and organizational systems for successful on-site observations. Participants will explore strategies for creating a culture of readiness, aligning practices with observation expectations, and utilizing standardized tools to ensure consistency and efficiency throughout the preparation process.

Through guided discussions, practical examples, and collaborative planning, administrators will learn how to support staff, and establish systems that promote confidence and success during on-site visits. By the end of the workshop, participants will leave with actionable tools and a clear framework for preparing their teams and environments for high-quality observations and continuous quality improvement."

Speakers