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.

arrow_back View All Dates

9:20am CDT

On-Boarding Best Practices for CEL Programs

LIMITED

Thursday August 6, 2026 9:20am - 10:20am CDT

Salon 2

Limited Capacity seats available

This PDM training will be an interactive discussion regarding onboarding best practices and program expectations for new and promoted staff. Programs will be able to enhance and/or develop onboarding plans that meet the CELs 2.0 program regulations.

Speakers

Ken McGhee

Engagement Manager, Claridgigm Inc.

Thursday August 6, 2026 9:20am - 10:20am CDT
Salon 2

Claridigm

11:10am CDT

Does Multitasking Truly Exist

LIMITED

Thursday August 6, 2026 11:10am - 12:10pm CDT

Salon 8

Limited Capacity seats available

This PDM training will allow participants to reflect on the many roles they juggle each day. Through discussion and hands-on activities, participants will explore practical strategies for managing competing priorities, staying organized, and maintaining a positive and effective work environment.

Speakers

Leslie Hampton

Thursday August 6, 2026 11:10am - 12:10pm CDT
Salon 8

Claridigm

11:10am CDT

From Data to Insights: Building Performance Dashboards for ECE Management using Execl

LIMITED

Thursday August 6, 2026 11:10am - 12:10pm CDT

Salon 9

Limited Capacity seats available

This PDM training is designed to help those who struggle with "data overload," spending hours manually compiling monthly reports on student attendance and developmental milestones. By learning to use Excelâ€™s PivotTables, Slicers, and Charts, staff can automate the transformation of raw data into a visual dashboard. This enables the agency to instantly visualize performance trends across different age groups or classrooms. The result is a significant reduction in administrative hours and a clearer understanding of where additional resources or interventions are needed to improve child outcomes.

Speakers

Rich Kerr

Thursday August 6, 2026 11:10am - 12:10pm CDT
Salon 9

Claridigm

11:10am CDT

Managing Stress

FULL

Thursday August 6, 2026 11:10am - 12:10pm CDT

Salon 3

Limited Capacity full
Adding this to your schedule will put you on the waitlist.

This PDM training is designed to help participants understand the stress response system, reduce vulnerability to stressors, and gain skills to effectively cope with stress.

Speakers

Rochelle McGhee

Thursday August 6, 2026 11:10am - 12:10pm CDT
Salon 3

Claridigm

11:10am CDT

Optimizing Your Online Presence for Mission Impact

LIMITED

Thursday August 6, 2026 11:10am - 12:10pm CDT

Salon 10

Limited Capacity seats available

A strategic overview of how nonprofits can use their website and social media channels to advance organizational goals. This training helps teams strengthen community trust, improve parent engagement, highlight program successes, and support recruitment efforts by applying simple, effective digital communication practices tailored to early childhood services.

Speakers

Phil Maclin

Sr. Client Delivery Manager, https://www.claridigm.com/

Thursday August 6, 2026 11:10am - 12:10pm CDT
Salon 10

Claridigm

1:20pm CDT

Active Supervision

LIMITED

Thursday August 6, 2026 1:20pm - 2:20pm CDT

Salon 2

Limited Capacity seats available

This PDM training will This training provides Head Start staff with a comprehensive, practice based understanding of Active Supervision, the mandated approach for keeping children safe at all times across all program settings. Participants learn how to implement the six core strategiesâ€”Set Up the Environment, Position Staff, Scan and Count, Listen, Anticipate Childrenâ€™s Behavior, and Engage and Redirectâ€”to prevent injuries, reduce risk, and create a culture of safety.

Speakers

Artiya Nash

Consultant, Claridigm

With over twenty-five years of experience as an Early Childhood Administrator, Artiya has a wealth of experience in designing and managing Head Start/Early Head Start and State Pre- K Programs. She has served as a District Director of Child Lab Centers for City Colleges of Chicago... Read More →

Thursday August 6, 2026 1:20pm - 2:20pm CDT
Salon 2

Claridigm

1:20pm CDT

An Embedded Approach to Health and Safety

LIMITED

Thursday August 6, 2026 1:20pm - 2:20pm CDT

Salon 4

Limited Capacity seats available

This PDM training will help staff explore simple ways to weave health and safety practices into everyday routines, activities, and interactions with children. Designed for early childhood educators and youth staff, participants will gain practical strategies to create safe, healthy, and supportive environments where children can thrive.

Speakers

Leslie Hampton

Thursday August 6, 2026 1:20pm - 2:20pm CDT
Salon 4

Claridigm

3:10pm CDT

Building A Co Regulated Classroom - Classroom Management

FULL

Thursday August 6, 2026 3:10pm - 4:10pm CDT

Salon 1

Limited Capacity full
Adding this to your schedule will put you on the waitlist.

This PDM training will This training helps Head Start staff understand how to create a co regulated classroom environmentâ€”a space where adults intentionally model calm, connection, and emotional stability so children can develop their own self regulation skills. Participants explore the science of co regulation, including stress responses, brain development, and the adultâ€™s role as a regulatory partner. The session emphasizes how consistent, responsive, and attuned interactions form the foundation for childrenâ€™s emotional security and positive behavior.

Speakers