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

Getting Started with CLASS (Eng)

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

Salon 10

Designed for educators who are newer to CLASS concepts,
this session offers CLASS basics and describes how educators,
leaders, and coaches can use them to develop better, more
meaningful interactions with children

Moderators

Alisha Bourque

Teachstone

Bibi Rahim

Teachstone

Speakers

Liana Ondra

CLASS Specialist, Teachstone

Liana has over 10 years of experience working in Early Childhood. She earned a Master's degree in Early Childhood Education from Liberty University and has worked in classrooms in both private and public ECE programs. She has also worked as an Instructional Coach with Head Start and... Read More →

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

Teachstone

11:10am CDT

Optimizing Your Online Presence for Mission Impact

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

Salon 10

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

Creating BLISS: In Our Childcare Interactions: A Reflective Journey of Connection and Insight

Thursday August 6, 2026 1:20pm - 3:00pm CDT

Salon 10

This is a self-challenging tool for childcare providers to use to challenge themselves to reach excellence in their daily caregiving practices.

Speakers

Leslie Holycross

Early Childhood Trainer, SEIU

Leslie Holycross is an early childhood trainer, consultant, and lifelong educator dedicated to supporting family childcare providers. After 35years as a public-school teacher, she now focuses on empowering caregivers through practical, relationship-centered training grounded in real-life... Read More →

Thursday August 6, 2026 1:20pm - 3:00pm CDT
Salon 10

SEIU

2026 DFSS PreService

9:20am CDT

Alisha Bourque

Bibi Rahim

Liana Ondra

11:10am CDT

Phil Maclin

1:20pm CDT

Leslie Holycross

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