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

Reconnecting with your WHY

Thursday August 6, 2026 9:20am - 11:00am CDT

Salon 12

"Early childhood professionals do more than teach, guide, and care for young children. They help shape the foundation for how children feel seen, supported, and prepared to engage with the world. Yet the work can be emotionally demanding, physically exhausting, and deeply challenging, especially when staff are navigating burnout, stress, shifting expectations, and the everyday realities of serving children and families with complex needs.

This interactive workshop invites early childhood staff to pause, reflect, and reconnect with the passion and purpose that brought them to this work. Through guided reflection, meaningful discussion, and practical self-awareness activities, participants will explore their personal “why,” identify the values that continue to drive their commitment, and examine how purpose can serve as an anchor during difficult seasons.

"

Speakers

Dr. Carla Stewart

CEO, Counselor, and Assistant Professor, CLS Comprehensive Services & National Louis University

Dr. Carla L. Stewart, Ed.D, NCC, PEL, LCPC, is a renowned mental health educator, counselor, and advocate, celebrated for her dedication to supporting diverse communities. With an Ed.D in Counselor Education and Supervision from Argosy University, Dr. Stewart merges her comprehensive... Read More →

Thursday August 6, 2026 9:20am - 11:00am CDT
Salon 12

CLS Comprehensive Services LLC

11:10am CDT

Facilities and Safe Environments

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

Salon 12

This PDM training will This training equips Head Start staff with the knowledge and practical skills needed to maintain safe, healthy, and developmentally appropriate environments across all program facilities. Participants explore the environmental health and safety requirements outlined in the Head Start Program Performance Standards (HSPPS), including building safety, sanitation, hazard prevention, emergency preparedness, and ongoing monitoring systems.

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 11:10am - 12:10pm CDT
Salon 12

Claridigm

1:20pm CDT

Sensory Play: Define and Explore

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

Salon 12

This training will focus on understanding our sensory system, defining sensory profile and preferences as participants and for 0-3 yr olds, and incorporating what is learned into activities to support sensory development utilizing materials easily found in EHS classrooms.

Speakers

Zakiya Gilliam

Infant Toddler Inclusion Consultant, Erikson Institute

Paulina Razo

Infant/Toddler Consultant, Erikson Insititute

Pamela Stutzman

Infant Toddler Inclusion Project Consultant, Erikson Institute

I'm a former school social worker and administrator. I have 20 years of experience working in public schools with a focus on early childhood and early childhood special education. I am excited to be a part of the Infant Toddler Inclusion Project (ITIP) as a Consultant at Erikson Institute... Read More →

LaToya Williamson

Infant Toddler Inclusion Consultant, Erikson Institute

Handouts Sensory Play DFSS 8.2026 pdf

Thursday August 6, 2026 1:20pm - 3:00pm CDT
Salon 12

Erikson Institute

2026 DFSS PreService

9:20am CDT

Dr. Carla Stewart

11:10am CDT

Artiya Nash

1:20pm CDT

Zakiya Gilliam

Paulina Razo

Pamela Stutzman

LaToya Williamson

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