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

Educator Power: Empowering ECE staff to Lead and Advocate for Change

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

Salon 5

This will be a workshop on advocacy and leadership, helping workers understand how to effectively use their voices to help improve early childhood policy and increase public investment in early childhood at the city, state, and federal level. After a successful session last year, we would like to return with added urgency, given unstable funding for many ECE programs. Empowering educators with the skills to lead and advocate for their profession is not only appropriate but essential for sustaining and strengthening the early childhood workforce.

Speakers

Shruthi Kannan

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

SEIU Healthcare Illinois (SEIU HCII)

11:10am CDT

Annual Nutrition Training for Head Start and Child Care Staff

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

Salon 5

As a Nutrition Consultant, an annual training for Head Start and Child Care Programs is a mandatory requirement from CACFP and should focus on compliance, healthy eating environments, and practical staff implementation. Core topics to be covered are: USDA CACFP standards, family-style dining practices, and accommodating special dietary needs of children.

Speakers

Maria Pepito

Nutrition Consultant

Public Health Nutrition has been my passion for many years, starting from the remote villages, teaching mothers on healthy meals and proper nutrition for their families.Coming to the United States, worked with the City of Chicago Department of Health as a Coordinator of WIC, Nutritionist... Read More →

Thursday August 6, 2026 11:10am - 12:10pm CDT
Salon 5

Nutrition Consultant

1:20pm CDT

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

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

Salon 5

"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

Michelle West

Assessor and Training Specialist, McCormick Institute

Katie Gaul

Assessor and Training Specialist, McCormick Institute for Early Childhood

Thursday August 6, 2026 1:20pm - 3:00pm CDT
Salon 5

McCormick Institute for Early Childhood at National Louis University

2026 DFSS PreService

9:20am CDT

Shruthi Kannan

11:10am CDT

Maria Pepito

1:20pm CDT

Michelle West

Katie Gaul

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