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.

11:10am CDT

Classroom Data and Continuous Improvement

LIMITED

Tuesday August 4, 2026 11:10am - 12:10pm CDT

Salon 12

Limited Capacity seats available

This PDM training will This training helps Head Start educators build the skills and confidence needed to use classroom level data as a powerful tool for reflection, planning, and continuous improvement. Participants learn how to collect, interpret, and apply data from multiple sourcesâ€”child assessments, CLASS observations, attendance patterns, accident and incident data, child health data and daily routinesâ€”to make informed decisions that elevate instructional quality and support each childâ€™s growth.

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 →

Tuesday August 4, 2026 11:10am - 12:10pm CDT
Salon 12

Claridigm

11:10am CDT

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

LIMITED

Tuesday August 4, 2026 11:10am - 12:10pm CDT

Salon 1

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

Tuesday August 4, 2026 11:10am - 12:10pm CDT
Salon 1

Claridigm

3:10pm CDT

Data Integrity 101

LIMITED

Tuesday August 4, 2026 3:10pm - 4:10pm CDT

Salon 8

Limited Capacity seats available

This is a practical, nonprofitâ€‘friendly training that teaches staff how to recognize and avoid the most common cyber threatsâ€”especially emailâ€‘based attacks like phishing, spoofing, and malware. Participants learn simple, repeatable habits to protect sensitive child and family data, strengthen organizational security, and reduce risk without needing technical expertise.

Speakers

Phil Maclin

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

Tuesday August 4, 2026 3:10pm - 4:10pm CDT
Salon 8

Claridigm

3:10pm CDT

Enhancing the Election Process for Policy Committee Members

LIMITED

Tuesday August 4, 2026 3:10pm - 4:10pm CDT

Salon 1

Limited Capacity seats available

"This PDM training will will focus on board and policy committee approval responsibilities, documenting board and PC approvals; and structures and
This workshop will equip agency with supports to help them set the stage for policy committee elections from orientation to nomination to elections. Helping parents to campaign to serve on policy committee and policy council."

Speakers

Ken McGhee

Engagement Manager, Claridgigm Inc.

Tuesday August 4, 2026 3:10pm - 4:10pm CDT
Salon 1

Claridigm

3:10pm CDT

Mental Health Awareness

FILLING

Tuesday August 4, 2026 3:10pm - 4:10pm CDT

Salon 2

Limited Capacity filling up

This PDM training will equip participants with a basic understanding of mental health challenges and offer information on how to provide support. Depression, Anxiety and suicide will be discussed in greater detail.

Speakers

Rochelle McGhee

Tuesday August 4, 2026 3:10pm - 4:10pm CDT
Salon 2

Claridigm

11:00am CDT

An Overview and Refresher of DFSS Recruitment Plan Template

LIMITED

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

Salon 6

Limited Capacity seats available

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

11:00am CDT

SharePoint 101: Building a Collaborative Workspace

LIMITED

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

Salon 8

Limited Capacity seats available

An accessible introduction to using SharePoint as a central hub for program documents, communication, and teamwork. Staff learn how to navigate a SharePoint site, upload and organize files, manage permissions, and collaborate in real timeâ€”helping Early Childhood and Head Start teams reduce paper, streamline workflows, and stay aligned across classrooms and departments.

Speakers

Phil Maclin

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

Wednesday August 5, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm CDT
Salon 8

Claridigm

3:20pm CDT

Facilities and Safe Environments

FULL

Wednesday August 5, 2026 3:20pm - 4:20pm CDT

Salon 8

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

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

Wednesday August 5, 2026 3:20pm - 4:20pm CDT
Salon 8

Claridigm

3:20pm CDT

Non-Federal Match- What Counts

LIMITED

Wednesday August 5, 2026 3:20pm - 4:20pm CDT

Salon 12

Limited Capacity seats available

This PDM training will provide Key takeaway about what counts as non-federal match for DFSS ECE programs, and how to document/ value match

Speakers

Ken McGhee

Engagement Manager, Claridgigm Inc.

Wednesday August 5, 2026 3:20pm - 4:20pm CDT
Salon 12

Claridigm

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

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

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