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.

9:20am CDT

Getting to Know Born to Learn: Tools for Home Visiting Success

LIMITED

Tuesday August 4, 2026 9:20am - 11:00am CDT

Salon 1

Limited Capacity seats available

This interactive workshop introduces the next evolution of Parents as Teachers curriculum and platform —Born to Learn®. Participants will explore key features of the platform, including how to locate curriculum materials, tools, and resources to support planning and implementation of family engagement and home visits. Beyond navigation, this workshop focuses on integrating the Born to Learn curriculum and platform into home visiting and family engagement activities. Through guided exploration, reflection, and collaborative activities, participants will practice using the platform to plan intentional, relationship-based visits/interactions that support child and family engagement/programming. We would encourage participants to bring their laptops for hands-on practice.

Speakers

Chevon Townsend-King

Chevon is the Assistant Program Manager for our PLN division at Start Early. She provides in-person and virtual trainings and technical assistance to program staff who work in center-based and home-based programs across Chicago and Illinois. She is also a Parents as Teachers (PAT)... Read More →

Angie Trejo

Technical Assistance and Training Specialist, Start Early

Angelica Trejo, M.A.T, is a Technical Assistance and Training Specialist for Start Early. She partners with early childhood professionals, supports engagement efforts within center-based sites, and is a Parents as Teachers Virtual Foundational and Model Implementation Certified Trainer... Read More →

Griselda Zuluaga

Tuesday August 4, 2026 9:20am - 11:00am CDT
Salon 1

Start Early

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

1:20pm CDT

Conociendo Born to Learn: Herramientas para el éxito en las visitas al hogar

LIMITED

Tuesday August 4, 2026 1:20pm - 3:00pm CDT

Salon 1

Limited Capacity seats available

Este taller interactivo presenta la próxima evolución del programa de estudios y la plataforma de Parents as Teachers—Born to Learn®. Los participantes explorarán las funciones clave de la plataforma, incluyendo cómo localizar materiales del currículo, herramientas y recursos para apoyar la planificación e implementación de visitas al hogar y actividades de participación familiar. Más allá de la navegación, este taller se enfoca en la integración del currículo y la plataforma Born to Learn® en la práctica diaria. A través de exploración guiada, reflexión y actividades colaborativas, los participantes practicarán cómo utilizar la plataforma para planificar visitas e interacciones intencionales, basadas en relaciones, que promuevan la participación de los niños y las familias dentro de su programación.

Speakers

Angie Trejo

Technical Assistance and Training Specialist, Start Early

Griselda Zuluaga

Tuesday August 4, 2026 1:20pm - 3:00pm CDT
Salon 1

Start Early

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

9:20am CDT

GOLD, 0-3, Part 2

LIMITED

Wednesday August 5, 2026 9:20am - 10:20am CDT

Salon 1

Limited Capacity seats available

Speakers

Angela S Johnson

Trainer, Teaching Strategies

Wednesday August 5, 2026 9:20am - 10:20am CDT
Salon 1

Teaching Stategies

11:00am CDT

Begining of Year, 0-3,Part 2

FILLING

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

Salon 1

Limited Capacity filling up

Speakers

Angela S Johnson

Trainer, Teaching Strategies

Wednesday August 5, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm CDT
Salon 1

Teaching Stategies

2:10pm CDT

DFSS CSD FY 26-27 Data Training

LIMITED

Wednesday August 5, 2026 2:10pm - 3:45pm CDT

Salon 1

Limited Capacity seats available

Come see what's new on the attendance form that will roll out September 1st? What new requirements are on the ISBE rpt? Did you hear about PIR this year? Oh, snap let's talk about that data collection.

Speakers

JOCELYN Buchanan

Supervisor of Children Services Division, Department of Family and Support Services

Wednesday August 5, 2026 2:10pm - 3:45pm CDT
Salon 1

DFSS

9:20am CDT

Coaching to Fidelity 0-3

LIMITED

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

Salon 1

Limited Capacity seats available

Speakers

Angela S Johnson

Trainer, Teaching Strategies

Thursday August 6, 2026 9:20am - 10:20am CDT
Salon 1

Teaching Strategies

11:10am CDT

Coaching to Fidelity 3-5

LIMITED

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

Salon 1

Limited Capacity seats available

Speakers

Angela S Johnson

Trainer, Teaching Strategies

Thursday August 6, 2026 11:10am - 12:10pm CDT
Salon 1

Teaching Strategies

1:20pm CDT

What's New for Admins

LIMITED

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

Salon 1

Limited Capacity seats available

Speakers

Angela S Johnson

Trainer, Teaching Strategies

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

Teaching Strategies

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

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 3:10pm - 4:10pm CDT
Salon 1

Claridigm

9:20am CDT

11:10am CDT

1:20pm CDT

3:10pm CDT

9:20am CDT

11:00am CDT

2:10pm CDT

9:20am CDT

11:10am CDT

1:20pm CDT

3:10pm CDT

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