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

“Back to Basics: Home Visiting Safety & Boundaries Refresher”

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

Salon 10

Our session focuses on home visitor safety in Prenatal to Three programs. Whether you are new to home visiting or have many years of experience, safety is something we all continue to navigate. This training is designed to share practical strategies that support your safety and well-being, not to judge past decisions. We'll focus on the knowledge and skills needed for safe, effective, and professional home visits. We'll begin by reviewing key safety considerations and the importance of maintaining professional boundaries. Next, we'll discuss common safety scenarios, reflect on different perspectives, and explore appropriate responses. We'll also review evidence-informed strategies and best practices to help maintain safety, professionalism, and client-centered care. By the end of the session, you'll be better prepared to recognize safety concerns, maintain professional boundaries, and respond confidently during home visits.

Speakers

Chevon Townsend-King

Start Early

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 →

Safety Conversations Handout docx

Questions to Ask Before, During, After a Home Visit docx

DFSS Back to Basics Home Visiting Safety & Boundaries Refresher pdf

Safety Mentiboard QR pdf

Tuesday August 4, 2026 9:20am - 11:00am CDT
Salon 10

Start Early

11:10am CDT

Understanding and Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP)

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

Salon 10

This training will provide participants with an in-depth look at the contents of an Individualized Family Service Plans (IFSP). Participants will learn how to link family outcomes to their curriculum to better plan for and individualize for a child who has an IFSP as well as discuss various adaptations and accommodations that can be made in their classroom to better support the needs of children.

Speakers

Zakiya Gilliam

Infant Toddler Inclusion Consultant, Erikson Institute

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 →

Individualization Example pdf

IFSP Goals Sheets ST, PT, DT pdf

Blank Individualization Form pdf

Smart Teach Teaching Strategies pdf

2026 updated IFSP Indvidualization Training Handouts pdf

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

Erikson Institute

1:20pm CDT

Supporting Interactions to Enhance Literacy Development

Tuesday August 4, 2026 1:20pm - 2:20pm CDT

Salon 10

The process of learning words, sounds, and language is enhanced by the meaningful interactions children
have with the adults and children around them. This session focuses on how educators can develop early
literacy skills and ensure each child is a valued conversational partner through intentional daily interactions

Moderators

Alisha Bourque

Teachstone

Bibi Rahim

Teachstone

Speakers

Melissa Wilhelm

Teachstone

Tuesday August 4, 2026 1:20pm - 2:20pm CDT
Salon 10

Teachstone

3:10pm CDT

Supporting Interactions to Enhance Math Development

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

Salon 10

It is important for educators to understand how educator-child interactions can impact the way children think
and learn about mathematics. This session focuses on supporting educators in promoting early childhood
math concepts through intentional interactions during activities, conversations, and play.

Moderators

Alisha Bourque

Teachstone

Bibi Rahim

Teachstone

Speakers

Monica Barrera

Teachstone

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

Teachstone

9:20am CDT

Interactions that Support Students with Learning Differences

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

Salon 10

A warm, supportive learning environment is of the utmost importance
for every child. This session takes special care to share strategies for
acknowledging learning differences and responding to meet the needs
of every child.

Moderators

Alisha Bourque

Teachstone

Bibi Rahim

Teachstone

Speakers

Melissa Wilhelm

Teachstone

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

Teachstone

11:00am CDT

Focusing on the Purpose During Center Time

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

Salon 10

Educators offer robust learning experiences when they invite active engagement. This session
focuses on ways to offer clear objectives and facilitate purposeful and engaged learning
during center time.

Moderators

Alisha Bourque

Teachstone

Bibi Rahim

Teachstone

Speakers

Melissa Wilhelm

Teachstone

Wednesday August 5, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm CDT
Salon 10

Teachstone

2:10pm CDT

Differentiating Language for Infants, Toddlers, and Preschoolers: Tiny tweaks to create meaningful interactions

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

Salon 10

We all know that language is important for children at all stages of life, but how do we know what’s most meaningful for the youngest children? It doesn’t have to be big, sweeping changes. Using the theories of language development and research-based tools, come discover how small changes in your interactions can maximize language opportunities for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers.

Speakers

Kara Smith

Assessor and Training Specialist, McCormick Institute Center for Early Childhood Leadership

Sharmeen Reyes

Assessor and Training Specialist Center for Early Childhood Leadership., NLU

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

McCormick Institute for Early Childhood at National Louis University

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

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

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