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2026 DFSS PreService has ended
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
Venue: Salon 12 clear filter
Tuesday, August 4
 

9:20am CDT

Reconnecting with your WHY
Tuesday August 4, 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
DC

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 →
Tuesday August 4, 2026 9:20am - 11:00am CDT
Salon 12
  CLS Comprehensive Services   LLC

11:10am CDT

Classroom Data and Continuous Improvement
Tuesday August 4, 2026 11:10am - 12:10pm CDT
Salon 12
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 sources—child assessments, CLASS observations, attendance patterns, accident and incident data, child health data and daily routines—to make informed decisions that elevate instructional quality and support each child’s growth.
Speakers
avatar for Artiya Nash

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

1:20pm CDT

DFSS CSD FY 26-27 Data Training
Tuesday August 4, 2026 1:20pm - 3:00pm CDT
Salon 12
Did you know about our new enrollment application process through Banyan?  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
CZ
JB

JOCELYN Buchanan

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

Tuesday August 4, 2026 1:20pm - 3:00pm CDT
Salon 12
  DFSS

3:10pm CDT

Everyday Healing: Trauma-Informed Practices in Early Childhood Environments
Tuesday August 4, 2026 3:10pm - 4:10pm CDT
Salon 12

Speakers
avatar for Melissa Moore

Melissa Moore

Director of Behavioral Health, SGA Youth & Family Services
Tuesday August 4, 2026 3:10pm - 4:10pm CDT
Salon 12
  SGA Youth and Family Services
 
Wednesday, August 5
 

11:00am CDT

Juvenile Diabetes
Wednesday August 5, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm CDT
Salon 12
Discuss with teachers about the sign and symptoms of diabetes. How calculated the dosage of insulin using carbs numbers. Give vital information when glucose level is high or low.
Speakers
avatar for stephanie Waites

stephanie Waites

Director, Little Genius Community DCC inc
Wednesday August 5, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm CDT
Salon 12
  Bright Scholars Academy

2:10pm CDT

Redirecting and Reframing Misbehavior
Wednesday August 5, 2026 2:10pm - 3:10pm CDT
Salon 12
We’ve all had students who push limits, struggle to manage their feelings,
or constantly demand attention. This session provides a variety of tools
and strategies for proactive responses, misbehavior prevention, and
modeling desired behaviors.
Moderators
AB

Alisha Bourque

Teachstone

BR

Bibi Rahim

Teachstone
Speakers
avatar for Melissa Wilhelm

Melissa Wilhelm

Teachstone
Wednesday August 5, 2026 2:10pm - 3:10pm CDT
Salon 12
  Teachstone

3:20pm CDT

Non-Federal Match- What Counts
Wednesday August 5, 2026 3:20pm - 4:20pm CDT
Salon 12
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
avatar for Ken McGhee

Ken McGhee

Engagement Manager, Claridgigm Inc.

Wednesday August 5, 2026 3:20pm - 4:20pm CDT
Salon 12
  Claridigm
 
Thursday, August 6
 

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
DC

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
avatar for Artiya Nash

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
ZG

Zakiya Gilliam

Infant Toddler Inclusion Consultant, Erikson Institute

PR

Paulina Razo

Infant/Toddler Consultant, Erikson Insititute
avatar for Pamela Stutzman

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 →
LW

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
 

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