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2026 DFSS PreService
Welcome to the 2026 3-Day DFSS PreService

đź“ŤPalmer 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 2 clear filter
Tuesday, August 4
 

9:20am CDT

For Federal Funding Agencies. ERSEA (Eligibility, Recruitment, Selection, Enrollment and Attendance)
FILLING
Tuesday August 4, 2026 9:20am - 10:20am CDT
Salon 2
Limited Capacity filling up
Review of Early Childhood Federal Funding Head Start and Early Head Start Standards.
Speakers
avatar for Fredy Carranza

Fredy Carranza

SSC Program Management Quality Unit, DFSS
Former federal reviewer and Adjunct CDA professor at St. Augustine College Currently City of Chicago Children Services Division. Specializing in Systems Evaluation Compliances, Federal and State Eligibility, Human Resources, Health and Safety, Ongoing Monitoring etc.
Tuesday August 4, 2026 9:20am - 10:20am CDT
Salon 2
  DFSS

11:10am CDT

For State Funded Agencies. PI/HB (Private Initiative Home Base Program Model)
LIMITED
Tuesday August 4, 2026 11:10am - 12:10pm CDT
Salon 2
Limited Capacity seats available
To provide State Implementation Requirements, Record-keeping and Reporting.
Speakers
avatar for Fredy Carranza

Fredy Carranza

SSC Program Management Quality Unit, DFSS
Former federal reviewer and Adjunct CDA professor at St. Augustine College Currently City of Chicago Children Services Division. Specializing in Systems Evaluation Compliances, Federal and State Eligibility, Human Resources, Health and Safety, Ongoing Monitoring etc.
Tuesday August 4, 2026 11:10am - 12:10pm CDT
Salon 2
  DFSS

1:20pm CDT

Strategies for Supporting Educators Well Being
LIMITED
Tuesday August 4, 2026 1:20pm - 2:20pm CDT
Salon 2
Limited Capacity seats available
Providing emotional support to educators is essential for promoting a healthy, responsive learning environment.
This session will offer CLASS-based strategies and proactive tips for supporting educators’ well-being.
Moderators
AB

Alisha Bourque

Teachstone

BR

Bibi Rahim

Teachstone
Speakers
avatar for Monica Barrera

Monica Barrera

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

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
RM
Tuesday August 4, 2026 3:10pm - 4:10pm CDT
Salon 2
  Claridigm
 
Wednesday, August 5
 

9:20am CDT

Planning with Purpose: The Importance of Effective Lesson Planning and Timely Documentation
LIMITED
Wednesday August 5, 2026 9:20am - 10:20am CDT
Salon 2
Limited Capacity seats available
Creating intentional lesson plans and completing documentation in a timely manner are essential components of high-quality early childhood education. This presentation will highlight how effective planning supports individualized instruction, promotes meaningful learning experiences, and ensures alignment with curriculum goals and child outcomes. Participants will also explore the importance of accurate and consistent documentation in tracking children’s progress, supporting assessments, maintaining compliance, and strengthening communication with families and stakeholders. Through practical strategies and real-world examples, educators will gain tools to improve organization, accountability, and overall classroom success.
Speakers
avatar for Natasha Belt

Natasha Belt

Quality Education Service Coordinator, City of Chicago Department of Family Support Services
Natasha, born on April 28, 1982, in Altgeld Gardens, found her purpose early on in community service and music. From choir to martial arts, she embraced every opportunity at Grissom Elementary and Corliss High School. Graduating from Jackson State University in 2005, her trumpet echoed... Read More →
Wednesday August 5, 2026 9:20am - 10:20am CDT
Salon 2
  DFSS

11:00am CDT

Quality Support Service Coordinator
LIMITED
Wednesday August 5, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm CDT
Salon 2
Limited Capacity seats available
Creating intentional lesson plans and completing documentation in a timely manner are essential components of high-quality early childhood education. This presentation will highlight how effective planning supports individualized instruction, promotes meaningful learning experiences, and ensures alignment with curriculum goals and child outcomes. Participants will also explore the importance of accurate and consistent documentation in tracking children’s progress, supporting assessments, maintaining compliance, and strengthening communication with families and stakeholders. Through practical strategies and real-world examples, educators will gain tools to improve organization, accountability, and overall classroom success.
Speakers
avatar for Natasha Belt

Natasha Belt

Quality Education Service Coordinator, City of Chicago Department of Family Support Services
Natasha, born on April 28, 1982, in Altgeld Gardens, found her purpose early on in community service and music. From choir to martial arts, she embraced every opportunity at Grissom Elementary and Corliss High School. Graduating from Jackson State University in 2005, her trumpet echoed... Read More →
Wednesday August 5, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm CDT
Salon 2
  DFSS

2:10pm CDT

Why Interactions Matter (Eng)
LIMITED
Wednesday August 5, 2026 2:10pm - 3:10pm CDT
Salon 2
Limited Capacity seats available
In this session, participants will further their understanding of
Early Childhood Education and Developmentally Appropriate
Practice. Educators, principals, and instructional leaders will
learn to identify and communicate the impact of effective
educator-child interactions.
Moderators
AB

Alisha Bourque

Teachstone

BR

Bibi Rahim

Teachstone
Speakers
avatar for Liana Ondra

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

3:20pm CDT

Strategies to Support Dual Language Learners (Eng)
LIMITED
Wednesday August 5, 2026 3:20pm - 4:20pm CDT
Salon 2
Limited Capacity seats available
Global perspectives provide an invaluable opportunity to encourage
children’s linguistic and intellectual development. This session stresses
the power of using rich, high-quality language with children and provides
concrete strategies for promoting bilingualism in classrooms.
Moderators
AB

Alisha Bourque

Teachstone

BR

Bibi Rahim

Teachstone
Speakers
avatar for Liana Ondra

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 →
Wednesday August 5, 2026 3:20pm - 4:20pm CDT
Salon 2
  Teachstone
 
Thursday, August 6
 

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
avatar for Ken McGhee

Ken McGhee

Engagement Manager, Claridgigm Inc.

Thursday August 6, 2026 9:20am - 10:20am CDT
Salon 2
  Claridigm

11:10am CDT

Strategies for Supporting Educators Well Being
LIMITED
Thursday August 6, 2026 11:10am - 12:10pm CDT
Salon 2
Limited Capacity seats available
Providing emotional support to educators is essential for promoting a healthy, responsive learning environment.
This session will offer CLASS-based strategies and proactive tips for supporting educators’ well-being.
Moderators
AB

Alisha Bourque

Teachstone

BR

Bibi Rahim

Teachstone
Speakers
avatar for Monica Barrera

Monica Barrera

Teachstone
Thursday August 6, 2026 11:10am - 12:10pm CDT
Salon 2
  Teachstone

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 strategies—Set Up the Environment, Position Staff, Scan and Count, Listen, Anticipate Children’s Behavior, and Engage and Redirect—to prevent injuries, reduce risk, and create a culture of safety.
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 1:20pm - 2:20pm CDT
Salon 2
  Claridigm

3:10pm CDT

Family Engagement and Connection
FILLING
Thursday August 6, 2026 3:10pm - 4:10pm CDT
Salon 2
Limited Capacity filling up
This session focuses on meaningful ways to engage with
families. Attendees will learn about effective classroom
practices and concrete strategies for promoting connection
and communication with families
Moderators
AB

Alisha Bourque

Teachstone

BR

Bibi Rahim

Teachstone
Speakers
avatar for Liana Ondra

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 3:10pm - 4:10pm CDT
Salon 2
  Teachstone
 

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