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2026 DFSS PreService has ended
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 4 clear filter
Tuesday, August 4
 

9:20am CDT

GOLD, 0-3, Part 1
Tuesday August 4, 2026 9:20am - 10:20am CDT
Salon 4
Speakers
AS

Angela S Johnson

Trainer, Teaching Strategies
Tuesday August 4, 2026 9:20am - 10:20am CDT
Salon 4
  Teaching Stategies

11:10am CDT

Begining of Year, 0-3,Part 1
Tuesday August 4, 2026 11:10am - 12:10pm CDT
Salon 4
Speakers
AS

Angela S Johnson

Trainer, Teaching Strategies
Tuesday August 4, 2026 11:10am - 12:10pm CDT
Salon 4
  Teaching Stategies

1:20pm CDT

What's New in SmartTeach, 0-3, Part 1
Tuesday August 4, 2026 1:20pm - 2:20pm CDT
Salon 4
Speakers
AS

Angela S Johnson

Trainer, Teaching Strategies
Tuesday August 4, 2026 1:20pm - 2:20pm CDT
Salon 4
  Teaching Stategies

3:10pm CDT

What's New in SmartTeach, 0-3, Part 2
Tuesday August 4, 2026 3:10pm - 4:10pm CDT
Salon 4
Speakers
AS

Angela S Johnson

Trainer, Teaching Strategies
Tuesday August 4, 2026 3:10pm - 4:10pm CDT
Salon 4
  Teaching Strategies
 
Wednesday, August 5
 

9:20am CDT

New Head Start Disabilities Coordinators Training
Wednesday August 5, 2026 9:20am - 10:20am CDT
Salon 4
Participants will learn about the key components of the role of the Head Start Disabilities Services Coordinator including the recruitment, enrollment, screening, referral, service delivery, advocacy and transition of students with suspected and identified disabilities ages 3-5 years.
Speakers
GP

Gina Pacella

CPS-DFSS Disabilities Subject Matter Expert (SME) & Liaison, CPS-DFSS Disabilities Team
Wednesday August 5, 2026 9:20am - 10:20am CDT
Salon 4
  CPS-DFSS Disabilities Liaison

11:00am CDT

Individualization through an Observation Lens
Wednesday August 5, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm CDT
Salon 4
This workshop will focus on planning for all childrens learning skills using observation.
Participants will learn how to write observations, reflections, and plans. Will also learn how to
develop learning activities for each individualized child based on their skill development to
support learning in the classroom environment.
Speakers
avatar for Vincent Rodriguez

Vincent Rodriguez

Christopher House Inclusion Coordinator, Christopher House
Vincent has over 30 years of experience working in the field of early childhood and with Diverse learners’ students. He is currently the Diverse Learners Coordinator for Christopher House Early Childhood school and Trainer/Consultant at Simple Solutions Educational services .He... Read More →
Wednesday August 5, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm CDT
Salon 4
  Christopher House

2:10pm CDT

New Head Start Disabilities Coordinators Training
Wednesday August 5, 2026 2:10pm - 3:10pm CDT
Salon 4
Participants will learn about the key components of the role of the Head Start Disabilities Services Coordinator including the recruitment, enrollment, screening, referral, service delivery, advocacy and transition of students with suspected and identified disabilities ages 3-5 years.
Speakers
GP

Gina Pacella

CPS-DFSS Disabilities Subject Matter Expert (SME) & Liaison, CPS-DFSS Disabilities Team
Wednesday August 5, 2026 2:10pm - 3:10pm CDT
Salon 4
  CPS-DFSS Disabilities Liaison

3:20pm CDT

Strategies to Support Dual Language Learners (Sp)
Wednesday August 5, 2026 3:20pm - 4:20pm CDT
Salon 4
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 Monica Barrera

Monica Barrera

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

9:20am CDT

Developmental Milestones and Strategies to Support Growth (Part 1)
Thursday August 6, 2026 9:20am - 10:20am CDT
Salon 4
This training will provide participants with a review of the developmental milestones from 0-3 years old along with strategies to support children’s growth in the areas of communication, fine and gross motor, social emotional and cognitive development.
Speakers
LW

LaToya Williamson

Infant Toddler Inclusion Consultant, Erikson Institute
ZG

Zakiya Gilliam

Infant Toddler Inclusion Consultant, Erikson Institute

2026 Developmentally Appropriate Practice Handouts pdf
Thursday August 6, 2026 9:20am - 10:20am CDT
Salon 4
  Erikson Institute

11:10am CDT

Developmental Milestones and Strategies to Support Growth (Part 2)
Thursday August 6, 2026 11:10am - 12:10pm CDT
Salon 4
This training will provide participants with a review of the developmental milestones from 0-3 years old along with strategies to support children’s growth in the areas of communication, fine and gross motor, social emotional and cognitive development.
Speakers
ZG

Zakiya Gilliam

Infant Toddler Inclusion Consultant, Erikson Institute

LW

LaToya Williamson

Infant Toddler Inclusion Consultant, Erikson Institute
2026 Developmentally Appropriate Practice Handouts pdf
Thursday August 6, 2026 11:10am - 12:10pm CDT
Salon 4
  Erikson Institute

1:20pm CDT

An Embedded Approach to Health and Safety
Thursday August 6, 2026 1:20pm - 2:20pm CDT
Salon 4
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
LH
Thursday August 6, 2026 1:20pm - 2:20pm CDT
Salon 4
  Claridigm

2:30pm CDT

General Q & A
Thursday August 6, 2026 2:30pm - 3:30pm CDT
Salon 4

Speakers
AS

Angela S Johnson

Trainer, Teaching Strategies
Thursday August 6, 2026 2:30pm - 3:30pm CDT
Salon 4
  Teaching Strategies
 

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  • Bright Scholars Academy
  • CELWS
  • CFL
  • Christopher House
  • City of Chicago
  • Claridigm
  • CLS Comprehensive Services
  • CPS-DFSS Disabilities Liaison
  • Department of Water Management
  • DFSS
  • Dolly Parton's Imagination Library
  • Erikson Institute
  • Globetrotters Engineering Corporation
  • INCCRRA
  • LLC
  • McCormick Institute for Early Childhood at National Louis University
  • Nutrition Consultant
  • SEIU
  • SEIU Healthcare Illinois (SEIU HCII)
  • SGA Youth and Family Services
  • Start Early
  • Teaching Stategies
  • Teaching Strategies
  • Teachstone
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