Welcome to Celebrating Connections 2021! Join NOW!

Three Day Complete Registration

An exhibitor profile display will provide a clickable logo on the Virtual Event Organizer for all attendees. This will show a logo (provided by the exhibitor) that links directly to a website or page (provided by the exhibitor) that any attendee can access for the full duration of the conference at any time. Exhibitors will be responsible for providing a logo and weblink to the Celebrating Connections content designer for set up.

An exhibitor profile display will provide a clickable logo on the Virtual Event Organizer for all attendees. This will show a logo (provided by the exhibitor) that links directly to a website or page (provided by the exhibitor) that any attendee can access for the full duration of the conference at any time. Exhibitors will be responsible for providing a logo and weblink to the Celebrating Connections content designer for set up.

A pre-keynote commercial slot (60 seconds) will be available in one of the three available keynote presentations. The exhibitor is responsible for providing the completed commercial to the Celebrating Connections content designer with appropriate content in the selected time limit.

A pre-keynote commercial slot (30 seconds) will be available in one of the three available keynote presentations. The exhibitor is responsible for providing the completed commercial to the Celebrating Connections content designer with appropriate content in the selected time limit.

Building Your Bounce is a presentation designed to meet you where you are and take you to a place of greater strength, determination, and resiliency. Participants are sure to leave this presentation with energy, enthusiasm and a commitment to make a few positive changes in their lives that will lead to greater happiness and fulfillment that will undoubtedly resonate in the work they do every day with children and families. This presentation will emphasize how important it is that adults take care of themselves and promote their social-emotional health; how the social-emotional well-being of adults impacts the children in their care in both positive and negative ways; and specific, simple and inexpensive strategies to reduce stress and promote their social-emotional health.

Presenter: Nefertiti Poyner Ed.D., Early Childhood Specialist/Lead Trainer, Devereux Center for Resilient Children Villanova, PA

This training will address emotional literacy which is the ability to identify, understand and express feelings in an appropriate way. Emotional literacy skills are the building blocks of developing healthy relationships and learning self-regulation. This training will provide caregivers and teachers with ways to teach and support emotional literacy learning throughout the day.

Presenter: Sara Smouse, Early Childhood Behavior Support Specialist, M.A., NBCT, West Virginia Behavior/Mental Health Technical Assistance Center at the WV Autism Training Center at Marshall University, Huntington, WV

In the reauthorization of the IDEIA, a mandated process of transition is described for young children as they approach the age of 30 months, from Part C to Part B services. A carefully charted process is in place which is intended to enhance the smoothness of this transition experience. This virtual session is designed to a) help participants explore and understand the concerns, priorities, and resources of families and children who are on the threshold of this transition, and to b) consider strategies and supports to enhance the meaningfulness and smoothness of this process.

Presenter: Diane Smith Grych, PhD, Adjunct Instructor, Early Childhood Regents Bachelor of Arts, Concord University, Athens, WV

An introduction to assistive technology (AT) and how it can be used to enhance the opportunities and independence of children with special needs at home and in the classroom. The presentation will also provide information about the WVATS program and how its services can be accessed throughout the state.

Presenter: Jennifer Ham, AT Specialist, West Virginia Assistive Technology System (WVATS), West Virginia University Center for Excellence in Disabilities, Morgantown, WV

Every day connections are more important than we ever believed. Our brain, our relationships and our community are all inter-connected. Science tells us that relationships have the power to shape our brains. Relationships help us learn better, work better, parent better. When we experience tough times, positive relationships help us heal. With each positive connection, we develop a healthier, stronger community. This session uses video, discussion and experiential activities. The curriculum was developed by Linda Chamberlain, PhD for the Iowa Chapter of Prevent Child Abuse America, and brought to West Virginia by the West Virginia ACEs Coalition. www.connectionsmatter.org. Part 1 of a two-part session.

Presenter: Michele Baranaskas, LCSW, Coordinator, Partners in Community Outreach, a program of TEAM for WV Children, Inc., West Virginia and Barbara Crawford Tucker, M.A., Adolescent Health Initiative Coordinator, West Virginia

Continuous Quality Improvement affects the impact you have on families and in your community. This hands-on learning session is for everyone who wants a brief review of CQI basics and also how to step up your CQI game to create the most impactful outcomes with rapid cycle testing and effective team building.

Presenter: Gregg Oxley & Michelle Romanek, CQI Consultants, West Virginia Home Visitation Program Charleston, WV

Getting Little Feet Wet is Project WET’s (Water Education Today) early childhood curriculum guide. It was developed specifically for teachers working with children (ages 3-6). The guide contains 11 interactive, hands-on activities for young learners to explore different aspects of water – from water properties to water sounds. Each activity offers Pre-K and K-2 options and is correlated to educational standards. This is Part 1 of a two-part series and includes a material list for preparation.

Presenter: Tomi M. Bergstrom, Western Watershed Basin & Project WET Coordinator, West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection, Charleston, WV

The purpose of this presentation is to be knowledgeable of the signs of workplace burnout, coping and self-care strategies, and what employers can do to reduce future burnout. We will also discuss the psychological factors behind occupational fatigue.

Presenter: Sarah Feick, MA, Administrative Supervisor and WVBTT Ongoing Service Coordinator, Skill Builders, LLC St. Marys, WV

This workshop introduces formal and nonformal educators to Project Learning Tree’s (PLT) Environmental Experiences for Early Childhood activity guide, and helps educators prepare for facilitating activities with young learners. Participants will receive the Environmental Experiences for Early Childhood activity guide which includes over 130 experiences that engage children in outdoor play and exploration and is specifically designed for educators who work with children ages three to six. Topics include exploring nature with five senses, meeting neighborhood trees, and experiencing trees through the seasons. An accompanying music CD features songs from children's musician Billy B. Brennan that encourages children to sing, dance, and move.

Presenter: Linda Carnell, Assistant State Forester- Education and Communication, WV Division of Forestry and WV Project Learning Tree, Romney, WV

In early childhood and beyond, learners depend on use of their senses to navigate their environment; establish & maintain social connections; and organize information in an efficient manner. When one or more of our sensory systems is disrupted, what does that look like? What can we do? In this workshop we define various sensory processing disorders and explore how to create safe exploration opportunities for our learners.

Presenter: Jessie Olsen, Professional Development Specialist, Lakeshore Learning Carson, CA

Preschool teachers, assistants, speech-language pathologists and other related service providers can do so much more for preschool students by coordinating their efforts and utilizing the same game plan. The presenters will highlight the importance of using an evidence-based curriculum, individualized modifications for participation and embedded communication opportunities in daily activities. Collaboration will be emphasized with examples of team game plans (Building Blocks forms) and teaming suggestions. Throughout the presentation, core vocabulary and the language foundation of learning will be explained.

Presenter: Lee Ann Brammer, MA & Libby Simmons, CCC/SLP, West Virginia Department of Education, Office of Special Education, Charleston, WV

The afterschool field is an essential part of our communities’ response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Programs are working around-the-clock to support youth, families, and their staff. Programs are focused on improving children’s safety and well-being, helping essential personnel continue to do their jobs, maintaining touch points with families, creating engaging learning opportunities for young people, and providing food and other supports for families in need. The West Virginia Statewide Afterschool Network (WVSAN) envisions a day when all school age West Virginia youth have access in their communities to high quality afterschool and summer learning programming. The WVSAN strives to provide resources to support the capacity and sustainability of afterschool and summer learning programs across West Virginia. 

Presenter: Susan Gamble, Ed.D., Barbara Little, and Kandi Workman, B.A. West Virginia Statewide Afterschool Network, West Virginia

Getting Little Feet Wet is Project WET’s (Water Education Today) early childhood curriculum guide. It was developed specifically for teachers working with children (ages 3-6). The guide contains 11 interactive, hands-on activities for young learners to explore different aspects of water – from water properties to water sounds. Each activity offers Pre-K and K-2 options and is correlated to educational standards. This is part two of a two-part series and includes a material list for preparation.

Presenter: Tomi M. Bergstrom, Western Watershed Basin & Project WET Coordinator, West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection, Charleston, WV

Lincoln County Schools has seen a dramatic increase of difficult behaviors in our younger students. Through the SAT process and WVBTT transitions, we discover, more often than not, the children were exposed to drugs, abuse, or neglect, are in the state's custody, within foster care, or were adopted out of foster care. At an elementary school that had the highest percentage of at-risk students, we built a "calming space." Along with several other measures within a trauma-informed approach, these calming spaces have given our educators another option to have a student calm themselves and return to class. This presentation will discuss the issues that caused Lincoln County to develop a trauma-informed approach, the different pieces of the trauma-informed approach that are used, how calming spaces are built, and the successes and challenges we have faced.

Presenter: Dr. Rikki McCormick, Director of Special Education & Student Support Services, Lincoln County Schools, Hamlin, WV

A MASTER PAL, or “skilled partner” of an individual who uses Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) engages in authentic and meaningful interactions, which include using AAC. By empowering communication, engaging learners, and responsively shaping interactions, communication partners have a significant influence on the development of skills and quality of interactions of those who use AAC. This session is an overview of Model as a MASTER PAL, a framework and compilation of resources that focus on supporting communication partners of those who use AAC by highlighting behaviors and belief systems that shape quality communicative exchanges and emphasize the importance of being an engaged and respectful communication partner. The series includes all resources to facilitate PL on MASTER PAL topics for teams or departments. All content can be reviewed at bit.ly/ModelasaMASTERPALtrainingmodule.

Presenter: Tabi Jones-Wohleber, SLP/AT Specialist, Communication AACtualized, LLC. Shepherdstown, WV

A key part of a child’s successful education is a strong partnership between home and school. This partnership is especially true for children with special needs. This course’s panel discussion will give you the opportunity to hear from families across the state of West Virginia about their experiences, building partnerships, seeking out resources, and what supports are available with communities, regional and state level groups. Come and learn about strategies you can use. Join us to learn from these incredible stories of the journey to strengthen partnerships. Resources and program information will be shared.

Presenter: Brenda Lamkin, Executive Director, M.Ed., West Virginia Parent Training and Information (WVPTI), West Virginia

Participants will learn about children’s social-emotional development and how to use positive reinforcement, role-modeling, stories, music and games that provide a powerful foundation to enhance children’s learning and behavior. This workshop will teach teachers and specialists the 100 Easy Ways to Promote Social – Emotional Learning to guide their children through a positive, preventative, and effective instructional approach. During this workshop participants also learn to use strategies and techniques to bring young children out of their emotional brain into their logical brain to increase peer relations, expressing their feelings in a positive manner, and to improve self-regulating behavior. 

Presenter: Dr. Michael S. Hubler, Ed.D., Young Children’s Social-Emotional Learning Specialist, Time to Sign, Inc. Indialantic, FL

Early childhood teachers are taught strategies as a quick fix to control children’s behaviors. Self-reflection about what makes adults tick emotionally is critical in helping children manage their own feelings. This presentation challenges early childhood teachers to reflect on how we perceive children’s need for attention in connection with how we remember being treated as young children, and find strategies for responding to them in ways that support emotional health and development, and help young children thrive. 

Presenter: Tamar Jacobson, Ph.D., Author and Early Childhood Education & Development Consultant, Philadelphia, PA

Innovative and enriching workshop for educators/parents to learn how to enhance learning and help children by understanding their brain’s emotional inter-workings, how this impacts children’s behavior, and what we can do to help our children to have a better day – everyday! Our children’s early years are spent in their emotional brain where it is harder to self-regulate, retain information, and grow behaviorally and academically. This program will utilize sign language and other tools to provide educators information and tools to be able to help guide young children in their classroom.

Presenter: Lillian I. Hubler, President, Time to Sign, Inc. Indialantic, FL

This presentation will show educators how to present Yellowstone in the classroom and other National Parks. It promotes the beginning understanding of geography, ecosystems, climate, animal science, plant science, hiking safety, and camping safety. It is also a wonderful way to have a hands-on learning experience that will stay with the child for years to come. Not all of our children will be doctors and firemen. We need to expand the world of environmental careers to them. They will learn about park rangers, biologists, and environmental jobs.

Presenter: Kelly Serdynski Gray, Preschool/Special Needs Teacher, Berkeley County Schools, Hedgesville, WV

In West Virginia more than 30 babies die a year of Sudden Unexpected Infant Death Syndrome and many of those are preventable.  In this session, we will talk about the current guidelines surrounding safe sleep along with resources and materials available for educating families about safe sleep. We will also share what we are doing this year to promote safe sleep and how you can join us. 

Presenter: Kristy Stout, LGSW Co-Coordinator, Candice Hamilton, MPH, Co-Coordinator, Our Babies Safe & Sound, Huntington, WV

Every day connections are more important than we ever believed. Our brain, our relationships and our community are all inter-connected. Science tells us that relationships have the power to shape our brains. Relationships help us learn better, work better, parent better. When we experience tough times, positive relationships help us heal. With each positive connection, we develop a healthier, stronger community. This session uses video, discussion and experiential activities. The curriculum was developed by Linda Chamberlain, PhD for the Iowa Chapter of Prevent Child Abuse America, and brought to West Virginia by the West Virginia ACEs Coalition. www.connectionsmatter.org. This is Part 2 of a two-part Session.

Presenter: Michele Baranaskas, LCSW, Coordinator, Partners in Community Outreach, a program of TEAM for WV Children, Inc., West Virginia and Barbara Crawford Tucker, M.A., Adolescent Health Initiative Coordinator, West Virginia

This presentation will cover the legal and philosophical foundations of the WV Birth to Three early intervention system. The session will also discuss the process experienced by families as they enter the system and the need for collaboration across early childhood systems.

Presenter: Sheila Zickefoose, MA, IMH-E, WV Early Childhood Training Connections & Resources, Buckhannon, WV

Exploring the brain explains why trauma often results in behavior patterns that are challenging to the child and family and disruptive to classrooms, groups and events. Now, we have all experienced at least one common trauma, the worldwide pandemic. Learn how trauma effects brain development, behavior patterns, health and mental health for life. Play Therapy is an approach linked with the neuroscience of behavior through brain function and results in behavior change. Learn about the foundations of Play Therapy, several models of Play Therapy, and how Play Therapy can be an effective strategy for treating complex trauma, teaching self-regulation and promoting resilience. Walk away with Play Therapy based strategies and activities. Part one of a two-part session.

Presenter: Katrina Jefferson, LCSW, Registered Play Therapist, Certified Play Therapist, Owner, PeaceTree Center for Wellness, Huntington, WV

Join Ellen for an in-depth look at all the many ways we can support children's learning through play by using recent brain research to inform activities and interactions. In this session participants will be introduced to a wide variety of fresh ideas for activities throughout a child's day at childcare and school. There will be an emphasis on recent brain research that explains the "why's and how's" of these exciting activities.

Even though this session will be offered on Zoom, the participants will have many opportunities to actively participate. Come prepared to play! Part 1 of a two-part session.

Presenter: Ellen Booth Church, Adjunct Professor, Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale, FL

Did you know that a child cannot be too young, or too impaired to benefit from AAC to support language development? Did you know there are no pre-requisites for AAC? Did you know that providing peers/siblings access to AAC tools can lead to awesome peer-to-peer interactions using AAC? Misperceptions around Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) for young learners abound, and with good reason; the field of AAC has made tremendous gains in the last decade! This session will not only dispel myths around AAC but also review tools and strategies to address the complexities of unique learners in a variety of environments, explore essential implementation practices with interactive activities, and unpack communication partner behaviors that grow language, foster relationships, and ultimately pave the path for self-determination in young learners with complex communication needs. Part one of a two-part session.

Presenter: Tabi Jones-Wohleber, SLP/AT Specialist, Communication AACtualized, LLC., Shepherdstown, WV

This presentation will target toddler to school age. Each age level connects with a puppet. Learn how to make stories come alive with puppets, props, and playful tales. A puppet on the hand is a special connection for all children. The storyteller in each participant will emerge as they learn participation stories, read along stories, and tales for the storyboard. Storytelling helps develop imagination, early literacy, creativity, visual expression, critical thinking, and oral communication skills. Everyone will leave with tools and ideas that can be used immediately. Each attendee should have available a piece of construction paper and some markers. Part one of a two-part session.

Presenter: Mary Jo Huff, Author, Storyteller Newburgh, IN & Lisa Maddox, Puppeteer, Get Connected with Lisa Dover, TN

Secure attachment is an essential developmental goal of childhood. When this goes wrong, the challenges providing help increase with each year, especially when the patterns of insecure attachment are passed down through a family system of interacting. Through video observation of infants and children, this workshop will look at pre-verbal and verbal markers of secure and insecure attachment. As well as the multiple resilience factors that can make a difference in the lives of WV families. If we have 10 Aces, that leaves 42 more cards in the deck for Resiliency.  Part one of a two-part session.

Presenter: Sky Kershner, Executive Director, KPCC Counseling, Charleston, WV

This interactive workshop is a call for action to address the unmet needs of expectant and new fathers. It will address the common barriers that fathers and health care providers experience in factoring in fathers. This includes men in pregnancy, early parenthood, and beyond the perinatal period. The research shows that men experience a range of mental health concerns at rates that are comparable to those of women. We will strategize how communities and professionals can improve the care of all parents who may be marginalized by current practices. Part one of a two-part session.

Presenter: Jane Honikman, M.S., Author, Founder of the Postpartum Action Institute, Santa Barbara, California

Exploring the brain explains why trauma often results in behavior patterns that are challenging to the child and family and disruptive to classrooms, groups and events. Now, we have all experienced at least one common trauma, the worldwide pandemic. Learn how trauma effects brain development, behavior patterns, health and mental health for life. Play Therapy is an approach linked with the neuroscience of behavior through brain function and results in behavior change. Learn about the foundations of Play Therapy, several models of Play Therapy, and how Play Therapy can be an effective strategy for treating complex trauma, teaching self-regulation and promoting resilience. Walk away with Play Therapy based strategies and activities. Part two of a two-part session.

Presenter: Katrina Jefferson, LCSW, Registered Play Therapist, Certified Play Therapist, Owner, PeaceTree Center for Wellness, Huntington, WV

Join Ellen for an in-depth look at all the many ways we can support children's learning through play by using recent brain research to inform activities and interactions. In this session participants will be introduced to a wide variety of fresh ideas for activities throughout a child's day at childcare and school. There will be an emphasis on recent brain research that explains the "why's and how's" of these exciting activities.

Even though this session will be offered on Zoom, the participants will have many opportunities to actively participate. Come prepared to play! Part two of a two-part session.

Presenter: Ellen Booth Church, Adjunct Professor, Nova Southeastern University Fort Lauderdale, FL

Did you know that a child cannot be too young, or too impaired to benefit from AAC to support language development? Did you know there are no pre-requisites for AAC? Did you know that providing peers/siblings access to AAC tools can lead to awesome peer-to-peer interactions using AAC? Misperceptions around Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) for young learners abound, and with good reason; the field of AAC has made tremendous gains in the last decade! This session will not only dispel myths around AAC but also review tools and strategies to address the complexities of unique learners in a variety of environments, explore essential implementation practices with interactive activities, and unpack communication partner behaviors that grow language, foster relationships, and ultimately pave the path for self-determination in young learners with complex communication needs. Part two of a two-part session.

Presenter: Tabi Jones-Wohleber, SLP/AT Specialist, Communication AACtualized, LLC. Shepherdstown, WV

This presentation will target toddler to school age. Each age level connects with a puppet. Learn how to make stories come alive with puppets, props, and playful tales. A puppet on the hand is a special connection for all children. The storyteller in each participant will emerge as they learn participation stories, read along stories, and tales for the storyboard. Storytelling helps develop imagination, early literacy, creativity, visual expression, critical thinking, and oral communication skills. Everyone will leave with tools and ideas that can be used immediately. Each attendee should have available a piece of construction paper and some markers. Part two of a two-part session.

Presenter: Mary Jo Huff, Author, Storyteller Newburgh, IN & Lisa Maddox, Puppeteer, Get Connected with Lisa, Dover, TN

Secure attachment is an essential developmental goal of childhood. When this goes wrong, the challenges providing help increase with each year, especially when the patterns of insecure attachment are passed down through a family system of interacting. Through video observation of infants and children, this workshop will look at pre-verbal and verbal markers of secure and insecure attachment. As well as the multiple resilience factors that can make a difference in the lives of WV families. If we have 10 Aces, that leaves 42 more cards in the deck for Resiliency.  Part two of a two-part session.

Presenter: Sky Kershner, Executive Director, KPCC Counseling, Charleston, WV

This interactive workshop is a call for action to address the unmet needs of expectant and new fathers. It will address the common barriers that fathers and health care providers experience in factoring in fathers. This includes men in pregnancy, early parenthood, and beyond the perinatal period. The research shows that men experience a range of mental health concerns at rates that are comparable to those of women. We will strategize how communities and professionals can improve the care of all parents who may be marginalized by current practices. Part two of a two-part session.

Presenter: Jane Honikman, M.S., Author, Founder of the Postpartum Action Institute, Santa Barbara, California

In this motivational keynote address Lisa shares the powerful story of her first day of school. Through active and engaging storytelling Lisa brings you back to her first day, taking you on a grand tour of Miss Mary’s Nursery School. And, in the style she has become famous for, she shares many observations, lessons and anecdotes about how early childhood has changed along the way. Lisa will share the sights sounds and smells of the place where, at the young age of three, she decided to become a teacher and identifies the how, and why, that one day solidified her decision to become an educator. This inspiring keynote gets participants back in touch with their personal how and why. It gets them excited and gets them thinking: If it WAS their only day, what will they remember?

Presenter: Lisa Murphy, M.Ed. Founder & CEO of Ooey Gooey, Inc., Kissimmee, Florida

The latest brain research reminds us of the importance of creating responsive, engaging, stress-free environments, and nowhere is this more important than our infant and toddler rooms! While this session offers hands-on exploration of many activities that are appropriate for your infant and toddler rooms, it's main focus is on making sure the adults working with our wee-ones realize that nothing, and we mean nothing! is more important than creating and nurturing those strong bonds of attachment.

Presenter: Lisa Murphy, M.Ed. Founder & CEO of Ooey Gooey, Inc., Kissimmee, Florida

We will learn how to use sign language with hearing children, how to make signing fun for children, proper formation of signs, learn to sign a song, learn a story in sign. We will learn different ways of incorporating signs from classroom management to reading books. “I know a little sign language now what do I do with it?” “How do I incorporate it into what I am doing every day?” We will answer these questions and practice this through this session. Bring your list of words you want to know the signs for. This training will be geared towards infant -preschool-age workers and family members.

Presenter: Janelle St. Martin, Owner, WeSign2, Sign Language Interpreter, Teacher & Mentor, Bridgeport, WV

This session will describe the benefits of incorporating Mindfulness activities, for both students and staff, into your daily routine. The presenter will provide practices and activities appropriate for early learners and how these can promote self-regulation in children and a more calm and smooth-functioning environment. We will also look at ways to include parents/caregivers and siblings.

Presenter: Gloria Sage, Coordinator of Direct Services/MA Ed./RYT200, WV Autism Training Center, Huntington, WV

This session will provide an overview of WV Bureau for Public Health requirements for child care centers operating during the COVID-19 pandemic, and an overview of CDC guidance for child care programs that remain open, focusing on prevent the spread of COVID-19, social distancing, cleaning/disinfecting and screening.

Presenter: Judy Vallandingham, Public Health Sanitation Division Director, WV Bureau for Public Health Office of Environmental Health Services, Charleston, WV

Come learn all the ways that West Virginia 211 can get families connected to resources.

Presenter: Delaney Laughery, West Virginia 211 State Director, Parkersburg, WV

Think you are good at your job because you love children? What about the ones that challenge you? Using these powerful questions as a framework, Lisa puts her own spin on Howard Gardner’s classic theory. This session is a far cry from simply listing various personality characteristics, needs and preferences. By providing easy to implement, yet possibly challenging, “comfort zone stretchers,” Lisa challenges teachers to make sure they are celebrating all of the children in the classroom, not just the ones they like.

Presenter: Lisa Murphy, M.Ed. Founder & CEO of Ooey Gooey, Inc., Kissimmee, Florida

We will talk about the benefits of using sign language with hearing children then cover some signs for words that you use every day. Sign language may be used to increase a child’s language ability. Using signs can help increase verbal vocabulary, increase interest in language and many other things.

Presenter: Janelle St. Martin, Owner, WeSign2, Sign Language Interpreter, Teacher & Mentor, Bridgeport, WV

Over the past few years child care licensing regulations have gone through many changes. However, the basic mission remains the same which is to provide healthy safe environments for children while their parents work. Some of the topics presented are playground safety, supervision of children, background checks through WV CARES, and Emergency Disaster Planning.

Presenter: Teresa Lawlor, MSW, Child Care Licensing Specialist, WV Department of Health & Human Resources and the Child Care Licensing Unit, Charleston, WV

Tasha Hall is a mother with a master’s degree. Tasha was also a child who aged out of the foster care system at the age of 18 before completing high school. Struggling with challenges including homelessness, Tasha has achieved her first set of dreams. Her inspiring story is about overcoming hardships and sustaining determination that led her to rise above her circumstances. Tasha’s current goal is to prevent hopelessness in children living in foster care, to inspire them to grow beyond their own challenges and to create success for themselves. Learn first-hand what kids in foster care need to succeed.

Presenter: Leslie Stone, MA+45, Owner/Founder- Stone Strategies, LLC. & Tasha Hall, MA & Counselor, Tasha Inspires, Huntington, WV

Our earliest experiences with letters, books, words, and print lay an essential foundation for shaping our readiness for meaningful literacy learning. This is true for ALL learners regardless of their differing abilities. Children with complex support needs, including those who are non-speaking, are at risk of having fewer early literacy experiences, which coupled with other learning needs can exponentially limit their access to meaningful literacy instruction. Erickson & Koppenhaver (2020) suggest that those with complex learning (and communication needs) require robust literacy experiences and instruction to foster "...autonomy, self-advocacy, and human connection," skills that begin in the early childhood years. This session will review the current literature and provide an overview of best practices for literacy routines for emergent learners. Through interactive activities, video examples, and exploration of resources participants will set goals for incorporating literacy routines with families, or in classrooms. Tips and templates for creating and sharing personal or high-interest books on a variety of PC and iPad platforms will also be shared.

Presenter: Tabi Jones-Wohleber, SL/AT Specialist, Communication AACtualized, LLC., Shepherdstown, WV  

The West Virginia Home Visitation program will discuss how to utilize the Learn the Signs, Act Early project, Help Me Grow and early childhood community partnerships to improve resiliency among families and children. Panel discussions and information sharing from both a State and local perspective on improving social determinants of health and engagement/empowerment of families through information on early childhood programs and navigation of systems of care. Discussion topics will share information on advancing and distributing relevant, existing tools, materials and programs to improve physical and mental well-being among families.

Presenter: Jackie Newson, Program Director, West Virginia Home Visitation Program Charleston, WV