11:05 - 12:15

The Nebraska Early Childhood Strategic Plan is an intentional and dynamic plan for improving the early childhood experiences of children birth through age 8. The strategic plan is based on findings from a comprehensive needs assessment in 2019 and active engagement of stakeholders across the state. The overarching vision is to provide all Nebraska children and their families with access to quality early childhood services that support children's healthy development from birth through age 8.

This session will explore family utilization of mental and behavioral health crisis helpline services for their young children in Nebraska, identifying common needs and existing resources while exploring potential gaps in services.

Intended Audience

Caseworkers, attorneys, Guardians ad-litem, CASA, school representatives, Head Start personnel, early childhood professionals, home visiting professionals, mental health professionals, service providers.

Learning Objectives

At the conclusion of this session, participants will:

This session will explain early childhood trauma, the importance of screening and assessing for trauma in young children, and will provide an overview of evidenced-based practices.

Intended Audience

All professionals working with children and families.

In our work with young children, we find challenges to engaging parents and supporting their changes. In this presentation, we will explore the pathway that can carry the imprint of trauma from one generation to the next. That same pathway can facilitate the transmission of intergenerational and cultural resilience. As we understand this framework, we can learn new ways to uncover hope and strength in parents, for the benefit of the children we serve. We intend for this presentation to give you some practical skills to strengthen a collaborative relationship with parents.

We will discuss current recommendations for identifying opioid use and substance use disorders in the perinatal population. Review best practices for support of the family and requirements and recommendations for reporting and developing plans of safe care for mother and infant. This work will be framed with the goal of supporting the mother and infant and working to provide support to the family during the process.

Intended Audience

All health care and social support professionals who interact with pregnant women and young families are encouraged to attend.

his session will be an open discussion on the important topics you need to understand to advocate for young children with disabilities under Part B of IDEA including parent rights, child find and evaluation, eligibility, Individualized Education Programs (IEP), Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE), child records, Least Restrictive Environment (LRE) and extended school year. The implications of two other federal laws – Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act – will also be discussed.

Participants will learn the importance and value of a quality Protective Custody Hearing. We will discuss how to implement this hearing through the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges' Enhance Resource Guidelines: Improving Court Practice in Abuse & Neglect Cases. Participants will understand why and how the law requires reasonable efforts services and mandatory findings which benefit both child and parent and hold all stakeholders accountable. The first hearing is the responsibility of all involved. It sets the direction and is predictive of the permanency outcome.

The CHIME Program provides education and guidance on how to incorporate mindfulness and reflection into your daily routine, teaching and caregiving. Engaging in mindfulness and reflective practice has many benefits for health and well-being, including reduced stress, improved emotion management, increased focus and attention, and enhanced relationships.

Intended Audience

Teachers and directors.

Do you frequently hear the term "early childhood coaching" and wonder what it means? OR What does it mean to coach in Early Childhood in Nebraska? Join us for a quick overview to discover how coaching is different from consulting, mentoring, or other technical assistance models. We'll briefly explore the foundations of coaching including adult learning theory, relationships, and approaches to coaching, and you'll leave with a resource outlining the 5 key coaching strategies that support ongoing learning and growth when working with providers, teachers, directors, and parents.