Schedule

Schedule

Plan and navigate your conference experience with the conference schedule.

Please note: The schedule is subject to change until it is finalized in June 2026. Room location for each session will be added after the agenda is finalized in June 2026.

Tuesday, June 16, 2026

10:20 - 11:20am CDT

Select from these breakout sessions:

Breakout Session

From Stuck to Thriving: A Guide to Understanding, Connecting, and Empowering Neurodivergent

Speaker:  Shelby Czarnick
Track:  Early Childhood Services
Audience level:  Foundational
Session materials?  No
View details on From Stuck to Thriving: A Guide to Understanding, Connecting, and Empowering Neurodivergent
Breakout Session

Outdoor Learning and Experiential Education in Practice

Speaker:  Erin Kampbell, Lisa Poppe, LaDonna Werth, Jackie Steffen
Track:  Early Education
Audience level:  Foundational
Session materials?  No
View details on Outdoor Learning and Experiential Education in Practice
Breakout Session

Building Early Literacy Through Assistive Technology

Speaker:  Brian Wojcik, Jeri Johnson
Track:  Early Education
Audience level:  Foundational
Session materials?  No
View details on Building Early Literacy Through Assistive Technology
Breakout Session

Reflective Supervision: Cultivating Self-Awareness in Supervision

Speaker:  Krista Roebke, Tracey Kock
Track:  Provider Mental Health and Well-Being
Audience level:  Foundational
Session materials?  No
View details on Reflective Supervision: Cultivating Self-Awareness in Supervision
Breakout Session

Strengthening Systems: The Power of Family-Centered Treatment in Healing and Behavior Change

Speaker:  Jasmine Platt
Track:  Strengthening Partnerships to Support Young Children
Audience level:  Foundational
Session materials?  No
View details on Strengthening Systems: The Power of Family-Centered Treatment in Healing and Behavior Change
Breakout Session

Forever Shaken: Understanding the Lifelong Impact of Abusive Head Trauma

Speaker:  Peggy Reisher
Track:  Trauma and Resiliency of the Developing Child
Audience level:  Foundational
Session materials?  No
View details on Forever Shaken: Understanding the Lifelong Impact of Abusive Head Trauma
Breakout Session

Shining a Light on Domestic Violence and Family Dynamics

Speaker:  Sarah Kirkwood, Lindsey Turner
Track:  Advocating for Young Children
Audience level:  Enhanced
Session materials?  No
View details on Shining a Light on Domestic Violence and Family Dynamics
Breakout Session

Caring for the Most Vulnerable: Prioritizing the Health of Children in Foster Care

Speaker:  Melissa Coffin, Laurie Berglund
Track:  Early Childhood Services
Audience level:  Enhanced
Session materials?  No
View details on Caring for the Most Vulnerable: Prioritizing the Health of Children in Foster Care
Breakout Session

A Compassionate Approach to Problem Behavior in Young Children: Including Quick Tips to Implement

Speaker:  Annette Wragge
Track:  Early Education
Audience level:  Enhanced
Session materials?  No
View details on A Compassionate Approach to Problem Behavior in Young Children: Including Quick Tips to Implement
Breakout Session

Early Childhood Coaching: Tools for Building Collaboration and Partnerships with Educators

Speaker:  Lisa Knoche, Christina Kilgore, Andrea Nelson
Track:  Strengthening Partnerships to Support Young Children
Audience level:  Enhanced
Session materials?  No
View details on Early Childhood Coaching: Tools for Building Collaboration and Partnerships with Educators
Breakout Session

Resilient Beginnings: Understanding ACEs, Behavior, and Brain Development in Early Childhood

Speaker:  Libby Valerio-Boster, Sarah Dankenbring
Track:  Trauma and Resiliency of the Developing Child
Audience level:  Enhanced
Session materials?  No
View details on Resilient Beginnings: Understanding ACEs, Behavior, and Brain Development in Early Childhood

12:40 - 1:40pm CDT

Select from these breakout sessions:

Breakout Session

A Foundation for All: Strengthening Your Work with Young Children Through IMH Endorsement

Speaker:  Sami Bradley, Tana Goosic
Track:  Early Childhood Services
Audience level:  Foundational
Session materials?  No
View details on A Foundation for All: Strengthening Your Work with Young Children Through IMH Endorsement
Breakout Session

Language Assessment Strategies for Dual Language Learners: Insights from an Evaluation Team

Speaker:  Sebastian Marin-Hine, Dr. Clariebelle Gabas, Fotima Turdalieva
Track:  Early Education
Audience level:  Foundational
Session materials?  No
View details on Language Assessment Strategies for Dual Language Learners: Insights from an Evaluation Team
Breakout Session

Full STEAM Ahead: Inspiring Learning with Imagination Storybook Guides

Speaker:  Jackie Steffen, Emily Manning, Ingrid Lindal
Track:  Early Education
Audience level:  Foundational
Session materials?  No
View details on Full STEAM Ahead: Inspiring Learning with Imagination Storybook Guides
Breakout Session

Beyond Management: The Art of Reflective and Relational Supervision

Speaker:  Krista Roebke, Tracey Kock
Track:  Provider Mental Health and Well-Being
Audience level:  Foundational
Session materials?  No
View details on Beyond Management: The Art of Reflective and Relational Supervision
Breakout Session This is a repeat session

Forever Shaken: Understanding the Lifelong Impact of Abusive Head Trauma

Speaker:  Peggy Reisher
Track:  Trauma and Resiliency of the Developing Child
Audience level:  Foundational
Session materials?  No
View details on Forever Shaken: Understanding the Lifelong Impact of Abusive Head Trauma
Breakout Session

Healing in the Home: Using Family Centered Treatment to Support Young Children Through Trauma and Relationship Repair

Speaker:  Jasmine Platt
Track:  Trauma and Resiliency of the Developing Child
Audience level:  Foundational
Session materials?  No
View details on Healing in the Home: Using Family Centered Treatment to Support Young Children Through Trauma and Relationship Repair
Breakout Session

The Enhanced Resource Guidelines: Improving Court Practice in Child Abuse and Neglect Cases

Speaker:  Judge Douglas Johnson
Track:  Advocating for Young Children
Audience level:  Enhanced
Session materials?  No
View details on The Enhanced Resource Guidelines: Improving Court Practice in Child Abuse and Neglect Cases
Breakout Session This is a repeat session

Caring for the Most Vulnerable: Prioritizing the Health of Children in Foster Care

Speaker:  Melissa Coffin, Laurie Berglund
Track:  Early Childhood Services
Audience level:  Enhanced
Session materials?  No
View details on Caring for the Most Vulnerable: Prioritizing the Health of Children in Foster Care
Breakout Session

Unspoken Struggles: Navigating Trauma, ADHD, Autism, and Sensory Needs in Families

Speaker:  Shelby Czarnick
Track:  Early Childhood Services
Audience level:  Enhanced
Session materials?  No
View details on Unspoken Struggles: Navigating Trauma, ADHD, Autism, and Sensory Needs in Families
Breakout Session

Growing in the Good Life: Lessons from Immigrant and Refugee Caregivers on Child Development

Speaker:  Dr. Kerry Miller, Dr. Lorey Wheeler
Track:  Strengthening Partnerships to Support Young Children
Audience level:  Enhanced
Session materials?  No
View details on Growing in the Good Life: Lessons from Immigrant and Refugee Caregivers on Child Development
Breakout Session

Building Parent Power: Strategies to Recruit, Engage, and Sustain Parent Involvement

Speaker:  Connie Shockley, Mark Smith
Track:  Strengthening Partnerships to Support Young Children
Audience level:  Enhanced
Session materials?  No
View details on Building Parent Power: Strategies to Recruit, Engage, and Sustain Parent Involvement

2:00 - 3:00pm CDT

Select from these breakout sessions:

Breakout Session

One Size Does Not Fit All: How Early Decisions Influence Lifelong Outcomes for Deaf, DeafBlind, and Hard of Hearing Children

Speaker:  Ashley Altman
Track:  Early Childhood Services
Audience level:  Foundational
Session materials?  No
View details on One Size Does Not Fit All: How Early Decisions Influence Lifelong Outcomes for Deaf, DeafBlind, and Hard of Hearing Children
Breakout Session

DC: 0-5 Overview

Speaker:  Lindsey Ondrak
Track:  Early Childhood Services
Audience level:  Foundational
Session materials?  No
View details on DC: 0-5 Overview
Breakout Session

Embedding Assistive Technology in Everyday Routines: Supporting Young Children’s Participation

Speaker:  Brian Wojcik, Kim Bowen
Track:  Early Education
Audience level:  Foundational
Session materials?  No
View details on Embedding Assistive Technology in Everyday Routines: Supporting Young Children’s Participation
Breakout Session

Reclaiming our Joy in Early Childhood

Speaker:  Hayley Jackson Perez
Track:  Provider Mental Health and Well-Being
Audience level:  Foundational
Session materials?  No
View details on Reclaiming our Joy in Early Childhood
Breakout Session

Together We Thrive: Shifting from "Just" Paperwork to Powerful Partnerships with Families

Speaker:  Katie Zabel, Lisa Knoche, Dr. Tammi Hechtner-Galvin
Track:  Strengthening Partnerships to Support Young Children
Audience level:  Foundational
Session materials?  No
View details on Together We Thrive: Shifting from "Just" Paperwork to Powerful Partnerships with Families
Breakout Session

Domestic Violence in Child Welfare: Confronting the Elephants in the Room

Speaker:  Jamie Bahm, Michelle Paxton, Christopher Reid
Track:  Advocating for Young Children
Audience level:  Enhanced
Session materials?  No
View details on Domestic Violence in Child Welfare: Confronting the Elephants in the Room
Breakout Session

Enhancing Early Autism Support Through Routines-Based Early Intervention

Speaker:  Jamie Lewis, Mikki Bohling, Christina Kilgore
Track:  Early Education
Audience level:  Enhanced
Session materials?  No
View details on Enhancing Early Autism Support Through Routines-Based Early Intervention
Breakout Session

Exploring the Impact of ACEs: How MDTs Can Support Healing and Prevention

Speaker:  Libby Valerio-Boster, Maja Cartwright
Track:  Strengthening Partnerships to Support Young Children
Audience level:  Enhanced
Session materials?  No
View details on Exploring the Impact of ACEs: How MDTs Can Support Healing and Prevention
Breakout Session

The Intergenerational Impact: Understanding Parental Development, Attachment, and Trauma-Informed Co-Regulation

Speaker:  Dr. Mark Hald
Track:  Trauma and Resiliency of the Developing Child
Audience level:  Enhanced
Session materials?  No
View details on The Intergenerational Impact: Understanding Parental Development, Attachment, and Trauma-Informed Co-Regulation
Breakout Session

Understanding Family Hardship, Staff Well-Being, and Family Engagement in Educare Lincoln in the Context of Risk and Protective Factors to Trauma Exposure

Speaker:  Peter Dossen, Ni Ketut Wilmayani, Dr. Soo-Young Hong
Track:  Trauma and Resiliency of the Developing Child
Audience level:  Enhanced
Session materials?  No
View details on Understanding Family Hardship, Staff Well-Being, and Family Engagement in Educare Lincoln in the Context of Risk and Protective Factors to Trauma Exposure

3:30 - 4:30pm CDT

Select from these breakout sessions:

Breakout Session

Early Childhood Services: Connecting Families for Lifelong Success

Speaker:  Stacy Scholten, Jamie Kramer
Track:  Early Childhood Services
Audience level:  Foundational
Session materials?  No
View details on Early Childhood Services: Connecting Families for Lifelong Success
Breakout Session This is a repeat session

Full STEAM Ahead: Inspiring Learning with Imagination Storybook Guides

Speaker:  Jackie Steffen, Emily Manning, Ingrid Lindal
Track:  Early Education
Audience level:  Foundational
Session materials?  No
View details on Full STEAM Ahead: Inspiring Learning with Imagination Storybook Guides
Breakout Session This is a repeat session

Reclaiming our Joy in Early Childhood

Speaker:  Hayley Jackson Perez
Track:  Provider Mental Health and Well-Being
Audience level:  Foundational
Session materials?  No
View details on Reclaiming our Joy in Early Childhood
Breakout Session

Regulate to Relate: Emotional Regulation as a Foundation for Connection

Speaker:  Dayna Goff
Track:  Provider Mental Health and Well-Being
Audience level:  Foundational
Session materials?  No
View details on Regulate to Relate: Emotional Regulation as a Foundation for Connection
Breakout Session

The Impact of Housing Instability and Homelessness on Families and Children in Nebraska

Speaker:  Dr. Brittany Brakenhoff, Angela Gebhardt, Sarah Cruz
Track:  Strengthening Partnerships to Support Young Children
Audience level:  Foundational
Session materials?  No
View details on The Impact of Housing Instability and Homelessness on Families and Children in Nebraska
Breakout Session

Puppetry as Empowerment: Providing Opportunity for Every Child's Voice to Be Heard

Speaker:  Alexandra Ashworth
Track:  Trauma and Resiliency of the Developing Child
Audience level:  Foundational
Session materials?  No
View details on Puppetry as Empowerment: Providing Opportunity for Every Child's Voice to Be Heard
Breakout Session

Domestic Violence in Child Welfare: Understanding and Holding Abusers Accountable

Speaker:  Jamie Bahm, Michelle Paxton, Christopher Reid
Track:  Advocating for Young Children
Audience level:  Enhanced
Session materials?  No
View details on Domestic Violence in Child Welfare: Understanding and Holding Abusers Accountable
Breakout Session This is a repeat session

Unspoken Struggles: Navigating Trauma, ADHD, Autism, and Sensory Needs in Families

Speaker:  Shelby Czarnick
Track:  Early Childhood Services
Audience level:  Enhanced
Session materials?  No
View details on Unspoken Struggles: Navigating Trauma, ADHD, Autism, and Sensory Needs in Families
Breakout Session

Turning Priorities into Practice: How the Children’s Foster Care Program Provides High-Quality Health Care

Speaker:  Melissa Coffin, Laurie Berglund
Track:  Strengthening Partnerships to Support Young Children
Audience level:  Enhanced
Session materials?  No
View details on Turning Priorities into Practice: How the Children’s Foster Care Program Provides High-Quality Health Care
Breakout Session This is a repeat session

The Intergenerational Impact: Understanding Parental Development, Attachment, and Trauma-Informed Co-Regulation

Speaker:  Dr. Mark Hald
Track:  Trauma and Resiliency of the Developing Child
Audience level:  Enhanced
Session materials?  No
View details on The Intergenerational Impact: Understanding Parental Development, Attachment, and Trauma-Informed Co-Regulation

Wednesday, June 17, 2026

9:00 - 10:00am CDT

Select from these breakout sessions:

Breakout Session

Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA): Amplifying Children’s Voices in Child Welfare

Speaker:  Dawn Rockey, Corrie Kielty
Track:  Advocating for Young Children
Audience level:  Foundational
Session materials?  No
View details on Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA): Amplifying Children’s Voices in Child Welfare
Breakout Session

The Case for PIWI: How to Successfully Engage the Parents of Infants and Toddlers

Speaker:  Nikki Roseberry, Christen Million
Track:  Early Childhood Services
Audience level:  Foundational
Session materials?  No
View details on The Case for PIWI: How to Successfully Engage the Parents of Infants and Toddlers
Breakout Session

Navigating a Successful Transition from Preschool to Kindergarten

Speaker:  Kelsey Dayan, Dr. Patti Drewes-Hynek
Track:  Early Education
Audience level:  Foundational
Session materials?  No
View details on Navigating a Successful Transition from Preschool to Kindergarten
Breakout Session

Tools, Not Just Talk: CE-CERT and the Skills of Sustaining a Career in the Helping Profession

Speaker:  Jamie Bahm
Track:  Provider Mental Health and Well-Being
Audience level:  Foundational
Session materials?  No
View details on Tools, Not Just Talk: CE-CERT and the Skills of Sustaining a Career in the Helping Profession
Breakout Session This is a repeat session

The Impact of Housing Instability and Homelessness on Families and Children in Nebraska

Speaker:  Dr. Brittany Brakenhoff, Angela Gebhardt, Sarah Cruz
Track:  Strengthening Partnerships to Support Young Children
Audience level:  Foundational
Session materials?  No
View details on The Impact of Housing Instability and Homelessness on Families and Children in Nebraska
Breakout Session

Trauma and Resilience

Speaker:  Dr. Suzi Yokley-Busby
Track:  Trauma and Resiliency of the Developing Child
Audience level:  Foundational
Session materials?  No
View details on Trauma and Resilience
Breakout Session

It’s Time for Some PPP-Prep, Plan and Preschool

Speaker:  Kristine Ray, Ginny Howard
Track:  Early Childhood Services
Audience level:  Enhanced
Session materials?  No
View details on It’s Time for Some PPP-Prep, Plan and Preschool
Breakout Session

Imitation Skills in Action: Equipping EC Providers and Parents to Enhance Toddler Development

Speaker:  Terri McGill
Track:  Early Education
Audience level:  Enhanced
Session materials?  No
View details on Imitation Skills in Action: Equipping EC Providers and Parents to Enhance Toddler Development
Breakout Session

Bridges, Not Barriers: Communication as a Pathway to Family and Community Partnerships for Holistic Support

Speaker:  Ingrid Lindal, LeLynda Briggs-Linstadt, Becky Morton
Track:  Strengthening Partnerships to Support Young Children
Audience level:  Enhanced
Session materials?  No
View details on Bridges, Not Barriers: Communication as a Pathway to Family and Community Partnerships for Holistic Support
Breakout Session

Supporting Parent-Child Relationships: How Dyadic Interventions Help Families in Protective Services

Speaker:  Samantha Byrns, Joanna Halbur
Track:  Trauma and Resiliency of the Developing Child
Audience level:  Enhanced
Session materials?  No
View details on Supporting Parent-Child Relationships: How Dyadic Interventions Help Families in Protective Services

10:20 - 11:20am CDT

Select from these breakout sessions:

Breakout Session

Neurodiversity in Young Children: Supporting the Development of Neurodivergent Children

Speaker:  Dr. Lynne Clure
Track:  Early Childhood Services
Audience level:  Foundational
Session materials?  No
View details on Neurodiversity in Young Children: Supporting the Development of Neurodivergent Children
Breakout Session

10 Creative Tools for Building and Maintaining Your Resiliency

Speaker:  Kay Glidden
Track:  Provider Mental Health and Well-Being
Audience level:  Foundational
Session materials?  No
View details on 10 Creative Tools for Building and Maintaining Your Resiliency
Breakout Session

Building Hope in Yourself and Others

Speaker:  Dr. Suzi Yokley-Busby
Track:  Provider Mental Health and Well-Being
Audience level:  Foundational
Session materials?  No
View details on Building Hope in Yourself and Others
Breakout Session

Reasonable Efforts: Practical Application for Judges, Lawyers, Caseworkers, CASAs and all Involved in Child Welfare

Speaker:  Judge Douglas Johnson
Track:  Advocating for Young Children
Audience level:  Enhanced
Session materials?  No
View details on Reasonable Efforts: Practical Application for Judges, Lawyers, Caseworkers, CASAs and all Involved in Child Welfare
Breakout Session

IECMH Services in Nebraska

Speaker:  Lindsey Ondrak
Track:  Early Childhood Services
Audience level:  Enhanced
Session materials?  No
View details on IECMH Services in Nebraska
Breakout Session

Listening to Nebraskans: Community-Based Research for Creating New Pathways in Early Childhood

Speaker:  Simin Kazemi, Natalie Hanna, Tierra Harper, Amy LaPointe, Itzeni Nayeli Lopez, Brittnie Snyder
Track:  Early Education
Audience level:  Enhanced
Session materials?  No
View details on Listening to Nebraskans: Community-Based Research for Creating New Pathways in Early Childhood
Breakout Session

Nebraska Growing Readers: Lessons Learned in Increasing Book Access and Reading Habits

Speaker:  Steven Cain, Greta Carlson
Track:  Strengthening Partnerships to Support Young Children
Audience level:  Enhanced
Session materials?  No
View details on Nebraska Growing Readers: Lessons Learned in Increasing Book Access and Reading Habits
Breakout Session

Strengthening Prevention Through Relationship-Based Parenting: Evaluation Circle of Security Parenting (COSP) in Nebraska’s Child Welfare System

Speaker:  Dr. Julie McCrae, Sami Bradley
Track:  Strengthening Partnerships to Support Young Children
Audience level:  Enhanced
Session materials?  No
View details on Strengthening Prevention Through Relationship-Based Parenting: Evaluation Circle of Security Parenting (COSP) in Nebraska’s Child Welfare System
Breakout Session

Strengthening Attachment Through Expressive Arts in Parent-Child Therapy

Speaker:  Jea Theis
Track:  Trauma and Resiliency of the Developing Child
Audience level:  Enhanced
Session materials?  No
View details on Strengthening Attachment Through Expressive Arts in Parent-Child Therapy
Breakout Session

Restoring Connection: Attachment-Based Interventions for Young Children and Parents Impacted by Trauma

Speaker:  Debra Wesselmann
Track:  Trauma and Resiliency of the Developing Child
Audience level:  Enhanced
Session materials?  No
View details on Restoring Connection: Attachment-Based Interventions for Young Children and Parents Impacted by Trauma