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    • 11/05/2024
    • 06/26/2025
    • VIRTUAL Registration -
    Register



    VIRTUAL REGISTRATION

    Ready Set Eat Food Safety 

    Earn 3.0 Clock Hours

    Qualifies for Health & Safety Training

     

    • 11/05/2024
    • 06/18/2025
    • VIRTUAL Registration -
    Register



    VIRTUAL REGISTRATION

    Medication Administration & Epinephrine Training

    Earn 3.0 Clock Hours

    Qualifies for Health & Safety Training

     

    • 03/26/2025
    • 10:30 AM - 1:00 PM
    • Louisiana State Capitol, 900 N Third Street, Baton Rouge, LA
    Register


    Come join CCAL for a day of advocacy training

    and presentations from key lawmakers and stakeholders! 

    CCAL Advocacy Day at the Capitol 

            Wednesday, March 26, 2025 

    Louisiana State Capitol 

    900 N. Third Street 

    Baton Rouge, Louisiana 

    10:30 AM House Committee Room 1

    11:30 AM   Lunch in the Ellender Room

    House Committee Room 1

    Welcome and Introductions

    Tara Emery, CCAL President

    Jonathan Pearce, CCAL Legislative Chairman

    Overview of the Legislative Process 

    Cindy Bishop, Executive Director and Lobbyist  


    State Representative Barbara Freiberg

    Vice-Chair, House Committee on Local & Municipal Affairs

    House Appropriations Committee

    House Education Committee 



    State Representative Vanessa Caston Lafleur
    The Importance of Advocacy 


    Ellender Room - House Basement 

    Lunch will be served in the Ellender Room  

    11:30 AM


    State Senator Rick Edmonds

    Chairman, Senate Education Committee

    Forecast on the 2025 Regular Session


    State Representative Laurie Schlegel

    Chair, House Committee on Education


     Marcus Thomas, Early Childhood Systems Director

    Office of the Governor

    Karen Powell

    Deputy Assistant Superintendent of

    Early Childhood Care and Education

    Louisiana Department of Education


    Barry Carter

     Assistant Superintendent of

    Early Childhood Care and Education

    Louisiana Department of Education

    • 04/04/2025
    • 7:30 AM - 3:30 PM
    • West Baton Rouge Conference Center, 2750 N. Westport Drive, Port Allen, Louisiana
    • 95
    Register



      Onsite Registration for Friday April 4th 

    CCAL Spring Education Conference 

    This registration link is for ONSITE Friday, April 4, 2025

    Please register separately for Saturday April 5, 2025

    West Baton Rouge Conference Center

    2750 N. Westport Drive

    Baton Rouge, Louisiana

    Click here to download the Spring Conference Schedule

    CCAL 2025 Spring Conference Schedule

    9:00 - 10:00 AM  



    Keynote Presentation:  Brandy Woods-Smith

    LDOE UPDATE    10:30 AM - 12:00 PM


    •   Karen Powell - Moderator

    • Shelia Campbell
    • EdLink Update – Robert Klein 
    • Child Care Assistance Program – Melinda George
    • Licensing Updates (Bulletin 137) –Andrea Burl 
    • Child Care Criminal Background Checks – Kayla Batiste
    • Child and Adult Food Program - Debbie Gary

    OR

    Teachers’ Roundtable Discussion

    Coach Stacey Byes-Byarse  


    Pamela Marshall


      Registration is limited to early childhood teachers and support staff. 

      Teacher’s Roundtable Discussion is a dynamic forum for educators to collaboratively explore and share innovative practices, challenges, and insights related to early childhood education. This interactive session fosters a sense of community among teachers, creating a space where they can engage in open dialogue about effective teaching strategies, classroom management techniques, and the latest research in early childhood development. Participants exchange practical tips, success stories, and valuable resources, enhancing their professional development. The roundtable format encourages peer-to-peer learning, allowing teachers to address common concerns and find collective solutions. Overall, the Teachers Roundtable Discussion serves as a platform for educators to connect, learn from each other, and contribute to the continuous improvement of early childhood education practices. Stacey Byes-Byarse has been in the early learning field for over 20 years. She established It Takes a Village Academy in 2014. In 2020, It Takes a Village Academy acquired its second location.  Pamela Marshall is the proud owner and Executive Director of Shiloh Gardens Academy in New Orleans. She recently opened her second location – Shiloh Gardens Academy & Early Learning Center. 

      Afternoon Workshops  1:15 - 3:15 PM  (Pick Only One) 



      Child Care Owners and Directors Bootcamp

      Brandy Woods Smith,  Child Care Millionaire 


      Toys, Trikes and Tantrums 

      Dianna Constant, Agenda for Children 

      This two-hour workshop provides early childhood educators with a blueprint for success with young children in the early learning classroom. Participants will learn an underlying cause of preschool behaviors and learn effective techniques to prevent problem behaviors that sometimes occur in the preschool classroom. Dianna Constant has been part of the Agenda for Children team since 1990. She has over forty years of experience in early childhood education. 



      Firm but Fair: Effective Staff Discipline

      Dr. DeShannon Burrell - Elite Caregiver Training Institute 

      How Do We Do It?   Reprimand In a way that supports Growth and Development rather than diminishing morale. Let’s walk through the keys of positive discipline in the workplace regarding our staff. Dr. DeShannon L. Burrell is a native of Baton Rouge, Louisiana. She holds a master’s degree in psychology and her Doctorate in Naturopathic Health. She has thirty years of experience in the childcare field. Within this field, she has worked as childcare staff, director, administrator, and trainer.  

      Medication Administration & Epinephrine Training - 

      Angelique White-Williams, RN, CCHC


      Composure:  Keep Calm and Teach - Danielle Davis and Nirenza Taylor

      A Workshop on Conscious Discipline 


      CCAL HOTEL ROOM BLOCKS

      CCAL has a discount room block secured with the Hampton Inn and Suites in Port Allen for discount hotel rooms at the rate of $99 plus tax per night for Thursday, April 3rd or Friday April 4th.

      To book a hotel room, call the Hampton Inn and Suites directly at 225 389-6655 and ask for a reservation under the CCAL Room Block to get the discounted hotel room rate. The hotel rate includes breakfast.

      CCAL has a discount room block secured with LaQuinta Inn and Suites, 2720 N. Westport Drive in Port Allen. The discount room rate is for Thursday, April 3rd or Friday, April 4th. 

      To book a hotel room, call 225 831 3253 

      FRIDAY NIGHT SOCIAL 

      CCAL is hosting a social on Friday April 4th from 6 - 8 PM at the West Baton Rouge Conference Center. The cost per person is only $50.  We will have a deejay and will be serving appetizers, heavy horderves, soft drinks, wine and beer.

      Join us for our first-ever SNEAKER BALL 

      • 04/04/2025
      • 7:30 AM - 3:30 PM
      • Virtual
      • 148
      Register



      Virtual Platform

      Spring Education Conference for Friday Only

      Friday, April 4, 2025

      9:00 AM - 10:00 AM 

      Keynote Presentation:  Brandy Woods-Smith

      10:30 - 12:00 Noon

      LDOE Update

      Karen Powell - Moderator

      • Shelia Campbell
      • EdLink Update – Robert Klein 
      • Child Care Assistance Program – Melinda George
      • Licensing Updates (Bulletin 137) –Andrea Burl 
      • Child Care Criminal Background Checks – Kayla Batiste 
      • Child and Adult Food Program - Debbie Gary

      1:15 PM - 3:15 PM

      Child Care Owners and Directors Bootcamp

      Brandy Woods-Smith,  Child Care Millionaire 

      Note:  Virtual Participants will receive a link to our

      ZOOM Platform by 5:00 PM on Thursday, April 3rd.

      If you do not receive the ZOOM Link,  text your name and email to 

      Cindy Bishop @ 225 933 5435  Then add  

      Need Friday Virtual ZOOM Link to your text.

      • 04/04/2025
      • 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM
      • West Baton Rouge Conference Center, 2750 N. Westport Drive, Port Allen, LA
      Register


       

      CCAL Friday Night Social

      Sneaker Ball

      Friday, April 4, 2025

      6:00 - 8:00 PM

      West Baton Rouge Conference Center

      2750 N. Westport Drive

      Port Allen,  Louisiana


      Dress Up or Dress Down but Wear your Glitzed Up Sneakers!

      We have a deejay and will be serving appetizers,  hor'derves,  wine beer and soft drinks.  The price is only $50/ per person.

      • 04/05/2025
      • 8:00 AM - 3:30 PM
      • West Baton Rouge Conference Center, 2750 N. Westport Drive, Port Allen, Louisiana
      • 115
      Register



      ONSITE REGISTRATION

      CCAL Spring Education Conference

      Saturday April 5, 2025

      Approved for Six Clock Hours

      by Louisiana Pathways and LDOE 

      Virtual and Onsite Registration Options Available

      West Baton Rouge Conference Center

      2750 N. Westport Drive

      Baton Rouge, Louisiana

      Saturday Onsite Sessions Include:

        Please register separately for Friday 4/4/2025 at

      childcarelouisiana.org/events



      Culturally Responsive Literacy Practices in an Early Childhood Setting - Dr. Dionne Nichols-Condoll   

      The presentation will focus on culturally responsive teaching practices including literacy in an early childhood setting and how culture, language, and uniqueness help educators teach literacy skills in a way that increases literacy achievement for all young scholars. 

       

      Bubbles and Boundaries:  Teacher Self-Care for 2025   

      Lisa LaRochelle / Patrick Sciambra   

      Tulane Infant Mental Health - Tikes Program

      This presentation is intended for any and all early childhood educators.  Teaching young children can be incredibly stressful!  Research clearly shows that caregivers who are stressed are more likely to use harsh discipline.  This session address stress management and self-care in a fun and educational way. Teachers will learn about stress and how it impacts both the brain and the body.  Participants will then gain insight into how trauma impacts functioning, explore the importance of setting healthy boundaries, and finally will develop their own individualized self-care plan.  We aim to support teachers in taking care of themselves, so they are better able to take care of the children in their classrooms!  



      From Insurance Crisis to Insurance Confidence: 

      Controlling the Narrative - Samantha (Sam) Phillips 

      Navigating the childcare insurance crisis requires resilience and proactive strategies. In this session, Sam Phillips, a leading expert in business insurance for Early Care and Education (ECE), will address the challenges of securing coverage in today’s challenging insurance landscape. Learn how to craft compelling applications, avoid common pitfalls, and master the art of storytelling to position your program as a desirable risk to insurers. Sam will share practical techniques for reducing exposure, showcasing your commitment to safety, and protecting the future of your program. Don’t let insurance hurdles compromise the care you provide—join this session to gain the tools and insights needed to safeguard your childcare business.  


      Toys, Trikes and Tantrums

      Dianna Constant, Agenda for Children

      This breakout session provides educators with a blueprint for success with young children in the early learning classroom.  Participants will learn an underlying cause of preschool behaviors and learn effective techniques to prevent problem behaviors that sometimes occur in the preschool classroom.  


      Safe Sleep (1 hour) and Ready Set Eat Food Safety (1 hour) 

      Denise Gillespie, RN, CCHC, ECHST 

      The Safe Sleep Training Course provides essential knowledge on creating a safe sleep environment for infants in childcare settings. Participants will gain an understanding of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), including risk factors and prevention strategies. The course will cover best practices for safe sleep, including standards for cribs, tummy time, and sleep environment. Additionally, we will review the importance of having a clear safe sleep policy and a medical emergency plan. Through discussions and practical guidance, caregivers will learn how to implement these standards to ensure the well-being of infants in their care. Ready Set Eat Food Safety is a session on how children grow and develop. This is an interactive session that includes information on handling children with special needs. After completion of this  training class, participants will be able to define the grasping status, describe a positive and supportive learning environment for feeding children, be able to discuss how language and feeding are related.


      Tracking and Organizing CCAP Remittances 

      M.I.C.E. – Motivate, Inspire, Cultivate, Empower 

      Danielle Credeur – Sugar N’Spice Children’s Academy and Inspire Management Group

      For the first hour, center owners and directors will learn how to effectively and efficiently track and organize their CCAP Remittances, their CCAP redeterminations and their semi-automated invoices (also known as SAIs). Come prepared with your laptop and your CCAP paperwork to roll up your sleeves and get your Child Care Assistance Program paperwork organized so that your center can easily stay on top of CCAP payments received, owed and pending.

      During the second hour of the workshop, we will explore the essential pillars of personal and professional growth. M-I-C-E!! MOTIVATE – INSPIRE – CULTIVATE – EMPOWER!  Motivation is the driving force behind any action. Danielle Credeur is from Lafayette and resides in Scott, Louisiana. She is the Vice President and Chief Financial Officer for Sugar n’ Spice Children’s Academy and Inspire Management Solutions.


      Managing Challenging Behaviors: 

      Strategies for Real Results - Dr. DeShannon Burrell

      Dominque Byrd and Sharon McNeely

      Teams should unite to address and manage challenging behaviors. This session will outline effective strategies to implement that lead to the promotion of positive behaviors and improved student outcomes. Dr. DeShannon Burrell is a native of Baton Rouge, Louisiana. She holds a master’s degree in psychology and her Doctorate in Naturopathic Health. She has thirty years of experience in the childcare field. Within this field, she has worked as childcare staff, director, administrator, and trainer.   


      Playing with a Purpose: Relearning How to Play to Address Developmental Skills - Sydney Bordelon, MOT, LOTR

      This two-hour workshop is designed to empower early learning educators on the importance of play to target age-appropriate skills. The session includes instructional information as well as hands-on opportunities to incorporate the skills in the classroom. Sensory Integration: What the heck does that even mean?  We will be reviewing following sensory systems: tactile, gustatory, olfactory, vestibular, visual, and proprioceptive.


      Introduction to Trauma Informed Care

      Amber Rosean M.Ed 

      Raising A Village - Early Childhood Consultant and Trainer

      In any setting, we likely work with various people including  children, parents, co-workers,  supervisors and colleagues.  Working with other people means that we are likely working with someone who has had a traumatic experience. Through foundational research on experiences of childhood adversity, we’ve learned that at least 70% of adults in the United States have experienced at least one potentially traumatic event.  Introduction to Trauma Informed Care explores how incorporating a trauma-informed approach in our work with children and families can help better assist the people we serve and improve the workplace for everyone.  



      How to Engage Students During Center Time 

      Lowlette Evans, LP Early Childhood Consultant

      During this two-hour workshop, early childhood educators will be provided with support strategies. They will learn the importance of asking open-ended questions and get a better understanding of how the questions relate to children.   Participants will explore and demonstrate their understanding of open-ended questions at work time/center time. 




      Cultivating Mental Wellness and Self Care for Leaders and Entrepreneurs - Annette Nicole James, MA, CLC

      is a presentation that helps leaders to prioritize self-care to avoid compassion fatigue and burnout.  Not only will participants learn the importance of self-care they will also learn various strategies that can be implemented into their daily lives so that they’re more intentional about practicing self care for their overall mental well-being. 

      • 04/05/2025
      • 8:00 AM - 3:30 PM
      • Virtual
      • 157
      Register



      CCAL Spring Education Conference

      VIRTUAL PLATFORM 

      Saturday April 5, 2025

       Approved for six clock hours by Louisiana Pathways and LDOE 

        Please register separately for Friday 4/4/2025 at

      childcarelouisiana.org/events

      Insurance Crisis to Insurance Confidence: 

      Controlling the Narrative - Samantha (Sam) Phillips 

      Navigating the childcare insurance crisis requires resilience and proactive strategies. In this session, Sam Phillips, a leading expert in business insurance for Early Care and Education (ECE), will address the challenges of securing coverage in today’s challenging insurance landscape. Learn how to craft compelling applications, avoid common pitfalls, and master the art of storytelling to position your program as a desirable risk to insurers. 

      Or 

      Safe Sleep (1 hour) and Ready Set Eat Food Safety (1 hour) 

      Denise Gillespie, RN, CCHC, ECHST 

      The Safe Sleep Training Course provides essential knowledge on creating a safe sleep environment for infants in childcare settings. Participants will gain an understanding of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), including risk factors and prevention strategies. The course will cover best practices for safe sleep, including standards for cribs, tummy time, and sleep environment. Additionally, we will review the importance of having a clear safe sleep policy and a medical emergency plan. Through discussions and practical guidance, caregivers will learn how to implement these standards to ensure the well-being of infants in their care. Ready Set Eat Food Safety is a session on how children grow and develop. This is an interactive session that includes information on handling children with special needs. After completion of this three-hour training class, participants will be able to Define the grasping status, describe a positive and supportive learning environment for feeding children, be able to discuss how language and feeding are related. 


      Mid morning and afternoon breakout sessions to be determined. 


      If you do not receive the ZOOM Link,  text your name and email to 

      Cindy Bishop @ 225 933 5435  Then add  

      Need Saturday Virtual ZOOM Link to your text.


    Childcare Association of Louisiana is statewide,  non-profit, professional membership organization that advocates on behalf of the early childhood education profession. 


    Copyright © 2017  All Rights Reserved

    Call or Text

    (225) 933-5435

    Executive Director


    Childcare Association of Louisiana
    P.O. Box  80053
    Baton Rouge, LA 70898-0053

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