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    • 05/25/2024
    • 9:00 AM
    • 11/29/2024
    • Virtual
    Register

                            

    Do you have employees who need

    Medication Administration class?

    CCAL is offering two free registrations free of charge when you join the Child Care Association of Louisiana

     Virtual Medication Administration

     Dianne Constant, Agenda for Children

    Virtual Presentation - Saturday May 25, 2024

    9:00 AM - 12:00 Noon 

    Target Audience:  Owners, Directors, and Teachers

    This three-hour class provides staff training on how to properly administer medication to children in early learning centers. Participants will learn the state’s policies and procedures to follow to implement a clear guiding principle for medical administration. Upon completion of this training session, participants will receive a certificate to demonstrate compliance with the Louisiana Department of Health. Dianna Constant has been part of Agenda for Children’s team since 1990. She has over forty years of experience in early childhood education. She spent twenty years directing and operating her own childcare center and has more than two decades of experience as a trainer and technical assistance advisor for early childhood programs. She serves on the board of United Way of St. Charles and is actively involved with the Parish Networks in New Orleans and Houma supporting interaction improvements in Early Child Care Center and has served on the Child Care Health Care Consultant board since 2000. Dianna holds a bachelor’s degree in Sociology/Youth and Family Services from Nichols State University. Certifications include Certified Reliable CLASS Observer (Infant, Toddler, Pre-K), CLASS Affiliate Trainer (Pre K), Inter-Rater Reliable in GOLD by Teaching Strategies, Child Care Health Consultant, Louisiana Pathways Trainer Level II.  Dianna is a lifelong resident of Thibodaux, Louisiana.  



    • 06/22/2024
    • 8:45 AM
    • 12/30/2024
    • Virtual
    Register

    Virtual

    Ready Set Eat Food Safety Class 

    Dianna Constant, Agenda for Children

    Target Audience:  Owners, Directors, and Teachers

    Ready Set Eat Food Safety Presented by Dianne Constant, Agenda for Children 

    Ready Set Eat Food Safety is a session on how children grown 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.

    ·       CLASS language is used. This CLASS meets the food safety requirement of the Louisiana Department of Health

    Dianna Constant has been part of Agenda for Children’s team since 1990. She has over forty years of experience in early childhood education. She spent twenty years directing and operating her own childcare center and has more than two decades of experience as a trainer and technical assistance advisor for early childhood programs. She serves on the board of United Way of St. Charles and is actively involved with the Parish Networks in New Orleans and Houma supporting interaction improvements in Early Child Care Center and has served on the Child Care Health Care Consultant board since 2000. Dianna holds a bachelor’s degree in Sociology/Youth and Family Services from Nichols State University. Certifications include Certified Reliable CLASS Observer (Infant, Toddler, Pre-K), CLASS Affiliate Trainer (Pre K), Inter-Rater Reliable in GOLD by Teaching Strategies, Child Care Health Consultant, Louisiana Pathways Trainer Level II.  Dianna is a lifelong resident of Thibodaux, Louisiana.  


    • 08/03/2024
    • 9:00 AM
    • 10/07/2024
    • Virtual
    Register

    CCAL Zoom Medication Administration and                  Epinephrine Health and Safety Training

    Marjorie Pittman, RN, CCHC  

    Saturday August 3, 2024 

    9:00 AM  till 12:00 Noon 

    Virtual ZOOM Platform 

    Target Audience: Owners, Directors, and Teachers

    This three-hour class provides staff training on how to properly administer medication to children in early learning centers. Participants will learn the state’s policies and procedures to follow to implement a clear guiding principle for medical administration. Upon completion of this training session, participants will receive a certificate to demonstrate compliance with health and safety training requirements.

    Marjorie Pittman RN has been a licensed registered nurse for the past 18 yrs. Currently, Mrs. Pittman works as an RN Ambulatory Clinic Coordinator. She worked as an Operating Room RN for 15 years. 

    • 10/18/2024
    • 7:30 AM - 4:00 PM
    • West Baton Rouge Conference Center, 2750 N. Westport Drive, Port Allen, Louisiana
    • 75
    Register



    ONSITE CCAL Fall Education Conference 

    Friday, October 18, 2024 

    West Baton Rouge Conference Center  

    8:55 AM  Welcoming Remarks – Tafta Miller, President 

    9:00 AM  Keynote Presentations: 

    Vernon Mason

    Dolly Parton Imagination Library Representative  

    10:00 – 10:30 AM           Break 

    10:30 AM till 12 PM           LDOE Updates 

    Target Audience:  Owners, Directors, Assistant Directors

    • Moderator - Karen Powell, Deputy Assistant Superintendent, Early Childhood Care and Education
    • Mellyn Baker, Assistant Superintendent, Early Childhood Care and Education
    • Shelia Campbell – Executive Director, Early Childhood Education Operations
    • Edlink Update - Robert Klein
    • CCAP Update – Melinda George
    • Licensing Updates – Andrea Burl
    • Child Care Criminal Background Checks – Kayla Batiste
    • Adult and Child Food Program - David Thibodeaux 
                                                  OR

    Teacher Roundtable Discussion 

    Limited to teachers and support staff 

    Pamela Marshall, Shiloh Gardens Academy

    Stacey Byes-Byarse, It Takes A Village Academy

    • Effective Teaching Strategies
    • Classroom Management Techniques
    • Latest Research Early childhood education 

    12:00 PM – 1:15 PM         

    Lunch and Corporate Sponsor Recognition - Cindy Bishop

    Door Prize Giveaways – Tara Emery and Tafta Miller

    Swearing In of New CCAL President Tara Emery 

    FRIDAY AFTERNOON BREAKOUT SESSIONS      

    1:15 – 4:15 PM

    Leading for Success and Happiness!  Vernon Mason

    Being an early childhood leader or entrepreneur should be a gift, not punishment. Vernon will share practical steps to set you up for success and happiness even in the most challenging times. Stop being the fixer, empower your leader. 

    Embark on a transformative journey with this veteran director turned speaker and author.  He redefines early childhood leadership as a gift, not a punishment. In this empowering keynote, discover practical steps to ensure both success and joy in your leadership role, even amid challenges. This roadmap extends beyond problem-solving, emphasizing the art of empowerment and inspiring growth within your leadership team.

    Navigate the dynamic world of early childhood leadership with insights, shifting from a fixer to a nurturing leader. Gain valuable tools to cultivate a positive and resilient mindset, enabling graceful navigation through challenges. Uncover strategies for fostering a collaborative work environment where team success becomes a collective achievement.
    Join us in this enlightening experience as the presenter shares wisdom on achieving both success and happiness in early childhood leadership. It's time to embrace your leadership role as the extraordinary gift it should be, setting a course for a fulfilling and joyful professional journey.

    The Five Stages of a Team - Kathe Petchel

    The 5 Stages of a Team weaves in the research on Stages of a Team from the beginning when the team is initially formed and explains the stages a team progresses through until the adjourning stage when you say goodbye to someone. This is based on research out of Berkeley, California from the '70s and is super relevant today.  Kathe Petchel has worked in early childhood education since 1980. A graduate of Penn State University, Kathe earned her B.S. in Elementary Education with an early childhood emphasis. After teaching kindergarten and first grade in public schools, she opened her first childcare center in 1984. Along with her daughter, Molly Hichens, she owns three locations serving more than 450 families in Charlottesville, Virginia. In 2017, Kathe initially joined the HINGE Advisors team as a staffing and operations consultant guiding clients in various best practices before their schools were marketed and sold. Currently, she is on the Business Development team, focusing on building relationships with potential sellers and working alongside Hinge colleagues including financial analysts and transaction advisors as a liaison for sellers as they plan a successful expansion, exit or sale. A large part of that work includes speaking at early childhood conferences and for large multisite companies

    Financial Management Without ARPA Grant Funds & Calculating Tuition to Maximize Your Profitability 

    Donna Daily

    In the Fall of 2023, a significant change impacted the childcare industry: the ending of Stabilization Grant funds for childcare businesses. This has resulted in substantial financial distress for many childcare owners. This workshop will provide participants with a framework for getting back on track with financial management without ARPA grant funds. In addition to readjusting to the loss of grant funds, one of the most important keys to a child care business's financial health and stability is charging tuition rates in all classrooms that cover the cost of delivering care and provide a desired level of profitability. This workshop, with its practical focus on calculating the cost to deliver care – all fixed, variable, direct, and indirect costs, equips you with the necessary tools to make informed financial decisions, ensuring you are well-prepared for the future.

    Healing the Hurt of Trauma:

    Using Children’s Literature to Support Children

    Sherry Palmer

    Trauma is an all too often experienced by the children in our care. These children need extra care and specialized strategies to support their healing. Healing from trauma is a long and arduous process, however adults who recognize this can and must be key to the healing. Adults can use the power of literature as a strategy to support children in trauma. Each participant will receive a list of quality books that are recommended by highly respected children’s counselors and psychologists. Lesson Plans and activities that have been developed to accompany these books will also be shared. By using literature that is relevant to social emotional needs, Louisiana’s youngest learners can develop an understanding of the power of story in the lives of others and for themselves.

    Using Literature to Foster Social Skills

    Leah Lormand, MS, LCSW

    This presentation will introduce literature that focuses on social development for young children. Participants will learn the importance of developing social skills early and the stages of this development in children 0-5. Next, we will engage in literature enrichment activities. Then participants will develop their own lessons based on read-alouds that focus on social skills. Emotional regulation will be addressed as well. Louisiana’s youngest learners can use stories with fun characters to learn social skills. It is valuable to know that literature can be accessed to solve real-life problems. 

    Medication and Epinephrine Administration

    Dianna Constant, Agenda for Children

    Marjorie Pittman, RN

    Denise Gillespie RN

    This three-hour breakout session provides staff training on how to properly administer medication to children in early learning centers. Participants will learn the state’s policies and procedures to follow to implement a clear guiding principle for medical administration. Upon completion of this training session, participants will receive a certificate to demonstrate compliance with health and safety training requirements. Marjorie Pittman has been a licensed registered nurse for the past 18 yrs. Currently, Mrs. Pittman works as an RN Ambulatory Clinic Coordinator. She worked as an Operating Room RN for 15 years. Dianna Constant has been part of the Agenda for Children team since 1990. She has over forty years of experience in early childhood education. She spent twenty years directing and operating her own childcare center and has more than two decades of experience as a trainer and technical assistance advisor for early childhood programs. She serves on the board of United Way of St. Charles and is actively involved with the Parish Networks in New Orleans and Houma supporting interaction improvements in Early Child Care Center and has served on the Child Care Health Care Consultant board since 2000. 

    Teachers Roundtable Discussion

    Stacey Byes-Byarse and Pamela Marshall

    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. Since opening her two early learning centers, Stacey has built an environment of trusted and supportive team members who embrace the mission and vision to uplift each family in every aspect of life. Stacey and It Takes a Village Academy has been a voice and an outspoken and effective advocate for children, families, early childhood teachers, and support staff. Stacey was elected to the CCAL Board of Directors in 2021 and started her Coaching and Consulting business, Talk with Ms. Stacey B., as a certified Happiness Coach. Stacey is a certified Early Learning Trainer. 

    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. Pamela holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Organizational Management with a concentration in Early Childhood Education and minor in Psychology. She has over 21 years of experience in the childcare profession as an FCC Director working with diverse families. Additionally, she is a CLASS Observer. She is a strong advocate for early childhood education and has a strong passion for educating young children, empowering others to tap into their full potential, and using her platform to bring about change in the childcare profession. Pamela is a native New Orleanian. Pamela serves on the Child Care Association of Louisiana Board of Directors representing Greater New Orleans.

    FALL CONFERENCE REGISTRATION RATES

    Register at childcarelouisiana.org/events

    Early Bird Discount Registration

    Rates Effective Till September 18th

                    

    Exhibitors        

    6’ table with 2 chairs    $375

    Break   Sponsor                      $400

    For non-members, call or text Cindy Bishop at 225 933 5435 for special rates.

    Please Include your name, center or affiliation and email address please

    For registration assistance, call Cindy Bishop at 225 933 5435 or email cindy.bishop@checkmate-strategies.com and David.roberson@checkmate-strategies.com

    DISCOUNT HOTEL RATES AVAILABLE

    THROUGH CCAL HOTEL ROOM BLOCKS

    CCAL has a discount room block secured with the Hampton Inn and Suites for discount hotel rooms at the rate of $99 plus tax per night for Thursday, October 17th and/or Friday October 18th. The Hampton is located at 2755 Commercial Drive in Port Allen.

    To book a room, call the hotel 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 for all hotel guests.



    CCAL also has a discount room block secured with the LaQuinta Inn and Suites, 2720 N. Westport Drive in Port Allen. The discount room rate is $99 plus tax per night for Thursday, October 17th or Friday, October 18th. 

    To book a hotel room, call LA Quinta at 225 831 3253 or book online at Wyndham.com and use discount code 101724CHI. The hotel rate includes breakfast






    • 10/18/2024
    • 7:30 AM - 4:15 PM
    • Virtual
    Register



    Virtual Registration 

    Fall Education Conference - Friday Only

    Friday, October 18, 2024

    9:00 AM till 4:15 PM


    Keynote Speaker -  Vernon Mason     9:00 - 10 AM 

    LDOE Updates  10:30 AM till 12 noon 

    Target Audience:  Owners, Directors, Assistant Directors

    • Moderator - Karen Powell, Deputy Assistant Superintendent of Early Childhood Care and Education
    • Mellyn Baker, Assistant Superintendent of Early Childhood Care and Education 
    • Shelia Campbell – Executive Director, Early Childhood Education Operations
    • Edlink Update - Robert Klein
    • CCAP Update – Melinda George
    • Licensing Updates – Andrea Burl
    • Child Care Criminal Background Checks – Kayla Batiste
    • Adult and Child Food Program - David Thibodeaux

    Lunch break till 1:15 PM

    FRIDAY AFTERNOON BREAKOUT SESSION   

    1:15 – 4:15 PM

    Leading for Success and Happiness! 

    Vernon Mason

    Being an early childhood leader or entrepreneur should be a gift, not punishment. Vernon will share practical steps to set you up for success and happiness even in the most challenging times. Stop being the fixer, empower your leader. 

    Embark on a transformative journey with this veteran director turned speaker and author.  He redefines early childhood leadership as a gift, not a punishment. In this empowering keynote, discover practical steps to ensure both success and joy in your leadership role, even amid challenges. This roadmap extends beyond problem-solving, emphasizing the art of empowerment and inspiring growth within your leadership team.

    Navigate the dynamic world of early childhood leadership with insights, shifting from a fixer to a nurturing leader. Gain valuable tools to cultivate a positive and resilient mindset, enabling graceful navigation through challenges. Uncover strategies for fostering a collaborative work environment where team success becomes a collective achievement.

    Join us in this enlightening experience as the presenter shares wisdom on achieving both success and happiness in early childhood leadership. It's time to embrace your leadership role as the extraordinary gift it should be, setting a course for a fulfilling and joyful professional journey.





    We plan to email all virtual participants a link to our ZOOM Platform no later than 5 PM on Thursday October 17th. 

    • 10/18/2024
    • 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
    • Hampton Inn and Suites, 2755 Commercial Drive, Port Allen
    Register


    Child Care Association of Louisiana

    Child Care Health Consultant Business Meeting 

    In Conjunction with Our CCAL Fall Education Conference

    Friday October 18, 2024 

    Hampton Inn  & Suites

    2755 Commercial Drive

    Port Allen, Louisiana

    This facility is within walking distance of the

    West Baton Rouge Conference Center.

                                     Conference Room 

                                  9:00 AM till 12:00 Noon 

    Child Care Health Consultant Business Meeting

    Agenda - To be announced

    CCAL has a membership category specifically for CCHCs. 

    CCAL has appointed a CCHC Ad-Hoc Committee chaired by Angela White-Williams.

    If you have any questions, reach out to CCAL at 225 933 5435.

    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 October 17th or Friday October 18th. You can reserve a hotel room by calling  the hotel directly at 225 389-665. Be sure to 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 $99 plus tax per night for Thursday, October 17th or Friday, October 18th. You can reserve a hotel room a La Quinta by calling 225 831 3253 or book online at Wyndham.com. The hotel rate includes breakfast. 

    This meeting is for CCHC CCAL members only.

    To attend, please join the Child Care Association of Louisiana when you register for this meeting or contact Cindy Bishop at 225 933 5435. 

    Thanks!

    • 10/18/2024
    • 6:30 PM - 9:00 PM
    • West Baton Rouge Conference Center, 2750 N. Westport Drive, Port Allen, LA
    Register


    Friday Night Social

    Our theme for our CCAL Fall Education Conference is 

    "Reading Today, Leading Tomorrow" with a focus on early literacy.

    For our Friday night social, we encourage our guests to come dressed as their favorite storybook character

    Be imaginative and creative, but most of all - our goal is to have fun and enjoy each other's company!

    • Food and beverages will be served.  
    • Music
    • Door Prizes 

    Friday October 18th

    West Baton Rouge Conference Center 

    6:30 - 9:00 PM 

    Tickets are $50 per person

    • 10/19/2024
    • 7:30 AM - 4:00 PM
    • VIRTUAL Registration -
    Register



    VIRTUAL REGISTRATION

    Fall Education Conference for Saturday Only

    Saturday, October 19, 2024

     

    • 10/19/2024
    • 7:30 AM - 4:00 PM
    • West Baton Rouge Conference Center, 2750 N. Westport Drive, Port Allen, Louisiana
    • 97
    Register



    Fall Education Conference

    for Saturday Only

    Saturday, October 19, 2024

    West Baton Rouge Conference Center

    2750 N. Westport Drive

    Baton Rouge, Louisiana  

     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, October 17th or Friday October 18th. To book a hotel room, call the hotel 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.

    Saturday Breakout Sessions -

    October 19, 2024

    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.   

    Ready Set Eat Food Safety - Dianne Constant, Agenda for Children

    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.

    Tracking and Organizing CCAP Remittances, Semi-automated invoices and More –

    Danielle Credeur, Inspire Management Solutions

    In this interactive session, 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. Each of our three 2-hour sessions will be limited to only 10 participants so that we can individualize this hands-on workshop to maximize the benefit for each participant.  

    Turning Challenges into Triumphs: Strategies for Responding to Staff and Parent Negativity and Keyboard Critics  - Kathe Petchel, Hinge Advisors

    This session covers steps to take ahead of time to minimize or mitigate negative PR, keyboard critics, and social media rants from both parents and staff. We look at specific and actionable solutions to ensure speedy remedies and learn key phrases and responses to use when under pressure. Attendees will have the opportunity to share some of the challenging situations they have experienced and with the benefit of hindsight, and the groups’ collective wisdom, understand what they could have done differently.

    Behavior Has Meaning  - Rachelle Gramstad and Analiezel Hall, Co-Presenter – Agenda for Children

    During this workshop, participants will gain information about the importance of understanding that all behavior has meaning. During this workshop, participants will be encouraged to think about how the infants, toddlers, or preschoolers in their classrooms communicate their wants and needs, intentions and emotions, and how they respond to their attempts at communication.  

    Enrollment Elevation - Chelsea Reue, Preschool Exchange

    Embark on a transformative journey as we delve into the art and science of crafting preschool tours that captivate hearts and elevate enrollments. In "Enrollment Elevation," we'll explore innovative strategies and proven techniques to turn every tour into a captivating experience. From creating a warm welcome to showcasing your center's unique charm, this presentation is your guide to mastering the intricacies of the tour process. We'll focus on how these efforts can directly improve literacy for Louisiana's youngest learners by attracting families to childcare programs that emphasize early literacy development, ensuring that children have the foundational skills they need to succeed.  

    ALERT:  Profit Is Not a Bad Word – Chelsea Reue

    As heart-centered Directors and Owners, it is easy to feel guilty or ashamed of managing a program that is profitable. During this presentation, we will address concerns around profit and explore ways to make your center more profitable to serve your staff, children, families, and yourself better. Takeaways from this presentation will include sample budgets and price structure options to balance a budget and bring profits to your center, turning profit from a bad word into an opportunity for growth. Additionally, we'll emphasize how increased profitability can enhance your center's literacy programs, providing the resources needed to improve early literacy outcomes for the children in your care.

    Sensory Story Time – Kathleen Huff, Nunez Community College

    This presentation will spark interest in sensory learning activities connected to story times with young children. Children learn through their senses, as well as being interactive with learning materials. So why not link that type of learning to children’s literature in the classroom, in the library, and through newsletters for our families to emulate. Through interactions with materials that connect to the theme of the story it brings children to a higher level of understanding than with the story alone. All early childhood classrooms of today include children with special needs and these are great techniques to fully involve all children. 

    Child Care Business Valuation 101 & Value Acceleration – Donna S. Daily 

    Most child care owners do not think about building value over time as they run their business. However, the value of the child care business and associated real estate is what the owner plans to rely on to fund the next chapter of their life – often their retirement. In fact, about 75% of business owners plan to fund their retirement from the eventual sale and “value” of their child care business. This workshop is designed to help owners understand the basics of how childcare businesses are valued. Child care owners often focus on the wrong things when attempting to increase business value. This workshop is designed to help owners understand what increases and decreases a childcare business's value. We will share the proprietary Child Care Business Value Acceleration™ program created by ChildCareOwner.com to help owners implement the most effective methods for increasing the value of their childcare business in less time.

    Eliminate, Automate, Delegate to Elevate – Chelsea Reue

    Join us for our transformative presentation, "Eliminate, Automate, Delegate, to Elevate," where we'll unveil the essential strategies to streamline your workload, boost productivity, and elevate your business to new heights. Discover how to identify tasks to eliminate, automate repetitive processes, and effectively delegate responsibilities to unlock more time for growth and success. By adopting these strategies, you'll not only achieve greater efficiency and fulfillment but also create the capacity to focus on enhancing literacy programs within your center, thereby improving early literacy outcomes for the children in your care. Don't miss this opportunity to revolutionize your approach to work and elevate both your business and the educational experiences you provide!

    Creating a Literacy Rich Environment – Dr. DeShannon Burrell

    Join us for an empowering presentation on fostering a love for reading and writing within homes and communities. This session aims to equip childcare owners, educators, and parents with practical strategies to create enriching literacy experiences for children. We will cover strategies on how to involve parents in their child’s literacy journey along with building community partnerships. Attendees will leave with actionable steps to support children’s literacy development, engage families with setting the home environment for a learning adventure, and collaborating with local organizations to create a supportive literacy network and establish community connections. 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. She has a love for training, equipping, and propelling childcare staff, children and families into their divine destiny. She is owner of Elite Caregiver Training Institute, executive director of Louisiana Human Care Connection, Inc., and Performance Coach with Childcare Millionaire’s Association. She is also a state trainer for Northwestern State University Louisiana Pathways Career Development System helping to improve quality childcare in Louisiana.

    No Mine! I wanna Do it!  Help me Navigate My Big Emotions

    Kari Stephens and Karen Stevens, TIKES Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Consultants

    Our goal for the workshop is to help teachers utilize routine parts of their day to highlight and strengthen their classrooms social-emotional literacy. We plan to validate the concerns and frustrations commonly felt by teachers of students with big emotions. We also want to educate an equip teachers with tools such as their social stories, a curated book list, and additional knowledge about social-emotional health, that will give them the confidence necessary to teach children how to identify and regulate their big emotions. 

    Healing the Hurt of Trauma:

    Using Children’s Literature to Support Children –

    Sherry Palmer

    Trauma is an all too often experienced by the children in our care. These children need extra care and specialized strategies to support their healing. Healing from trauma is a long and arduous process, however adults who recognize this can and must be key to the healing. Adults can use the power of literature as a strategy to support children in trauma. Each participant will receive a list of quality books that are recommended by highly respected children’s counselors and psychologists. Lesson Plans and activities that have been developed to accompany these books will also be shared. By using literature that is relevant to social emotional needs, Louisiana’s youngest learners can develop an understanding of the power of story in the lives of others and for themselves. 

    Seamless Succession Planning: Your Step-by-Step Guide to Future-Proofing Your Company

    Kathe Petchel, Hinge Advisors

    It's never too early to plan your exit. In fact, we recommend you start thinking about it when you open your doors. However, as your company grows, things become more complicated, especially when real estate is acquired, children and family members join the company, and you are the market leader in your area. Join Kathe Petchel, Hinge Advisors, Business Development team member, for an informed discussion about what you should have in place now, what to consider for the future, and the key factors that will support a successful exit if and when you choose. Special content relating to second-generation succession planning, business and real estate valuations, and choosing a corporate successor will be shared. Don't miss this session designed to give you peace of mind. Future-proof your company now!

    Parent Engagement: An Essential In Building Strong Readers – Sherry Palmer

    The families of the children we serve are a constant variable and the most powerful bridge to success for them. When Early Learning Centers embrace families as partners, all benefit. In this session, you will learn the nuts and bolts of parent engagement and have the opportunity to hear examples of successful programs. This presentation will share steps taken from the beginning “dream stages” through implementation of a program that has become a way of life for one center. Specific action steps will be described parents and staff alike took to forge a program and set it up for success that has stood the test of time. 


    Early Bird Discount Registration Rates through September 18th

                                     CCAL         Non-Member

                                     Member  

    Onsite Friday               $125        $250        

    Onsite Saturday           $125        $250

    Virtual Friday               $125        $275

    Virtual Saturday           $125        $275

    Friday Social                 $ 60         $120

    Exhibitors        

    6’ table with 2 chairs    $375

    Drink Sponsor              $400

    For non-members, call or text Cindy Bishop at 225 933 5435 for special rates.

    Please Include your name, center or affiliation and email address please

    For registration assistance, call Cindy Bishop at 225 933 5435 or email cindy.bishop@checkmate-strategies.com and David.roberson@checkmate-strategies.com


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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