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. A printed schedule will be provided to all attendees at check-in.

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 Children

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 Children
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

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

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 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

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 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

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:  Dr. 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 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

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

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 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

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

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

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

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 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

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

Speaker:  Katie Zabel, Dr. 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

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
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

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

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 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 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

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

IECMH Services in Nebraska

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

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

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

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
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