Early Head Start National Resource Center

If you are prepared to begin your online submission, please click here:

SUBMIT SESSION PROPOSALS
Abstract Submission Deadline: 11:59pm, Friday, December 8, 2006

Otherwise, continue reading below for information you need to collect before beginning your submission.

We encourage you to submit online. The online system will walk you through each step of the process and prompt you for all information required in each step. You do not have to complete your online submission in one sitting - your proposal will be saved after you submit the first page, and you will be assigned a submission ID and password (noted on the left-hand side of the screen).

Scroll to the bottom of the page to log in to a previous submission.

For help in submitting your proposal, email Tech Support.

This year’s theme is Quality Practices for Babies and Toddlers: Services and Systems that Work. The early years matter! We each have a unique and vital role to play in nurturing very young children and their families. It is our collective efforts in developing sound systems, ensuring their effectiveness, and enhancing program practice that lead to success in supporting families and the positive growth and development of very young children.

We are interested in sessions that reinforce how effective systems support quality services in a culturally relevant and comprehensive manner. Sessions may share:

• Strategies on providing quality services
• Effective program systems
• How effective systems enhance quality programming

Finally, all presentations should highlight relevant research, Head Start Program Performance Standards, and State/Territory Child Care Regulations and Standards as appropriate. Sessions may be conducted in English or Spanish.

Proposal submissions are invited for one and one-half (1 ½) hour presentations which focus on:

• Lessons learned from early care & education programs
• Unique challenges related to infant and toddler programs serving families
• Research findings and implications for practice

Sessions are to be designed for awareness, skill building, or practice changing levels and incorporate adult learning principles.

REQUIRED INFORMATION FOR PROPOSAL COMPLETION

• SESSION TITLE   Subject to editing, maximum 15 words
  
  
• SESSION FORMAT   Select the format type that best describes your session:
  
  
  • Lecture: While participants will be provided opportunities for individual and small group reflection, the vast majority of the session (75% or more) will involve the presenter in a direct instruction format.
  • Interactive: Limited content delivered by the presenter and a vast majority of time (75% or more) spent in a variety of interactive learning modes.
  • Lecture/Interactive: Session is 50/50 split in time dedicated to presenter(s) lectures and audience interacting with the content.
  • Conversation: The agenda is built around a series of questions with the presenter serving primarily as facilitator.
  
  
• SESSION SUMMARY   Subject to editing, maximum 50 words; the summary will appear in registration materials and should briefly describe your topic and presentation method. The description should be written in a creative way that "sells" your topic to participants
  
  
• LEARNING OBJECTIVES   At least three (3), written in measurable, behavioral terms - e.g. describe, discuss, list, demonstrate, state, explain, identify, etc. The objectives should state knowledge of a skill that participant will be able to demonstrate. "The participant will be able to..." (see more below)
  
  
• ADULT LEARNING PRINCIPLES   Describe the strategies you will use to incorporate them into the session; maximum 50 words
  
  
• ACTIVITIES   Choose from the following (choose all that apply):
  • Video
  • Small Group Discussion
  • Large Group Discussion
  • Case Scenarios
  • Role Play
  • Reflective Activity
  • Brief Lecture
  • Hands-on Activities
  • Demonstration
  • Goal Setting/Action Plan
  
  
• OUTLINE   Including content and format
  
  
• TARGET AUDIENCE
  • Teachers/Caregivers
  • Home-Visitors
  • Family Service Staff
  • Program Area Managers
  • Program Directors
  • Infant/Toddler Specialists
  • Consultants/Trainers
  • Local/State Administrators
  • Parents
  • Other (specify)
  
  
• SESSION LEVEL
  • Awareness: Session provides basic information; designed for those who know little about the session topic.
  • Skill Building: Session provides opportunity to build and/or practice skills; designed for those who want to learn how to effectively use their basic knowledge or understanding of the topic.
  • Changing Behavior: Session provides high level content, with opportunities to problem solve and learn new perspectives; designed for those who are already knowledgeable about, or experienced in, the topic area.
  
  
• AUDIO-VISUAL NEEDS   Presenters are required to provide their own laptop; equipment will be confirmed prior to the Institute (choose all that apply):
  • Overhead Projector
  • Slide Projector
  • VCR
  • Other
  Please note that EHSNRC provides the following equipment: Front table with table microphones; Podium & microphone; LCD player & screen; 1 flip chart and easel
  
  
• REGULATIONS AND STANDARDS   Site the relevance of your session to at least one of the following:
  
  
  • Head Start Program Performance Standards related to the presentation content. (For more information about the Head Start Program Performance Standards, you may call the Head Start Knowledge and Information Services at 1-866-763-6481 or go to http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/hsb/performance/index.htm. We suggest that you focus on section 1304.); and/or
    
    
  • State/Territory Child Care Licensure Regulations related to the presentation content. (For more information about the State/Territory Child Care Licensure Regulations, you may call the National Resource Center for Health and Safety in Child Care at 1-800-598-KIDS or go to http://nrc.uchsc.edu/STATES/states.htm.); and/or
    
    
  • Voluntary Accreditation Standards related to the presentation content. (For more information about Accreditation Standards, you may call the National Association for the Education of Young Children at 1-800-424-2460 or go to http://naeyc.org and the National Association for Family Child Care at 1-801-269-9338 or go to http://www.nafcc.org/accreditation/accredstandards.asp.).
  
  

• VITA/RESUMES   Required for each presenter (to be "cut and pasted" into appropriate section)
  
  
• CONTACT INFORMATION   Required for each presenter, in addition to the following:
  • Highest Credentials/Degree Earned
  • Job Title
  • Organization/Program Name
  • Organizational Affiliation

• Please select 1 of the following content areas that most closely relates to your proposal:
  
  
  • Inclusive Child Development
  • Family & Community Partnerships
  • Child Health & Pre-Natal Services
  • Management & Professional Development
  • State/Territory Systems (child care training, licensing, subsidies, consultation)
  • Other (specify)

• Provide a succinct overview, emphasizing solutions explored and possible implications for programs, families, or the field; 250-300 words

SESSION TOPICS MAY INCLUDE (BUT ARE NOT EXCLUSIVE TO):

LEARNING OBJECTIVES AND SESSION LEVEL

When designing your session, please keep in mind that:

• Direct service staff (child care providers, home visitors) request hands-on, practical sessions that provide concrete ideas for them to use immediately within the program
  
• Managerial staff (directors, supervisors, policy makers & technical assistance staff) request sessions that explore the unique challenges related to infant and toddler programs, serving families, or research findings and implications for practice
  
• Participants request a portion of each session to be allotted for questions/answers and discussion

[Go up to the session requirements]

RULES FOR PARTICIPATION

1. The registration fee will be waived for one presenter for each accepted session. Additional presenters must pay a registration fee. All presenters are responsible for travel and lodging expenses related to attendance. Please ensure that adequate financial resources are available before submitting a proposal.
2. Sessions should involve no more than three presenters to ensure that there is adequate time for each speaker and for audience discussion.
3. Curriculum vita or resume are expected for each presenter of selected presentations.
4. Presenters should plan to prepare and deliver a session that employs a lively and varied format and uses audiovisual and other materials to enhance learning; and allows time for questions and answers.
5. Presenters will be supplied with one LCD projector/screen for use with their own laptop computer during each session. Audiovisual needs will be discussed further in a planning call between EHS NRC and speakers of selected presentations.
6. Handout material is expected for every selected presentation (up to 5 double-sided pages). You must provide handouts for your session in an electronic format (e.g., as an attached document in email) in spring 2007. They will be included in a resource CD that is provided to all of the Institute participants.
7. Using presentation time to sell or market products is strictly prohibited.

Submission Requirements:

To ensure a blind review, no presenter names, agencies, or organizations should appear anywhere except where asked. Submissions on a particular program may not name the program, location, staff members, or affiliate organizations involved with the program.

EHS NRC utilizes a blind review process to select the presentations to be featured at Birth To Three. Reviewers with specific expertise in the topic area read and score proposals. Their scores are based on criteria that take into account the interests of the Birth To Three audience, the relevance of the topic to the infant/family field, as well as the innovativeness and clarity of the content described in the proposal.

MAIL IN RULES

We encourage you to submit online; however if you plan to mail your submission, IT MUST BE POSTMARKED NO LATER THAN November 15, 2006 and sent to:

Early Head Start National Resource Center
Birth To Three Institute/Attn: Marcia Sandifer
2000 M Street, NW, Suite 200
Washington, DC 20036

• One copy of the PROPOSAL FORM, filled out in its entirety (two pages). Click here to access PROPOSAL FORM & ABSTRACT REQUIREMENTS
• One copy of the SESSION SUMMARY (no longer than 50 words) to appear in registration materials and should briefly describe your topic and presentation method. The description should be written in a creative way that “sells” your topic to participants.
• One copy of each presenter’s CURRICULUM VITA (or resume)
• One copy of each presenter’s BIOGRAPHY (4 to 10 sentences)
• One copy of the PROPOSAL ABSTRACT* (one to two pages, double-spaced, 12 point font)

Click here for a copy of the mail-in forms.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Priority is given to presentations that:

• Are relevant to programs providing comprehensive services for low-income expectant families and families with children from birth to age 3; and/or relevant to programs providing integrated, comprehensive services for low-income expectant families and families with children from birth to age 5.
• Demonstrate understanding of adult learning principles and usage of interactive activities, discussion, audiovisuals and handouts to enhance learning.
• Include parents. Parent involvement is critical to high-quality early care and education programs. Just as parents are experts on their children they are also experts on their experiences within programs.
• Include community partners. Community partnerships are an important part of providing comprehensive and family-centered services. Communities share responsibility for the healthy development of children. We are particularly interested in strategies for the development and maintaining of partnerships.
• Targets advanced level managers, program staff and infant and toddler specialists working with early care and education programs. The Institute attracts staff new to the field as well as seasoned infant/toddler professionals. We are particularly interested in sessions that target seasoned professionals.
• Adhere to the guidelines outlined in this Call for Proposals. (e.g. provide a complete submission; identify relevant and appropriate learning objectives).

SAMPLE PROPOSAL

TITLE: Supporting Staff in Supporting Families with Infant Mental Health

SESSION FORMAT: Interactive

TARGET AUDIENCE LEVEL: Awareness

TARGET AUDIENCE: Family Support Staff

AREA/KEYWORD: Child Health and Pre-Natal Services

SESSION SUMMARY (maximum of 50 words): Program staff are the front-line for identifying infant mental health concerns and supporting parents. Many feel overwhelmed by the prospect of doing this work. This session will define infant mental health, identify symptoms, and share strategies for supporting staff in their work with parents regarding their child’s mental health needs.

STATEMENT OF ISSUES (maximum of 300 words):
Many early care and education programs do not provide mental health treatment; instead, they refer families to community providers who do. But Early Head Start programs are uniquely positioned to offer supports to families that can directly impact the mental health of infants and toddlers. Teachers and home visitors are often the ones who can identify needs and provide support; however, many do not feel qualified to do so. Our staff felt the same and wondered: how do we recognize when a concern is warranted? What are the signs and symptoms young children present with when their mental health is in jeopardy? And how do we work with parents around such issues?

Three years ago, in partnership with our local mental health provider, our program designed and implemented ongoing monthly trainings for teachers and home visitors to understand infant mental health, recognize the signs and symptoms associated with mental health concerns in young children, involve Early Intervention, and work with families. These trainings also include time for case studies, staff support, and role plays.

Additionally, our Infant Mental Health (IMH) Consultant spends 10 hours weekly with our program developing strategies and support systems for staff to talk with parents about concerns and guide them throughout the identification and intervention process. The IMH Consultant provides quarterly meetings with staff to help with specific concerns of children, and assist staff in understanding when to refer an infant for services. Staff have been better equipped to encourage parents to take advantage of IMH services. The IMH Consultant offers monthly parent support groups. These groups are designed to provide opportunities for parents to ask questions, discuss any issues or concerns related to their infants. Any EHS parent is welcomed to attend these groups. Staff, parents, and most importantly children have benefited from this work.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES: As a result of this session, participants will be able to:

1. Define infant mental health and infant mental health disorders
2. Recognize signs and symptoms of mental health concerns in young children
3. Discuss ways of talking to parents about mental health concerns

ACTIVITIES: Small group discussion, Large group discussion, Case Scenarios, Brief Lecture

OUTLINE:
I.  Explore Definitions of Infant Mental Health and Infant Mental Health Disorders
     a. Interactive discussion
     b. Defined by Mental Health Consultant
II.  Learn About Signs and Symptoms
     a. Small group work: observe/identify using video scenarios
III.  Talking with Parents about Concerns
     a. Hurdles and strategies by staff & parents
     b. Small group work: respond to scenarios
     c. Small group: role play
IV.  Conversation/Question and Answer with Participants

STRATEGIES SUPPORTING ADULT LEARNING PRINCIPLES (no more than 50 words): Presenters will provide brief overviews, approximately 10 minutes in length, for each concept. Presenters will then facilitate opportunities for participants to process and apply the concepts via small group discussions, scenario work, and role play.

RELEVANT REGULATIONS AND STANDARDS: Key Head Start Program Performance Standards:
1304.24(a)(1)(i & iv) & (a)(2) Child Mental Health
Grantee and delegate agencies must:
(1) work collaboratively with parents by:
     i. Soliciting parental information, observations, and concerns about their child’s mental health
     iv. Helping parents to better understand mental health issues

(2) secure the services of mental health professionals on a schedule of sufficient frequency to enable timely and effective identification of and intervention in family and staff concerns about a child’s mental health

State/Territory Child Care Licensure and Regulations: *If your state designates specific topics for required trainings, and this session meets one of those, please include the specific topic this session addresses. Also indicate whether this requirement is specific to infant and toddler caregivers or if it applies to all child care staff (e.g. that care for children of any age). If your state does not have staff training requirements in the licensing regulations, please identify relevant Head Start Program Performance Standards, NAEYC or NAFCC Standards, as appropriate.

In my state, this session counts toward the 12 hours of annual in-service training required for all child care staff. This session meets the requirement for required training in infant mental health.

Voluntary Accreditation Standards:
The information presented relates to the professional development criteria for both the NAEYC and NAFCCA accreditation.

Click here for a copy of the sample proposal.