PA Parents as Teachers Conference: 25 Years of Blazing a Home Visiting Trail

Tuesday, May 9 – Wednesday, May 10, 2017
Holiday Inn Harrisburg (Hershey Area) I-81, Grantville, Pa.

Online registration is closed. Contact Wenda Deardorff to determine availability.

The conference will provide home visiting professionals the opportunity to explore approaches that develop their skills in supporting families to be their child’s first and most influential teacher. Parents as Teachers National Center representatives will share news and resources, as well as participate in the networking session. General sessions and workshops will feature: PAT tools and resources, communication development, continuous quality improvement, substance use and abuse, and much more.

After attending this conference participants will be able to: affirm and strengthen home visiting practices; develop a greater understanding of the key elements of parent and child neurobiology; strengthen approaches to engage families, including parents and caregivers; and cultivate professional relationships among peers.

Agenda
Presenter handouts will be added as they become available. Click the title of a session to download the handouts.

Download Full Agenda

Tuesday, May 9, 2017
12:30 PM – 1:00 PM  |  Registration
1:00 PM – 4:00 PM  |  Pre-Conference Institutes

PAT Tools for Model Implementation, Allison LaMont and Christy Roberts, Parents as Teachers National Center, Mo.
Reboot: Rediscovering the Foundational & Foundational 2 Curricula, Tiedra Marshall, Center for Schools and Communities, Pa.; Bethany Smith and Terry Wertman, PA Parents as Teachers State Office, Pa.

Wednesday, May 10, 2017
8:00 AM – 2:00 PM  |  Registration and Exhibitor Area Open
8:00 AM – 9:00 AM  |  Continental Breakfast
9:00 AM – 9:15 AM  |  Welcome
9:15 AM – 10:15 AM  |  Keynote Address

Parent and Child Neurobiology and the Legacy of Adversity: Key Insights for Home VisitationSamantha M. Brown, University of Denver, Co.

10:15 AM – 10:30 AM  |  Transition
10:30 AM – 12:00 PM  |  Workshop Session I

Opportunities in Re-Visioning Keystone STARS, Becky Mercatoris and Suzann Morris, Office of Child Development and Early Learning, Pa.
Helping Parents Understand the Pennsylvania Early Learning Standards through Group Connections, Christine Ferrato, Greater Nanticoke Area Family Center/Pre-K Counts, Pa.
Fun and Easy Science, Math, Art and Reading Hands-On Activities for the Home, Winnie Black, Center for Schools and Communities, Pa.
Home Visiting with Families Affected by Substance UseLyn Becker, Pennsylvania Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders Task Force, Pa.; and Allison LaMont, Parents as Teachers National Center, Mo.

12:00 PM – 1:00 PM  |  Lunch
1:00 PM – 1:45 PM  |  Facilitated Networking Session

PAT Tools and Resources, PAT National Center staff and Pennsylvania Family Support staff

1:45 PM – 2:00 PM  |  Transition
2:00 PM – 3:30 PM  |  Workshop Session II

Beyond Language Interpretation: How Culturally Relevant Strategies Improve Parent Engagement During Home Visits, Regina Jones and Ivonne Smith-Tapia, Office of Child Development, Pa.
Let’s Talk: Communication Development in Young Children, Susan Althouse, Pennsylvania Training and Technical Assistance Network, Pa.
Speak Up and Speak Out: Finding Your Voice as an Advocate, Leigh Carlson-Hernandez, University of Pittsburgh’s Office of Child Development, Pa.; Luann McMackin, The Guidance Center, Pa.; and Kevin Schreiber, York County Economic Alliance, Pa.
The What and How of the CQI Process, Ashley Ankeny, Berks County Intermediate Unit, Pa.; Alison Carson, Community Services of Venango County, Pa.; and Andrew Dietz, Office of Child Development and Early Learning, Pa.

3:30 PM – 4:00 PM  |  Closing Remarks

Location & Lodging
Holiday Inn Harrisburg-Hershey
604 Station Road
Grantville, PA 17028
(717) 469-0661
Complimentary onsite parking is available.

Participants are responsible for their own travel and lodging arrangements. A limited block of rooms has been reserved at a discounted rate of $95 single/double occupancy per night plus tax at the Holiday Inn Harrisburg-Hershey until Monday, April 17, 2017. Contact the hotel directly at (717) 469-0661 to make your room reservations and reference group code “PAT” to obtain the discounted rate. Rooms are available on a first come, first served basis.

Registration Information
• There is no registration fee
• Pre-registration is required
• Continental breakfast and buffet lunch will be provided on Wednesday, May 10, 2017
• All other meals, lodging and travel expenses are the responsibility of each attendee

Questions? Contact:
Wenda Deardorff
(717) 763-1661 x116

This professional development event is made possible by the Pennsylvania Office of Child Development and Early Learning and presented in partnership with the Center for Schools and Communities.