Building Stronger Communities: The Growth and Evolution of Family Resource Centers in Virginia

Sharon Overton, Community Engagement Coordinator, Families Forward Virginia - Bio
Ronald L. Brown, Community Resource Support Director, Families Forward Virginia - Bio
Ebony Glover-Epps, LEx Leader Specialist, Families Forward Virginia - Bio

This workshop will present the growth, evolution, and infrastructure of the Thriving Families Safer Children (TFSC) Family Resource Centers across Virginia. The model emphasizes a strong commitment to including people with lived experience and non-traditional partners in the process.

Breaking Burnout  

Beth Cannon - Bio

Ready to build resilience and conquer the next season? Burnout can sneak up on the best of us with longer hours, fewer workers, higher tensions, and shorter fuses. It happens when dedicated, passionate educators and leaders start feeling disheartened in roles that once brought joy and meaning. When the pressure mounts and expectations soar, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. But don't worry—we’ve got your back! This fun and engaging workshop will reignite your spark, help you heal from burnout, and give you the tools to conquer this next season with resilience and renewed energy. Get ready to thrive and shine! 

SING A SONG OF STORIES!

Valerie Bayne Carroll, DC/MD/VA Wolf Trap Master Teaching Artist - Bio

Learn how to link stories with music and movement. Explore the beat and rhythm of language from books through chanting, call-and-response, and rhythm instruments. Use props and hand gestures to bring illustrations to life. Engage young children through sight, sound, touch, and movement to make literature a multi-sensory experience!

Windmills – Examines Stereotypes Associated with Common Disabilities and Illustrates Participants’ Emotional Reactions to Specific Disabilities

Matt Herron, Virginia Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services - Bio
Allison Enix, Virginia Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services - Bio
Mary Smith, Virginia Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services - Bio

Windmills is a high impact disability awareness training changing the perception of disability. Windmills has a proven history of assisting those with and without disabilities to better understand the culture of disability in the workplace. It is best defined as an employer-employee training tool designed to change attitudinal barriers and create a new perspective on the unique abilities of individuals. 

Revolutionizing Quality Improvement: Centering Children and Educators for Lasting Impact

Dr. Bridget Hamre, Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer, Teachstone, Co-author of the Classroom Assessment Scoring System (CLASS) - Bio

Discover how communities are ensuring that every child and educator benefits from life-changing interactions that foster growth and success. Dr. Hamre will highlight innovative examples from Virginia and beyond, showcasing how leaders are prioritizing quality systems to deliver positive outcomes for children. Learn how strategic investments in educators are crucial to achieving these goals and how these visionary approaches are reshaping the future of education. Don't miss this opportunity to explore the transformative power of interactions and transformative leadership.

It Takes the Village: One Rural Community's Response to Chronic Absenteeism

Mike Hogg, VP for Place-Based Partnerships at Partners for Rural Impact - Bio

Faced with extreme chronic absenteeism among students at all grade levels, partnerships among parents, students, schools, local businesses, and the faith-based community shifted the culture around attendance. Learn how the community recognized everyone has a contribution to student success, and explore practical, low or no cost strategies for increasing student attendance.

Good for the Many, Good for the One: Understanding the Benefits of Shared Services

Kelly Matthews, Directors of Special Projects and Shared Services Consultant at the Wisconsin Early Childhood Association - Bio

Join us for this interactive session where we discuss the power of shared services to transform childcare with stories from group center and family childcare programs like you, who were able to capitalize on shared services to impact their bottom line and program success.

Supporting Workers Skilled Through Alternative Routes (STARs): First Steps to Removing Degree Requirements in Job Postings

Opportunity @ Work - Bio

State efforts to remove degree requirements have gone from zero to sixty over the past few years — with over 21 states now in the midst of efforts to “tear the paper ceiling” and expand opportunity for workers Skilled Through Alternative Routes (STARs) such as community college, military service, and on-the-job experience, rather than a bachelor’s degree. What does that work look like in practice, and what challenges – and opportunities – have state leaders faced along the way?  

This panel will dive into the work that’s already been done at the state level to remove barriers to employment for STARs, and feature guidance for audience members looking to effect similar changes in policy and practice. 

Assess Your Quest: Find Your WOW by Focusing on Your WHY

Beth Cannon - Bio

Join us on an exciting journey to rediscover the foundation of your joy and passion for children, teaching, and learning! In "Assess Your Quest," we dive deep into the heart of what makes your work meaningful and fulfilling. By honing your voice, power, and influence, you'll learn to address the needs of your team, creating a sense of safety, belonging, and unity within your school. Discover that your job may, in fact, be a calling you are meant to fulfill and the lives you are intended to impact. Get ready to find your WOW by focusing on your WHY! 

THE BEAT OF YOUR OWN DRUM: Music and Drama Strategies for Children with Special Learning Needs 

Valerie Bayne Carroll, DC/MD/VA Wolf Trap Master Teaching Artist - Bio

Learn performing arts strategies designed to enhance the development of social-emotional skills for children with special learning needs. Arts strategies such as call-and-response singing, creative movement with steady beat, guided dramatic play, and the exploration of books through music are effective with children with many learning styles, and inspire enthusiastic interaction. Explore life skills like listening and turn-taking and how to be independent while also being part of a group. 

Essential Budgeting for Non-Profit Child Care Providers

(Presenter TBD), 20 Degrees - Bio

Join 20 Degrees at the 2024 Rural Summit for an interactive session designed specifically for nonprofit early childhood education centers. This workshop will provide practical business insights and a user-friendly budgeting tool to enhance the financial sustainability of nonprofit childcare operations. Essential for childcare providers, funders, and community leaders, this session will offer valuable strategies to support the financial stability and impact of nonprofit early childhood centers in Virginia. 

"It is a bruise, not a tattoo." Learning, Serving & Thriving in a Rural Place 

Mike Hogg, VP for Place-Based Partnerships at Partners for Rural Impact - Bio

Our AmeriCorps program was struggling to fill all our MSY’s in a rural community. Sound familiar? In this interactive session, participants will work to solve a real-world challenge facing a rural-serving program. We’ll explore how a challenge can be opportunity in-disguise. Despite the numerous “bruises” we accumulated while failing forward, the result for young people has been astounding. Participants will develop an understanding of the strategies we use to see barriers as building blocks.  

Come on In! How Teachers and Administration Can Create Rituals and Traditions that Build a Community of Kindness 

Jacky Howell, MA, Azspire LLC - Bio

Jacky Howell, author of the NAEYC published book, Rituals and Traditions: Fostering a Sense of Community in Preschool, will offer this session on ways rituals and traditions can benefit your classroom community. Ideas on how to start creating rituals and traditions will be shared using stories and examples from many programs. Attendees will leave with many ideas to use both classroom and program wide that will leave lasting memories for children, families, and staff. 

The Iron Triangle: The Favorite Shape of Every ECE Program Leader

Kelly Matthews, Director of Special Projects and Shared Services Consultant at the Wisconsin Early Childhood Association - Bio

We know we often teach young children their shapes, but what’s so magical about the Iron Triangle? Join us for this interactive session where we explore the 3 elements of the Iron Triangle fundamentals, how they can intersect with shared services, and how they make or break every childcare center and family day home business. 

Empowering Data-Driven Decisions: An Overview of VOEE's Dashboards & Data Tools

Todd Oldham, VOEE - Bio

In this session, the Virginia Office of Education and Economic Development (VOEE) will present an overview of the self-service tools it has developed to provide insights into Virginia's education and workforce alignment, job and skills trends, and graduate outcomes. These innovative dashboards assist educators, policymakers, and workforce developers in making informed decisions, supporting strategic planning, and enhancing the alignment of educational programs with both state and regional labor market needs.

Building Strong Partnerships with Funders: A Candid Discussion 

Sean McMurray, Executive Director, Wellspring Foundation of Southwest Virginia - Bio
Dr, Richard Kitzmiller, Director, Azark Foundation - Bio
Cindy Colson, Deputy Director of Partnerships, Consulting, & Impact at CNE - Bio

Join us for an engaging workshop designed for professionals across all sectors—nonprofit, government, education, and beyond. Facilitated by Mary Anne Holbrook, Vice President of Development at EO, this session will feature a panel of funders and nonprofit advisors, including Dr. Richard Kitzmiller, Director of the Azark Foundation; Sean McMurray, Executive Director of the Wellspring Foundation of Southwest Virginia; and Cindy Colson, Deputy Director of Partnerships, Consulting, & Impact at the Center for Nonprofit Excellence.

This workshop will provide insights into initiating meaningful conversations and building long-lasting relationships with funders. Whether you're new to fundraising or looking to strengthen existing connections, you'll gain practical strategies for successful partnerships.

The State of Childcare in Southwest Virginia  

Erin Carroll, Assistant Superintendent of Early Childhood, Virginia Department of Education - Bio

This session will provide an overview of the state of early childhood care and education in Southwest Virginia as of Fall 2024. The overview will include a deep dive with new data on what is known about early childhood program quality, access and parent demand across the region.

Essential Budgeting for Non-Profit Child Care Providers

(Presenter TBD), 20 Degrees - Bio

Join 20 Degrees at the 2024 Rural Summit for an interactive session designed specifically for nonprofit early childhood education centers. This workshop will provide practical business insights and a user-friendly budgeting tool to enhance the financial sustainability of nonprofit childcare operations. Essential for childcare providers, funders, and community leaders, this session will offer valuable strategies to support the financial stability and impact of nonprofit early childhood centers in Virginia. 

Community Schools – Making Connections Around Things That Matter   

Donnie Hale, Ed.D., Southern Regional Director, Institute for Educational Leadership - Bio

Evidence suggests that community school impact “whole child, whole family, whole school and whole community.” Creative solutions and strategic partnerships in education are beneficial to K-12 schools, postsecondary institutions, and community organizations. Community Schools serve, not just as academic entities, but as “opportunity hubs” for entire neighborhoods—bringing together a range of agencies, services, and providers to address the specific needs and interests of students, families, and residents. The community school strategy integrates academics, health and social services, youth and community development, and civic engagement to improve student learning and to develop stronger families and healthier communities. The goal of the presentation is to provide an overview of community schools, share ideas why this is a solution for positive engagement, and discuss placed based strategies to facilitate change in communities that have the capacity to change the conditions for children, families, and adults to thrive. 

Reflective Guidance: Creating Prosocial Experiences that Foster Social-Emotional Skills and Build Resilience 

Jacky Howell, MA, Azspire LLC - Bio

This interactive session will provide participants the opportunity to explore the concept of ‘reflective guidance’ in an early childhood programs. This professional development session will look at the differences in using strategies and experiences for social-emotional growth versus punishment. Research in brain development and current thinking in child development on using positive strategies influences how we can help children grow in their skills. Using participant’s experiences, they will be able to create a foundation in which to build appropriate discipline strategies that promote children’s social/emotional development. Leave with many ideas and resources! 

Right Help, Right Now Overview and REVIVE! Training

Hallie Pence, Office of the Governor (Bio) and Tiana Vazquez, Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services

Executive Director Hallie Pence will provide an overview of Governor Youngkin’s Right Help, Right Now mental and behavioral health care three-year transformation.  Right Help, Right Now is designed to ensure individuals have someone to call, someone to respond, and somewhere to go.  The REVIVE! training will be led by Tiana Vazquez and will teach individuals on how to recognize and respond to an opioid overdose emergency using naloxone.  

Virginia's Commemoration of the Nation's 250th:  Getting Involved with VA250 

Cheryl Wilson, Executive Director, Virginia American Revolution 250 Commission - Bio

In 2026, the United States will celebrate its 250th anniversary, marking the day when the Declaration of Independence was signed.  Virginia leads the nation in planning for this milestone commemoration.  This workshop, led by Cheryl Wilson, VA250 Executive Director, will highlight statewide plans and programs underway, grant opportunities available to localities, and ways to plug into the 250th, maximizing its potential for your area. 

Virginia College Partnership Lab Schools:  A New Standard for K12, Postsecondary, and Workforce Collaboration in the Commonwealth 

Andrew R. Armstrong, Ph.D., Assistant Superintendent of Strategic Innovation, VDOE - Bio

Higher education institutions across the Commonwealth have partnered with well over half of the K12 school divisions across the state to establish 15 College Partnership Lab Schools, including 6 that will be operational this fall.  Lab Schools have been a part of the American educational landscape for over a century, but Virginia has created a significant worldwide footprint with a unique approach to lab schools as levers of collaboration among educational and workforce systems, hubs of teacher professional development, and sources of opportunities for students that would not have been available otherwise.  Join Dr. Andy Armstrong and special guests from approved Lab Schools to learn more about the philosophical foundation, technical organizational structure, current landscape, and exciting future for Lab Schools in Virginia.