2025 International Inclusion Institute: Full Schedule

10:30am EDT

(Hybrid) Empowering Your Child to Fly: Working Together to Foster Early Childhood Inclusion

Wednesday May 14, 2025 10:30am - 12:00pm EDT

As early childhood professionals and parents of children with a disability, Jani and Latisha have spent a lot of time thinking and wondering about relationships between parents and members of the early childhood field. These are powerful partnerships! How we can learn together using these unique perspectives? What are the most important components in the family-educator relationship? What makes for a successful partnership? Those questions and more will be explored in a session meant for families, educators and all early childhood "inclusionists." Join us to share stories, discuss the evidence, and basically just try to figure it out together.

Speakers

Jani Kozlowski

Technical Assistance Specialist, UNC-CH

Jani Kozlowski, MA is a passionate early childhood professional, author, speaker, technical assistance specialist and consultant focused on supporting each and every child and family during the most critical period of development. Jani provides professional development and technical... Read More →

Latisha R. Stuckey

Founder, Destiny's Child Foundation

Placeholder - will finalize when co-presenter confirms - Latisha R. Stuckey is a native of Winston-Salem, North Carolina. She is a single parent of two sons. Latisha recently obtained her Master of Human Service Marriage and Family Counseling degree from Liberty University. She has... Read More →

Wednesday May 14, 2025 10:30am - 12:00pm EDT
TBA

Concurrent, Families

Age Group 0-3, 3-5
Audience All
Information Level Appropriate for all levels
Format Hybrid

3:00pm EDT

(Hybrid) Changing the Narrative: Navigating Grief in Early Childhood Families with Children with Exceptionalities

Wednesday May 14, 2025 3:00pm - 4:30pm EDT

TBA

This session will explore the unique challenges that early childhood families, with children from birth to five, face when navigating grief, especially in the context of raising children with exceptionalities. We will address the emotional and practical complexities of grief and caregiving, incorporating the mental health needs of both infants and young children. Participants will gain valuable insights into fostering resilience and understanding and providing effective support for families while navigating grief through the lens of early childhood development and mental health.

Speakers

Marilyn Barge, DSW, LSW

Southeast Regional Board Member, Pennsylvania Association for Infant Mental Health

Presenter BIO: Marilyn Barge,DSW, LSWWebsite: https://www.pa-aimh.org/about-us.html Dr. Marilyn Barge holds a doctorate from Tulane University School of Social Work, a master's degree from Temple University, and a bachelor's degree in Social Work from Temple University. She also has a Pre-K-12 School Counseling certification from Rosemont College and holds... Read More →

Marilyn Pendelton, EdD, RN, LNC, CSN

CEO, Your Voice Heard, LLC

Presenter BIO: Marilyn Pendelton, EdD, RN, LNC, CSNWebsite:https://urvoiceheard.comDr. Pendelton is a transdisciplinary leader. She is the founder and CEO of Your Voice Heard, a federal government procurement-ready small business. Their mission is to educate and equip leaders, school communities, and workforce members with tools to recover from the grief caused by... Read More →

Wednesday May 14, 2025 3:00pm - 4:30pm EDT
TBA

Concurrent, Families

Age Group 0-3, 3-5
Audience All
Information Level Appropriate for all levels
Format Hybrid

3:00pm EDT

(Hybrid) We Are Not Hard to Reach: Engaging Black Fathers of Children with Disabilities

Wednesday May 14, 2025 3:00pm - 4:30pm EDT

TBA

This presentations aims to develop a better understanding of the lived experiences of Black fathers of children with disabilities. The diagnosis of disability in a child presents a challenge for many parents and families (Huang, Kellett & St Jon 2010). For most parents learning about their children's disability, shock becomes the first response to dealing with the diagnosis (Hemming & Akurst 2009; Yaacob et al. 2021). Fathers are regarded as "hard to reach" by educators and practitioners within social services. In this session audience members will hear about lived experiences of the Black Father Crew, fathers of children with disabilities from across the United States.

Speakers

Brandy D. James

Director, Black Father Crew

Brandy James is the Early Childhood Learning Coordinator for Mt. Vernon Community School Corporation and Lecturer in the Department of Family Community Medicine at The University of Arizona. Her work has addressed a variety of topics in ECSE/EI, including early childhood providers... Read More →

Wednesday May 14, 2025 3:00pm - 4:30pm EDT
TBA

Concurrent, Families

Age Group 0-3, 3-5, PreK-3rd Grade
Audience Families, Allied health professionals, Early childhood special education professionals, Early childhood professionals, State or National Administrators and Policymakers
Information Level Appropriate for all levels
Format Hybrid

8:30am EDT

(In-Person) Empowering Advocacy for Families and Students with Disabilities Through the use of Advanced Technologies

Thursday May 15, 2025 8:30am - 10:00am EDT

TBA

In an era of rapid technological advancement, families and students with disabilities have unprecedented opportunities to enhance advocacy through various advanced technologies. This presentation will delve into how tools like artificial intelligence (AI) and digital communicationplatforms can empower families to better navigate educational systems and access essentialresources. We will explore practical applications, from AI-driven learning aids and assistivetechnologies to online communities and advocacy tools that streamline communication witheducators and professionals.

Speakers

Joe La Belle

Director of Programs, Family Network on Disabilities

Joe La Belle is a pioneering figure at the intersection of AI and education, serving as the Director of Programs Impact at Family Network on Disabilities. In Florida, he oversees four key programs and lends his expertise to OSEP-funded Technical Assistance centers, enhancing support... Read More →

Thursday May 15, 2025 8:30am - 10:00am EDT
TBA

Concurrent, Families

Age Group 0-3, 3-5, PreK-3rd Grade
Audience All
Information Level Appropriate for all levels
Format In-Person