C1 - “Making Infant Safe Sleep a Priority”

Nancy Maruyama, RN, BSN, NCBF Executive Director, SIDS of Illinois, Inc. 

This workshop will provide an overview of teaching Infant Safe Sleep techniques and strategies to increase compliance with parents/caregivers. Topics include the importance of infant safe sleep including statistics and demographics; definitions of current acronyms; health equity vs. health equality; implicit and explicit bias; current safe sleep recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP); and unsafe infant products and resources available.

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C2 - “BACA – Empowering Abused Children!”

Whiskey Agency Liaison, Public Relations, B.A.C.A Fox Valley Chapter, IL

Mac President, B.A.C.A Fox Valley Chapter, IL

Bikers Against Child Abuse exists with the intent to create a safer environment for abused children. We empower children to not feel afraid of the world in which they live. How do we do that? Join us for this workshop presentation and you will learn!

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C3 - “Is this LEGIT? Teaching Teens Media Literacy to Prevent Sexual Harm"

Ryan Spooner Prevention Director, Chicago Alliance Against Sexual Exploitation

Sam McCarthy, MSW, LSW Prevention Educator, Chicago Alliance Against Sexual Exploitation

Technology isn’t going anywhere. It’s a major part of young people’s lives—their hobbies, their social interactions and their sexual behaviors. Taking an abstinence-only approach to sex and technology is unrealistic and ineffective at reducing sexual harm. This interactive workshop makes clear the connections between media and sexual harm, equips participants with tools to help teens evaluate content online, and offers harm reduction strategies around sex and technology.

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​◊◊ C4 - “Trauma & Grief in Early Childhood”

Tracy Patton, MSCD/infancy Program Manager, Partnering with Parents/Easterseals Chicago

Children grieve and respond to trauma very differently than adults.  When we understand what their grief/trauma looks like in behavior, and how to support them, we can minimize the impact of the event(s) and improve the outcomes.  This support is critical to a child’s social emotional development and long-term mental health.

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++ C5 - “Creating Inclusive Spaces for LGBTQ+ Co-Workers & Families"

Shannon Green Healthy Families Program Coordinator, Shawnee Health

This workshop will review terminology, issues, policies, and laws related to LGBTQ+ rights and experiences in early childhood and home visiting settings. Participants will have the opportunity to ask questions, explore ideas, reflect on concerns and fears, and foster optimism for creating inclusive spaces for LGBTQ+ co-workers and families in our work. In the second half of the workshop, participants will read and discuss a variety of children’s books featuring LGBTQ+ people, families, and themes.

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++ C6 - “Perinatal Mood Disorder Support & Prevention"

Rachel Chruszczyk Southern Region Prevention Specialist, Prevent Child Abuse Illinois

Join our enlightening workshop on perinatal mental health, designed for professionals and parents. This workshop provides comprehensive insights into perinatal mood disorders, their impact on individuals and families, and effective prevention and community care strategies. We will explore the fundamentals, signs, and symptoms of perinatal mood disorders, their connection to child mistreatment, and research-based interventions to promote healthy parent-child relationships. Learn about early identification, screening tools, and the role of professionals and support networks in fostering resilience to promote perinatal mental health and to provide vital support for affected individuals.