2025 OCDEL Conference

Stable and Secure: Supporting Children Through Trauma Sensitive Approaches

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Registration is now closed for the Pennsylvania Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) Early Childhood Education Conference, Stable and Secure: Supporting Children Through Trauma Sensitive Approaches. This two-day conference is scheduled for April 22-23, 2025 at the Wyndham Grand Pittsburgh Downtown in Pittsburgh, PA and is free for attendees. 

The conference is a transformative event, focused on deepening our understanding of child and adult well-being through trauma-sensitive approaches. This unique gathering brings together experts, practitioners, and educators, committed to creating stable and secure environments for young children, their families, and the adults who serve them.

Conference Highlights

Networking Opportunities

Connect with like-minded professionals, share experiences, and build a supportive community dedicated to the well-being of children. Forge meaningful connections that will extend beyond the conference, fostering ongoing collaboration and knowledge exchange.

Social and Emotional Supports

Gain insights into effective social and emotional support systems for children exhibiting challenging behaviors that adult caregivers find challenging. Explore practical tools and resources to help children build positive relationships, enhance emotional regulation, and develop coping mechanisms.

Trauma-Informed Care Sessions

Delve into the latest research, best practices, and innovative strategies in trauma-informed care. Learn how to create nurturing environments that foster healing and resilience in children who have faced adversity.

Well-Being Workshops

Explore holistic approaches to promoting the well-being of children affected by trauma. Sessions will cover topics such as mindfulness, self-care, and other evidence-based practices that contribute to the overall health and happiness of children in challenging circumstances.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

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Questions about attending from non-ECE programs such as ELRCs, EI, home visiting/family support, Prek Counts, Head Start, School Districts.

This conference is for directors and teachers of Pennsylvanian licensed child care centers, group child care, family child care homes, and after school care including PA Pre-K Counts and Head Start programs. It is not open to EI, home visiting/family support, or School Districts unless they directly operate an OCDEL licensed child care. If you operate an OCDEL licensed child care, please register and check your role specific to that child care program.

Can we register more than two people?

All OCDEL licensed child care programs can register up to two individuals.  If your license covers multiple sites you can register up to two per site.

Who gets their hotel paid for?

If you have indicated hotel accommodation need on your completed Eventbrite registration, you do not need to contact the hotel. OCDEL will make the hotel reservation for you. Hotel stays for April 21 and/or 22 will be covered by OCDEL. If you need additional days not covered by OCDEL, you MUST contact the Wyndham Grand Pittsburgh Downtown directly. OCDEL is only covering stays for April 21 and/or April 22, 2025.

 If you have indicated hotel accommodation need on your registration, you will receive a hotel confirmation email a few weeks prior to the event. Please contact Toni Kopenhaver, antkop@pakeys.org with any questions.

What if I need to cancel my hotel reservation?

Contact Toni Kopenhaver (antkop@pakeys.org), by April 20, 2025 for hotel reservation cancellation.

What to do if I changed my mind, and I now need a hotel reservation after I already registered?

Contact Toni Kopenhaver (antkop@pakeys.org).

NOTE: Available hotel room block reservations are only available until March 21, 2025, and if rooms are still available.

 

Can vendors attend?

OCDEL is not including vendors selling materials at this event.

Who do I contact with questions for for needing assistance to change a breakout session?

Contact Toni Kopenhaver (antkop@pakeys.org).

Contact

Related Resources

Supporting Challenging Behavior in Early Childhood Programs in Pennsylvania

Heal PA & Bright Start, Bright Kids, Bright Futures: Helping kids who have experienced trauma poster series