Early Intervention Training Program at the University of Illinois

The Early Intervention Training Program at the University of Illinois (EITP) and IDHS Bureau of Early Intervention invites Child and Family Connections (CFCs) to join us for a Pre-Conference for Specialized Roles on March 17, 2021 and the 2-day Virtual CFC Conference, The Power within Our Stories, on March 25-26, 2021. Connect with your colleagues in our interactive Zoom environments; listen and engage with an array of expert presenters; and explore and share your own stories. Featured keynote, Ms. Bethany Van Delft Moffi shares her personal story and will help empower you to tell your own through her slam style story workshop. For details on time, session descriptions, biographies of presenters, and EI Credit please refer to the Agendas.

• Agenda for 2021 CFC Conference (pdf)
• Agenda for Pre-Conference for Specialized Roles (pdf)
• Conference and Pre-Conference Materials
• Conference Award Winners

This section contains handouts and resources from the 2021 Virtual CFC Conference. Pre-conference materials will be shared via email with participants.  Please note that links will appear below only if materials are available for that session.

Conference Materials

2021 CFC Conference Playlist

Like the conference playlist? It came from you! All music was selected by conference participants to represent their CFC! It is available through Pandora under "2021 CFC Conference".

Keynote Presentation:

The Importance of Our Stories and Collaboration in Family Engagement presented by Bethany Van Delft Moffi

Sessions:

• The Radical Act of Self-Care: Being Kind in Difficult Times presented by Odell Mitchell, III, Esq. and Angela Sleeter, PhD
  • What does self-care mean to you? CFC Word Cloud (pdf)
• Tips for Navigating Early Intervention Billing (pdf) presented by Ryan Pulver
• Creating Safe Harbors for Childrenpresented by Kristie Pretti-Frontczak, PhD
  • Being a Stress Detective (pdf)

Friday, March 26, 2021

• CFC Conference Day 2 Opening (pdf) presented by Ann Freiburg and Chelsea Guillen
• Father Involvement in Early Intervention: Meeting the Needs of All Family Members (pdf) presented by Brent A. McBride, PhD
• Sensory Processing 101: The Influence of Sensory Processing on Behavior & Learning (pdf) presented by Jennifer Rosinia, PhD 
• Crafting Slam Style Stories presented by Bethany Van Delft Moffi

Conference Award Winners

Backstage Gem

This award recognizes an individual whose quiet daily organization or management makes everything go smoothly for everyone else. Without the efforts of this person, there would be utter chaos!

Collaborator

This award recognizes an individual adept at working with others toward a common goal. This person always seems to find the common ground, is respectful of others, and is explicit, tactful, and clear. Any team this person is on is the better for it!  

Encouraging Word

This award recognizes an individual who identifies others' strengths and lets them know it! This person stays positive when things get hectic, keeps morale high, and helps others see the bigger picture.

Rising Star

This award is for an individual who has worked within the CFC office for less than 1 year. Although new in their position, this person really understands EI & the principles that support it. This person shows passion for their work and truly has all the right
stuff.

Troubleshooter

This award recognizes an individual who can see a problem and is always able to come up with a solution. This person is positive, innovative, creative, and rarely come across a problem that can’t be solved!

CFC Super Hero Awards

In some form, technology touches the lives of everyone in this day and age, including CFC professionals. The COVID-19 crisis forced us all to weigh the significance of technology and acknowledge its impact on all levels of our professional and personal lives. However, we do not have equal knowledge, expertise, or access to the technologies that we have come to depend on to support our work in EI and provide the care and services to families.

The AFFIRMovators:

Radiates positive energy and freely passes it on with kind words, smiles, and affirmations of a job well done. Despite the pandemic, this superhero is able to find the bright side in everything and goes the extra mile to help others find it too! By saying the right words at the right time, this superhero treats all with dignity and respect, moves mountains with graceful perseverance, and reminds us of the important work done at our CFC, as well as the good within that touches the hearts and lives of many.

The CHRONOvators:

Has an incredible ability to be punctual and remain in touch with time, despite the pandemic. When you are lucky enough to see them, they always have a smile on their face. This superhero’s positive attitude and timeliness is infectious and supportive to others in maintaining their schedules and concept of time.

The TECHNOvators:

Jumps headfirst into any technological challenge faced during the pandemic. In addition to their assigned CFC role and responsibilities, this superhero defaults as a ‘go-to’ tech person and welcomes the opportunity to share tips and tricks for Live Virtual Visits, e-learning, or Zoom.

The WINovators:

With more than a winning attitude, this superhero makes things happen despite the pandemic! By welcoming change as a new beginning, having a plan for moving forward (not an excuse to stand still), or seeing possibility in all things difficult (not impossibility because things are difficult), this superhero does not walk away but rises to a challenge and wins!