United for Children Conf.
Name of Coalition: Northwest Regional Partnership: Park Rapids/Bagley/Bemidji
MIF: Northwest Minnesota Foundation,
Project Overview: Three regional ECI coalitions, plus CCR&R and Lakeland Public TV are planning, sponsoring and implementing the seventh annual conference in Park Rapids. It has been put on by the local CAP agency in the past, but they could not do it this year, so the ECIs took it on. It will be held on Sat., April 19 and will feature beginning and ending keynote speakers, 10 breakout sessions, two meals, free goodies and resources, and many vendors. Over 150 child care providers, Head Start staff, ECFE, ECSE and parents are expected. College credit and CEUs are available. Nearly all the organizing and planning work has been accomplished by ECI volunteers and coordinators, with funding from the ECIs, CCR&R, donations and registration fees.
Cost of Project:
# of Children 0-5 Served: 0
# of Children 6-18 Served: 0
# of Adults Served: 150
# Families Served: 0
Lessons Learned/Outcomes: We plan on serving a minimum of 150 attendees, hoping for as many as 200. Our keynotes are PhDs and LICSWs, focusing on social-emotional development and getting in touch with the natural world. The breakout sessions are all worthwhile, no “make it/take its”, but topics such as early mental health, early literacy, quality rating system, ASQ-SE and approaching parents, music curriculum and movement/dance curriculum. We anticipate networking, building resources for use in child care settings, enhanced knowledge of subject areas and increased professionalism among those who attend.
Project Frequency: