LEARN Conference 2024 - Practice Plenary - Why is Raising a Baby in the United States So Hard? And what we can do.

The 2024 election promises to be one of the most consequential for the future of our nation. But what are the issues that matter most to babies? And what are our political leaders saying and doing to ensure all babies have a strong start in life?

Panelists:  

Jackie Thu-Huong Wong, Executive Director, First 5 California. Jackie Thu-Huong Wong is dedicated to improving the lives of California's youngest children and their families. As the first woman of color serving as Executive Director of First 5 California, she oversees programs and policies that enhance early childhood development, with a focus on equity and inclusion. 

Elizabeth Zamudio, Vice President, Education, Unidos US. Elizabeth Zamudio brings extensive experience in education and advocacy to her role at UnidosUS. She is committed to advancing educational opportunities for Latino children and families, and her work focuses on ensuring that all children have access to high-quality early education and support services. 

Miriam Calderón, Chief Policy Officer, ZERO TO THREE (moderator). Miriam Calderón leads the Policy Center at ZERO TO THREE, advocating for federal and state policies that support infants, toddlers and their families. With a deep background in early childhood education and public policy, she has been instrumental in shaping initiatives that improve early learning and development outcomes nationwide. 

These dynamic leaders will engage in a powerful discussion on the State of Babies across the United States and in California. They will explore how candidates and public policies can better address the diverse needs of infants, toddlers and their families. The conversation will also highlight the significant impact that can be realized from increased political support and federal and state investments across child care and early education, the early childhood education workforce, dual language learners, home visiting, mental health and housing. 

Certificate/CEU Requirements

Earn up to one contact hours (.1 CEUs) by completing the following:

• View the entire recording
• Complete the CEU Quiz with a passing score of 75% or better
• Complete the CEU evaluation

**Live Attendance or full viewing of session recordings required**. All registrants will have 30-day access to the session recording.

ZERO TO THREE is pleased to offer Continuing Education Units for a wide range of learning events, both in person and on line.

Contact hours and CEUs are automatically added to your registration for no additional charge. Registrants can earn up to 0.4 CEUs or 4 Contact hours for attending this event. Continuing Education Units are awarded with a passing quiz score of 75% or greater for each session and a completed series evaluation.

Learner Objectives:

Practice Plenary: Creating Space for Healing—Lessons From The Friendship Bench

As a result of this plenary session, participants will be able to:

• Summarize the Friendship Bench program.
• Articulate the primary benefits of a community-based approach to mental health services.
• Describe potential application of the Friendship Bench initiative or its lessons learned in their early childhood work and/or community.

Research/Science Plenary: The Health, Mental Health, and General Wellbeing of Our Early Childhood Education Professionals

As a result of this plenary session, participants will be able to:

• Summarize the impact of COVID-19 on early childhood educators in the United States.
• Articulate the relationship between race and the health and mental health of early childhood educators in the United States.
• Describe the status of mental health supports for American early childhood education professionals and considerations to advance them.

Policy Plenary - Why is Raising a Baby in the United States So Hard? And what we can do

As a result of this plenary session, participants will be able to:

• Get new insights on the most urgent policy priorities for addressing the challenges American families face in raising babies.  
• Understand the crucial role of voting in local, state and federal elections to advocate for policies that benefit young children.   
• Learn effective strategies and tools you can use to get policymakers to take BOLD ACTION for BABIES NOW!

Keynote address by Dr. Mariel Buqué, bestselling author of Break the Cycle: A Guide to Healing Intergenerational Trauma

As a result of this keynote session, participants will be able to:

• Describe the impacts of and healing approaches for intergenerational trauma.
• Recall typical signs and symptoms of trauma.
• Articulate the importance of prioritizing hope.

Contact hours offered may vary per discipline. For more information regarding ZERO TO THREE CEUs, please visit: https://www.zerotothree.org/resources/1657-earn-ceus-from-zero-to-three. Please note: A computer or electronic device with internet connection is required for successful completion. Each session will be hosted for 1 hour and includes a brief introduction, 45 mins of content based teaching, and 10 to 15 minutes of Q and A. Questions can be posted throughout the session, and the presenter will address as many as possible. 

Additional Details:

ZERO TO THREE is accredited as an Authorized Provider of Continuing Education and Training by the International Association for Continuing Education and Training (IACET). In obtaining this accreditation, we have demonstrated compliance with the ANSI/IACET Standard, which is recognized internationally as a standard of excellence in instructional practices. As the official standard for continuing education and training, IACET Continuing Education Units (CEUs) are recognized by a wide range of organizations, including professional associations, regulatory boards, corporations, and universities.

Though IACET CEUs are widely accepted, it is up to each organization to choose whether or not it will accept them. For this reason, we strongly advise that you confirm in advance if a particular body accepts IACET CEUs. To view a list of companies, regulatory boards, and organizations that have reported to accept the IACET CEU credit, please click here. This list is not exhaustive, nor does it guarantee that an IACET CEU will automatically be accepted. 

*Presenters have affirmed that they do not have proprietary interest in products, instruments, devices, services or materials discussed in this course, and have confirmed that they have not been compensated in relation to this presentation.