Please review the below proposal instructions and complete the following Submission Form.

The conference committee at MT DPHHS invites interested parties to submit a presentation proposal for breakout sessions for the 10th Annual Great Beginnings, Great Families Conference. The conference will be held on August 13th-15th, 2024 at the Great Northern Hotel in Helena. Presentation proposals are selected based on topic relevance and committee approval. An email to notify you of proposal acceptance will be sent by Friday, May 31st.
Proposal Submission Form
Please complete the following Submission Form. The deadline for submission is May 17th.
PURPOSE OF THE CONFERENCE
To improve family and health outcomes by increasing the efficacy of parenting, early childhood, and youth programs and professionals in Montana.
CONFERENCE GOALS
Connect programs, providers, and partners in early childhood and maternal, child and adolescent health (MCAH) systems ● Promote sustainability of MCAH and early childhood programming ● Provide quality professional development to MCAH and early childhood workforce ● Enhance and promote strengths-based services for families ● Improve the social, emotional, mental, nutritional, economic, and cultural health of Montana’s families ● Promote preventative and comprehensive care and programming
SESSION TRACKS MAY INCLUDE

“Family Wellness and Support” - ACEs and resiliency; challenging behaviors; connecting families to resources; cultural competency and humility; engaging and supporting all family structures; family engagement; advocacy; mental health across the lifespan; preventive healthcare; safe sleep; substance use/abuse; transitions; trauma informed care, referral supports; LGBTQ+; resources for parenting youth (under 21 years old); tribal health; supporting dual language individuals and families

“Health and Nutrition” - adolescent health (consent, contraceptive use, STDs); emotional intelligence; human trafficking; physical activity; positive social-emotional skills; preventing bullying; Part C Early Intervention; medical and dental home; supporting families through specialized healthcare; environmental health factors; nutrition throughout the lifecycle; breastfeeding support; childhood obesity; food insecurity; gut microbiome; hot topics in nutrition; infant/toddler to school-age nutrition; nutrition feeding challenges (i.e. picky eating); parenting styles and effect on nutrition intake in young children; the science of behavior change; Child and Adult Care Food Program

“Data and Quality Improvement” - diversity, equity, and inclusion; effective communication; enhancing community relationships and referrals; leadership styles; program collaboration & coordination; reflective practice and supervision; continuous quality improvement; ethics and data; program and intervention evaluation; data sharing standards; mandatory reporting; data visualization; program performance measurement; data systems integration; collecting data in Indian country
PRESENTATION FORMATS
Presentation proposals must indicate the format of the presentation. Specifically, if the proposal is for a panel, sole presenter, or group presenters.
CONFERENCE AUDIENCE MAY INCLUDE
Parent Educators ● Family Support Specialists ● Parent Liaisons ● Parent Advocates ● Home Visitors ● Public Health Nurses ● Registered Dietitians ● Early Childhood Providers and Educators ● Head Start Program Staff ● Social Workers and Professional Counselors ● WIC management, clinical and/or support staff ● Health Care Providers (MD, PA, NP, IBCLC, RN, LPN) ● Students ● Other service providers working with families, young children or women of reproductive age
STREAMING
ONLY the keynote presentations will be live streamed.
MATERIALS
All presenters will be listed on the GBGF website with a headshot, biography, and short description of the session. Topic-driven or informational materials/handouts can also be added to accompany the presentation. NO selling/solicitation of products or services is allowed. However, you may request attendees to sign up or provide an email for additional information. Materials & questions may be sent directly to amy.saltzman@mso.umt.edu.
TECHNOLOGY
The conference coordinator will be available to assist with conference logistics.
SPEAKER FEES
If your agency/organization collects a speaker fee, please indicate this on the proposal form.

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