FY17 Quality Counts Conference Workshop RFP

Quality Counts Spring Conference (October 8, 2016)

The AB212/Quality Counts Project is excited to announce the 3rd Annual Quality Counts Conference: Equity in Education: Activating Educators' Hearts and Minds.

The continual progression and advancement of people from all walks of life is alive and well. Alameda County’s early childhood workforce prides itself on being ahead of the trend and forecasting what is needed to ensure children and families thrive. Our aim, therefore, for this year’s Quality Counts conference is to align practices with the current realities of what teachers and administrators face daily in their programs. We want Alameda County’s early childhood workforce to be well prepared, skilled, competent, and responsive to our diverse community. This calls for culturally, ethnically, linguistically and gender relevant approaches that are equitable, respectful and supportive of children and families.

The conference will take place at Chabot Community College on Saturday, October 8, 2016 from 7:00am to 5:00pm. Please review the Request for Proposals below and complete your workshop proposal by Friday, September 9, 2016.

Questions? Please contact Lawanda Wesley at Lawanda.Wesley@acgov.org or Neva Bandelow at nbandelow@acoe.org.

Workshop Format Preference

As with each year, we’re seeking presenters that will engage participants and support their wide range of learning styles. This can be achieved by offering interactive workshops that include a balance of lecture, small and whole group discussions, report-out, charting, action planning and other facilitation methods that encourage active participation.

Workshop Track Descriptions

Equitable Practices - equitable practices employs early childhood practitioners to honor children’s and families’ unique characteristics, as well as identify their diverse strengths and capabilities to support desired program, child and family outcomes (e.g. ELL, inclusive curricula, leadership development). What does an equitable early childhood classroom and/program look like that considers such areas as race, poverty, socioeconomic status, health disparities, digital divide, academic or at-promise gap, and language? What is the interplay between classroom/programs practices and day-to-day program operation?

Family Structures - family structures account for the many ways families are comprised (e.g. single dads, adoptive/foster, blended, bi-racial/transracial, grandparents raising grandchildren, LGBTQ, step-parents) and valuing context from which children live. It also considers how some families may be included and excluded due to underlining program polices, practices and deeply held beliefs. Through exploration and honest discussion how can we identify and address areas of programs and specific methods that authentically support family engagement and involvement regardless of family makeup.

Children and Families with Special Needs - Children and families with special needs or “exceptional needs” is inclusive of children and families with varying abilities (e.g. below or above the norm) that is either visual or non-visual. These varying abilities may include physical, learning (also gifted children) and behavior. How do teachers and administrators gather information from families to make informed decisions about program and classroom adaptations? What role does universal screening play and use of tools such as the Ages and Stages Questionnaires, Environmental Rating Scale and/or the Green Rating Scale for Early Childhood Settings support decision-making? How do we consider families emerging literacy/language abilities when communicating in-person or in writing? These are just a few considerations when thinking about children and families with special needs.

Event Logistical Details:

We are able to provide an honorarium of $250 per 2-hour session for up to two presenters (each presenter is eligible for the honorarium.)
Workshop session blocks are 10:00am-12:00pm and 1:15pm-3:15pm
Workshop sessions will be capped at 30 participants unless otherwise specified
Presenters are responsible for preparing all necessary handouts and materials. Limited chart paper and markers will be available for use.
Classrooms will be equipped with integrated AV supports and presenters are highly encouraged to use the classroom system. Presenters are responsible for operating any additional equipment outside of the integrated system and keep in mind limited staff support is available for tech support.