2025 Annual Conference
Doubletree Hotel, 300 Army Navy Drive, Arlington, VA 22202
Annual Conference 2025
2025 Conference Overview:
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Overview
This year’s 2025 ParentChild+ Conference’s overarching theme is Innovating Toward an Equitable Future.
Stay tuned for more details about programming!
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Refresher Training and Quality Assurance Session offered on Wednesday, April 30th
ParentChild+ will offer a one-day refresher training and quality assurance session to Coordinators from sites who wish to start the certification process in 2025. This training will address some program enhancements for both the One-on-One and HBCC models to ensure your site is on the path to operating the model with fidelity.
Cost for attending this extra session is $75 per person and can be included as part of your conference registration.
Who: This is for sites with veteran Coordinators who have been at ParentChild+ for over four years and are interested in obtaining feedback on their site’s implementation of the ParentChild+ model. Some sites in the network are required to participate in a fidelity process by their funders.
When: Wednesday, April 30th from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm (lunch included)
Why certification? The goal of Certification is to engage in a process of continuous quality improvement. This is a process where programs assess their ability to meet the needs of families, child care providers, and children through the ParentChild+ models.
Quality improvement is a strength-based process that relies on teamwork to not only assess overall fidelity to the model but also to understand how a program might individuate or stretch the model to meet the needs of your community. It is an ongoing cycle of collecting information or data, implementing solutions, learning from them, and revising the solutions. A key aspect of continuous quality improvement is to identify strength-based approaches to support home visiting staff and their ability to work with families in an effective and meaningful way.
Agenda (TBC): In preparation for your Site Certification, here is the content for the one-day training offered by the National Center:
- Developmental parenting
- Goal setting, reflection records, and coaching families
- Best Practice Principles and video feedback
- An introduction to practice-based coaching
Questions? If you have an interest in Certification or questions about what this one-day of training entails, please email Jessica Faith at jfaith@parentchildplus.org
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VENDORS: Your registration link is inside!
Register here to vend at the Conference!
ParentChild+ sites order multiples of children’s picture books and educational toys for children ages 18 months – 4 years old. Our sites make their own buying decisions based on the National Center’s guidelines. Of particular interest are books that represent the families we serve, books available in multiple languages, small motor manipulative toys, large motor toys appropriate for use in the home, and art materials. For further information, please contact Michele Morrison mmorrison@parentchildplus.org.
Fees to vend are $200 for vendors who joined us in 2024’s Expo Hall, and $300 for all other vendors.
**Paying by card will incur an additional 2.9% + $0.30 processing fee.
Accepting proposals to present a workshop or be on a discussion panel.
Call for proposals can be found here.
We can’t wait to read what you have to share!
Take a look at our workshop line-up so far!
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Monday, April 28, 2025
KEYNOTE-The Power of Picture Books to Advance Equity: Bridging Research and Practice
April 28, 2025
KEYNOTE-The Power of Picture Books to Advance Equity: Bridging Research and Practice
April 28, 2025
This keynote will provide a research overview on how picture books support child development, with a particular emphasis on multicultural picture books. In this one-hour session, the speaker will (a) discuss seminal and current research on multicultural picture books for infants and toddlers, (b) highlight examples of equitable practices using these texts in home-based settings, and (c) highlight how shared reading with multicultural picture books can affirm children (and families) from different racial and ethnic backgrounds. The keynote will be followed by a Q&A session.
ParentChild+ Reimagined: Equity, Quality Assurance, and Innovations in Early Childhood Parenting Support
April 28, 2025
ParentChild+ Reimagined: Equity, Quality Assurance, and Innovations in Early Childhood Parenting Support
April 28, 2025
Join us for an engaging and interactive session as we explore the transformative steps and innovations that are shaping ParentChild+’s approach to equity and quality assurance. This workshop will provide an in-depth look at the development of an Equity-Centered Quality Assurance Framework, the integration of culturally responsive practices, and how innovative tools like video coding for evaluation and professional development can support this work.
Designed for practitioners across our network, this session will offer a chance to engage with the National Center’s fidelity, quality, and equity goals and discuss the “one program, two models” framework. We will address the challenges and opportunities this work brings and discuss the critical role that practitioners play in its success.
Attendees will leave with:
- A clear understanding of the goals for an updated framework, including their purpose and impact on families, home visitors, and early childhood education.
- Insights into the lessons learned from implementing the HBCC model, how it aligns with the Family model, and how this work supports “the one program, two models” vision.
- Practical strategies for work within their local sites.
This session is an opportunity to engage in a candid conversation about equity, innovation, and how we manage change together, ensuring we move forward as a unified network dedicated to serving families and communities.
Speakers
Cesar Zuniga
Director of Research and Evaluation, ParentChild+ National Center
Director of Research and Evaluation at the ParentChild+ National Center.
Vidya Ragoo
In the summer of 2021, Vidya joined the ParentChild+ National Center team. As Family Child Care (FCC) Director, Vidya supports the implementation and expansion of our FCC model across the nation. Vidya believes in parent choice in child care and knows that the best environment for young children are small family-like settings that are reflective of the home culture and language. Prior to working at ParentChild+, Vidya worked on the NYS QUALITYstarsNY team to develop and establish the State’s Quality Rating and Improvement System for child care programs. She has been a community activist in her work around child care program development and the essential role it plays in improving life outcomes for children in the most vulnerable communities that face multiple toxic stressors.
Exploring the Impact of Diverse Books on Parent-Child Relationships
April 28, 2025
Exploring the Impact of Diverse Books on Parent-Child Relationships
April 28, 2025
First Book is dedicated to ensuring that all children, regardless of their background or zip code, can succeed, by removing barriers to equitable education. We reach 6.5 million kids each year in low-income communities across North America, providing books and resources through a network of educators, professionals and volunteers. We are a founding member of the Diverse Books for All Coalition (as is ParentChild+), a national consortium of nonprofit organizations and networks working together to increase access to affordable, high quality children’s books by and about diverse races, cultures, identities, and abilities.
First Book Research & Insights recently conducted a nationwide study to understand the impacts of increasing access to diverse and representative reading materials for children. First Book and our Diverse Books for All Coalition will host a dialogue to discuss the study findings and the importance of diverse books in early literacy and building relationships between parents, caregivers, and children. Join us to learn about how to utilize these resources and develop connections with young children through diverse books.
Introduction to Creative Problem Solving
April 28, 2025
Introduction to Creative Problem Solving
April 28, 2025
Behavior charts, rewards, and punishments don’t work, and we know why. Traditional discipline is broken. It doesn’t result in improved behavior or improved relationships between adults and children. The Collaborative Problem Solving® approach is an effective form of relational discipline that reduces concerning behavior and parent stress while building thinking skills, empathy, and relationships between adults and children. The goal of Joy’s work is to interrupt the Preschool to Prison Pipeline and enrich public systems that serve young children.
Strengthening Families, HOPE and ParentChild+ Principles: The Crosswalk and Implementation into Practice
April 28, 2025
Strengthening Families, HOPE and ParentChild+ Principles: The Crosswalk and Implementation into Practice
April 28, 2025
The presenters, the ParentChild+ Framingham team, will provide an overview of Strengthening Families, HOPE Healthy Outcome for Positive Experiences, and ParentChild+ Principles. They will share a crosswalk of these frameworks and how they complement and build off each other. They will conclude by connecting these frameworks into the everyday work of ParentChild+: training Early Learning Specialists; embedding in home visits; and using the PIEL and Home Visit Reflection. The session will highlight the impact of a strength-based vs a deficit-based medical model in our work, and will include a presentation, video, breakout groups, and group discussion.
Using a Parallel Process of Coaching to Support Home Visitors and Families
April 28, 2025
Using a Parallel Process of Coaching to Support Home Visitors and Families
April 28, 2025
A growing body of research substantiates what early care and education professionals have always known: Nothing is as important as relationships between caregivers, children, and families. Our experiences during the most challenging days of the COVID-19 pandemic only underscored the necessity of supportive connections. During this challenging period, representatives from various home visiting models collaborated to determine the most effective ways to support families from diverse backgrounds with unique needs. A significant issue from these discussions was the need for effective training for home visitors, coaches, and supervisors across different models. The result of these discussions coalesced in a new book, Coaching in Home Visiting: Supporting Better Outcomes for Professionals and Families.
In this session, Christa and Angela will discuss the parallel process of coaching in home visiting and how working collaboratively improves outcomes for families.
Engaging Young Children and Parents in Environmental Awareness Through Storytelling: Using Books to Foster a Love for the Planet
April 28, 2025
Engaging Young Children and Parents in Environmental Awareness Through Storytelling: Using Books to Foster a Love for the Planet
April 28, 2025
This presentation will offer an engaging and practical approach to introducing children ages 2-4 years old and their families to concepts of environmental stewardship, climate change, and caring for the planet. Focusing on three popular children’s books—The Earth Book by Todd Parr, Lola Plants a Garden by Anna McQuinn, and The Very Hungry Caterpillar series by Eric Carle—this session will provide home visitors with the tools they need to help parents spark meaningful environmental conversations with their young children. Through storytelling, hands-on activities, and practical tips, this presentation will help bridge the gap between abstract environmental concepts and the everyday lives of children and their families, particularly those living in urban settings.
ParentChild+ Home-Based Child Care Model Panel Discussion
April 28, 2025
ParentChild+ Home-Based Child Care Model Panel Discussion
April 28, 2025
A moderated discussion with a panel of ParentChild+ staff from sites implementing the HBCC model exploring implications for training, supervision, and practice. Discussion will focus both on family, friend, and neighbor care (FFN)/license exempt care and licensed home-based care.
Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Coaching Practices
April 28, 2025
Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Coaching Practices
April 28, 2025
As supervisors and home visitors, we all try to be sensitive and supportive of the cultural perspectives of the families we serve. Some of us have facilitated or participated in exercises that are designed to help us be more culturally responsive. But, learning to truly see another individual or family through the lens of their own experience is a lifelong process and best occurs through a reciprocal relationship. This workshop will discuss the coaching mindset and practices, talking points and reflective processes that can help a home visitor or supervisor better support diverse families. Presenters will discuss processes and practices that occur before, during, and after a visit that helps us highlight the strengths found in diversity.
Roots: Multi-Generational Healing as A Basis for Early Learning
April 28, 2025
Roots: Multi-Generational Healing as A Basis for Early Learning
April 28, 2025
This session will explore how racism and oppression – and the impacts of systemic trauma – intersect with early development and lived experiences of BIPOC children and families. This training expands our perspectives on and practices for culturally specific, trauma-informed, and healing-centered engagement of children and families positioned furthest from access and opportunity.
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Tuesday, April 29, 2025
KEYNOTE – Identifying and Investing in the Strengths of Latino Families
April 29, 2025
KEYNOTE – Identifying and Investing in the Strengths of Latino Families
April 29, 2025
Understanding the cultural context of Latinx families and focusing on their strengths is essential so we can best serve them. What are those strengths and how do they support child development? And what does research tell us about the unique role of fathers? This talk will take a close look specifically at Latinx families, but also at the importance of identifying strengths of all families within a cultural context. The talk will close with a summary and then recommendations that can apply to all our work.
Demystifying Difficult Behaviors in Young Children
April 29, 2025
Demystifying Difficult Behaviors in Young Children
April 29, 2025
In this session participants will consider ways to address challenging behaviors in young children by being responsive to their needs and skill levels rather than being reactive when difficult behaviors arise. Young children are learning and growing rapidly. Being attuned to their behaviors provides many opportunities for their caregivers to support them in reaching healthy social and emotional milestones. Participants will learn to identify children’s needs when their behavior is difficult, as well as consider ways to model the social-emotional skills needed for self-regulation and co-regulation.
How Programs can Capitalize on the Strengths of Latino Families
April 29, 2025
How Programs can Capitalize on the Strengths of Latino Families
April 29, 2025
To effectively tailor programs’ approaches and strategies to the specific characteristics and dynamics of Latino families, programs should know more about Latino participants’ relationships as couples and co-parents, their relationships with their children, and their financial self-sufficiency. In this workshop, We will focus on: couple and co-parenting relationships; parenting; and self-sufficiency (i.e., education, household income, and employment) to highlight the strengths of these families, and provide specific examples of how programs can provide services to promote and support families’ strengths. The focus is on the early childhood years (infancy to kindergarten) because this period is critical for development and poses heightened demands on parents’ time and resources.
Comprehensive Coaching for Home Visitors in Child Development Practices
April 29, 2025
Comprehensive Coaching for Home Visitors in Child Development Practices
April 29, 2025
Home visitors have the distinct professional responsibility to facilitate parents’ interactions with their children to optimize child development. With minimal preservice training opportunities available, practice-focused coaching can enhance home visitor competencies for promoting child development via parent-child interactions. This workshop will inform attendees about the evidence-based Little Talks program, a parent-mediated intervention to promote children’s communication and language growth. Experimental evaluation has demonstrated Little Talks effectiveness in enhancing home visiting quality, parents’ engagement of children, and their wellbeing, as well as in fostering communication and language growth in young children. Additionally, Little Talks professional development has been shown to effectively prepare home visitors to deliver the intervention in collaboration with parents. Attendees will learn about coaching strategies for supporting home visitors as well as home visitors’ practices for facilitating parents’ use of Little Talks with children.
Promoting Black Children’s Positive Identity Development 70 Years After Brown v. Board
April 29, 2025
Promoting Black Children’s Positive Identity Development 70 Years After Brown v. Board
April 29, 2025
In this interactive session, participants will explore the landmark “dolls study” that influenced the Supreme Court’s historic 1954 decision to end de jure segregation in the United States. The session will examine how these studies revealed the profound impact of racial bias on children’s self-perception and identity, as well as the protective factors that shielded some children from its harmful effects. Participants will also learn how more recent dolls studies continue to shape our understanding of identity development in Black children today.
Through reflective discussion, participants will have the opportunity to connect this research to their own work with children and families. The session will provide practical, age-appropriate strategies and tools that can be shared with families and child care providers to help counteract the effects of racial bias and support the development of positive self-concepts in Black children and other children of color. Whether working as home visitors, caregivers, or advocates, participants will leave with new insights and actionable resources to help foster healthier, more resilient identities in children of all backgrounds.
KEYNOTE-Expanding Our Understanding of the Strengthening Families Protective Factors
April 29, 2025
KEYNOTE-Expanding Our Understanding of the Strengthening Families Protective Factors
April 29, 2025
An expanded understanding of the Strengthening Families protective factors emphasizes the need to integrate a set of core values into practice designed to build the five protective factors. These core values are essential because they emphasize the need to address community and societal conditions—in addition to individual and family circumstances—that impact the lives of children, parents, and families and help to build or undermine optimal development and well-being.
Strengthening Families and the HOPE Framework
April 29, 2025
Strengthening Families and the HOPE Framework
April 29, 2025
Strengthening Families and HOPE — Healthy Outcomes from Positive Experiences — are two frameworks that have significantly contributed to a shift in both perspectives and practice within child- and family-serving fields. This workshop will address the value of Strengthening Families and HOPE as complementary approaches that promote the healthy development and well-being of young children and their families and reduce the impact of adversity they may face.
Registration is now live!
Please make sure before proceeding:
- You know how you plan to pay for registration. If you would like to pay with a card, have that information ready. You can also elect to be invoiced or receive a quote and use alternate payment methods: ACH, Zelle, or check.
- You have names, titles, emails, and dietary needs for people on your team who you plan to attend the conference. We want the conference to be safe and comfortable for everyone, and it’s important this information is complete!
If you are a vendor click here. Your registration is separate from attendees.
For those wishing to attend the training on April 30th, you can include that in your conference registration.
Registration Dates and Fee Structure for Attendees:
Regular Rate (AFTER December 5, 2024):
- First person attending: $375
- Additional people attending: $345
Important Dates:
- Registration Closes and payment must be received by: April 14, 2025.
- Refund Policy: No refunds for cancellations after April 10, 2025.
- Transfer Policy: Registrations may be transferred to a different person by contacting Michele Morrison at mmorrison@parentchildplus.org by April 27, 2025, with no penalty.
Book your hotel room here. Please make sure the reservation matches the name on the credit card used for payment!
*Please note that the conference rate for hotel rooms is available starting on Saturday, April 26, 2025, for those who wish to arrive early and enjoy the weekend in Washington, DC. Make sure to secure your spot and book your accommodations early! As of January 2025, rooms were going fast!
Conference FAQs
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When is the Conference?
April 28-29, 2025
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Attendee Fees
Early Bird Rate (must have registered and paid by December 5, 2024):
- First person attending: $350
- Additional people attending: $320
Regular Rate (AFTER November 1, 2024):
- First person attending: $375
- Additional people attending: $345
Fees include meals. Rooms must be booked separately
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How can I pay?
After you register, a confirmation email will be sent to the contact person.
New this year: confirmation emails will also serve as receipts or invoices, depending on when you pay for your registration.
ParentChild+ accepts ACH, check, Zelle, or credit card payments. Check and ACH payments must be coordinated by emailing Shannalee Levy at SLevy@parentchildplus.org.
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What is the On-Site Post-Conference Training on April 30th?
WHAT?
ParentChild+ will offer a one-day training and quality assurance session for veteran Coordinators from sites that wish to be certified or recertified in 2025-26. This training will address program enhancements for both the Family (One-on-One) and HBCC models to ensure your site is on the path to operating the model with fidelity.
WHO?
This is for sites with veteran Coordinators who have been at ParentChild+ for over four years and are interested in obtaining feedback on their site’s implementation of the ParentChild+ model and beginning the certification process. This will be the first step in meeting funders’ requirements that sites be certified as demonstrating fidelity to the model.
WHEN?
April 30th from 9:00 am – 2:00 pm. Lunch will be included in your registration.
WHY?
The goal of Certification is to assess fidelity to model and support continuous quality improvement. This is a process where programs assess how they are meeting the needs of families, child care providers, and children through the ParentChild+ models.
Draft Training Agenda:
A One-Day Training to Prepare for Site Certification:
- Developmental parenting
- Goal setting, reflection records, and coaching families
- Best Practice Principles and video feedback
- An introduction to practice-based coaching
QUESTIONS?
If you have an interest in Certification or questions about what this one-day of training entails, please email Jessica Faith at jfaith@parentchildplus.org.
Important Reminders
Booking Rooms
The ParentChild+ 2025 Annual In-Person Conference, will take place on April 28-29, 2025, at the Doubletree Hotel, 300 Army Navy Drive, Arlington, VA. Hotel rooms are now available at the conference rate of $239/night. Reserve your room here.
