• Meeting 2 of 5
     November 15, 2023
     3:30 pm - 4:30 pm
  • Meeting 3 of 5
     January 17, 2024
     3:30 pm - 4:30 pm
  • Meeting 4 of 5
     March 13, 2024
     3:30 pm - 4:30 pm
  • Meeting 5 of 5
     May 15, 2024
     3:30 pm - 4:30 pm

Illinois Early Childhood Outcomes Community of Practice (online)

Learning Level 2: Intermediate/Application

Intended Audience – Administrators, ECSE/General Educators, Family Members, Family Educators, Psychologists, Social Workers, SLPs, OT/PTs

Description – We invite Illinois Early Childhood Professionals who work with students receiving Special Education Services to come together and share ideas and practices on how to support the Early Childhood Outcomes process. This ECO CoP is specifically for practitioners who have been active participants in the ECO process. It is highly suggested that you have participated in a training on ECO prior to your participation in this ECO CoP. It is an opportunity to deepen our understanding of the ECO process and build higher levels of reliability across Illinois. Together we will determine what topics of investigation and discussion will be addressed in this CoP. Topics could include utilization of the decision tree, using our authentic assessment tool to help inform ECO ratings, engaging in problem solving techniques when difficult conversations occur, using ECO ratings for program improvement, and other key ECO factors. Are you looking for a training on Early Childhood Outcomes in Illinois? This Illinois Early Childhood Outcome Community of Practice (ECO CoP) is not a training on Early Childhood Outcomes. If you are new to the ECO process, you can find eModule trainings on Early Childhood Outcomes in Illinois at https://www.isbe.net/Pages/SPP-APR-Indicator-7.aspx under Guidance and Training. Also check your STAR NET training calendar for webinars on Early Childhood Outcomes.

Continuing Education – This webinar will provide 5 contact hours for the following:

  • Educator License Renewal
  • CE credit for SLP, SW, LCPC, PT, and OT professionals

For CoPs only, participants may miss a meeting and still get a certificate for partial credit for the other meeting(s) they attend. However, full participation within each meeting is required.

Facilitator(s)

  • Marlene Christ
    Marlene Christ is the Project Director for STAR NET Region VI. She has extensive experience in early childhood programs and services. Marlene has worked as a school-based speech-language pathologist, diagnostician on an Early Childhood Team; Early Intervention service provider, and supervisor of an Early Intervention program. Marlene also served as supervisor of the speech-language program and assistive technology program at Southwest Cook County Cooperative Association for Special Education and as an educational consultant and trainer for Infinitec. Marlene has a B.A. in Speech, a M.H.S in Communication Disorders and has completed graduate coursework for a School Administrators Certificate.
  • Nancy Kind
    Nancy Kind is a recently retired administrator of the NSSED Early Childhood Program. She works with teacher, related service staff, as well as school districts and community preschool programs to provide special education service. Nancy has presented at the national, state and local levels on topics related to Early Childhood Outcomes and RTI/MTSS at the EC level.
  • Kathy Nehrt
    Kathy Nehrt recently retired as a Resource Specialist for STARNET. She has participated in statewide Early Childhood Outcomes, Early Intervention to Early Childhood Transition and STARNET Region IV Community Focus Groups. She believes in supporting children, families and the Early Childhood professionals who serve them. She retired after over 36 years in education, working as an Early Childhood Special Education teacher and coordinator, Blended Pre-K/Head Start teacher and Family Coordinator, and as an adjunct professor. She has a BS in Special Education, Early Childhood minor, from WIU and a MSEd in Speical Education for SIUE, with additional coursework in Educational Leadership.
  • Connie Shugart
    Connie Shugart, Project Coordinator STARnet Regions I & III, has over 30 years of experience working in the field of early childhood education. Her experiences include teaching and/or training of early childhood and early intervention professionals and families. She has done presentations at many regional, state and national conferences. A few of her topics include curriculum, assessment, standards, environments, child development, and play. Connie is also one of the Executive Producers and hosts of Apples Magazine training videos. Her passions include educating professionals and families on play and the impact that the early childhood environment has on teaching and learning.
Free Registration