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| For Immediate Release | Contact: Felicia M. Torrez |
| Jan. 23 , 2009 | Phone: (559) 934-2132 |
West Hills College Child Development Centers
to Host Conference for Childhood Educators
West Hills College Child Development Centers are gearing up for their Supporting the Hands of Our Future: 2009, Practicing Intervention Early for Childhood Educators formally known as the Early Intervention Conference. The conference is slated for Saturday, March 21, 2009, at the Tachi Palace in Lemoore.
“There is a lack of opportunity for early childhood educators to be provided with presentations regarding early intervention for young children with special needs,” said Mina Valdeabella, the conference coordinator and West Hills College Child Development Centers Family Resource coordinator. “That is why we believe the conference attracts so many participants across the Valley.”
A full day of keynote presenters and breakout sessions is scheduled. The conference is geared toward childhood educators but is open to anyone who would like to attend.
The conference will provide resources and information in serving the valley’s population of children with special needs and their families, says Valdeabella. The presentations and activities will emphasize on adapting the early childhood environment for children with special needs.
Stacey Thacker, MA, LMFT, a licensed marriage and family therapist at Roubicek and Thacker Counseling will be the keynote speaker. Thacker specializes in families with children who have disabilities and or special healthcare needs, grief and traumatic loss and addiction and molestation. She will present Heartache to Hope for Professionals in disability fields.
Other conference topics and presenters include: Let’s Talk by Shirley Baltazaar and Christine Maul; Early Warning Signs by Martina Sholiton and Natalie Harlan; Speech and Language Delays by Bev Long; Disability Awareness and Sensitivity by Martina Sholiton and Natalie Harlan;ADA/IDEA ( Spanish only) by Enrique Bedolla and Juana Soto; Accommodations for Children with Special Needs by Martina Sholiton and Natalie Harlan and Signing to Include All by Kelly Barnhart.
Collaborating agencies include: Kings County Office of Education SELPA, Central Valley Regional Center, Comprehensive Approaches to Raising Educational Standards (CARES), the Diagnostic Center of Central CA, Central Valley Children Services, the California Preschool Instructional Network (CPIN) and Sign2Connect.
Last year’s conference at the West Hills College Lemoore Conference Center attracted more than 145 attendees, which met the maximum occupancy for the location. This year’s conference will be held at Tachi Palace, 17225 Jersey Ave., Lemoore with an occupancy of up to 230 participants.
Registration is now underway with the last day to register being March 12, 2009. Registration fees are as follows: before March 1, $35; after March 1, $50; WHC child development students, $15. Attendees may register at the door for $60. Breakfast and lunch are included in the registration fees. Door prizes will be given away throughout the day. For more information, contact Mina Valdeabella at (559) 934-2382.
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West Hills Community College District serves the west side of the San Joaquin Valley and is part of the California Community College System. Its two colleges, West Hills College Coalinga, which includes North District Center, Firebaugh, and West Hills College Lemoore, serve more than 6,000 students on campus and online each semester.