South Carolina Early Childhood
Inclusion Conference

October 17, 2024
8:00am-4:00pm

Location: R2i2 (763 Fashion Dr. Columbia, SC 29229)

Theme: Moving Forward Together

The SC Early Childhood Inclusion Conference is designed to support early childhood leadership teams in building program capacity to increase inclusive preschool practices to support all young children and their families to belong and thrive within their communities. We aim to provide opportunities for participants to learn about evidence-based practices that support successful early childhood transitions and promote the delivery of instruction to preschoolers in their least restrictive environment.

The goals for this year’s conference are to:

  • Empower participants to explore local resources and partnerships to support collaborative efforts that increase the availability of inclusive opportunities for young children with disabilities
  • Provide participants with developmentally appropriate early learning practices that create a strong foundation for each and every child to meet their full potential
  • Provide a platform for all participants to build a strong culture of inclusion and belonging

Register Now!

Early Bird Registration
7/15-8/15: $40

General Registration
8/16-10/4: $50

Register Here!

Exhibitor Applications Open

Now accepting Exhibitor Applications through August 1st.

Click to apply to be an exhibitor.

Featured Speaker
Dr. Jackie Joseph

Dr. Jackie Joseph is a Research Associate Professor at the University of Denver Positive Early Learning Experiences Center, where her work promotes high-quality inclusion across the early care and education system. She specifically focuses on family partnerships and evidence-based strategies for fostering each and every young child’s social, emotional, and behavioral development. Jackie’s experience working in child care administration offers her an applied understanding of implementing and scaling high quality inclusion. Dr. Joseph has two young children herself, one of whom happens to have a rare genetic syndrome. Her anti-ableist research and work are strongly influenced by her family’s experiences, and Jackie strives to co-create opportunities and spaces that ensure that all young children, disabled and nondisabled, and their families experience meaningful inclusion and belonging.

Conference Schedule Additional schedule details coming soon!

8:00am-8:45am Check-In
8:45am-9:00am Opening Remarks
9:00am-10:00am Keynote Speaker

Combining Science and Heart: Relearning Inclusion through Love
Dr. Jackie Joseph
Keynote Speaker

Dr. Jackie Joseph's education and work brought her expertise in inclusion research, policy, and practice. However, when her daughter Juniper was born with a rare genetic syndrome, Jackie realized that much of what she had learned was incomplete. Juniper's family observed how the world around her did not fully value her, and as Juniper’s mom, Jackie confronted her own limiting attitudes and beliefs. Jackie and her family have seen first-hand the importance of promoting high-quality inclusion, but she's also learned that inclusion alone is not enough. By sharing her family's story, Jackie invites us to consider how we may never achieve our goals, as a field and as a society, until we can embed inclusion into people’s hearts, not just their minds.

10:00am-10:15am Break
10:15am-11:15am Breakout Session #1

Rightful Presence, Realized Potential: Equitable Inclusion and IEP Teams
Presenters: Dr. Jackie Joseph & Brandy Locchetta

Session Description:

IEP teams have the unique opportunity to foster environments that celebrate each child's competence and ensure their rightful presence in care and education environments. Guided by the principles of presumed competence and rightful presence, this session empowers teams to champion inclusion and belonging in IDEA processes.

11:15am-11:30am Break with Exhibitors
11:30am-12:30pm Lunch
12:30pm-1:30pm Breakout Session #2
1:30pm-1:45pm Break
1:45pm-2:45pm Breakout Session #3
2:45pm-3:00pm Break
3:00pm-4:00pm Closing

Participants can earn Continuing Education Units (CEUs) for participation throughout the conference. Participants should provide necessary information when registering for the conference to earn CEUs. In order to receive CEU credit for the day, participants must attend the keynote, all 3 breakout sessions, and the closing address.

©2024 South Carolina Partnerships for Inclusion | Website by 37 Gears
South Carolina Partnerships for Inclusion is funded by the South Carolina Department of Education’s Office of Special Education Services.