9:00 AM - 2:30 PM Eastern
October 7 - 8, 2026
Marriott Northwest Columbus
5605 Blazer Parkway
Columbus, OH 43017
CLICK HERE TO VIEW/DOWNLOAD TENATIVE AGENDA
REGISTRATION RATE:
(includes lunch on Wednesday and Thursday)
Subscribing Member - $250
Member - $300
HOTEL RATE:
$131 (plus tax) per night; includes breakfast and Wi-Fi
Click here to reserve your hotel room
*Rates available through 9/22/26
Tuesday, October 6th
4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. OHSAI Board Meeting
Wednesday, October 7th
8:00 a.m. Registration
9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Community of Learners
The Community of Learners model is intended to facilitate meaningful and intentional networking, sharing and learning among and between peers working in a common field.
Kristen Kerr, Community Action of Wayne/Medina; Amy Esser, Mercer County Head Start
- FY27 Monitoring
- HSPPS Rule - What's Ahead?
- Ohio Head Start SSID Project
- Regional Office discussion
Sharon Fisher, Warren Co. Community Services; Ellen Walker, CDC of Franklin Co; Darla Smith, Council on Rural Services
- Chapter 2 of Let’s Practice – Storytelling with Data
- Bring a Head Start topic idea to move through the activity as a group
Michele Delph, CAC of Erie, Huron & Richland Counties; Christine Balusik, Ross Co. CAC; Marie Vermeulen & Kelly Irwin, LEADS Head Start
- Sarah Nightwine, STG International present Modeling Positive Goal Oriented Relationships through Reflective Practices
- This session will explore reflective practices and how motivational interviewing strategies can support an early learning leaders role in collaborative relationships to support reflection and impact growth in practice.
- Reflective Supervision and relationship building with children
Jeanine Bensman, Council on Rural Services; Angie Kisor-Bridges, Ironton-Lawrence County CAO
- Importance of self-care for yourself, staff and families
- For the second half of the session participants may choose between:
- Pregnancy services – plans of safe care, curriculum & resources with EHS COL leaders
- Mental Health discussion with Health COL leaders
Amy Hawley, Council on Rural Services; Katie Peters, Child Focus Inc; Nicole Shetterly, Toledo Public Schools/Summitt Early Childhood Center; Pam Shcuck, CA Akron Summitt
- Discussions regarding use of 3% reserved slots, enrollment attendance & recruitment
- Liz Pfenning & Theresa Boano, STG International present 8 Step Recruitment Strategy
- Explain the eight marketing steps to consider for preparing and planning a recruitment strategy with leaders and staff members
- Apply the eight marketing steps to support Head Start programs in developing an effective recruitment plan that is specific and measurable
- Leverage new resources to support Head Start programs’ recruitment efforts
Stephanie Ristau, The Centers for Families & Children
- Capital expenditures
- Budgets and narratives
- FA1 and FA 2 best practices
- Davis Bacon
- Inventory and disposals
Alice Marie Ohlin & Linda Fox, CA Akron Summitt; Brenda Bissett, Coshocton Co.
- Conversations with families – sharing screening information, discussing referrals
- For the second half of the session participants may choose between:
- Pregnancy services – plans of safe care, curriculum & resources with EHS COL leaders
- Mental Health discussion with Health COL leaders
Carla Rodriguez, Lorain County CAA; Julie Mickley, Knox County Head Start
- Round table discussion on hot topics
- Changes in programs for 2026-2027 school year
Theresa Wynn, West Ohio CAP
- Healthy eating and quick, easy meals for busy families
- Adult and child interactions during mealtimes
12:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. Lunch (included with registration)
1:30pm to 4:30pm Breakout Sessions/Community of Learners
ChildPlus Users Group
Sharon Fisher, Warren Co. Community Services; Ellen Walker, CDC of Franklin Co; Darla Smith, Council on Rural Services
- CP Scramble Updates
- Education Performance Standards – Screening & Home Visits (1302.33 – A & B)
- Opportunity for attendees to sign up for office hour slots with one of the ChildPlus User Group Facilitators
Disabilities Community of Learners
Alice Marie Ohlin, Community Action Akron-Summit; Cristina Evans, Butler Co. ESC
- New year, new opportunities What is working for you with the Local Education Agency’s and Early Intervention
- Reaching that 10%
- Sharing of resources for Autism and stemming.
Coaching/Professional Development Community of Learners
Marie Vermeulen, LEADS Head Start; Ebony Griggs-Griffin, Cincinnati-Hamilton CAA
0.2 CEUs/Submitted for 1.5 OA Hours
- Skillful PD Instruction Training & Facilitation Strategies
- Participants will examine the principles of adult learning, discover techniques for facilitating productive dialogue, & learn how intentional planning contributes to more engaging learning experiences.
Nutrition in Early Childhood: Shaping a Healthy Future
LaNissa Trice, STG International
0.3 CEUsThis session provides an overview of nutrition services in an Early Childhood setting, including the Foundations for Child Nutrition, Health and Promoting Healthy Eating Habits, and Meeting Individual Needs. Participants will explore practical strategies for supporting children's nutritional well-being while fostering positive, lasting relationships with food.
Learning Outcomes
- Explain why good nutrition matters for young children's health and development.
- Identify ways to encourage healthy eating habits during mealtimes.
- Identify strategies to recognize and respond to children's individual nutritional needs
Liz Pfenning & Theresa Boano, STG International
0.3 CEUs
Explore organizational culture and how it affects staff performance as we take a journey through a GALLUP resource Padlet. Gallup’s leadership framework, commonly known as strengths-based leadership, focuses on maximizing natural talents rather than fixing weaknesses. Effective leaders build self-awareness, surround themselves with complementary teams, and meet their followers’ core needs: trust, compassion, stability, and hope. Learn about the five most significant drivers of organizational culture, identified in Gallup research. Consider how leadership and communication, values and rituals, human capital, work teams and structures, and performance can create a more positive and productive work environment.
Learning Outcomes
- Understand the five most significant drivers of organizational culture that Gallup research identified.
- Consider how leadership and communication, values and rituals, human capital, work teams and structures, and performance can create a more positive and productive work environment.
Erin Lucas, LISW-S; Amanda Jacks & Angie Gibbs, Hopewell Health Center
0.3 CEUs/Submitted for 3.0 OA hours/3 SW CEUs
Together we explore key components to building trust-based partnerships with families using the six guiding principles of trauma-informed care. Participants will learn practical classroom and home communication strategies that honor family experiences, support early childhood development and strengthen the whole-child approach.
Learning Outcomes
- Identify 3 components of effective family engagement
- Identify 3 barriers to family engagement
- Identify 2 strategies they can implement to improve family engagement in daily practice
Thursday, October 9th
8:00 a.m. Registration
9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Breakout Sessions
Make a CASE for Books
Sarah Nightwine, STG International
0.3 CEUs/Submitted for 3 OA hours
Selecting and using a book with purpose is powerful. We introduce the BookCASE framework to guide the use of books. (Connecting with children, Advancing vocabulary, Supporting engagement, Extending the learning). Then we will practice using the framework together.
Learning Outcomes
- Define what each part of the CASE acronym is and how it supports early literacy
- Explore how each component works together and apply the framework to an unfamiliar and familiar book
Colleen Wallace, MS, OIMHP-III, ECMH-C; Nationwide Children’s Hospital
0.3 CEUs/APPROVED 3 OA hours
This three-hour interactive training focuses on developing an understanding of brain states and teaching and practicing regulation skills. Participants will learn to identify their own brain states and those of other adults and children in group settings while learning strategies for teaching and exercising the skill of composure.
Participants will explore strategies for creating emotionally safe environments for children and adults through creating healthy connection, promoting emotion identification and self-awareness, and practicing composure skills.
This training draws on the evidence-based works of Dr. Becky Bailey’s Conscious Discipline program, Dr. Bruce Perry’s Neurosequential Model, and the Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University, among others.
*CDC Area: To support social & emotional development and to provide positive guidance
*PD Topics: Trauma
Learning Outcomes
- Define three basic brain states and behaviors and needs associated with each state
- Identify and demonstrate strategies for supporting self-regulation
LaNissa Trice, STG International
0.3 CEUs
This session will provide an overview of safety practices and strategies that will Create a Culture of Safety in an Early Childhood Setting. Building this kind of culture requires ongoing attention from every level of a program, from leadership down to daily classroom routines, so the session is designed to give participants a shared understanding of best practices and a set of practical tools they can put to use right away.
Learning Outcomes
- Establish a common understanding of child health and safety incidents and ways to prevent them
- Describe TTA strategies to help recipients strengthen their systems and promote best practices in child safety and well-being
- Explore resources to implement an integrated approach to support program leaders, staff, children, and families before, during, and after an incident
Liz Pfenning & Theresa Boano, STG International
0.3 CEUs
The Head Start Program Performance Standards emphasize the need for modern technology in two key areas: (1) to support and encourage families in applying for admission and (2) to reduce their administrative burden during the application and enrollment process. Use readily available tools to help recipients modernize and enhance ERSEA services. Additionally, we explore how to address transportation barriers and develop strategies to better support families experiencing homelessness.
Learning Outcomes
- Identify one or more methods to modernize and enhance ERSEA services.
- List one strategy to support data-informed decision-making and planning for recruitment, transportation, and homeless services.
Dr. Blake Gimbel & Dr. Jamie Quattlebaum, Pediatric Neuropsychologists; Nationwide Children’s Hospital
Dr. Nathan Lutz, Pediatric Psychologist; Nationwide Children’s Hospital & The Center for Family Safety & Healing 0.3 CEUs
Children who have been prenatally exposed to alcohol and other substances, including those affected by neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) and fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD), often face a complicated mix of developmental challenges that can be difficult for families, educators, and service providers to fully understand and address. This session is designed to help participants make sense of that complexity by reviewing the scientific literature on the lasting impact of prenatal exposure to alcohol and other substances on brain and behavior development, while also acknowledging the influence of maternal circumstances, social and economic hardship, and early childhood trauma. Participants will also learn about the importance of clinical diagnostic evaluations in supporting access to services and supports. Lastly, participants will become familiar with local services to support children with prenatal exposure histories, including multidisciplinary diagnostic evaluations for FASD at Nationwide Children’s Hospital.
Learning Outcomes
- Explain how prenatal exposure to alcohol and other substances can affect brain and behavior development, and the influence of maternal circumstances, social and economic hardship, and early trauma on long-term outcomes.
- Describe the basic components of multidisciplinary FASD diagnostic evaluations.
- Identify local resources available to support children and families.
Part 1: Regrouping on the NPRM - Path Ahead and Current Issues
Directors will regroup on the Reducing Federal Burden for Head Start Programs NPRM and the broader deregulatory landscape shaping the months ahead. We will take stock of where the record stands, what path lies ahead as the administration moves toward a final rule, and the current issues most affecting Ohio's Head Start and Early Head Start programs. Directors will leave with a shared understanding of the strategy and their part in carrying it forward.
Part 2: Leading Without Losing Yourself, Nakia Austin
Leadership requires more than showing up for others - it requires leaders to understand how to sustain themselves while creating healthy, supportive environments for their teams. This interactive breakout session invites participants to examine how their leadership habits, boundaries, and responses to stress influence the people and systems they lead. This session emphasizes sustainable leadership, leading with clarity, compassion, and intention without losing yourself in the process.
12:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Lunch and General Session
Nakia Austin
As the self-proclaimed “Trauma Queen,” Nakia is passionate about educating trauma survivors on the importance of healing and self-worth.
And with such, she is the Co-Founder of The Healing House, Inc., a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping women impacted by trauma.
As a graduate of both The Ohio State University and Marshall University Graduate College, Nakia holds two degrees and several certifications that have helped her master the art of communication and public speaking. Nakia’s extensive background spans adult education, youth services, and coaching.
For nearly two decades Nakia has been speaking to audiences about the importance of decision making, critical thinking, and awareness.
Her innovative technique adds a refreshing element to public speaking and engages audiences of all ages. As a counselor, Nakia has helped hundreds of children over the span of a decade build coping skills and strategies to overcome difficulty and emotional hardship. Nakia has also helped women battling trauma and addiction find peace and resolve, helping them foster the courage to overcome pain. Nakia works tirelessly to support her clients on every step of their journey.
As a coach, Nakia is equipped with the tools to help her clients achieve their goals, recover from difficult experiences, and address current and future challenges.
By utilizing proven strategic methods for overcoming life’s hurdles, Nakia’s innovative coaching technique combines cognitive theory with practical applications that
gets results. Nakia’s dedicated, invaluable support and her responsive approach to therapy and coaching allows her to help individuals become the best version of themselves.
Healing is the New Hustle: Restoring Balance and Alignment
In a world where burnout is normalized and self-sacrifice is expected, healing is no longer a luxury — it’s a necessity. This keynote disrupts the dangerous narrative that hustle equals purpose and challenges those in helping professions
to redefine what it means to "show up."
“Healing Is the New Hustle” will ignite a mindset shift: from striving to sustaining, from surviving to aligning, and from pouring out to being filled first.
OHSAI Professional Development
For more information about CEUs and OHSAI’s Professional Development policies and practices, visit www.ohsai.org/professional-development-information/
These sessions are approved for IACET CEUs. IACET CEUs may count toward Ohio Approved credit.
Sessions submitted or approved for Ohio Approved hours will require participants OPIN # to be requested and your participation will be recorded in the Ohio Professional Registry after the session is completed.
Sessions have been APPROVED for SW CEUs by the Ohio Counselor,Social Worker and Marriage & Family Therapist Board for Social Workers and Counselors.
EVENT REGISTRATION DEADLINE: Sunday, September 27, 2026
OHSAI strives to have as many attendees as possible pre-registered and paid. If payment cannot be made by the deadline, please forward a purchase order.
- If a registration must be canceled, please do so seven (7) working days prior to the training.
- Cancellations must be made in writing.
- If a cancellation is made after the cutoff (7 working days prior to the training), a $40 administration fee will be applied per canceled person.
- No refund will be given for cancellations occurring less than 24 hours before event. Alternate participants may attend.
HOTEL INFORMATION
Hotel Reservations should be made directly to
Marriott Columbus Northwest
5605 Blazer Pkwy
Dublin, Ohio 43235
614-791-1000
Rates: $131.00 Single/Double
Includes complimentary wireless internet access, breakfast
Deadline for hotel registration at these rates is Tuesday, September 22
CLICK HERE TO MAKE RESERVATIONS ONLINE
UPDATED CREDIT CARD AUTHORIZATION FOR MARRIOTT COLUMBUS NORTHWEST (July 2026)
Marriott Columbus Nortwest will no longer be accepting any credit card authorization forms that are not submitted through Sertifi.
- Credit Card Authorizations must be submitted thru Sertifi
- No company created authorization forms can be emailed or provided at check in
- This includes anything with Marriott letterhead sent by reservations or found online
- Credit card authorization forms must be provided for each individual stay. We cannot pull old credit card authorization forms for new, upcoming reservations. The information listed on the form must match the dates of the reservation it is being used for.
- No company created authorization forms can be emailed or provided at check in
- If Sertifi credit card authorization form is not filled out the guest will need to do one of the following:
- Provide the email for the person who is filing the credit card authorization so it can be sent
- Or, provide their own method of payment until a credit card authorization form is received. (Note: charges will be switched to the Credit Card Authorization form once received.)
- How do I receive a credit card authorization form?
- Contact the hotel at 614-791-1000
- Individual reservations (not associated with groups) can obtain this form from any Front Desk Agent.
- Group reservations can obtain this form from either their Sales Manager or any Front Desk Agent.
- Please see full policy statement here
5605 Blazer Pkwy
Columbus, OH 43017
UNITED STATES
Click here for Google Maps
| 10/7/2026 - 10/8/2026 |    |