2017 Family Engagement and Cultural Effectiveness Conference
OVERVIEW|SCHEDULE|PRESENTERS & WORKSHOPS|EXHIBITORS|DESTINATION|
|SPECIAL EVENTS|SPONSORS|PROGRAM BOOK
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October 30-November 3, 2017 | Hilton Hawaiian Village, Waikiki Beach Resort
It is easier to build strong children than to repair broken men.—Frederick Douglass
Since Head Start inception more than 50 years ago, family engagement has always been a pillar of the program. Underlying the Head Start focus on the whole child is the understanding that parents are the primary educators and advocates of their child. Moreover, when parents engage with their child, they not only improve the child’s happiness and success—but theirs as well.
The Family Engagement and Cultural Effectiveness conference is designed to celebrate the different cultures, traditions and practices that are reflected in the modern family. In so doing, participants learn how to use the strengths and attributes of culture to aid a child’s own successful walk through the world.
In this conference, nationally and internationally known practitioners, researchers and motivational speakers share their knowledge, to teach us and to learn from us, about parent engagement through the lens of cultural awareness.
Keynote Speakers
Dr. Walter S. Gilliam
Opening Keynote – He is the Director of The Edward Zigler Center in Child Development and Social Policy and Associate Professor of Child Psychiatry and Psychology at the Child Study Center, Yale School of Medicine.


Hear from one of our closing session parent speakers, Sona Rubenian.
Pre-Conference Sessions
Cultural humility is a lifelong journey that starts with increasing understanding of one’s self and effectively managing ourselves in relation to others. The most well intended actions and plans can get derailed in the midst of cultural misunderstandings and clashes. Add to that the complexity of individual and personality differences and it’s easy to see how an experience unintentionally could leave a child, parent or staff member feeling hurt, instead of helped and open to engagement and growth. Learn More
Wendy Lee & Dr. Annie White
More than just a tool or a format for observing young children, Learning Stories are part of a philosophy for pedagogy and an innovative approach for assessment, with a huge international following. Grounded in socio-cultural theory and narrative inquiry, the Learning Story approach honors the child, family, teacher and community. Using Learning Stories, early childhood educators write from the heart, in a way that engages families, while also connecting to required assessment indicators. Learn More