Greatness Grows Here: 2026 Annual Conference
Greatness Grows Here: 2026 Annual Conference
Greatness Grows Here: 2026 Annual Conference
Child Resource Connect helps create healthy and nurturing environments for children by supporting their families and educating their caregivers.
Each year, we provide family support services to more than 1,500 families and training to more than 2,000 child care providers, parents, and human services workers. Since our founding in 1990, we have touched the lives of nearly half a million children through home visits, child development education, links to community services, and adult education.
Parents, caregivers, and child care providers come here to learn so that the children whose lives we impact are prepared to embrace bright futures.
A Day of Learning and Growth
Child Resource Connect is thrilled to host the Greatness Grows Here conference for a fourth consecutive year.
Our attendees return each year to make the most of this chance to gather with fellow early childhood educators for a day of professional development and networking. Attendees will earn six MSDE-approved Core of Knowledge training hours through the keynote session and two workshops of their choosing.
What’s Included in Your Ticket
- Continental breakfast, hot lunch, & snacks
- Networking with other child care professionals and experts in the field
- Conference-themed swag
- 6 Core of Knowledge (COK) hours and a certificate from MSDE
- A chance to win exciting door prizes
Pricing
Standard registration: $85
Closes at midnight, March 20
Late registration: $95
Closes at midnight, March 26
Keynote Speaker
Dr. Orinthia Harris
Executive Director, STEMearly LLC
DEI Trainer, Center for Educational Improvement
“Turning Obstacles into Opportunities – Breaking Barriers Through a Growth Mindset”
Workshop Sessions
When you register, please select one morning session workshop and one afternoon session workshop. Morning sessions have an “AM” in the schedule Code. Afternoon session have a “PM” in the Schedule Code. Some workshops are offered in both the morning and the afternoon. Please visit our Eventbrite page for full session descriptions.
I Had it First! | Dr. Deborah Wood | GAM1/GPM1
Bringing STEAM to Your Class through Simple Items and Nature| Echo Uzzo | GAM2/GPM2
What To Do When You Don’t Understand What A Child Says: Tips from a speech therapist | Kelly Goldberg | GAM3/GPM3
Trauma-Sensitive Classroom Practices | Kiran Philip | GAM4/GPM4
AI-Powered Leadership: Recruiting, Retaining, and Reviving the Early Childhood Workforce | Dr. Latasha Bacote-Owens | GAM5/GPM5
I Think I Can: I Know I Can! | Dr. Wendell Campbell | BAM1/BPM1
Understanding and Supporting the Development of Executive Functioning in Young Children | Saba Ahmed | BAM3
Strengthening Fiscal Management for Child Care Programs: Marketing Your Program for Center-Based Child Care Providers| Joi Woods | BAM4
You Can Do This! Accommodating All Children in Your Program | Paul Armstrong| BAM5
Let’s Talk About It: Mastering Challenging Conversations in Early Childhood Settings | Saba Ahmed | BPM3
Tiny Humans, Big Emotions | Teresa DeLisi | BPM4
I have a logo, isn’t that enough? Marketing to Build your Childcare Business | Lauren Bond | BPM5
Center Directors – Enhancing Skills for Challenges in Today’s Child Care Programs | Dr. GeriLynn Ballard | BAM2/BPM2 (this is a two-part session)