9:00 AM - 2:30 PM EST
Location: Marriott Columbus Northwest, 5605 Blazer Pkwy, Columbus, OH 43017
Registration ends on 2/1/2026
February 11-12, 2026
Marriott Northwest Columbus 5605 Blazer Parkway, Columbus, OH 43017
REGISTRATION FEES: Subscribing Member: $250 Member: $300
HOTEL RATE: $131 per night; includes breakfast and Wi-Fi *available through 1/20/26
Online reservation link
Click here to view tentative agenda
Tuesday, February 10
4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. OHSAI Board Meeting
Wednesday, February 11
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.
Data
Cindy Fetters, Ironton-Lawrence County CAO; Ellen Walker, CDC of Franklin County
- Chapter 1 “Storytelling with Data: Let’s Practice”
Kristen Kerr, Community Action of Wayne/Medina; Amy Esser, Mercer County Head Start
- Scott Sigfried – shares the first draft of HSCO Needs Assessment
- Small group discussions by Program Specialist
- Current Events & Monitoring Updates
- Self-Assessment - bring resources to share
Jeanine Bensman, Council on Rural Services; Angie Kisor-Bridges, Ironton-Lawrence County CAO; Cristi Jackson, Lancaster-Fairfield Community Action
- Love Yourself: Wellness & self-care for caregivers & home visitors
- Burnout Prevention
- Compassion Fatigue
- FORT Presentation: Understanding Local Drug Trends and Supporting Families with Young Children
Michele Delph, CAC of Erie, Huron & Richland Counties; Christine Balusik, Ross County CAC; Kelly Irwin & Marie Vermeulen, LEADS Head Start
- Music and Movement in the classroom
- KinderMusik will provide a presentation that allows the participants to experience what a classroom music session looks and feels like
- Heather Nusbaum will join the COL to share music and movement techniques for the classroom
Nicole Shetterly, Toledo Public Schools; Amy Hawley, Council on Rural Services; Pam Shuck, Akron Summit CAA; Katie Peters, Child Focus
- Recruitment & Full Enrollment
- Marketing “sales” pitch
- Modeling what to do and what not to do
Stephanie Ristau, Centers for Families & Children
- Fiscal topic discussion pertaining to the new year & submitted questions from COL members
Alice Marie Ohlin and Linda Fox, Akron Summit CAA; Brenda Bissett, Coshocton County Head Start; Angie Stephenson, Mercer County Head Start
- Program updates, Updates on FA 1/FA 2, Follow-Ups on medicals, dentals & vision
- Culture of Safety presented by Heather Nusbaum
Carla Rodriguez, Lorain County CAA; Julie Mickley, Knox County Head Start
- Recognizing Red-Zone Stress: An HR Framework for Preventing Burnout and Safety Risks
Explore how chronic stress and burnout show up in early childhood and classroom settings, sometimes reaching a point where safety or decision-making may be compromised - Decision-Making in Gray Areas: When Policies Don’t Give Clear Answers
Explore common gray-area HR decisions programs are facing right now, where there is no clear policy violation but real operational, equity, or safety concerns
Theresa Wynn, West Ohio CAP; Holly Unger, OPAN Alumni
- Round Table Discussion
12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. Networking Luncheon in the Atrium
1:00pm to 1:15pm Affiliate Elections
Director Parent
Staff Friend
1:15pm to 1:30pm District Elections
Northwest Southwest
Southeast Northeast
1:30pm to 4:30pm Breakout Sessions/Community of Learners
Disabilities Community of Learners
Alice Marie Ohlin, Community Action Akron-Summit; Cristina Evans, Butler County ESC
- FA1 and FA 2 updates
- Program Updates
- Waivers
- Lynnette Klejka, Assistant Director - Community Supports and Development at Summit County Board of Developmental Disabilities:
Talking with Parents and Helping them Advocate
Marie Vermeulen, LEADS Head Start; Becky Evemy, Miami Valley Child Development Centers; Juanita Henly, Lucas Co. Family Council
- Coaching with CLASS
Cindy Fetters, Ironton-Lawrence County CAO; Ellen Walker, CDC of Franklin County
- Online pre-application & rollover requesting documents
- 3rd year apps
0.3 CEUs
Kim Kehl and Kelly Paull, Ohio Department of Children and Youth;
Darryl Graves, Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction; Melissa Shaw, LEADS Head Start
Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) are traumatic experiences during childhood, that are known to negatively impact the health and well-being of children into adulthood. Parental incarceration is considered an ACE and puts the child and youth at risk for social, emotional, and psychological challenges. This session will focus on responding to children of incarcerated parents and will highlight a newly developed resources guide to support parents, caregivers and professionals working with and advocating for children of incarcerated parents.
Learning Outcomes
- Increase their understanding of ACEs and their impact on children and families
- Identify ways to support children of incarcerated parents or caregivers
- Become familiar with the Strengthening Bonds and Creating Connections, a resource guide to provide support to children and youth navigating the effects of having an incarcerated parent or caregiver
Thursday, February 12
8:00 a.m. Registration
9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Breakout Sessions
0.3 CEUs
Katy Oberle
This interactive 3-hour workshop supports Head Start leaders navigating uncertainty, instability, and systemic change by strengthening inner leadership, equanimity, and values-aligned action. Through mindfulness practices, reflection, experiential activities, and small-group dialogue, participants will explore how regulating their own nervous systems helps them lead more wisely under pressure. Leaders will identify their core values and engage in a hands-on 'EnVisioning My Values' collage to translate insight into practical leadership behaviors. The session supports leaders in feeling grounded, resourced, and equipped with sustainable mindfulness-based practices they can carry back into their work and communities.
Learning Outcomes:
- Apply mindfulness-based self-regulation strategies to manage stress responses and maintain clarity during periods of sustained uncertainty
- Describe how leaders can positively influence team culture and emotional climate
- Identify and articulate 2–3 core leadership values and explain how these values can guide decision-making and communication when external conditions are unpredictable
0.3 CEUs/APPROVED for 2.5 OA hours
Colleen Wallace and Katy Carpenter, Nationwide Children’s Hospital
In this training, participants will learn the definition of power struggles and the many practices that they can utilize to prevent power struggles. They will examine their own backgrounds so that they can understand how their own thinking might make them more susceptible to being in a power struggle. Participants will understand that power struggles are an attempt by a child to meet a need and that all behavior is a form of communication. Participants are introduced to two methods for dealing with power struggles. We also talk about the importance of forgiving yourself when you make mistakes or if you happen to get pulled into a power struggle.
Learning Outcomes:
- Recognize thinking that might lead to power struggles & understand that it is an attempt for a child to meet a need
- Recognize classroom practices that are likely to reduce power struggles and identify at least two methods for dealing with power struggles
- Recognize that healing is important in the resolution of power struggles
0.3 CEUs/SUBMITTED for 3.0 OA hours
Heather Nusbaum
Does your Practice Based Coaching model support the preparation, personnel, and processes to provide effective implementation? In this session participants will refocus on determining effective programmatic supports for coaching implementation as it is integrated into the PD plan and how it will support achievement of school readiness goals. Participants will also connect with National Center on Early Childhood Development Teaching and Learning resources to support continuous improvement and evaluation of model implementation. If you are supervising or supporting the continuous improvement of systemic professional development inclusive of coaching implementation this session is for you.
Learning Outcomes:
- Recognize HSPPS specific to coaching and review programmatic supports and tools for effective practices
- Analyze and evaluate PBC component implementation (RePATH) and plan next steps
0.3 CEUs
Marge Robison, MPH, RD, LD and Maureen Pisanick, RD, LD, Pisanick Partners
Head Start programs prioritize child nutrition by providing healthy meals, promoting good eating
habits and supporting families in establishing nutritious diets for their children. This session is designed to support each of those areas.
Setting the Table for Success - Tips for Positive Mealtimes and Encouraging New Foods in Head Start Classrooms
Learn how you can foster and support healthy and responsive eating habits.
CACFP Jeopardy and Q&A
Test your knowledge of CACFP, and get your program questions answered, while having fun with a game of Jeopardy.
Out of the Box
Learn about Lorain County Head Start's fun and effective parent engagement activity that combines cooking and nutrition education. Learn how to implement such an activity into your program and participate in a mini, hands-on example.
Learning Outcomes:
- Identify strategies to support positive mealtimes
- Increase understanding of CACFP guidelines
- Identify strategies to engage parents in supporting healthy nutrition
12:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Lunch and General Session
Katy Oberle, MS, IMFT, is a marriage and family therapist turned mindfulness coach and facilitator. She helps individuals and organizations cultivate resilience, connection, and joy, and supports the growth of mindful cultures—where presence, empathy, and creativity help people thrive. She is Co-Founder of The Be Sanctuary, a wellbeing and healing arts collective in central Ohio.
Presence and Purpose in Uncertain Times
In this time of uncertainty, learning how to mindfully navigate change is essential. Through practical mindfulness tools and foundational leadership mindsets, we’ll explore how to respond to disruption with clarity, steadiness, and intention—rather than reactivity. Attendees will leave with actionable practices to support resilience, connection, and a renewed sense of agency for themselves, their colleagues, and the families they serve.
OHSAI Updates and Induction of 2026 OHSAI BoardJulie Stone, Executive Director for OHSAI
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.
Hotel reservation information - Online reservation link Call reservation hotline @ 614-791-1000
Cutoff date for these rates is Tuesday January 20, 2026