IEP Essentials: Part 2 of 3 Connecting Data to Action; Goals, Objectives, and Progress Monitoring - Live Webinar
2027-01-19 15:30 - 17:00 (America/Chicago) | Live Webinar, IL, United States
This session builds upon foundational IEP knowledge by focusing on the critical link between student evaluation data and instructional planning for children with disabilities. Participants will analyze present levels of performance (PLAAFP) to identify individualized student needs. We will provide practical strategies for writing measurable goals and short-term objectives. A key focus is establishing robust data collection methods to accurately monitor progress, ensure implementation fidelity, and make informed decisions about future services. Session is general context, not legal advice. It is recommended (not required) to attend session 1 of 3 before attending this session.
Note: Approximately three weeks before the webinar, registrants will receive an email to confirm receipt of their registration request and important instructions that should be viewed prior to the day of the session.

Working with Families of Young Children with IEPs Community of Practice (CoP) - Live Virtual Meeting
2027-01-20 09:00 - 10:00, 2027-05-19 09:00 - 10:00 | Live Virtual Meeting
This is an opportunity for educators to come together and share ideas on how to support families of young children with disabilities. We share resources and offer support to one another.
Note: Approximately three weeks before the first session, registrants will receive an email to confirm receipt of their registration request and important instructions that should be viewed prior to the day of the session.

IEP Essentials: Part 3 of 3 Fostering Collaboration and Future Success - Live Webinar
2027-01-26 15:30 - 17:00 | Live Webinar, IL, United States
This capstone session of the IEP Essentials series empowers early childhood special education administrators to lead teams with confidence. We will explore best practices for developing legally compliant, individualized IEPs that truly support children with disabilities in accessing the general curriculum. By emphasizing meaningful parental involvement and high-quality interventions, this training equips leaders with practical tools to ensure equitable educational opportunities, fostering lifelong success for every child. Please note this series is general context, not legal advice. It is recommended (not required) to attend session 1 of 3 and session 2 of 3 before attending this session.
Note: Approximately three weeks before the webinar, registrants will receive an email to confirm receipt of their registration request and important instructions that should be viewed prior to the day of the session.

Preschool Pyramid Model of Social Emotional Support Cohort: Comprehensive Series- Tiers 1, 2 and 3 - Live Webinar Series (Jan.27th, Feb.10th, Feb.24th, March 10th, March 17th, April 7th, April 21st)
2027-01-27 15:30 - 2027-04-21 16:30 | Live Webinar Series, IL, United States
Registration deadline is January 6, 2027. The Pyramid Model is a scientifically based positive behavioral framework that promotes evidence-based practices to teach social-emotional competencies to all young children. The framework identifies key skills for supporting relationships, creating learning environments, teaching targeted social-emotional skills, and supporting children with challenging behavior. Registrants will view seven learning modules of Pyramid content and the associated lessons with each module on their own. An agenda will be provided to inform participants regarding which lessons will be reflected on during each group-facilitated meeting, with a focus on reflection and application of the content in the modules.
Credit for full participation will include 36 hours of credit for viewing these eModules and participating in seven group cohort discussions, each 1 hour in length. No partial credit will be given. Full attendance at each cohort session is required in order to receive credit.
Note: Approximately three weeks before the first session, registrants will receive an email to confirm receipt of their registration request and important instructions that should be viewed prior to the day of the session.

Managing Angry Outbursts - Webinar
2027-02-02 12:30 - 14:00 | Live Webinar, IL, United States
Many young children struggle with expressing their anger appropriately and some seem angry most of the time or to react with volcanic intensity. This webinar will look at anger from a developmental perspective, explaining angry outbursts and providing concrete support strategies to use for both intervention and prevention. Ideas for calming, releasing anger in healthy ways, and incorporating appropriate anger expression into IEPs will be shared along with suggested resources including children’s literature, classroom materials, and sample IEP goals and 504 accommodations.
Note: Approximately three weeks before the webinar, registrants will receive an email to confirm receipt of their registration request and important instructions that should be viewed prior to the day of the session.

Preparing to Participate in Your Child’s IEP - Live Webinar
2027-02-18 18:30 - 20:00 | Live Webinar, IL, United States
This webinar is designed for parents and guardians of young children who are either transitioning from Early Intervention services or are already receiving special education services through an Individualized Education Program (IEP). Participants will learn practical strategies to prepare for and actively participate in their child’s IEP meetings. The session aims to empower families to confidently share their knowledge, collaborate with educators, and advocate effectively for their child’s needs within the school setting.
Note: Approximately three weeks before the webinar, registrants will receive an email to confirm receipt of their registration request and important instructions that should be viewed prior to the day of the session.

Preschool Pyramid Model of Social Emotional Support Cohort Series: Tiers 2 and 3 - Live Webinar Series (March 10th, March 17th, April 7th, April 21st)
2027-03-10 15:30 - 2027-04-21 16:30 | Live Webinar Series, IL, United States
Registration deadline is February 19, 2027. Completion of the Tier 1 training is a prerequisite.
The Pyramid Model is a scientifically based positive behavioral framework that promotes evidence-based practices to teach social-emotional competencies to all young children. The framework identifies key skills for supporting relationships, creating learning environments, teaching targeted social-emotional skills, and supporting children with challenging behavior. This workshop provides an in-depth look at Tiers 2 and 3 of the Pyramid Model. Participants will learn essential strategies for fostering friendship skills, emotional literacy, self-regulation, and problem-solving in young learners; Discover how to tailor instruction for children requiring targeted support through systematic teaching, peer-mediated interventions, embedded learning, and progress monitoring; Gain insight into understanding and responding to challenging behaviors, de-escalation techniques, bias awareness, and the development of effective behavior support plans; and Explore the structured steps of PTR-YC, a manualized process for conducting functional behavioral assessments and implementing individualized behavior support plans.

Credit for full participation will include 19 Hours of credit for viewing the eMods and participating in group cohort discussions 4 hours in length. No partial credit will be given. Full attendance at each cohort is required in order to receive the full 19 hours of credit.
Note: Approximately three weeks before the first session, registrants will receive an email to confirm receipt of their registration request and important instructions that should be viewed prior to the day of the session.

Working with Families of Young Children with IEPs Community of Practice (CoP) - Live Virtual Meeting
2027-03-17 09:00 - 10:00 | Live Virtual Meeting
This is an opportunity for educators to come together and share ideas on how to support families of young children with disabilities. We share resources and offer support to one another.
Note: Approximately three weeks before the webinar session, registrants will receive an email to confirm receipt of their registration request and important instructions that should be viewed prior to the day of the session.

Transition from Early Intervention to Early Childhood Services: Roles and Responsibilities - Live Webinar
2027-04-14 09:00 - 12:00 | Live Webinar, IL, United States
The Illinois State Board of Education and the Illinois Department of Human Services developed this standardized training to address the requirements of the federal law, Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (IDEA) to ensure a smooth and effective transition process is in place for children and their families who will be transitioning from Early Intervention into Early Childhood Special Education. This training will cover requirements regarding timeline, role responsibilities, transition process meetings, state forms, as well as vital partnerships, collaborative relationships and positive strategies. This workshop is being held in collaboration with the Illinois Early Intervention Training Project.
Note: Approximately three weeks before the webinar, registrants will receive an email to confirm receipt of their registration request and important instructions that should be viewed prior to the day of the session.
The Illinois Early Intervention Training Program has approved this event for 3 hours of EI credential credit in the area of Working with Families.
This webinar is in collaboration with the Illinois Early Intervention Training Program (EITP) and STAR NET Region IV.

You Have a Lot of Nerve! - Live Webinar
2027-04-22 18:30 - 20:00 | Live Webinar, IL, United States
Parenting children with disabilities can bring great joy but also added anxiety, and sometimes it feels like our “self-care” strategies fail us. In this webinar, we will dive into how our nervous system works- why we become stressed and how we get stuck in survival mode. Most important, we will learn ways to re-set our own nervous systems using vagus nerve activation strategies. Come learn new techniques that will work in the moment and for the long haul to promote calm and balance in your life.
Note: Approximately three weeks before the webinar, registrants will receive an email to confirm receipt of their registration request and important instructions that should be viewed prior to the day of the session.
