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ECE Leaders Summit 2023

About the Event

This inaugural event was held on March 22 and 23, 2023. Thank you to everyone who attended and helped make this event successful!

The 2023 ECE Leaders Summit highlighted holistic concepts in early childhood education that focus on whole child and are critical to successful outcomes. It included a variety of content, covering important topics such as whole child education, two-generational (2Gen) impact, and developing highly effective educators and leaders. It was an important professional development event as we continued the conversation of growing the future of early childhood education in Pennsylvania, together.

Keynote Speakers

In addition to our panel speakers, we were pleased to welcome Ralph Smith, Walter S. Gilliam, Ph.D, Junlei Li, Ph.D, and Nicole Lynn Lewis as this year’s keynote speakers.

General FAQs

Why is Catherine Hershey Schools for Early Learning hosting this event?

CHS is dedicated to creating high-quality learning communities that nurture, educate, and empower children and families in social and financial need. By bringing together leaders in child and family advocacy, we hope to inspire each other and continue building relationships that help young learners throughout Pennsylvania thrive as we grow the future, together.

Who is the event intended for?

The event is intended for leaders and professionals working with young children and families in a variety of settings. This includes educators, coaches, site leaders, principals, district leaders, social workers, health care providers, community partners, and more.

Is there a fee to attend the event?

No, there is no registration fee. The event is cost-free for registered attendees. Attendees are only responsible for their overnight accommodations if needed.

What are the health protocols for this event?

Wearing a mask is optional. However, we ask that attendees who are ill or awaiting a COVID-19 test result not attend the event as a courtesy.

Accommodations

Is there preferred accommodation I can book if I choose to attend both days of the event?

Yes. Accommodations are available, at the attendee’s expense, at Hershey Lodge in Hershey, PA. Please book your room by Thursday, February 23 to take advantage of our rate.

What parking arrangements are available at the venue?

Parking is available on-site. You can go to the venue website for more information.

Credits

Am I required to bring specific documentation to obtain the continuing education credits?

If you require Act 48, you will need to sign in with your PA PPID#. Once the event is over, we will create a certificate that you can take back to your organization to report your Act 48 hours to the Pennsylvania Department of Education. We are unable to report hours on behalf of our attendees. If your organization will not report your hours for you, you will be unable to obtain Act 48 hours from our event. Act 48 and CEUs are not offered for Wednesday night.

CHS intends to also provide social workers with Social Work CEUs and will do so at no cost. Attendees will be notified once the credits are approved through PA School Social Work Association.

Are there additional forms or paperwork that must be completed once the sessions are over to obtain the continuing education credits in line with my certification?

If you require Act 48, you will need to sign in with your PA PPID#, along with the number of hours of training you attended during the event. This must be done before you leave the event. We will then create a certificate that you can take back to your organization to report your Act 48 hours to the Pennsylvania Department of Education. We are unable to report hours on behalf of our attendees. Act 48 and CEUs are not offered for Wednesday night.

CHS intends to also provide social workers with Social Work CEUs and will do so at no cost. Attendees will be notified once the credits are approved through PA School Social Work Association.

 

Additional questions?

Please reach out to [email protected] with questions and a member of our team will connect with you.

Child raising hand

For Interested Families

Want to learn more about us? Discover the CHS Experience.

Teacher clapping with students

Interested in joining the CHS team?

Visit our Careers page and learn more about us.

Senate Alexander

Hear From Our Leaders

Hear about the vision for CHS from those leading the way in early childhood education.

Catherine Hershey Schools for Early Learning are subsidiaries of Milton Hershey School and will be staffed and operated independently of the Milton Hershey School core model.

Catherine Hershey Schools for Early Learning admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school-administered programs.