May 2-4, 2023 New Orleans, LA

Learning, Leading, Transforming: Innovating for a Brighter Future

Registration closed on April 3. Please email us at support@educarenetwork.org for registration support. 

With the return to an in-person event, we are thrilled to be celebrating the 20th anniversary of the Educare Learning Network with live peer connection and collaboration in New Orleans!

The Educare Learning Network Meeting provides a forum in which Network members share, problem-solve and receive technical assistance and support regarding issues of program and policy development, implementation and continuous improvement of the Educare model. The Network Meeting also provides an opportunity to reflect on the successes and challenges of our work. As a platform for policy and systems change, the Network Meeting offers an opportunity to define, discuss and address critical issues facing the early childhood field and identify partnerships that best leverage state and local investments for children in disinvested communities.

Our annual Network Meeting is a collaborative learning event that brings together representatives from each Educare school, parents/caregivers, researchers, public- and private-sector partners and other key contributors in the early childhood field. Each meeting includes:

• A plenary session which features research, program and policy experts from the early childhood and related fields as our keynote speaker
• Concurrent sessions (including data dialogues) led by Network members and partners that focus on relevant issues or core features of the Educare model
• Sessions for work groups and committees to convene

Historically, in-person Network Meetings are hosted yearly with the meeting location rotating between Educare schools.

Audience:

• Boards of directors, executive directors & school directors
• Family support staff & supervisors
• Funders & philanthropists
• Local evaluation partners (LEPs) and national evaluation partners (NEPs)
• Mentor teachers, coaches, curriculum & instruction managers, education coordinators
• Parents/caregivers
• Program administrators
• Teaching staff & all other Educare staff
• Invited guests

For questions about the meeting, please email support@educarenetwork.org.

The schedule at-a-glance is now available. Sessions and times are subject to change. A full agenda will be released in the spring.

Note that the 2023 Educare Learning Network Meeting is intended to be an in-person experience.

Meals provided for all attendees of the meeting include:

• Tuesday, May 2: Breakfast, lunch, refreshments at the evening reception
• Wednesday, May 3: Breakfast, refreshments at the Educare New Orleans Open House
• Thursday, May 4: Breakfast, lunch

Call for Proposals

**The call for proposals is now closed. Status notifications will be sent to submitting groups mid-February.**

The Educare Learning Network aims to provide the highest-quality learning experiences and content at the annual Network Meeting. Our call for proposals process offers an opportunity for Network members to share their most impactful and innovative work, creating a collective and engaging experience for all attendees.

At the Educare Learning Network, we define innovation as intentional, solution-focused creative problem-solving that fulfills an untapped need or addresses a challenge or question (whether new or ongoing). For additional context and examples of innovation, please see EducareShare.

Applicants should consider all constituent groups as session attendees when anticipating their audience as all sessions will be open to the entire meeting audience unless otherwise specified. (More information about Network Meeting audiences can be found on the Introduction page.) Please review the following information carefully before starting your proposal.

Speaker Information 

• The Network will cover the cost of airfare and hotel (3 nights) for two Educare school staff, local evaluation partners or parents/caregivers per session. Speakers that do not fit this category are not eligible for travel reimbursement.
• Prior to submitting a proposal, obtain permission from your supervisor for travel and attendance to the meeting should your proposal be accepted.
• Teams are encouraged to limit the number of total speakers to four. To reduce travel costs for Educare schools, please consider Network members who are already attending the meeting as potential speakers to sessions.
• Speakers must commit to presenting live during the scheduled meeting dates of May 2-4, 2023. Exact presentation time will be confirmed after proposals are accepted. There are no virtual presenting options; all speakers must be in person.
• All speakers must participate in a planning meeting with the meeting organizing team to review logistics, content and field questions.

Important Dates

• Open Call: November 14, 2022
• Deadline to submit proposal: January 20, 2023 
• Decisions made by: Early February 
  • Notifications will be sent to all submitting groups

Submitting Your Proposal 

The submission process utilizes an abstract management website powered by Cvent. The submitting author will create a username and password for the website, upload speaker bios/headshots and answer the proposal questions for the speaking team. The website allows you to save your progress and return to the website to complete/edit your proposal up until the deadline. You will receive a confirmation email after submitting your proposal.

Bios & Headshots: We requested that all speakers provide bios and headshots at the time of submission to streamline the process. Information provided during the proposal submission will be used for the agenda and mobile app content for the session.

To view the questions and information requested during the submission process, please click here (for reference only).

Theme & Areas of Focus 

Theme: Learning, Leading, Transforming: Innovating for a Brighter Future

Areas of focus for this year’s Network Meeting include, but are not limited to:

1. Trauma-informed Care & Healing-centered Engagement for Educare Families, Staff & Communities (i.e., mental health, social emotional well-being, impact of staff well-being on children & families, impact of child & family well-being on staff, etc.)
2. Responsive Classroom Practices (i.e., developmentally appropriate practices, anti-bias/anti-racist education, effective & equitable teaching and learning strategies, understanding and responding to children’s behavior, etc.)
3. Rebuilding Our Workforce & Reimagining Early Childhood Education (i.e., recruitment, retention, orientation & onboarding, morale, performance management, alternate pathways to education & credentials, culture & climate, engaging staff at the Network level, change management, etc.)
4. Lifting Family Voices (i.e., engaging families as partners and leaders, family and parent/caregiver activism, anti-bias/anti-racist approaches to family engagement, etc.)
5. Early Childhood Advocacy & Activism (i.e., amplifying the work of Educare schools and the Network, effective and impactful policy work, etc.)

Selection and Criteria Requirements 

The Network Meeting Steering Committee, members of the Educare Practice Advisory Committee Work Group and ELN backbone staff will collaborate to review and score proposals and will use the following criteria as the framework for selecting proposals that:

• Provide relevant and innovative content. Preference is given to presentations that align with the meeting theme or topic areas.
• Focus on interdisciplinary, innovative and/or field-advancing practice and creative/unique collaborations, problem-solving and partnerships.
• Align with one or more of the Educare Learning Network member requirements.
• Engage attendees in the learning and discovery process by actively facilitating attendee engagement during the live meeting. Presenters are expected to provide perspective and insight on critical issues facing the field through dialogue, storytelling, case studies, lessons learned, etc. Refer to the session formats below for more details.
• Promote diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging (DEIB) within the context of the presentation and broader early childhood education field. View the DEIB collection on EducareShare for tools and reference.
• Provide multiple strategies that expand thinking and can be applied to practice.
• Include representation of parent/caregiver voice and in speaking roles when possible.
• To create space for all voices to be shared at the Network Meeting, we will limit the number of proposals approved per school/organization.

Learn Shop Format 

Length: 60 min

Explore topics of common interest using innovative, thought-provoking content blended with audience participation. Presenters act as content leaders, presenting short content segments and then leading engaging activities, group discussion and participant reflection on how to apply knowledge to practice.

Commitment to Using Inclusive Language

We encourage speakers to consider the narratives and modes of thinking that they would like to amplify about the individuals, families and communities with whom they partner. We encourage presenters to view each component of their presentation as an opportunity to demonstrate respect for individuals, families and communities to help eliminate implicit biases related to gender identity, sexual orientation, race, disability, mental health, age or religion.

We recognize that language is evolving and DEIB commitments are a lifelong journey. We invite discussion, reflection and feedback in preparation for, during and after the Network Meeting.

We recommend the following resources for repositioning language to center equity and intersectionality:

• American Psychological Association (APA) Style – Bias-Free Language
• Black Mamas Matter Toolkit
• CDC – Health Equity Guiding Principle for Inclusive Communication
• Health Equity Style Guide for COVID-19 Response: Principles Preferred Terms for Non-Stigmatizing, Bias-Free Language

We are eager to support you during the submission process. Please email your questions to us at support@educarenetwork.org.

To help distinguish the payment coverage methods for Network Meeting attendees, we’ve segmented our audience into two different registration “types” which you will see defined below and throughout the policies on our website. If you have any questions about which category your registration falls under, please don’t hesitate to contact us at support@educarenetwork.org.

Expenses paid attendees:

• Up to three staff members per Educare school, plus one parent/caregiver  (NOTE: If a parent/caregiver is unable to attend, the registration slot is not transferrable to another staff member)
• Steering Committee members
• Two Learn Shop speakers per approved session

Non-expenses paid attendees:

• Local Evaluation Partners
• National Evaluation Partners
• Funders, philanthropists, boards of directors, guests
• Approved Learn Shop speakers beyond the two expenses paid speakers covered by the Network
• Any Educare school staff beyond the three plus one parent/caregiver covered by the Network

Accommodations 

New Orleans Marriott
555 Canal Street
New Orleans, LA 70130

Cancellations must be made 72 hours prior to date of arrival by contacting us at support@educarenetwork.org. Be advised that cancellation of individual reservations made up to 72 hours prior to arrival will be accepted and the deposit refunded for those rooms for the full night’s stay. Failure to cancel reservation will result in a no-show fee billed to the Educare Learning Network.

Expenses paid attendees: The Educare Learning Network will reserve rooms and cover the cost for the room rate plus tax for up to 3 nights (May 1-3). A credit card for incidentals will be requested by the hotel upon check-in and all incidentals charged to the room will not be covered by the Network. Confirmation emails will come directly from the hotel. If additional hotel nights are needed for full participation in the meeting, please let us know at the time of registration.

Non-expenses paid attendees: Reservations will need to be made online or by calling the hotel at (504) 581-1000 to request a room in the Educare Learning Network block. A credit card will be required at the time of booking. The rate at the New Orleans Marriott is $229 per night plus tax. The deadline to book online at the Marriott has passed. Please reach out to us at support@educarenetwork.org for accommodations support. 

Travel

Air Travel

Expenses paid attendees: The Network will reimburse those designated as expenses paid attendees for airfare expenses. Airfare arrangements must be completed through each individual organization at least 60 days prior to the travel date. All flights must be booked in economy class. Please keep all receipts on file for reimbursement after the event concludes. Airfares greater than $600 must be approved before purchase by contacting support@educarenetwork.org.

NOTE: The Network will not cover the cost of baggage fees or incidental expenses when flying and will not cover additional ground transportation expenses.

Non-expenses paid attendees: Air travel costs will not be reimbursed.

Ground Travel

Expenses paid attendees: The Network will reimburse expenses paid attendees if they travel to New Orleans by car or train. There will be a mileage reimbursement of $0.62 per mile, up to $500. For participants traveling by train, fares greater than $500 must be approved before purchase by contacting support@educarenetwork.org.

Non-expenses paid attendees: Ground travel costs will not be reimbursed.

SUBMITTING REIMBURSEMENT

The Educare Learning Network will reimburse each school for airfare, train or driving expenses to New Orleans at the conclusion of the meeting for those designated as expenses paid attendees. The reimbursement form, along with receipts (which must include proof of payment), should be submitted no later than 30 days after the event.

Local Transportation

The Network will not cover the costs of local transportation.

Taxi and ride share fares to/from the New Orleans Airport to/from the Marriott cost about $40-$50, depending on the time of day.

For a full list of ground transportation options from Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY), visit their website.

New Orleans Marriott Parking

The Network will not cover the cost of parking at the Marriott. Valet parking is available; please contact the hotel at (504) 581-1000 for more information about parking.

Thank you to our hosts at Educare New Orleans for putting together a list of the top things to do while you’re in New Orleans!

Check out the full list here.

The health and safety of our attendees at the Network Meeting is a top priority. Please review the following details to ensure a safe and positive experience for all in attendance.

Accessibility 

At the time of registration, please let us know if there are any accessibility needs you’d like to disclose to help us ensure a positive event experience at the Network Meeting. We will do our best to accommodate any requests.

COVID-19 

In partnership with the New Orleans Marriott, we are working to create a safe and healthy environment for the event and will adhere to guidance provided by local health officials along with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The following protocols are subject to change pending updates by federal and local health officials; updates will be announced via email.

• Masks are welcome but not required
• Respect other attendee comfort levels with proximity/physical touch by kindly asking their preference for physical distancing
• All participants will be encouraged to wash their hands regularly and hand sanitation stations will also be readily available
• If you are sick: If you are experiencing, or within 14 days prior to the conference have experienced, signs and symptoms of COVID-19, please do not attend the meeting
• Guest access: All participants must always wear their name badge while in the meeting venue; unregistered guests will not be allowed in the meeting space
• Contact tracing: Following local and CDC guidance at the time of the conference in May, the conference organizer will conduct contact tracing, in combination with isolation and quarantine for staff, attendees or speakers who show symptoms of COVID-19.

The New Orleans Marriott’s commitment to cleanliness and current protocols can be found here.

All attendees are required to comply with all applicable regulations imposed by federal, state and/or local health authorities and government mandates, and must adhere to and abide by all safety precautions established by the organizer and hotel venue. Participants will be asked to agree to abide by these terms at the time of registration.

The Educare Learning Network cannot provide specific risk levels for travel and meeting activities. It is important to consider your personal situation and the risk to you and other attendees before participating.

Safety in the New Orleans Area

Travelers to New Orleans should use the same personal safety precautions and stay vigilant as they would at home or in any metropolitan destination. We encourage you to review the current visitor center statement and common-sense safety tips in the area.

Last updated 1.10.2023

Before we gather, we encourage Network members to review and implement sustainable travel and event experience trips for the duration of our stay in New Orleans. We hope to leave this beautiful city and community better than we found it!

Travel Tips

Do your homework

Before traveling, please educate yourself on the city of New Orleans. This allows you to better immerse yourself in the local lifestyle and community.

Learn how to offset long-distance travel

Long-distance travel, specifically air travel, can have a large carbon footprint. Carbon offsets can be purchased by buying credits that go toward organizations working to reduce emissions. We recommend researching offsets before purchasing. The Climate Action Reserve is a global offset registry, employing quality standards and ratings. We recommend using the ICAO Carbon Emissions Calculator to quantify air travel carbon emissions.

Tourism & Event Tips

Share a ride

Tourism transportation is one of the biggest contributors to the carbon footprint. Explore New Orleans using public transportation like streetcars, buses, ferries, shared cabs, bikes and walking. Share rides with your colleagues!

Leave behind single-use plastics when possible

Single-use plastics are used for short amounts of time and take more than 1,000 years to degrade. Many people are making the switch to more sustainable options in their day-to-day lives. by choosing reusable water bottles and bags, you can contribute to less plastic waste in the environment.

Use less water

The number of places experiencing water scarcity is growing and significantly impacts  people of color in low-income communities. By choosing to conserve water, you are expressing your support for our most marginalized communities. Try skipping the daily change of sheets and towels during hotel stays!

Shop and eat local 

Buying local helps boost the local economy, support the community and reduce New Orleans’ carbon footprint. Support local boutiques, restaurants and markets! Consider where products are made and purchase local/regional items and food choices when possible.

Use an ethical tour guide

Tour operations involve people, vendors, transportation and much more. Be sure to support local vendors who prioritize the environment, use resources efficiently and respect local culture.

Don’t feed the animals …

Sharing food with wildlife can increase the spreading of diseases (like the cold or flu) from humans to animals. Please refrain from sharing food with animals; their behaviors may be altered, causing them to become more dependent on people for survival.

… and don’t eat them, either! 

Consuming endangered or exotic animals leads to an increase in the poaching, trafficking and exploitation of animals. This kind of dining can contribute to the extinction of animals already impacted by climate change or habitat loss. Keep this in mind when shopping and please steer clear of products made from endangered wildlife. (Also, avoiding the consumption/purchasing of animals is one of the easiest ways to reduce emissions!)

Visit parks and sanctuaries

During your trip, take some time to explore nature and wildlife through national and local parks. We recommend visiting City Park and Audubon Park!

Do your best to leave no trace

Let’s strive to leave New Orleans better than we found it. Place garbage in the trash, don’t remove or alter anything without permission, and please recycle!

Tell your friends 

Share with your fellow travelers, coworkers and friends about how being mindful and adopting sustainable travel and event experience practices can benefit local communities.

Now you’re ready to travel for the 2023 Educare Learning Network Meeting — see you in New Orleans!

Resources & recommended readings:

• Be a more sustainable traveler
• Climate Action Reserve 
• ICAO Carbon Emissions Calculator