FAIRFIELD, CA (MPG) – The annual Quality Counts Solano, Early Childhood Education Conference was held virtually on Saturday, September 19, 2020. Nearly 150 early care and education professionals joined this year’s conference and experienced a day of learning in a virtual Zoom format.

Solano County Office of Education partnered with First 5 Solano Children and Families Commission, Child Start Inc., Solano Community College, and Solano Family and Children’s Service to sponsor this year’s conference aimed at furthering the educational experiences of Solano County’s youngest students.

The Early Childhood Education Conference offered participants a broad range of valuable and timely topics. Breakout session included: trauma responsive practices, STEM for early childhood, strengthening infant/toddler mental health and caregiver-child relationships in a time of COVID-19, to name a few.

“In these ever-changing times, we are proud to be a part of this innovative and creative virtual format that brought relevant professional learning to nearly 150 early learning educators in and around our local area,” said Solano County Superintendent of Schools Lisette Estrella-Henderson. “The more we know and understand as educators, the better we can serve and support students of all ages.”

The keynote, Self-Awareness and Self-Care Strategies to Reduce Burnout in Times of Stress, was presented by Julie Kurtz, Founder and CEO of the Center for Optimal Brain Integration. Julie is an author and national speaker with expertise in consulting and training internationally on trauma-responsive and resilience building strategies. She has over 30 years of experience working with youth, adults, and families who have experienced trauma and toxic stress.

To learn more, please contact Senior Director of Early Learning Lisa Eckhoff at [email protected] or 707-399-4407.

Solano County Office of Education (SCOE) provides leadership, support, and fiscal oversight for Benicia, Dixon, Fairfield-Suisun, Travis, Vacaville, and Vallejo City school districts which serve approximately 64,000 students. Solano County Superintendent of Schools, Lisette Estrella-Henderson is elected by voters of Solano County. The Superintendent is a state constitutional officer who serves as the chief executive officer of SCOE and as a liaison between local school districts and the state.