The 'Children Can't Wait' - 2021 BELL Summit will be Wednesday, September 29, 2021 from 9 AM to 12 Noon. It will be virtual.
The theme of this year’s summit is Children Can’t Wait: How Pennsylvania Can Lead in Supporting Children Experiencing Homelessness.
Roslyn Edwards, Early Learning Director at People's Emergency Center, will moderate a robust group of experts.
Keynote speaker will be John McLaughlin, Education Program Specialist with the United States Department of Education. In his capacity, Mr. McLaughlin oversees the national implementation of the McKinney-Vento homeless education system.
The panel of experts will share their views and offer recommendations. Those experts are:
- Tracey Campanini, Deputy Secretary, Office of Child Development and Early, PA Department of Human Services, will share new policies and procedures that support young children experiencing homelessness.
- Donna Cooper, Executive Director of PCCY, will discuss K-12 education challenges, how American Rescue Plan should be deployed, and what policymakers need to do.
- Tracy Duarte, Director of the PA Head Start Collaboration Office will talk about a new report of homeless children accessing Head Start across Commonwealth and new efforts to increase enrollments.
- Barbara Duffield, Executive Director of the Schoolhouse Connection, discussing national trends and how American Rescue Plan should be deployed.
Omari Baye, PEC's Building Early Linkes for Learning Manager, will deliver a special announcement.
Register here.
