​CQEL Spring Conference & Advocacy Day

​Discuss and navigate through the challenges so many of us are experiencing, plus get practical ideas to improve your site and staff morale. This is like a reset button for you and your organization!

​Join us on March 22nd for the acclaimed CQEL Spring Conference, full of insightful, reparative, and engaging sessions- all live online from the comfort of your office.

​Then pair up with CQEL friends to advocate for private child cares with state leaders on March 23rd to ask for the support we all need.

​"I found this Conference to be so helpful. Every speaker gave me something new to think about. I enjoyed the other Director's input too." - past Spring Conference Attendee

​Here's a sneak peek at the schedule (it's likely to change and get even better):

​Day 1 - Spring Conference

​9am [Optional but recommended] One Mindful meditation session -Adam Moskowitz, Mindfulness & Meditation Facilitator

​10am Event opening and housekeeping

​10:15am What does this next year hold for COVID-19 and child cares? Q&A with E.R. Doctor/CDPH leader about the pandemic today and its future for child cares. Join Dr. Jill Marek in discussing the current state of COVID-19, the science behind CDPH guidance, and what’s to come in the future. -Dr. Jill Marek, CDPH

​11:15am How to build a pandemic-resilient program budget that increased your program value. Learn how to analyze and modify your budget to account for new pandemic-related expenses and seek out new ways, including grants, to amplify your program value. -Kathe Petchel, HINGE Advisors and Childcare Owner

​12pm- 1:00pm Lunch Break and Director's Coffee Break (open to all CQEL members and Spring Conference attendees)

​1pm Pick the roundtable discussion that interests you:

​Appreciation starts with you. Budget-friendly ideas to appreciate yourself and your staff so you can build or repair relationships and build a happier, more resilient staff culture. -Molly Hichens, HINGE Advisors and Childcare Leader & Jamie Sanbonmatsu, Director, Valley View Children's Center [Roundtable]

​​Negotiating challenging parent conversations: Steer heated parent conversations and complaints back to productive dialogue. -Jennifer S. Carter, Executive Director, Oak Tree Learning Center [Roundtable]

​2pm Covid-19 may have the spotlight, but there are many other common infectious diseases to protect against. Learn about mitigation strategies within the childcare setting, so we can all stay healthier together. - Bobbie Rose RN PHN, Program Director, California Childcare Health Program, UCSF

​3:00pm Great talent already has a job: stop paying Indeed for unqualified applicants! In this micro-session, learn easy-to-implement strategies to hire better staff faster. -Dave, CQEL's Executive Director

​3:30pm Event wrap-up and planning for Advocacy Day

​"I gained a lot from this and I thank you. You covered very interesting topics which really helpful to me." - past Spring Conference Attendee

​Day 2 - Advocacy Day

​9am-3pm Meet with legislators! We'll be inviting all attendees to meet with at least one legislator or legislative aide to discuss child care issues.

​10:30am-11:30am Legislative Update and How to Advocate Training