Child Homelessness Initiative

A Conversation on Child Homelessness and Child Development

University Hall, 1815 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge

9:00 AM Greetings: Dr. Joseph Moore, President, Lesley University
9:10 AM Morning Plenary
(Amphitheatre) Child Homelessness in Massachusetts: An Overview
  • Presiding: Ms. Amaryllis Hager '12
  • Elizabeth Curtis Rogers, Executive Director, Interagency Council on Housing and Homelessness
  • Asa Fanelli, President and CEO, Horizons for Homeless Children (HHC)
10:15-11:15AM Concurrent Morning Workshops
(Amphitheatre) Federal Policy Priorities: Child and Family Homelessness
  • Presiding: Ms. Sarah Blache '12
  • Peter D. Cirioni, State Coordinator, Office for the Education of Homeless Children and Youth, Massachusetts Department of Education
  • Kelley Gossett, Director of Policy and Advocacy, Horizons for Homeless Children
  • Christina Murphy, MM - Director, Campaign to End Child Homelessness, The National Center on Family Homelessness
(UNIV 3-094)

Immigration, Trauma and Homelessness in Massachusetts

  • Presiding: Ms. Bianca Staudt '14
  • Dr. Carmela J. DeCandia, Senior Program Associate, Children and Families; The National Center on Family Homelessness
  • Dr. Yvonne Vissing, Founder and Director, Center for Child Studies, Salem State University
  • Dr. Christopher Hudson, Professor & Chairperson, School of Social Work, Salem State University
  • Shannon Irwin, State Policy Director at Massachusetts Immigrant & Refugee Advocacy Coalition
  • Discussant: Dr. Susan Gere, Professor of Counseling Psychology, Lesley University

 
11:30-12:30PM Lunch Break
12:45-1:50PM Roundtable
(Amphitheatre) The Child Homelessness Initiative at Lesley University - Curriculum, Research Possibilities, Internships and Teacher Education
  • Moderator: Laurie Schoen, Founder, United States 4 Kids; Lesley College Alumna
  • Panelists:
    • Dr. Joanne Szamreta, Professor of Education, Lesley University
    • Dr. Robin Roth, Professor of Sociology and Social Policy, Lesley University
    • Dr. Brian Becker, Assistant Professor of Psychology, Lesley University
    • Dr. Heather MacDonald, Assistant Professor of Psychology, Lesley University
2:00-3:15pm Afternoon Plenary
(Amphitheatre) The Use of Science and Practice to Protect and Nurture the Well-Being of Children
  • Presiding: Dr. Selase Williams, Provost, Lesley University
  • Inaugural Lecture: From Neurons to Neighborhoods: A Ten Year Retrospective
  • Dr. Jack Shonkoff is the Julius B. Richmond FAMRI Professor of Child Health and Development at the Harvard School of Public Health and the Harvard School of Education. He serves as Director of the Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University.
  • Respondent: Dr. Nancy Carlsson-Paige, Professor Emerita, Early Childhood Education, Lesley University
3:30-4:30PM Concurrent Afternoon Workshops
(Amphitheatre) Interagency Collaboration and Expansion of Early Education and Care Contracts in support of Homeless Families in Massachusetts
  • Presiding: Dr. Jonathan Gillette, Dean of the Graduate School of Education, Lesley University
  • Presenter: Sherri Killins, Commissioner, Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care
Session Description:
 The Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care (EEC) increased the number of subsidies for homeless children from 80 to 591 a year ago. This tremendous growth has brought new opportunities for collaboration between EEC and fellow state agencies and reflects a new vision for the support of homeless families championed by Governor Deval Patrick. This workshop will provide an overview of the history, vision interagency partnership and implementation successes and challenges related to this growth in early education and care for homeless children in Massachusetts.

Audience: Question and Answer Session
(UNIV 3-094) Finding the Hope: The Horizons for Homeless Children Community Children's Center (CCC) Model
  • Moderator: Stacy Dimino, Chief Education and Training Officer, Horizons for Homeless Children
  • Panelists:
    • Michelle Campbell, Edgerley CCC Center Director
    • Amy Curran, Parent, Horizons for Homeless Children
    • Shelly Ann Dewsbury, CCC Family Advocate
    • Lizzie McEnany, Jewish Family & Children's Services Mental Health Consultant
Session Description:
 This panel will highlight the critical nature of building relationships with young children and families experiencing homelessness. We will illustrate the importance of our partners: family shelters, housing agencies, community based organizations, donors, volunteers and others who help us with the work that we do every day! We will describe the Center for Social Emotional Foundations of Early Learning (CSEFEL) approach and how we have incorporated the CSEFEL model in our work with our children, parents and staff. Through the lens of a Center Director, a Mental Health Consultant, a Family Advocate and Parent, we will share our experiences and HHC-learned practices gleaned over the 20+ years we have worked with children and families experiencing homelessness. 

Audience: Question and Answer Session
4:30-5:30PM Reception
(Atrium)  

 
updated 10/28/11 | 11:16 AM