Educators, policymakers, families and advocates from across Nevada gathered in Stateline, Nevada, on Sept. 3-4 for the Early Childhood Summit: One Voice, One Future, hosted by the Nevada Center for Excellence in Disabilities (NCED), in the College of Education & Human Development at the ҹɫÊÓƵ. Over the course of two days, the Summit served as more than just a conference. It became a space where connections were built, ideas were shared and Nevada’s commitment to its youngest learners was reaffirmed.
The Summit was hosted by the Education Training and Technical Support Project, funded by the Office of Comprehensive Student Services and co-hosted with the Office of Early Learning and Development, the Preschool Development Grant Birth through Five and IDEA Part C. Each partner represents a vital part of Nevada’s early childhood system, and together they presented a vision of collaboration that breaks down silos, aligns systems and provides seamless support for families.
The theme, One Voice, One Future, was chosen with intention. As Cate Guzy, state early childhood special education coordinator at the Office of Comprehensive Student Services, explained, “Families do not live in separate systems; they live in communities. When we collaborate across sectors, we multiply the power of our efforts.”
Nationally recognized experts, including Jackie Joseph, Ph.D., Kristi Pretti-Frontczak, Ph.D. and Julie Causton, Ph.D., joined local leaders and family advocates to lead discussions on inclusion, transitions, workforce development and family engagement. Sessions were designed not only to share information but also to inspire action. Participants left with strategies, resources and a renewed sense of partnership.
For rural communities, the Summit provided important opportunities to strengthen supports. “For Esmeralda, we are such a rural community that we don’t regularly have zero to three aged students coming in with services needed. So, there’s always a chance we won’t encounter something until a child needs it. This summit allowed us to become proactive rather than reactive and guided us on the best practices that come with assisting a child and setting them up for success,” Vanessa Tolson, special education coordinator, said.
Betsy Newman, IDEA Part C coordinator with the Aging and Disability Services Division, reflected on the importance of bringing people together. “In the planning stage of this Summit, we realized there was a large gap in bringing the community and Nevada’s partners together. We wanted to give people the opportunity to build connections and directly talk with the resources available to them. Not only do we care about the child, but we want people to walk away feeling valued and supported, and this summit was the perfect opportunity to do that.”
Throughout the event, attendees were reminded of the importance of this work. Families shared stories about the impact of inclusive classrooms and coordinated services. Educators reflected on how early intervention can shape the trajectory of a child’s life. Policymakers emphasized the responsibility of building systems that meet families where they are.
Conference attendee, Tracie Lansford, expressed her gratitude and shared that she “walked away from this conference feeling more valued, appreciated and seen. They really got on our level to understand what was happening in our community and schools.”
By the closing session, the message was clear: Nevada’s youngest learners deserve the strongest possible start. Organizers emphasized that the Summit was not only about listening but about building connections, sharing solutions and strengthening a collective commitment to children and families.
Ida Packard, NCED senior project coordinator, reflected on the evolution of the event and the project. "The NCED has had a longstanding partnership with the Office of Comprehensive Student Services to help provide opportunities for professional learning and collaboration to strengthen outcomes for Nevada’s students. By collaborating with our Early Childhood partners, this reinvention of the Early Childhood Inclusion Conference represents a significant step toward building a more inclusive and coordinated early childhood system in Nevada. We are excited not only about the outcome of this event, but also of what that means to our educators and providers, paraprofessionals, administrators, families and most importantly, our youngest learners. We hope the participants take what they learned and the resources shared and go back to their programs feeling better prepared and supported in their important work."
As participants returned to their communities, they carried both practical tools and renewed purpose. The conversations that began at the Summit will continue to shape classrooms, policies and services across the state. At the heart of it all is a shared belief that when Nevada speaks and acts with one voice, it creates a stronger future for every child.
