Greetings! This month we asked for your input on what you would like to see at our upcoming online conference in February 2026. Here is a summary.
Check-in Summary for Sept:
Across all zones, the feedback highlights a strong interest in mental health, both for families (maternal, infant, and child mental health, trauma prevention, and responding to violence) and for staff (wellness, motivation, reflective practice). Several regions emphasised the need for practical skill-building—such as goal setting, evaluation and data tools, CPR and choking response, and optimising technology like Zoom and AI platforms. A recurring theme was finding creative solutions and resources, whether through new funding streams, donations, or alternatives to trusted but no longer available resources like the Best Start website.
There was also clear interest in innovative and inclusive approaches: working with newcomers, exploring multiethnic parenting, engaging fathers and caregivers, promoting physical activity, and integrating outdoor and culturally responsive programming. Networking opportunities and inspirational speakers (e.g., Gabor Maté) were suggested to balance knowledge-sharing with connection. Taken together, the feedback points to a desire for a conference that blends practical training, forward-looking tools, and meaningful dialogue about supporting families in diverse and changing contexts.
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We appreciate the input and will do our best to use these suggestions to plan our event.