12th Annual Building Brighter Futures Early Childhood Conference

Craven Smart StartCraven Smart Start and Child Care Resource and Referral (CCR&R) will hold the 12th Annual Building Brighter Futures Early Childhood Conference on March 24th from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on the New Bern campus of Craven Community College.  Nationally recognized speaker, Emily Ballance will be the keynote speaker.  Ms. Ballance will use her refreshing wit and understanding of people to explore the physical, psychological and emotional benefits of humor. Conference attendees will leave the session with lots of suggestions for using humor to manage stress, connect with others, enhance creativity, and build self-esteem.

The conference will also feature a number of breakout sessions on topics relevant to early care and education, and parenting issues. Breakout speakers will include nationally known parenting authority John Rosemond and UNC-TV staff who will present the groundbreaking Sesame Street in the Communities materials, among others. The goal of the conference is to provide a day of professional development and quality training primarily for individuals who work in the early childhood field and parents of young children.

The registration fee is $30.00 per person.  Registration includes a continental breakfast, lunch, a participant bag and door prizes. Individuals who attend the full conference will receive up to .5CEU’s. Pre-registration is required by March 16th.  For information about the conference, call (252) 672-5921.

Craven Smart Start, Inc. is a 501©3 public-private partnership that administers the funding and programs of Smart Start, North Carolina’s early childhood initiative, in Craven County.  For more information about Craven Smart Start and CCR&R visit CravenSmartStart.org.

Submitted by: Pinkie Moore, Community Outreach Coordinator, Craven Smart Start