The Down East Partnership for Children

Preventing Power Struggles with Preschoolers
2025-09-11 18:00 - 20:00 (America/New_York) | Virtual
We all want to be in control of our own lives. But young children usually have very few opportunities to make choices about what they do and when they do it. They’re told when to get up, what to wear, what to eat, and when to eat it, where to go, and what to do when they get there. Introducing choice into a young child’s life can be a powerful tool to promote improved behavior in your classroom. Come to learn the five steps to using the choice-making strategy and discover how easily you can embed choice-making opportunities into your classroom and circuit power struggles with your preschoolers.
Audience: 3’s and Preschool Providers
Virtual Session
Registration deadline: September 4, 2025
Instructor: Shaquana Bynum, DEPC
Cost: $5.00

DEPC Board Meeting
2025-09-15 10:00 - 12:00 | Virtual
For information regarding the Board Meeting, please contact Karen Snead at ksnead@depc.org or Lori Winstead at lwinstead@depc.org or call 252-985-4300.

Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale (ITERS-3/ ECERS-3/ SACERS-U Overview)
2025-09-23 17:30 - 19:30 | DEPC, 215 Lexington Street, Rocky Mount, NC
During each individual session, providers will have the opportunity to learn more about the changes as of February 1, 2025. These changes focus on a greater focus on responsive, intentional teaching and language interactions with children as they use materials. Overall, each environmental ratings scale will be provided.
Audience: All Providers
Down East Partnership for Children (In-person)
Registration deadline: September 16, 2025
Instructor: Kellie Cook
Cost: Free

ITS/SIDS
2025-10-07 16:00 - 18:00 | Virtual
This training will provide an overview of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). It will also highlight the risk factors and describe ways to reduce the risk of SIDS in childcare. Participants will receive the needed information to create a Safe Sleep Policy, learn about sleep waivers/documenting sleeping babies and updated research about SIDS. Participants will also be walking through how to complete an unresponsive infant drill and the reason for doing them regularly.
Audience: Infant/Toddler Providers
Registration deadline: September 30, 2025
Virtual Session
Instructor: Tracy L. Pittman, DEPC
Cost: $5.00

Mental Health First Aid Training
2025-10-20 09:00 - 16:00 | DEPC, 215 Lexington Street, Rocky Mount, NC
Mental Health First Aid Training will be held on Monday, October 20, 2025 from 9am to 4pm at the Down East Partnership for Children located at 215 Lexington St, Rocky Mount, NC 27801
Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) is a training for adults interested in learning how to help other adults experiencing a mental health or substance abuse challenge. Training participants learn to recognize signs and symptoms, start conversations, listen non-judgmentally, and refer to appropriate resources.
Training participants receive:

Training in an evidence‑based, five‑step action plan (ALGEE) that’s easy to remember in a crisis
Confidence to approach and assist someone in distress
Practical tools for handling situations such as panic attacks, self‑harm warnings, or substance misuse
A nationally recognized YMHFA certification (valid for three years)
7.5 CEUs (Continuing Education Units)
Lunch and snacks
$50 Tango gift card

RSVP by October 1, 2025
RSVP HERE
Spots limited to 30 participants

FCCERS-3 Overview
2025-10-21 18:30 - 20:30 | Virtual
During each individual session providers will have the opportunity to learn more about the changes as of February 1, 2025. That focuses on a greater focus on responsive, intentional teaching and language interactions with children as they use materials. overall, of each environmental ratings scale will be provided.
Audience: Family Child Care Providers
Registered by: October 14, 2025
Virtual
Instructor: Sara Anderson, NCRLAP

Emergency Preparedness (EPR)
2025-10-22 12:00 - 14:30 | DEPC, 215 Lexington Street, Rocky Mount, NC
This training provides early educators with information and tools to prepare for many types of emergencies. The EPR in Child CARE Training addresses new NC Child Care Rules on emergency preparedness, current nest practice recommendations and guidance on completing the online EPR Plan.
Audience: All Providers
Registered by: October 15, 2025
Instructor: Shewanna Manning, DEPC
Cost: $10.00

Proper Diapering Changing
2025-11-13 08:00 - 17:00 | DEPC, 215 Lexington Street, Rocky Mount, NC
Participants learn when and how to check diapers, what kind of equipment is required for proper diapering, the correct steps of diapering and how proper diapering prevents the spread of germs. Participants learn common sources of violations and issues to avoid.
Audience: All Providers
Register by: November 3, 2025
Instructor: Kimberly Gurganus, Regional CCHC

Medication Administration
2025-11-13 14:00 - 15:00 | DEPC, 215 Lexington Street, Rocky Mount, NC
Participants will learn medication best practices in early care and education including receiving, documenting, storage, and disposal. This training will cover NC Child Care regulations, types of medication, the six rights of medication administration, the forms that are required to be completed before giving medication as well as how to recognize, respond to, and report a medication error.
This training does not prepare participants to give medication to children. Additional in-person, skills-based training should be undertaken by early educators who will be responsible for giving medication to children.
Audience: All Providers
Register by: November 3, 2025
Instructor: Kimberly Gurganus, Regional CCHC

DEPC Board Meeting
2025-11-24 10:00 - 12:00, 2026-02-16 10:00 - 12:00, 2026-03-23 10:00 - 12:00, 2026-04-20 10:00 - 12:00, 2026-05-18 10:00 - 12:00 | Virtual
For information regarding the Board Meeting, please contact Karen Snead at ksnead@depc.org or Lori Winstead at lwinstead@depc.org, or call 252-985-4300.

Social Emotional Learning for Educators: Self Awareness
2025-12-10 18:00 - 19:00 | Virtual
Did you know we first must assess our skills to support children’s social-emotional learning? Self-awareness allows us to recognize how our emotions, thoughts, and values are reflected in our behaviors. In this workshop, participants will examine their ability to be self-aware.
Register by December 3, 2025
Instructor: Carrie Becker, Private Trainer
Virtual

ITS/SIDS
2025-12-11 18:00 - 20:00 | Virtual
This training will provide an overview of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). It will also highlight the risk factors and describe ways to reduce the risk of SIDS in childcare. Participants will receive the needed information to create a Safe Sleep Policy, learn about sleep waivers/documenting sleeping babies and updated research about SIDS. Participants will also be walking through how to complete an unresponsive infant drill and the reason for doing them regularly.
Audience: Infant/Toddler Providers
Register by: December 3, 2025
Instructor: Kimberly Gurganus, Regional CCHC
Virtual

Social Emotional Learning for Educators: Relationships Skills (Virtual)
2026-02-17 18:00 - 19:00 | Virtual
Did you know we first must assess our skills to support children’s social-emotional learning? Relationship skills are the building blocks of co-teaching and teamwork. During this workshop, we will focus on communicating effectively, constructively resolving conflicts, and supporting our peers.

Audience: Toddler/Preschool, Early Childhood Educators
Register by 2/10/26
Instructor: Carrie Becker – Private Trainer
Cost: $5.00

Medication Administration (Virtual)
2026-02-19 18:00 - 19:00 | Virtual
Participants will learn medication best practices in early care and education including receiving, documenting, storage, and disposal. This training will cover NC Child Care regulations, types of medication, the six rights of medication administration, the forms that are required to be completed before giving medication as well as how to recognize, respond to, and report a medication error.
This training does not prepare participants to give medication to children. Additional in-person, skills-based training should be undertaken by early educators who will be responsible for giving medication to children.

Audience: All Early Childhood Educators
Register by 2/12/26
Instructor: Kimberly Gurganus, Regional CCHC
Cost: Free

ITS/SIDS (Virtual)
2026-03-10 18:30 - 20:30 | Virtual
This training will provide an overview of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). It will also highlight the risk factors and describe ways to reduce the risk of SIDS in childcare. Participants will receive the needed information to create a Safe Sleep Policy, learn about sleep waivers/documenting sleeping babies and updated research about SIDS. Participants will also be walking through how to complete an unresponsive infant drill and the reason for doing them regularly.
Audience: Infant/Toddler, Early Childhood Educators
Register by 3/3/26
Instructor: Tracy L. Pittman

Music Rituals: Routines, Rhythm & Relaxation for Home and Classroom (Virtual)
2026-03-17 16:00 - 18:00 | Virtual
By beginning and ending the day with songs, making tricky transitions a musical experience, or using music when soothing or refocusing, you can counteract children’s stress response in fun and engaging ways. In the process, you build their trust, confidence and self-discipline. Educators will learn WHY routines are important for children and why rituals are most helpful. HOW to create and implement music rituals throughout a child’s day to promote a happier, more relaxed environment.
Audience: Early Childhood Educators
Register: Tracy Pittman – tpittman@depc.org
Register by March 10, 2026
Fee: $5.00 per registrant (paid in form of cash, check or money order made payable to Down East Partnership for Children)
Questions: Tracy L. Pittman – tpittman@depc.org or (252) 985-4300 ext. 204
Instructor: Kindermusik

DEPC Board Meeting
2026-03-23 10:00 - 12:00 | DEPC, 215 Lexington Street, Rocky Mount, NC
DEPC Board Meeting – in-person Monday, March 23, 2026 at 10:00 am to 12:00 pm. This meeting will be held in the 1st floor Board Room at Down East Partnership for Children.

Social Emotional Learning for Educators: Self Awareness (Virtual)
2026-04-07 18:00 - 19:00 | Virtual
Did you know we first must assess our skills to support children’s social-emotional learning? Self-awareness allows us to recognize how our emotions, thoughts, and values are reflected in our behaviors. In this workshop, participants will examine their ability to be self-aware.
Audience: All Early Childhood Educators
Register by 3/30/26
Instructor: Carrie Becker, Private Trainer
Cost: $5.00

The Family Childcare Home: Multi-Age Math (Virtual)
2026-05-06 18:00 - 20:00 | Virtual
This session assists family childcare providers in supporting the children in their care. Participants will gain tools, strategies, and ideas for exploring math in the multi-age classroom.
Register by 4/29/26
Cost: $5.00
Instructor: Carrie Becker, Private Trainer

Teacher Self-Care: Taking Care of Your Nervous System (Virtual)
2026-05-19 18:00 - 19:00 | Virtual
It is important to remember that self-care is daily practice and not a one-time event. During this workshop session, participants will learn how to support their nervous systems through self-regulation
Register by 5/12/26
Instructor: Carrie Becker, Private Trainer
Cost: $5.00

ITS/SIDS (Virtual)
2026-06-17 18:00 - 20:00 | Virtual
This training will provide an overview of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). It will also highlight the risk factors and describe ways to reduce the risk of SIDS in childcare. Participants will receive the needed information to create a Safe Sleep Policy, learn about sleep waivers/documenting sleeping babies and updated research about SIDS. Participants will also be walking through how to complete an unresponsive infant drill and the reason for doing them regularly.
Audience: Infant/Toddler, Early Childhood Educators
Register by 6/3/26
Instructor: Kimberly Gurganus, Regional CCHC
Cost: $5.00
