Community Briefing: Preventing Preschool Expulsion

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Nov. 14, 2024 | 8:30 a.m. – 12 p.m.

Location: Schulze Hall | 1000 La Salle Ave | Minneapolis, MN 55403

Did you know that preschool children are 3 times more likely to be expelled than children in K-12? Did you also know for children from low-income communities and children with disabilities, the rate increases to 4 times as likely?

Childcare and early childhood education are critical in laying the foundation for learning, engaging the workforce and strengthening our economy, and lifting families out of poverty. And yet, the industry is underfunded, the workforce is distressed, and the layers of complexity are only matched by the developmental complexity we’re seeing in today’s young children.

Dr. Songtian (Tim) Zeng, a leading researcher on preschool expulsion, and Director of Research at the Institute for Early Education Leadership & Innovation and Assistant Professor at UMass Boston will share recent findings and join a panel of state experts in discussing implications of informal removal, suspension and expulsion; bringing current prevention solutions to scale; and determining ways we can collaborate to do more for young children across our state.

This FREE event, hosted by St. David’s Center, will amplify the perspectives of thought-leaders who are invested in and passionate about solving the crisis in preschool expulsion.

Together, we can work to create a society that is a more equitable, inclusive, and joyful place for all children.

GO DEEPER INTO THE SUBJECT WITH THE FOLLOWING RESOURCES.

PRESS FROM THE EVENT

Several media outlets came to our Nov. 14 events to shed light on the often-overlooked issue of preschool expulsion, and highlighted what is ahead for our organization:

Deanna Pistono reporting from Minnpost: Mental health and disability supports are critical in helping preschoolers stay on track.

Joe McCoy reporting From Kare11: Expulsion and suspension rates rising in preschools nationwide.

Caitlin Anderson reporting From Minneapolis St. Paul Business Journal: St. David’s Center to transform ex-YWCA facility in downtown Minneapolis (rendering)

Thank you to our sponsors!

Panelists include:

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Panelist	Bio
	Julie Sjordal, St. David's Center CEO (Host) Over her 36 years at St. David's Center, Julie has held many roles in direct service, project management and leadership, invariably focused on meeting the needs of children and families. Prior to taking on executive leadership, Julie served as managing director of programs, oversaw the approximately 30 programs at St. David's Center and was instrumental in co-developing innovative service models and collaborative partnerships. Julie earned her elementary education degree and special education certification from the University of Minnesota. She lives in Golden Valley with her husband, Dan.
	Dr. Songtian (Tim) Zeng (Keynote Speaker) Songtian (Tim) Zeng received his PhD in special education from the University of Washington in Seattle and he is a board certified behavior analysis (BCBA). His research focuses on early intervention and assessment for students with autism and other neurological disabilities. He takes a “Whole Child” approach that integrated both evidence-based practices from education and mental health disciplines.
	Jane Perry, St. David's Center Chief Clinical Officer As Chief Clinical Officer at St. David's Center, Jane is responsible for providing conceptual and clinical guidance across the St. David’s Center continuum of mental health services in all clinics and community-based settings. In this role, Jane also leads the outpatient mental health assessment and therapy team at our two clinics, oversees much of St. David's Center's clinical and reflective consultation in school districts and Hennepin County, leads our mental health clinical workforce development and mental health internship programs, and directs the organization's investment in evidence-based mental health intervention models. She completed her Master’s degree in Social Work at St. Catherine’s/St. Thomas University in 2003, and has been working with children and their families for 30 years.
	Dr. Gigi Chawla, Children's Hospital and Clinics Gigi Chawla, MD, MHA, pediatrician, is the chief of general pediatrics at Children's Minnesota with oversight over primary care, rehabilitation services, behavioral health, including development of an inpatient mental health pediatric unit, and partial hospitalization mental health programs, She is often called upon by the media for her pediatric expertise and is a regular contributor for the Minnesota Parent's column and WCCO's segment to "Ask the Pediatrician." Her clinical areas of interest are the outpatient and inpatient care of complex special needs patients, premature infants, and ventilator dependent children. Dr. Chawla is also instrumental in advancing the organization's forward-looking efforts around community engagement. Through internal efforts to better integrate school based care, primary care with behavioral health, social support services for families, as well as, external advocacy with government groups, she works to create an environment for child health that extends beyond the clinic. She's been consistently named to Minneapolis St. Paul Magazine's and Minnesota Monthly magazine's Top Doctors annual list.
	Cisa Keller, President and Chief Executive Officer, Think Small Cisa launched her career in the early childhood education profession by working in the classroom. Over the past 25 years she has extended her experiences into an effective early childhood policy expert and leader within the field. Cisa joined Think Small in 2015 and served as Senior Vice President of Early Childhood Programs until February 2024 when she was named the President and CEO. In her previous role, she oversaw the agencies government contracts as well as its policy and advocacy efforts. Prior experiences include being the Director for Government and Community Relations with New Horizon Academy, Government Relations Chair of the Minnesota Child Care Association as well as an adjunct professor in the BA-Child Development degree completion & M.A.Ed.-ECE programs at Concordia University, St. Paul. Cisa successfully incorporates her commitment to early childhood into her professional work. She was a founding member of the Minnesota’s Early Childhood Crisis Workgroup, Minnesota’s Future Early Childhood Coalition and served on the executive committee of the MinneMinds campaign. Cisa is presently a member of the Transforming Minnesota’s Early Childhood Workforce coalition and Ramsey County Early Childhood Workgroup.
	Cindy Hillyer, Director of the Office of Early Childhood Education at Minneapolis Public Schools. Throughout her career, Cindy has led public health and education initiatives focused on cross sector collaboration and advancing equity. She currently serves on the University of Minnesota Institute on Community Integration Advisory Board; the Executive Committee of the City of Minneapolis Child Friendly City Initiative and chairs the Minnesota Early Childhood Vision Health Task Force-a National Center for Children’s Vision and Eye Health-Better Vision Together team.