Join WestEd’s early childhood experts at the 2026 Zero to Three LEARN Conference, October 27–29, 2026, held in Portland, Oregon.
Each year, Zero to Three convenes educators, healthcare providers, mental health professionals, researchers, and policymakers to learn, connect, and collaborate.
Add WestEd sessions to your conference calendar and visit our exhibit booth (#407), where you can meet our team and learn about our publications, professional learning opportunities, and research.
WestEd Presentations
Wednesday, October 28
“That’s Not What I Meant”: When Good Intentions Cause Harm and Other Lessons Learned
Time and Location: 1–2 p.m. / E144
Presenters: Jesse Bernal (HeartMind Collective) and Desiree Yoro Yoo (WestEd)
This Synergy Circle creates space to reflect on moments when good intentions fall short and cause harm within professional communities. Faculty will guide candid dialogue on impact versus intent, communication repair, and accountability in early childhood systems. Participants will practice strategies for navigating difficult conversations and strengthening trust across diverse networks.
Poster Presentations Live Q&A
Time and Location: 12:15–12:45 p.m. / Exhibit Hall A-A1
Poster Session: A Guided Approach to Considering What Quality Care Looks Like for Babies and the Educators Who Care for Them
Presenters: Kerry Kriener-Althen (WestEd) and Mirella Almaraz (WestEd)
Poster Session: Collaborating With Families: Checklist Results of Early Intervention Teams
Presenter: Ross Adams (WestEd)
Thursday, October 29
Leadership Lab B, Part 1 – Program and Service Leadership: Supporting Staff, Strengthening Systems: Reflective Leadership for Program and Service Administrators
Time and Location: 10:30–11:30 a.m. / C120-122
Presenters: Noelle Hause (Zero to Three), Shayla Winrow (Sunbeam Family Services), and Deborah Reno-Smith (WestEd)
Focus: Leading Reflective Supervision: Workforce Support and Relational Practice
Program and service administrators in early childhood and infant mental health systems play a critical role in shaping the conditions that influence workforce well-being, service quality, and outcomes for young children and families. Reflective supervision and consultation (RS/C) provides a relationship-based approach that strengthens professional capacity, supports staff retention, and improves organizational functioning through attention to parallel process, professional use of self, and reflective relationships.
This interactive Leadership Lab explores how administrators can apply reflective practice principles to strengthen supervision, support staff, and align program structures with reflective values. Through reflection, peer dialogue, and real-world application, participants will gain practical tools to integrate RS/C into their programs, strengthen team functioning, and build reflective organizational cultures that support staff and families.
Poster Presentations Live Q&A
Time and Location: 12:15–12:45 p.m. / Exhibit Hall A-A1
Poster Session: A Guided Approach to Considering What Quality Care Looks Like for Babies and the Educators Who Care for Them
Presenters: Kerry Kriener-Althen (WestEd) and Mirella Almaraz (WestEd)
Poster Session: Collaborating With Families: Checklist Results of Early Intervention Teams
Presenters: Ross Adams (WestEd) and Erica Ellis (California State University, Los Angeles)
WestEd Exhibit Booth
Visit our booth to meet and talk with our staff. Learn more about our work, pick up some resources, and subscribe to our email list.
Where: Exhibit Hall, Booth #407
When:
- Tuesday, October 27: 5:30–7 p.m. (Opening Reception)
- Wednesday, October 28: 7:30 a.m.–5 p.m.
- Thursday, October 29: 7:30 a.m.–4 p.m.
Don’t miss this opportunity to connect with WestEd experts!