Yes, the session proposal deadline has been extended to Thursday, April 2. Please do not let headshots or bios deter you from applying. If you have any questions, please contact Shonna Werth at swerth@earlyfutures.org.

Anyone with experience, tools, data, or stories that strengthen early childhood care and education is encouraged to apply. This includes community leaders, early childhood professionals, advocates, business and economic development partners, policymakers, and researchers.

Sessions should be relevant to Nebraska communities. Presenters from outside Nebraska are welcome if their content is clearly applicable and adaptable to local contexts.

• Deep Dive (90 min) and Exploration (60 min): up to four (4) presenters
• Stories & Connections (25 min): up to two (2) presenters

Presenters may submit more than one proposal; however, acceptance of multiple sessions is not guaranteed.

• Deep Dive (90 min): In-depth exploration with interactive components required.
• Exploration (60 min): Introduces ideas and practices with shared learning.
• Stories & Connections (25 min): Focuses on lived experience and storytelling with Q&A.

Yes. Presenters may blend formats (e.g., panel + discussion), but must select one primary format in the application.

Strong proposals:

• Clearly align with one or more conference themes
• Include practical tools or takeaways
• Reflect local or community-driven experience
• Clearly state what participants will learn or apply
• Match the description to what will actually be presented

Very important. Proposals are reviewed based on relevance, clarity, applicability, and alignment with the conference vision and themes, including workforce, access to quality child care, community vitality, and systems-building.

Learning objectives should clearly describe what participants will know, do, or apply after the session. Select all applicable checkboxes that align with your session content.

• Required for Deep Dive sessions
• Encouraged for Exploration sessions
• Not required for Stories & Connections, though Q&A is expected

Describe interactive elements clearly in the full session description.

The proposal includes a section requesting a summary of the session that will appear in the conference program. 

Incomplete applications (missing sections) may not be reviewed. Be sure all fields are completed.

• Proposal deadline: March 26, 2026
• Notification of acceptance: May 8, 2026
• Confirmation of participation due: May 22, 2026

You will receive a confirmation email within a few minutes after submitting your proposal. Please check your Spam or Junk folder if you do not see it. If you do not receive a confirmation email within one hour, please contact Shonna Werth at swerth@earlyfutures.org.

Standard AV (projector, screen, microphone) will be provided. Any additional needs must be listed in the proposal.

Yes. If we receive multiple proposals with closely related content, we may invite presenters to collaborate on a joint session. This helps create a more cohesive experience for participants and allows for shared perspectives on similar topics.

There is no registration fee to attend or present at the Thriving Children, Families, and Communities Conference; however, all presenters are required to register. Presenters are responsible for their own travel and lodging expenses, if applicable. The conference will provide morning refreshments, lunch, afternoon snacks, and beverages throughout the day. The conference is held in Kearney, Nebraska, and presenters traveling from outside the area may wish to plan ahead given airport proximity to the most commonly used airports Omaha (Eppley Airfield), Lincoln (Lincoln Airport), or Kearney (Kearney Regional Airport).