December 2, 2019The Westin Indianapolis241 W Washington St.Indianapolis, IN 46204
December 3-4, 2019Indiana Convention Center100 S. Capitol AveIndianapolis, IN 46225
The IYI KIDS COUNT Conference is the Midwest’s largest gathering of youth-serving professionals. Gain practical resources from national experts, learn about best practice models from programs like yours, and make connections that last all year long. Explore timely and relevant issues for youth in the areas of health, social emotional learning, family engagement, equity and inclusion and more!
"Kids Count helped me feel refreshed and that I am making a positive impact in my community with the youth that I serve."-Cali, Montgomery County
Full Cost
Early Birdthrough Sept. 16
Standardthrough Nov. 18
Onsiteafter Nov. 18
Join us in celebrating the amazing work happening in our field! During the conference, we’ll announce the 2019 D. Susan Wisely Youth Worker of the Year finalists and awardee. This award honors an outstanding youth worker who demonstrates excellence in performance and leadership in their commitment to improving the lives of Indiana’s children. Let’s recognize these inspiring professionals together!
The IYI KIDS COUNT Conference features practical workshops for youth-serving professionals at every career stage, aligned with the following credential competencies:
Child and Youth DevelopmentProfessional practitioners promote the optimal development of children, youth, and their families in a variety of settings. The developmental-ecological perspective emphasizes the interaction between persons and their physical and social environments, including cultural and political settings. Special attention is given to the everyday lives of children and youth, including those at risk and with special needs, within the family, neighborhood, school and larger social-cultural context. Professional practitioners integrate current knowledge of human development with the skills, expertise, objectivity and self awareness essential for developing, implementing and evaluating effective programs and services.Cultural and Human Diversity Professional practitioners actively promote respect for cultural and human diversity. The Professional Practitioner seeks self understanding and has the ability to access and evaluate information related to cultural and human diversity. Current and relevant knowledge is integrated in developing respectful and effective relationships and communication and developmental practice methods. Knowledge and skills are employed in planning, implementing and evaluating respectful programs and services, and workplaces.Innovative and Best Practices Practitioners recognize the critical importance of developmental practice methods focused in child and youth care practice: Genuine Relationships, Health and Safety, Intervention Planning, Environmental Design and Maintenance, Program Planning and Activity Programming, Activities of Daily Living, Group Work, Counseling, Behavioral Guidance, Family (Caregiver) Engagement, Community Engagement. These are designed to promote optimal development for children, youth, and families including those at-risk and with special needs within the context of the family, community and the lifespan.Management and LeadershipProfessional practitioners are generative and flexible; they are self-directed and have a high degree of personal initiative. Their performance is consistently reliable. They function effectively both independently and as a team member. Professional practitioners are knowledgeable about what constitutes a profession, and engage in professional and personal development and self-care. The professional practitioner is aware of the function of professional ethics and uses professional ethics to guide and enhance practice and advocates effectively for children, youth, families, and the profession.Relationship and Communication Practitioners recognize the critical importance of relationships and communication in the practice of quality child and youth care. Ideally, the service provider and client work in a collaborative manner to achieve growth and change. ‘Quality first’ practitioners develop genuine relationships based on empathy and positive regard. They are skilled at clear communication, both with clients and with other professionals. Observations and records are objective and respectful of their clients. Relationship and communication are considered in the context of the immediate environment and its conditions; the policy and legislative environment; and the historical and cultural environment of the child, youth or family with which the practitioner interacts.
Cultural and Human Diversity Professional practitioners actively promote respect for cultural and human diversity. The Professional Practitioner seeks self understanding and has the ability to access and evaluate information related to cultural and human diversity. Current and relevant knowledge is integrated in developing respectful and effective relationships and communication and developmental practice methods. Knowledge and skills are employed in planning, implementing and evaluating respectful programs and services, and workplaces.
Relationship and Communication Practitioners recognize the critical importance of relationships and communication in the practice of quality child and youth care. Ideally, the service provider and client work in a collaborative manner to achieve growth and change. ‘Quality first’ practitioners develop genuine relationships based on empathy and positive regard. They are skilled at clear communication, both with clients and with other professionals. Observations and records are objective and respectful of their clients. Relationship and communication are considered in the context of the immediate environment and its conditions; the policy and legislative environment; and the historical and cultural environment of the child, youth or family with which the practitioner interacts.
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