In Safe Hands – Health & Safety Conference
Tenga en cuenta lo siguiente: ¡Esta es una conferencia bilingüe! Todas las sesiones que se describen en esta página se impartirán en inglés y español. Para traducir esta página en español, haga clic aquí.
June 6, 2026 | 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Join us for a Health and Safety Conference designed specifically for child care providers! This engaging event will cover important topics including self-care, nutrition, early childhood mental health, and oral health, giving you practical tools to support both yourself and the children in your care.
Attendees will enjoy a seated lunch, have the chance to enter to win exciting raffle prizes, and receive special incentives. Take advantage of this opportunity to connect, share experiences, and interact with fellow colleagues in a supportive and inspiring environment!
What to expect:
- Engaging education on important health and safety topics
- Practical strategies for effectively implementing concepts into daily work
- Networking opportunities to build meaningful relationships
- Plated lunch, fun giveaways, and self-care activities
*Participants will receive a certificate for 4-hours of Preventive Health and Safety training
Register by May 31st!
During registration, you will complete your payment, select your workshops, and choose one incentive from the list below. Click the button below to get started!
Special incentives!
Attendees will receive one incentive of their choice from the list below upon check-in at the event:
- Fruit & Vegetable Cut-Ups
- Learn to Brush Demonstration Kit
- Health & Safety Theme Book Library (5 books)
- Real-working Stethoscope (set of 4)
- How to Train Your Amygdala Calming Kit
*You must attend to receive your incentive
Overnight accommodations:
*For those wishing to reserve a group rate, for the Handlery Hotel (3 days prior or 3 days after there is a negotiated Group rate of $169 (plus fees and parking is an additional $18). To make a reservation, call the Handlery Group reservation department at 800-676-6567. Refer to the group name YMCA Childcare Provider Conference to book. Reservations must be made by 5/5/26.
Agenda for the day
Attendees can expect the following timeline for the day:
- 8:00 – 9:00 AM – Registration
- 9:00 – 9:30 AM – Opening Remarks
- 10:00 – 11:30 AM – Session #1
- 11:30 – 1:00 PM – Lunch
- 1:15 – 2:45 PM – Session #2
- 2:45 – 3:15 PM – Closing Remarks
- 3:15 – 4:00 PM – Giveaways
We are committed to providing an inclusive experience. If you require any accessibility services or accommodations, please contact Kim Woodworth at kwoodworth@ymcasd.org by May 31, 2026.
Workshops (Offered in English & Spanish)
*Note: This is a working list of workshops and subject to change.
Breastfeeding-Friendly Childcare
Breastfeeding-Friendly Child Care
Presenter: Alejandra Cabello
What you’ll learn about:
This training is designed to help childcare providers understand why becoming a breastfeeding-friendly childcare provider is important, how to support families who provide expressed breast milk or wish to breastfeed onsite, and where to find resources to better support breastfeeding families in their care.
Alejandra Cabello, TrueCare WIC
Alejandra is a Regional Breastfeeding Liaison and International Board-Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) with more than 20 years of experience. She is dedicated to supporting families and childcare providers in creating breastfeeding-friendly environments and works to ensure equitable access to breastfeeding support, education, and resources.
**Workshop selections help us plan ahead, but you’re welcome to switch to a different session on the day of the event!
Child care Emergency Preparedness Training
Child Care Emergency Preparedness Training (CCEPT)
Presenters: Jax Richards and Elizabeth Hall
*Attendees will receive a complementary incentive for attendance.
What you’ll learn about:
Child care programs are often left out of emergency planning at the federal, state, and local levels; Save the Children supports child care recovery post disaster. CCEPT is designed to help childcare providers develop and implement an emergency plan in their childcare program in addition to identifying risks and preparing year-round emergencies. Child care providers will be able to create a written plan that addresses their emergency needs and continue to communicate, practice, and update their emergency plan on a regular basis.
Jaxson Richards, Save the Children
Jax Richards is a Lead Associate with Save the Children’s U.S. Emergencies team, where he supports disaster preparedness and recovery efforts for early childhood education systems across the United States.
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His background spans education policy, emergency management operations, and frontline response, with experience across the New York City Fire Department, the Oregon State Legislature, federal agencies, and the United Nations. Jax specializes in training and capacity-building for childcare providers, helping strengthen resilience and continuity of care in crisis contexts. He holds a Master of Public Administration from Columbia University, four bachelor’s degrees from Oregon State University, and is a certified Emergency Medical Technician.
Elizabeth Hall, YMCA CRS Trainer
Elizabeth Hall is a dedicated professional with over 21 years of experience in the education and public sector, committed to supporting and strengthening the child care community.
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Elizabeth holds a Bachelor of Science in Zoology from The Ohio State University, where she developed a strong foundation in science and human development. She has spent the past six years with the YMCA of San Diego, where she has played an active role in advancing quality programming and health and safety practices for children and families. Her work reflects a deep passion for creating safe, engaging, and inclusive environments for all learners. Originally from Ohio, Elizabeth brings a broad, multicultural perspective to her work. She expanded her global experience by teaching in Panama and Guatemala, where she also developed her Spanish language skills. Her diverse background and hands-on experience make her a dynamic and insightful presenter, dedicated to empowering child care professionals with practical knowledge and meaningful strategies.
**Workshop selections help us plan ahead, but you’re welcome to switch to a different session on the day of the event!
Compliance and Regulatory Enforcement Tool (CARE Tool), Common Deficiencies and Pool Standards
CARE Tool, Common Deficiencies, and pool standards
Presenters: Cindy Nguyen and Carmen Odom
What you’ll learn about:
This presentation will discuss commonly cited deficiencies, Provider Information Notices (PINs), recent regulatory updates and new laws, and the CARE Compliance Tool (what it is and why it matters).
Cindy Nguyen, Community Care Licensing
Cindy Nguyen serves as Southern California Child Care Advocate with the California Department of Social Services – Community Care Licensing Division. In her role, she is dedicated to building strong, collaborative partnerships with businesses, educational institutions, childcare provider organizations, resource and referral agencies, and other community-based organizations throughout the childcare sector.
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Cindy supports licensing compliance by delivering tailored trainings and presentations, offering accessible resources, and empowering providers with the knowledge needed to navigate regulations with confidence.
With a robust career spanning more than two decades, Cindy has worked extensively with children and families. Her background includes over 3 years in elementary education, 15 years of leadership in child development, and 7 years as a Licensing Program Analyst with the Department of Social Services. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Child and Adolescent Development as well as a professional credential in the field.
Carmen Odom, Community Care Licensing
Carmen Odom serves as Southern California Child Care Technical Support Program Analyst with the California Department of Social Services – Community Care Licensing Division with over 15 years of experience with the State of California. Carmen has 7 years working in Community Care Licensing, working with providers in Child Care Centers and Family Child Care Homes.
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Her primary role as a Technical Support Program Analyst is to provide non-enforcement individualized support to providers to ensure they have a better understanding of Title 22 regulations. Carmen supports providers by delivering tailored training and presentations, offering accessible resources, and empowering providers with the knowledge needed to navigate regulations with confidence.
**Workshop selections help us plan ahead, but you’re welcome to switch to a different session on the day of the event!
Healthy Families: Keeping Families Lead and Cavity Free with Tasty Recipies!
Healthy Families: Keeping Families Lead and Cavity Free with Tasty Recipies!
Presenter: Erika Hernandez, MA, MPH
What you’ll learn about:
Attendees will learn about the repercussions of lead poisoning, tips to avoid lead poisoning, recipes designed to minimize lead absorption, and the importance of avoiding cavities to minimize absorption of lead through compromised teeth and gums. Families will learn how to protect themselves with a lead poisoning presentation that provides tips on how to stay healthy and lead-free. Join us for an interactive learning session to gain tips about healthy development and eating habits!
Erika Hernandez, MA, MPH
Erika Hernandez is a Childhood Lead Education and Reduction (CLEAR) health educator at Family Health Centers of San Diego.
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With over 20 years of experience in developing marketing and learning materials for community health projects, Ms. Hernandez has developed creative learning content in various formats such as a radio script to increase fruit and vegetable consumption, developed a sit-com series about the challenges of a family trying to make healthier changes, and a produce marketing campaign in Latino grocery stores aimed at increasing the purchase of produce. By identifying marketing techniques that translate into behavioral modifications, Ms. Hernandez uses entertainment theory to engage families to create healthier lifestyle changes.
**Workshop selections help us plan ahead, but you’re welcome to switch to a different session on the day of the event!
From Storytime to Snack time: Encouraging Healthy Choices Through Stories
From Storytime to Snack time: Encouraging Healthy Choices Through Stories
Presenter: Katia Solorzano
What you’ll learn about:
Participants will explore how storytelling serves as an effective tool to motivate children to try new foods. Attendees will learn to integrate nutritional activities with positive reinforcement strategies to significantly encourage even the most selective eaters to expand their dietary preferences while supporting their language development
Katia Solorzano
Katia is an Early Childhood Education specialist with over two decades of dedicated service. As a classroom teacher, she gained firsthand insight into early learning, then transitioned into coaching and leadership. She now empowers educators in both center-based and home-based settings, helping them navigate challenges and foster high-quality learning environments.
**Workshop selections help us plan ahead, but you’re welcome to switch to a different session on the day of the event!
Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health and Challenging Behaviors
Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health and Challenging Behaviors
Presenters: Briana Bashaw-Wood & Lenika Flores
What you’ll learn about:
Consultants from the IECMHC program at the YMCA of San Diego will lead a conversation on challenging behaviors, how it relates to Mental Health, and some common interventions.
Briana Bashaw-Wood
Briana is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor who specializes in Early Childhood Mental Health and is dedicated to supporting young children, families, and the professionals who care for them. Her work centers on relationship-based consultation, reflective practice, and building collaborative systems of care. In addition to her clinical and programmatic work, she teaches at San Diego State University’s EC-TEaMH program, supporting the next generation of reflective leaders.
Lenika Flores
Lenika serves as an Infant & Toddler Mental Health Consultant. As a bilingual early childhood education specialist, she has over 25 years of experience supporting the growth and development of young children, families, and early care professionals. She is passionate about designing and facilitating professional learning workshops for educators, parents, and students interested in early childhood education. Her work is grounded in the belief that high-quality professional development is key to improving early care practices and outcomes for children.
**Workshop selections help us plan ahead, but you’re welcome to switch to a different session on the day of the event!
The Resilient Caregiver
The Resilient Caregiver
Presenters: Chrystal Rosales & Michele Ontiveros
What you’ll learn about:
This workshop is designed to move beyond the theory of the “reptile brain” and into the practical, daily “self-care” of the caregiver’s own nervous system.
Chrystal Rosales
Chrystal is a mother of two. She has been in the child development field for over 10 years, working as a coach for school-age children, a preschool teacher, and currently serving as a Quality Support Specialist within the Foster Care Bridge Program, where she provides trauma-informed coaching and training to childcare providers across San Diego County.
Michele Ontiveros
Michele Ontiveros is a Quality Support Specialist for the YMCA Childcare Resource Service within the Foster Care Bridge Program. Prior to joining the YMCA, she spent over 10 years working directly with children, a foundation that fuels her passion for supporting the provider community. Michele is dedicated to sharing the practical lessons and trauma-informed strategies she has learned throughout her career to help other childcare providers create nurturing and resilient environments for the families they serve.
**Workshop selections help us plan ahead, but you’re welcome to switch to a different session on the day of the event!
How Positive Discipline and HOPE Strengthen Children’s Health, Safety, and Well-Being (English only)
How Positive Discipline and HOPE Strengthen Children’s Health, Safety, and Well-Being (English only)
Presenter: LaTysa Flowers-Jackson
What you’ll learn about:
This session explores how Positive Discipline (PD) tools and strategies, grounded in the HOPE (Healthy Outcomes from Positive Experiences) framework, create safe, predictable, and nurturing environments where children can thrive.
Participants will examine how Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) impact children’s development and sense of safety, while learning how Positive Childhood Experiences (PCEs) actively promote resilience, regulation, and long-term health outcomes.
LaTysa Flowers-Jackson
LaTysa Flowers-Jackson is the Association Director of Community Bridging & Engagement for the YMCA of San Diego County, where she leads strategies that strengthen connection, well-being, and inclusive environments across a large and diverse workforce. With over 15 years of experience in child, youth, and family-serving systems, her work centers on equipping caregivers and professionals with practical tools that support healthy development and safe, nurturing environments for children. She is a Blue Cross Blue Shield award-winning HOPE Champion and certified Positive Discipline Educator, known for translating research into real-world strategies that promote Positive Childhood Experiences and reduce the impact of adversity. LaTysa also serves as Family Support Discipline Director for CA-LEND, supporting interdisciplinary leadership focused on children and families.
**Workshop selections help us plan ahead, but you’re welcome to switch to a different session on the day of the event!
Opening & Closing SPEAKERS
Shelby Gomez
Executive Director of Childcare, YMCA CRS
Shelby Jennings Gomez is the Executive Director of Childcare for YMCA Childcare Resource Service (CRS). In this role, she leads efforts to help families find and connect to childcare, support childcare providers with training, coaching, resources, and technical assistance, support YMCA branch childcare quality and operations, provide respite care for families of children with developmental disabilities, and facilitate community engagement in systems change. Through collaboration in community groups like the San Diego County Child Care and Development Planning Council and San Diego Children First Collective, Shelby is dedicated to building the childcare systems that enable our county’s children, families, childcare providers, and economy to thrive together.
Alethea Arguilez
Executive Director, First 5 San Diego
Alethea Arguilez, M.A. is the Executive Director of First 5 San Diego, the region’s primary organization for promoting the health and well-being of children 0-5 years of age and their families. Alethea has dedicated over 30 years to the field of early childhood education, starting her journey in the field as an infant and toddler Teacher. Her early experience was working to create and support pathways for families experiencing adversity in achieving self-sufficiency through direct services which helped form the foundation for her work. She has been a fierce advocate for our littles, their families and our field over the years. She has been leading systems change efforts to help strengthen our systems that serve littles and their families throughout San Diego County.
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Alethea presently serves on various boards which include the: County of San Diego, HHSA Child and Family Strengthening Advisory Board; San Diego State University, College of Education Dean’s Advisory Board; Former First 5 Association’s Public Policy Committee Chair, Board of Trustee for the Alliance Healthcare Foundation and a proud member of MAACs Board of Directors.
Alethea is a native San Diegan and holds a Master’s degree in Nonprofit Leadership Management from the University of San Diego School of Leadership and Education Sciences and a Bachelor’s degree in Child and Family Development from San Diego State University. Her proudest accomplishments have been raising two amazing daughters – Isabelle and Gabrielle with her husband Dion.
Thank you to our community Partners!
This event was made possible by a collaboration with the following community agencies:
Interested in Partnering with us?
If you or your organization would like to share your program’s information, please complete the form below to register as a vendor or partner.
