The Act Early State Team’s monthly Bright Spot webinars provide an opportunity to share team members’ innovative work as well as promising practices going on in other states. These webinars are a way to foster connection and collaboration between state team members and other stakeholders.
Upcoming Bright Spot Webinars
There are no upcoming events.

Past Webinars


Preschool Development Grant Birth to Five (PDG B-5)
For October’s Bright Spot webinar, Kaitlin Ferrick presented on Wisconsin’s Preschool Development Grant Birth to Five (PDG B-5) Renewal Grant. The grant aims to increase access to high-quality, affordable, local early care and education opportunities …
Vision Forward Screening Initiative
On Tuesday, September 12th, Tracey Stanislawski and Colleen Kickbush from Vision Forward presented September’s Bright Spot webinar. Vision Forward is partnering with the Wisconsin Department of Health Services on an initiative to implement functional vision …
Children Health Alliance’s Food Security Initiative
On Tuesday, August 22nd, Geeta Wadhwani discussed the Children Health Alliance’s food security initiative. This initiative brings health and food systems together (in Milwaukee) to build strong relationships in order to increase access to nutritious, …
Wisconsin Sound Beginnings: Parents Reaching Out and Family-to-Family Support Model
Tuesday, July 25, 2023 – Connie Stevens presented on the Wisconsin Sound Beginnings Parents Reaching Out program and the expansion of family-to-family support at the Waisman Center. Parents Reaching Out focuses on supporting parents of …
Autism Community of Practice
Tuesday, June 27, 2023 – We heard from the Community of Practice on Autism Spectrum Disorder and Other Developmental Disabilities (CoP ASD/DD). This group brings together diverse stakeholders from across the state to: learn together; …
“Mental Health Therapy with the Autistic Client” Virtual Training
Monday, April 24, 2023 – Judy Endow, Sharon Hammer, and Lisa Hoeme discussed their virtual training , “Mental Health Therapy with the Autistic Client.” This training, provided by the Autism Society of Greater Wisconsin, is …
“Learn the Signs. Act Early.” Materials Update
Friday, February 24, 2023 – Kris Barnekow, Wisconsin’s Act Early Ambassador, provided updates on the CDC’s Learn the Signs. Act Early. materials. View Recording
Lead Poisoning Prevention Efforts in Milwaukee
Thursday, December 15, 2022 – Shy McElroy presented on lead poisoning prevention efforts in Milwaukee. Shy works for the Wisconsin Board for People with Developmental Disabilities as a community organizer for the Coalition on Lead …
Community Solutions for Health Equity for Latino Families of Children with Special Health Care Needs
Wednesday, October 26, 2022 – Latino families of children with special health care needs (CSHCN) often face additional systemic, cultural and linguistic barriers that limit their ability to access supportive services and resources. Culturally and …
A Community Connector Approach to Enhance Family Engaged developmental monitoring using “Learn the Signs. Act Early.” materials
Tuesday, September 20th, 2022 – At September’s Bright Spot Webinar, Kris Barnekow and Erika Brigham described how community connectors engage families in developmental monitoring using “Learn the Signs. Act Early.” materials. Due to significant technical …
SaferKids Program
Thursday, April 28th, 2022 – At April’s Bright Spot webinar, Michelle Schumacher, MSSW described the Waisman Center’s SaferKids Program. In partnership with the Safety Center at the American Family Children’s Hospital, the SaferKids Program helps …
ECHO Autism WI
Wednesday, February 2, 2022 – ECHO Autism WI Hub team members Amy Lyle, MSSW (social worker) and Molly Naef, DNP (parent) shared a technology-enabled collaborative learning approach to increase access to expert autism knowledge. Waisman …
Door County Partnership for Children and Families
Thursday, December 16, 2021 – Rebecca Nicholson, Naomi Spritka, and Beth Chisolm share their work on Door County Partnership for Children and Families (DCPCF). DCPCF is a collaboration between United Way, Door County Department of …
Wisconsin Autism Provider Association’s Advocacy Efforts
Tuesday, September 21st, 2021 – Rebecca Thompson, PhD BCBA-D described the efforts of the Wisconsin Autism Provider Association to advocate for a rate increase with Wisconsin Medicaid. Dr. Thompson is the Director of Clinical Services …
Wisconsin Birth to 3 Program Outreach Campaign
Wednesday, June 23rd, 2021 – Nicole Miller and Regena Floyd-Sambou provide information on the Wisconsin Birth to 3 Program First 1,000 Days Outreach Campaign to support child find efforts in Wisconsin.
Gracie’s Place
Tuesday, February 9th, 2021 – Deb Adams shared her efforts to connect with families of children with special needs and build resiliency in the Northwoods. Deb is the CEO of Gracie’s Place and the mom …
Developmental Monitoring and Screening in Family Foundations Home Visiting
Thursday, January 14th, 2021 – Terri Enters described the developmental monitoring and screening efforts in the Family Foundations Home Visiting (FFHV) program. Terri is Wisconsin’s Department of Children and Families FFHV Coordinator
Vermont Resilience
Thursday, December 17th, 2020 – Janet Kilburn and Emily Goodrich shared Vermont Department of Health’s efforts to promote healthy child development by fostering resilience in its citizens and communities.
Telehealth Diagnostics
Thursday, October 15th, 2020 – Lindsay McCary, PhD, licensed psychologist, led a discussion on telehealth diagnostics.