Advertise on podcast: Inclusion Matters

Join Priscilla Weigel as she welcomes Anne Sivanathan all the way from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.  Anne shares about her extensive work supporting inclusive education and her pioneering efforts in building awareness of the rights of individuals with disabilities across the world.  Anne currently serves as the President of the Association of the Inclusive Outdoor Classroom and the Vice President of the World Forum Foundation.  The conversation highlights what Anne is doing to develop the next generation of advocates that support inclusion, diversity, and the rights of persons with disabilities, empowering them to become agents of positive change with their communities.  🌟Learn more about The Inclusive Outdoor Classroom: 🔗 https://www.theinclusiveoutdoorclassroom.com/

Tracy Schreifels, Infant Mental Health Clinical Mentor and Reflective Consultation trainer and provider, joins Inclusion Matters for a helpful conversation. We discuss the definition of work-life balance and work-life harmony. Tracy shares some useful questions to ask yourself as you explore these concepts and also highlights practices you can incorporate into your day to day to achieve more calm and harmony.

Priscilla Weigel welcomes Travis Grossman, Executive Director of Confidence Learning Center. Travis shares the many ways that Confidence Learning Center provides programing and camp experiences for individuals with disabilities and their families.  Confidence Learning Center, also known as Camp Confidence, has been helping families experience the outdoors together since 1969. Located in Central Minnesota, Camp Confidence is a year-round outdoor education and recreation center serving people of all ages with developmental and cognitive disabilities. Through accessible outdoor activities, adaptive recreation and a welcoming environment, Camp Confidence helps individuals and families discover new possibilities, build confidence and create memories together. 🌟Special Event - Camp Confidence Community Day     October 10, 2026 - 12:00 - 4:00 pm     Admission is free, and everyone is welcome!     https://campconfidence.com/event/camp-community-day/

Wadahadalkan wuxuu ka hadlayaa saameynta ay dhaqdhaqaaqyada ICE, cabsida, iyo hadallada xun ee Soomaalida laga sheego ku yeeshaan carruurta, qoysaska, iyo bulshada Soomaaliyeed. Marian Hassan iyo Bureeqo Dahir waxay ka wada hadleen arrimahan waxayna la wadaageen siyaabaha daryeel-bixiyeyaashu u taageeri karaan carruurta marka ay jiraan waqtiyo adag. Waxay ka hadleen muhiimadda ay leedahay in carruurta loo sameeyo jadwal joogto ah, lala hadlo oo la dhageysto, la ogaado calaamadaha walbahaarka, lana caawiyo qoysaska inay helaan taageero. This conversation discusses the impact of ICE activities and negative messages about Somalis on children, families, and the Somali community. Marian Hassan and Bureeqo Dahir talk about these concerns and share ways caregivers can support children during difficult times while also caring for their own well-being. They discuss the importance of creating routines for children, listening to them, noticing signs of stress, and helping families find support.

Priscilla Weigel welcomes Holly Glaubitz, Work and Wellness Coordinator with the Office of Statewide Health Improvement Initiatives at the Minnesota Department of Health, to the podcast. Holly shares an exciting opportunity for licensed child care programs to be recognized for excellence in supporting physical activity and nutrition in their settings. 🌟Learn more about the recognition program: https://www.health.state.mn.us/people/earlycare/recognition.html🌟Applicants can use one of the following methods to apply for recognition: Complete the online application: Childcare Recognition ApplicationThis online form must be completed on a computer. The form is not compatible with mobile browsers.Complete the PDF application: Physical Activity and Nutrition (PAN) Excellence in Childcare Recognition Program for Childcare Centers and Homes (PDF)

Inclusion Matters welcomes back recurring guest Dr. Kris Gendreau to discuss sleep in children.  Dr. Gendreau shares from her over 30 years as a pediatrician key research and strategies that help build strong foundations of healthy sleep patterns in children. 🌟Additional Resources: American Academy of Pediatrics (APA):🔗 Healthy Sleep Habits: How Many Hours Does Your Child Need?

Inclusion Matters welcomes Dr. Jenn Hall-Lande, licensed psychologist and researcher from the University of Minnesota Institute on Community Integration and Masonic Institute for the Developing Brain back to the program to share updated autism prevalence numbers in Minnesota.  She helps us understand the trends in the research and gives useful insights on ways early educators can support early intervention efforts and partner with families. 🌟Additional Resources: Centers for Disease Control (CDC):🔗 CDC - Learn the Signs. Act Early🔗 Data and Statistics on Autism Spectrum Disorder🔗 2025 Community Report on AutismMN Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring (ADDM) Network🔗 https://addm.umn.edu/U of M Institute on Community Integration:🔗 https://ici.umn.edu/Masonic Institute for the Developing Brain:🔗 https://midb.umn.edu/

Inclusion Matters welcomes our friend Marian Hassan to the podcast.  Marian was awarded the Minnesota Legacy Cultural Heritage Grant 2024 to document the oral history and lullabies of the Somali culture.  She shares how this project has grown into a book and learning tools offered through the University of Minnesota. Links and further information are included below.

In this episode of Inclusion Matters, Priscilla Weigel records from Malaysia at the World Forum on Early Care and Education in Kuala Lumpur.  Her guest, Mary-Louise Clifford, is a Director of Early Childhood Services in Australia.  Mary Louise shares about early childhood systems in Australia, including educator training, funding, and supports for children and families. They also reflect on global challenges like the impact of COVID-19 and the importance of finding joy and connection in the work of early childhood.

Inclusion Matters welcomes Marie Lister from Young Hearts Open Minds (YHOM) to the podcast.  She is the Director of Training for YHOM and the Director of Teaching and Research at the University of Minnesota Child Development Center.  The conversation highlights the way this early childhood education program supports and improves the ways very young children learn about, form, internalize, and express attitudes regarding racial identity, racial intolerance, and other biases.    🌟Additional Resources:🔗 https://youngheartsopenminds.org/ 📧Frank Forsberg, [email protected]

Inclusion Matters welcomes Lanay Jacobs, Provider Support Specialist for the Child Care Assistance Rate at the Minnesota Department of Children, Youth, and Families.  Our conversation highlights the process that early childhood educators and families can follow to submit a request for a higher child care assistance payment for their child care setting.   🌟Additional Resources:🔗CCAP Special Needs Rate Variance Request - Parent and Provider Request (DHS-4194)🔗Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA): https://www.ada.gov/ Federal and State Requirements🔗Minn. Rule 3400.0130 Subp.3🔗Minn. Stat. 142E.17, Subd. 3 CICC Tip Sheets:📝What is the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)?📝What Does the ADA Mean to Child Care? Questions? Contact The Childcare Assistance Provider Support Team📧 Contact us at [email protected] or 651-431-4848

Inclusion Matters welcomes Melissa Hendrickx, Business and Operations Director for AmazeWorks.  Through professional development and educational curricula, AmazeWorks engages people in creating the conditions for belonging by initiating important conversations with each other about identity, differences, and bias.  Tune in to the conversation to learn more about what they offer. 🌟Additional Resources:🔗https://amazeworks.org/

Priscilla Weigel is joined by CICC colleagues, Brenda Lowe and Jacy Nylander to discuss coaching that supports the key components of quality care for our youngest children.  In Part 2 of this two-part series, they discuss the fact that individualization and honoring the uniqueness of each child is essential in the infant and toddler child care space.  They also emphasize the need for open communication to foster successful partnerships with a family, and with colleagues, creating a safe foundation for infants and toddlers to learn and grow. 🌟 Want to learn more about CICC Coaching?  CICC FAQ PageEmail [email protected] or call 651-641-8339

Priscilla Weigel is joined by CICC colleagues, Brenda Lowe and Jacy Nylander to discuss coaching that supports the key components of quality care for our youngest children.  In Part 1 of this two-part series, they discuss safety, attachment, and the importance of routines.  🌟 Want to learn more about CICC Coaching?  CICC FAQ PageEmail [email protected] or call 651-641-8339

Inclusion Matters welcomes Dr. Kris Gendreau back to our program.  She has 32 years’ experience as a pediatrician supporting healthy development of young children.  In this episode, our conversation focuses on the mind/body connection and the way the nervous system influences behavior.   Join the conversation and check out these helpful resources that she shared during the episode.🌟Additional Resources:🔗 Cosmic Kids Yoga🔗 Sesame Street: Elmo's Mindfulness Spectacular!📱 Insight Timer App: The Magic Blanket - Feel Safe, Loved & Ready to Sleep🔗 Guide to Using Sesame Street’s Mindfulness Practices