CARE for Children will host Building Positive Behavior: Strategies for Early Childhood Professionals, a full-day training on Wednesday, August 19, 2026, at the Beacon Light Behavioral Health System Conference Room in Bradford.
The training is built for early care and education professionals, Early Intervention providers, preschool teachers, childcare staff, Head Start employees, therapists, and anyone else who supports young children. Attendees will walk away with practical, evidence-based strategies for preventing challenging behaviors, strengthening relationships, and partnering effectively with families.
About the Presenter
Erin Donahue, Director of SWIFT Support at KenCrest, will lead the training. She's a Family Guided Routines Based Intervention Endorsed Coach with nearly 20 years of experience in early intervention and early childhood education. Erin runs a coaching and consultation model that helps build inclusive learning environments and supports educators working with children who have challenging behaviors. She's also developing the SWIFT Support Certification Program, a professional learning pathway for early childhood and early intervention professionals, and is known for turning research into strategies people can use right away.
What You'll Learn
The workshop focuses on recognizing the purpose behind children's behavior and responding with proactive strategies that build emotional regulation, strengthen relationships, and create inclusive classrooms where every child can succeed.
Participants will leave with tools and resources they can apply immediately, including:
- Positive behavior support strategies that prevent challenging behaviors before they start
- Co-regulation techniques that help children build emotional regulation skills
- Ways to teach social-emotional skills throughout daily routines
- Solutions for real-life behavioral situations in early childhood settings
- Resources to strengthen partnerships with children, families, and colleagues
- Strategies for sustainable self-care while supporting others
Erin's facilitation style is interactive and engaging, and she equips participants with techniques that build confidence, strengthen relationships, and improve outcomes for young children and their families.
Event Details
- Date: Wednesday, August 19, 2026
- Time: 8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. (registration opens at 8:00 a.m.)
- Location: Beacon Light Behavioral Health System Conference Room, Bradford, PA
- Cost: $60, payable to CARE for Children
- Training Hours: Six hours, meeting the Infant-Toddler training hour requirement (Act 48 hours pending)
A lunch break is included, and participants can dine at nearby local restaurants.
Register
To register or learn more, contact CARE for Children at 814-362-4621 or reception@careforchildren.info.
This training is sponsored by the McKean Department of Human Services and CARE for Children, a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of children of all abilities.
