About
Program Speakers:
Angela Klinefelter, MS, LMFT, IMH-E® and Thia Bryan, MA, IBCLC, Community Health & Well-being Partnership Manager, HealthPartners
Angie is a licensed teacher of parents and children. She has a master’s degree in Child and Family Studies, Marriage and Family Therapy and holds an endorsement of Infant Mental Health Specialist through MACMH-IEC. Angie presently holds several positions, including parent educator and home visitor for the St. Cloud School District ECFE program. She provides training and Reflective Consultation for multidisciplinary practitioners working with young children and families and has a relationship with the University of MN Center for Early Education and Development as a course instructor in the subjects of working with parents/caregivers and Reflective Consultation.
Thia has worked within healthcare and community health for the past 14 years. She first worked within Well-being Product Management for 9 years, before transitioning to the Community Relations in 2016. Thia started her career in exercise science, but due to her deep community commitment, transitioned to designing, managing and promoting individual and community well-being solutions and partnerships. She also holds a Master of Arts in Sports and Health Management from the University of San Francisco. She received her Internationally Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) credential in 2016 and currently uses this knowledge to help address perinatal and early childhood disparities and outcomes, including as a lead on a state-wide partnership focused on brain development within the first three years of life: the Little Moments Count initiative. She has continued her learning and has completed trauma-informed practice and Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), bias, structural and historical racism trainings, as well as completed a year-long facilitated course on anti-racism and universal design principles. Thia is focused on optimizing access to health and supporting health equity, racial and social justice within care and community settings. In 2021, Thia received recognition as a Ramsey County Birth Equity Community Perinatal Equity Champion.
Objectives
As a result of attending this symposium, participants will be able to:
1. Explore reflective strategies to support effective parent-child relationships
2. Understand how early childhood brain development affects long-term health, learning, and behavior
3. Identify practical resources for parents, caregivers, and professionals to support early childhood development