CCSS 2026: Call for Proposals

CREATING CONNECTIONS TO SHINING STARS 2026

July 15 and 16, 2026
Pre-conference: July 14, 2026

The Hotel Roanoke
Roanoke, Virginia

Call for Proposals

This conference will focus on promoting and supporting the implementation of evidence-based practices in inclusive settings for infants, toddlers, and young children, both with and without disabilities.

Sessions must be aligned with the Division for Early Childhood's Recommended Practices which provide guidance to practitioners and families about the most effective ways to improve the learning outcomes and promote the development of young children who have or are at-risk for developmental delays or disabilities. PDF version available here.

Session proposals must be submitted by January 09, 2026. Late submissions will not be accepted.
Creating Connections to Shining Stars is a collaborative effort between Virginia's Part C-Early Intervention and Part B-Early Childhood Special Education programs.
General Information

Call for Proposals

Due: January 09, 2026 (Late submissions will not be accepted)

Status: All primary presenters will be notified of submission results via email by early February. Primary presenters are responsible for notifying co-presenters of the decision. Event confirmation forms and formal letters of acceptance will be sent via email shortly thereafter. Your confirmation form must be completed, signed electronically, and returned to CCSS no later than the first week of February 2026, for the accepted event to appear in the 2026 conference schedule. Participants will have the opportunity to register for the conference and rooms prior to the public. Confirmed presenters should be prepared to register by February 13, 2026.

Eligibility for Submission: We encourage novice and experienced presenters alike. CCSS strives to incorporate a diverse array of presenters and perspectives. We welcome presenters of different nationalities and varying levels of experience representing both individual experts and those representing institutions and organizations. The most interesting sessions are ones that offer different perspectives. Please consider how your presentation will contribute to the diversity of experience, opinion, and representation in your session.

Evaluation criteria: The Proposal Committee will evaluate proposals based on the session's relevance and appropriateness to the field, supporting evidence, and clarity of participant outcomes. The committee prioritizes a conference program that is balanced across current topics and targeted audiences.

The committee is unable to accept proposals promoting commercial interests. Vendors wishing to present at the conference should contact the Vendor Committee Chair Margo Vaughan (@mvaug74@vt.edu).

Session Details

Session length: These sessions are designed longer to be interactive and engage participants in hands-on activities and discussions. Sessions are 90 minutes, including a presentation or panel discussion with time for audience engagement such as group discussions, Q&A and action planning activities.

Presenter Limit: In order to encourage diverse perspectives, CCSS has instituted a participation limit for individual presenters. Individuals may only appear on 2 session proposals total. If an individual is listed as a presenter or co-presenter on more than 2 proposals, none of the proposals will be considered until that individual has withdrawn their name from the appropriate number of proposals. There is a limit of 4 presenters per session.

Audiovisual equipment: LCD projectors, projection screens, and speakers will be provided. Presenters are responsible for any additional equipment needed (including laptops and adapters for Apple products).

Presenter Information and Handouts: Presenter bios, pictures, and any relevant handouts will be available to participants through the CCSS Conference App. Presenters will be required to submit handouts electronically by June 19, 2026. If accepted, details and submission instructions will be provided. Presenters will be responsible for any physical paper copies.

Hybrid: CCSS will not be offering a hybrid option this year.

Registration & Lodging

Availability: Registration will open on February 1, 2026 for presenters only.

Registration: All presenters are required to register for the conference. They may choose to register for the 3-day conference option which includes a preconference session or register for the 2-day conference option. In appreciation for presenting at CCSS, accepted presenters will be provided with early access to registration prior to registration being opened to general conference attendees. Once registration is open to general conference attendees, no special dispensation will be granted.

Lodging: In appreciation for presenting at CCSS, accepted presenters will be provided with early access to reserve their hotel rooms prior to reservations being opened to general conference attendees. Once lodging reservation is open to general conference attendees, no special dispensation will be granted.

Contact

Lisa Terry
(757) 560-1429
lmterry@vcu.edu

Margo Vaughan
(540) 231-0857
mvaug74@vt.edu

Please indicate you have read presenter requirements and understand registration fees are not refundable.*
Initial Here
Please reference the Proposal Submission Guidelines form to ensure you have all of the information you need prior to submitting your conference proposal.
Proposal Submission Guidelines
1: Session Overview
Session Title:*

0/225
Age-range Addressed:*

0-32-50-5
List the number for each DEC Recommended Practice addressed by this session (minimum of 3):
Sessions must be aligned with the Division for Early Childhood's Recommended Practices which provide guidance to practitioners and families about the most effective ways to improve the learning outcomes and promote the development of young children who have or are at-risk for developmental delays or disabilities. PDF version available here.
2: Abstract
Abstract (a session overview used in the conference program):*

0/375
3: Description
Objectives*

0/700
Outcomes*

0/700
Relevance*

0/700
Current Evidence Base*

0/700
Presentation of Materials*

0/700
4: Presenter Information
An individual’s name should appear on no more than 2 proposals: one as the Primary Presenter and one as the Additional Presenter. Please proofread for accuracy. Please include all presenters. There is a limit of 4 presenters per session.

Provide contact information for the primary presenter.
Number of Presenters*
Name*

First NameLast Name
Title*
Professional Title
Targeted Population*

Early Intervention, Birth to ThreeChild Care, Birth to FiveEarly Childhood Special Education, 2-5Preservice/StudentsOther
Address*

Agency/Organization

Street Address

CityState / Province

Postal / Zip Code
E-mail*
Phone Number*

Area CodePhone Number
Demographics
Current Age Range*

18-2223-2930-3940-4950-5960-6565+Prefer not to answer
Gender*

FemaleMaleNon-binaryPrefer not to answerOther
Ethnicity*

American Indian or Alaskan NativeMiddle Eastern or North AfricanAsianNative Hawaiian or Pacific IslanderBlack or African AmericanWhite/CaucasianHispanic, Latino or Spanish OriginPrefer not to answerOther
Language What is your primary language?*

EnglishMandarinSpanishPrefer not to answerOther
Years in the field How long have you worked in early childhood*

Not yet employed in the field6-10 yearsLess than 1 year16-20 years1-2 years21-25 years3-5 years26 years or more11-15 years
Have you delivered this exact presentation at any previous CCSS Conference

YesNo
Presenter 2:
Name*

First NameLast Name
Title*
Professional Title
Targeted Population*

Early Intervention, Birth to ThreeChild Care, Birth to FiveEarly Childhood Special Education, 2-5Preservice/StudentsOther
Address*

Agency/Organization

Street Address

CityState / Province

Postal / Zip Code
E-mail*
example@example.com
Phone Number*

Area CodePhone Number
Demographics
Current Age Range*

18-2223-2930-3940-4950-5960-6565+Prefer not to answer
Gender*

FemaleMaleNon-binaryPrefer not to answerOther
Ethnicity*

American Indian or Alaskan NativeMiddle Eastern or North AfricanAsianNative Hawaiian or Pacific IslanderBlack or African AmericanWhite/CaucasianHispanic, Latino or Spanish OriginPrefer not to answerOther
Language What is your primary language?*

EnglishMandarinSpanishPrefer not to answerOther
Years in the field How long have you worked in early childhood*

Not yet employed in the field6-10 yearsLess than 1 year16-20 years1-2 years21-25 years3-5 years26 years or more11-15 years
Have you delivered this exact presentation at any previous CCSS Conference

YesNo
Presenter 3:
Name*

First NameLast Name
Title*
Professional Title
Targeted Population*

Early Intervention, Birth to ThreeChild Care, Birth to FiveEarly Childhood Special Education, 2-5Preservice/StudentsOther
Address*

Agency/Organization

Street Address

CityState / Province

Postal / Zip Code
E-mail*
example@example.com
Phone Number*

Area CodePhone Number
Demographics
Current Age Range*

18-2223-2930-3940-4950-5960-6565+Prefer not to answer
Gender*

FemaleMaleNon-binaryPrefer not to answerOther
Ethnicity*

American Indian or Alaskan NativeMiddle Eastern or North AfricanAsianNative Hawaiian or Pacific IslanderBlack or African AmericanWhite/CaucasianHispanic, Latino or Spanish OriginPrefer not to answerOther
Language What is your primary language?*

EnglishMandarinSpanishPrefer not to answerOther
Years in the field How long have you worked in early childhood*

Not yet employed in the field6-10 yearsLess than 1 year16-20 years1-2 years21-25 years3-5 years26 years or more11-15 years
Have you delivered this exact presentation at any previous CCSS Conference

YesNo
Presenter 4:
Name*

First NameLast Name
Title*
Professional Title
Targeted Population*

Early Intervention, Birth to ThreeChild Care, Birth to FiveEarly Childhood Special Education, 2-5Preservice/StudentsOther
Address*

Agency/Organization

Street Address

CityState / Province

Postal / Zip Code
E-mail*
example@example.com
Phone Number*

Area CodePhone Number
Demographics
Current Age Range*

18-2223-2930-3940-4950-5960-6565+Prefer not to answer
Gender*

FemaleMaleNon-binaryPrefer not to answerOther
Ethnicity*

American Indian or Alaskan NativeMiddle Eastern or North AfricanAsianNative Hawaiian or Pacific IslanderBlack or African AmericanWhite/CaucasianHispanic, Latino or Spanish OriginPrefer not to answerOther
Language What is your primary language?*

EnglishMandarinSpanishPrefer not to answerOther
Years in the field How long have you worked in early childhood*

Not yet employed in the field6-10 yearsLess than 1 year16-20 years1-2 years21-25 years3-5 years26 years or more11-15 years
Have you delivered this exact presentation at any previous CCSS Conference

YesNo
Submission Agreement:

In order to submit your proposal, you will need to read and agree to the following five statements:

1. I understand that as the primary presenter, it is my responsibility to notify and disseminate all logistical and other information to co-presenters.

2. I agree that neither I nor my participating co-presenters will use the session as a platform to promote products or services of any kind.

3. I understand that presenters do not receive complimentary registrations, honoraria, or paid expenses to speak at the CCSS Conference.

4. I understand it is my responsibility to register myself for the conference and to inform all co-presenters that they too are solely responsible for registering themselves for the conference. Presenters are encouraged to register prior to public access to registration to guarantee a registration slot and room block.

5. I agree that all presenters for this session will be fully informed that they must be available to present any day of the general conference programming (July 15-16, 2026) and that they will not be permitted to participate in more than two proposals.

I confirm that I have read and agree with the five statements listed and that I am responsible for sharing this information with all presenters for this session.
5: Submit
Should be Empty:

General Information

1: Session Overview

2: Abstract

3: Description

4: Presenter Information

5: Submit