2026 Conference

Enrichment Training and Extended Learning Sessions Descriptions

Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2026 and Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2026

Wilmington Convention Center - Wilmington, North Carolina

 

Child Passenger Safety on School Buses National Training, Pupil Transportation Version - Hybrid Delivery*

The Child Passenger Safety on School Buses National Training provides technical knowledge about the use of child safety restraint systems on school buses, focusing on transporting preschool-aged children and children with disabilities. 

This hybrid training is open to pupil transportation providers and Child Passenger Safety Technicians.  

The online learning modules will be assigned in the Child Passenger Safety Learning Portal to paid registrants on Monday, July 13, 2026. The online learning modules must be completed to 100% by 8:00 a.m. ET on Friday, Aug. 21, 2026 in order to attend the in-person session. Estimated completion time of the online learning modules is 5 hours.

The in-person session on Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2026 is 3 hours in length. A morning and an afternoon session are available. Registration is limited to 25 participants in each session. Participants select the session of their choice at registration.

Successful completion of this training results in the School Bus endorsement for Child Passenger Safety Technicians.

3.5 CPST CEUs

Instructors: Tammy Franks, Denise Donaldson, Woody Johnston, Kristel Robison, Katrina Rose

• Morning Session: 9 am to 12 pm 
• Afternoon Session: 1 pm to 4 pm

*Registration Fee - The school bus training has a separate registration fee. 

• $50.00 - KIDZ IN MOTION Conference Attendee
• $100.00 - Non-KIDZ IN MOTION Conference Attendee

CPSTs with the School Bus Endorsement: If you are interested in participating on the Instructor Team and/or would like to be mentored as a hybrid lead instructor for this training, please contact info@kidzinmotion.us. 

All Day Extended Learning Session

• Got Emotions? Regulate to Elevate - Strategies to Strengthen Leadership and Trust in our Child Passenger Safety Community

Morning Extended Learning Sessions

• Misuse: Testing, Consequences and Impact
• Instructor Forum: How We Do the Things We Do, Now There's Two!
• DIY CEU
• Utilizing the EMR, Epic, for your Hospital Program
• Along for the Ride: Prenatal Vehicle Safety

Afternoon Extended Learning Sessions

• Hot Topics: Exploring Controversial Child Passenger Safety Subject Matter
• Elevate your Presentation Skills, Port City Edition
• DIY CEU Part II
• Escape Room CEU Development
• Navigating the Journey: Hospital-Based Child Passenger Safety Programs Roundtable

 

 

All Day Extended Learning Session

Got Emotions? Regulate to Elevate — Strategies to Strengthen Leadership and Trust in Our CPS Community 

Emotionally safe environments begin with emotionally regulated leaders.
This extended session explores how emotional intelligence, storytelling, and self-awareness strengthen trust, collaboration, and positive outcomes in child passenger safety for Technicians and the families that they serve. The primary focus of the session will emphasize real examples that show how unaddressed emotions impact workplace dynamics, communication, and family engagement in CPS work.

Participants will leave with practical tools for reflection, regulation, and renewal which will equip them to help themselves and others lead with empathy, resilience, and dignity.

Key takeaways include:

• Emotional regulation as a core leadership competency
• Human-centered, trauma-informed approaches in CPS
• Practical tools to foster self-awareness, empathy, and resilience
• Storytelling, reflection, and hands-on practice to promote trust and collaboration

Presenters: Ellen Walston, Noemi Duenas, Nita Huey-Smith, Michael Munson

Morning Extended Learning Sessions

Misuse: Testing, Consequences and Impacts 

Join members of the Manufacturers Alliance for Child Passenger Safety as they dive into misuse of child restraints and seat belts. They will review data to discuss the most common misuses seen in the field and then they will provide an overview of misuse testing for both child restraints and vehicles. Additionally, new resources to help with caregiver education will be reviewed.

CPST CEU PENDING

Presenters: Members of the Manufacturers Alliance for Child Passenger Safety

Instructor Forum: How We Do the Things We Do, Now There’s Two!

This session brings CPST Instructors together to build on the collaborative spirit of the annual Instructor Forum at the KIDZ IN MOTION Conference. Instructors will discuss curricula, instructor development, and the shared mission of advancing child passenger safety. Through guided dialogue, Instructors will reflect on maintaining high-quality training, supporting Technician recertification, and navigating multiple programs. We'll explore how the Child Passenger Safety Technician certification and the Occupant Protection Specialist certification intersect and may shape the future of child passenger safety education.

Discussions will invite participants to share experiences, strategies, and questions about maintaining quality instruction, supporting recertification, and ensuring that training is consistent. 

The session aims to empower Instructors with a clearer understanding of available programs, practical strategies, and a renewed sense of community as leaders in education.

Presenters: Mandi Seethaler, Jim Savage

DIY CEU

Do you have an idea for a CEU but aren't sure where to start?
Do you have an outline but can't find the time to work on your CEU?
Do you want to learn more about how to make and get a CEU approved?

We would like to support you and help you find the resources you need to create a successful and engaging CEUs. This session will help answer your questions and support the development of your ideas.

There are two afternoon extended learning sessions supporting this workshop: DIY CEU Part II and Escape Room CEU Development.

Presenters: Courtney Barry, Stephanie Heitsch, Allan Buchanan

Utilizing the EMR, Epic, for Your Hospital Program

This extended learning session will provide the blueprint for using the electronic medical record, Epic, for your car seat program needs. St. Louis Children's Hospital has been utilizing Epic for more than 3 years to support its full-time CPST program. Highlights will include setting up a program that fits car seat needs, specific features for frequently visited hospital departments, utilizing referral systems, and rolling out your presence to your hospital network. Participants will understand how Epic is used on a day-to-day basis as well as long term, specifically for data collection, hospital communication, and creating connections with the community.

Screenshots and real-life examples of our use of Epic will be displayed.

Presenters: Bridget Leach, Eloise Allen, Brittany Kaiser

Along for the Ride: Prenatal Vehicle Safety

Pregnant and fetal vehicle occupants are often overlooked populations in vehicle safety and injury prevention. An unborn child is 20 times more likely to be killed in a motor vehicle crash than a child in a car seat. Fortunately, we can reduce injuries and save lives with simple correct seat belt use. During the session participants will learn about the risks facing pregnant and fetal vehicle occupants and how to reduce those risks. Through engaging group activities, participants will develop and practice skills for communicating with and educating pregnant caregivers.

Successful completion of this Extended Learning Session results in the Prenatal Vehicle Safety Educator endorsement.

1.5 CPST CEUs/0.5 EMS CEUs

Presenter: Greg Colton

Afternoon Extended Learning Sessions

Hot Topics: Exploring Controversial Child Passenger Safety Subject Matter

The Hot Topics workshop is a collaborative research, training, and resource-creating exercise.

Participants will work in small groups to explore 2 or 3 pre-selected subjects, identifying the controversial aspects of the issue and documenting all sides of the debate.

Participants will research their topics, citing evidence-based data and credible sources. Several subject matter experts (engineers/researchers/medical professionals/etc.) will be in attendance to provide guidance and answer technical questions.

Groups will present their research findings, and we will facilitate a discussion among the groups that explored the same issue, noting if their conclusions were consistent or not.

Ultimately, if the groups are successful in researching the controversial subjects without any of the bias that typically accompanies hot topics, their findings can be pooled and eventually made into shareable resource articles that will benefit the larger CPS community.

Registration is limited to 50 participants.

CPST CEU Pending

Presenters: Kecia Healy, Heather Watson

Elevate your Presentation Skills, Port City Edition

Ready to take your presentations to the next level? This interactive workshop is designed to help participants sharpen their presentation skills, boost confidence, and deliver messages that truly connect with any audience.

Through guided activities, real-world examples, and group discussion, attendees will explore practical techniques for organizing content, enhancing delivery, and engaging listeners from start to finish. 

Participants will leave with new tools, fresh perspectives, and increased confidence—plus the opportunity to learn from and network with peers in a supportive, energetic environment. Come ready to participate, collaborate, and elevate your presentation skills —all with a Wilmington, NC Port City flair.

Presenters: Tammy Franks, Mandi Seethaler

DIY CEU Part II

This is working session for the morning extending learning session, DIY CEU. The Instructors will be available to answer questions and guide CEU development during this time.  

Presenters: Courtney Barry, Stephanie Heitsch, Allan Buchanan

Escape Room CEU Development 

The UNC Highway Safety Research Center has developed a number of escape room style CEU sessions, which have been well-received across the country.

Join the UNC HSRC team to learn how to develop your own escape room style CEU session. Attendees will leave the extended learning session with a framework for a CEU session and tools for development. 

This session is a great add-on to the morning workshop, DIY CEU. 

Registration is limited to 30 participants. 

Presenters: Bevan Kirley, Kristel Robison

Navigating the Journey: Hospital-Based Child Passenger Safety Programs Roundtable

Hospital-based child passenger safety programs play a vital role in keeping children safe. Implementing and sustaining these programs comes with both opportunities and challenges.

This interactive roundtable invites participants to engage in open discussion to learn from one another. Attendees will share experiences, explore common barriers, identify emerging opportunities, and exchange practical strategies for strengthening programs within healthcare settings.

The session will also provide dedicated time for networking making it an ideal forum for building connections, gaining insights, and collaborating with colleagues facing similar challenges.

Presenters: Sharon Evans, Jim Savage