To unite our community to improve people’s lives.
UWSN's Early Childhood Education & Literacy Community Conversation
June 24, 2026
9:00AM – 4:00PM
Location To Be Announced
2026 Early Education & Literacy Community Conversation RSVP Form
Join us on June 24, 2026, for a powerful conversation about the future of early learning. With growing momentum to strengthen childcare, early childhood education, and literacy, we’re bringing together community members, educators, and leaders to share insights, elevate challenges, and collaborate on meaningful solutions. Your perspective is essential as we work to improve outcomes for children and families.
In the post-COVID era, improving literacy and early learning has become a top priority, with policymakers working to address important gaps. This session of our Community Conversations will explore key issues in childcare, early childhood education, and literacy, bringing together stakeholders from across sectors to discuss and collaborate. Join us by registering above!
| Time | Agenda | |
| 8:30 AM | Registration Opens | |
| 9:00 AM |
Main Room Opening Keynote
The community conversation will kickoff by highlighting key community and policy leaders while providing an overview summit’s discussion and intended outcomes
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| 10:00 AM |
Road to Universal Pre-K
The following breakout sessions frame Universal Pre-K (UPK) in the context of the state’s growing policy challenges and the role nonprofits, business and philanthropic leaders have in facilitating Pre-K expansion.
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| Breakout Room #1 |
The Business Case for Supporting Childcare Expansion
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| Breakout Room #2 |
Strengthening Programmatic and Resource Collaboration for Universal Pre-K
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| 11:15 AM |
Infrastructure for Early Education and Literacy
The following breakout sessions address the nuanced infrastructure challenges, both human and material, our state encounters toward making Early Childhood Education and Literacy initiatives a reality.
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| Breakout Room #1 |
Success and Challenges Building Childcare Facilities in Rural and Urban Communities
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| Breakout Room #2 |
Growing and Retaining the Early Education and Childcare Workforce
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| Breakout Room #3 |
Restructuring our State Government for Early Education (Data and Grants Efficiency)
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| 12:30 PM |
MAIN ROOM LUNCH PANEL
This lunch dialogue with UWSN President and CEO Sam Rudd with Nevada’s top education leaders focuses on how to chart the path forward for greater cross-collaboration in the early education and literacy space.
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| 1:30 PM |
Improving Literacy and Academic Achievement
These breakout sessions highlight ongoing initiatives and spaces working on improving student literacy, how non-educational factors impact student achievement, and how to best engage Nevada’s diversity as we expand ECEL programs.
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| Breakout Room #1 |
Ready-By-Three: Effective programmatic and legislative solutions
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| Breakout Room #2 |
Holistic Support: Examining non-educational factors impacting student achievement
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| Breakout Room #3 | Strategies for Equitable Family Engagement | |
| 2:45 PM |
How Do We Advocate
This closing training will leave new and returning advocates with the tools and knowledge to ensure leaders have tools to advocate for ECEL initiatives at every level of government.
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| Breakout Room #1 |
Training on Advocacy Strategies for Emerging Leaders
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| 3:45PM |
Closing Remarks
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| 4PM | Summit End | |
