Signing & Thriving: Communication, Social-Emotional Growth, and Positive Behavior Support for Young Children with Autism
2026-06-13 09:00 - 12:00 (America/New_York) | Early Learning Coalition of Marion County, FL, United States
“Signing & Thriving™” is an onsite professional development training designed to strengthen functional communication, reduce challenging behaviors, and support social-emotional development in early childhood classrooms through the practical use of American Sign Language (ASL).
This training emphasizes the principle of “communication before behavior.” When children have reliable ways to express needs, feelings, and choices, frustration decreased and engagement increases.
Educators will learn hands-on, immediately usable strategies for integrating ASL into daily classroom routines, transitions, songs, stories, and play—allowing implementation to begin immediately after the training.
What to expect: “Signing & Thriving” book, handouts and online resources. Free lamination of materials from the training will be made accessible.

Opportunity to participate in collaborations after the training will be made available as well for those who attend. These collaborations will dive deeper into the use of sign language and implementation of the newly found practices from the training.

Provider Meeting
2026-06-18 09:00 - 11:00, 2026-06-18 18:30 - 20:30, 2026-08-20 09:00 - 11:00, 2026-08-20 18:30 - 20:30, 2026-09-17 09:00 - 11:00, 2026-09-17 18:30 - 20:30, 2026-10-15 09:00 - 11:00, 2026-10-15 18:30 - 20:30 and 2 more dates | Early Learning Coalition of Marion County, FL, United States
All meetings are in person and are recorded for those who are unable to attend.
Recorded meetings are saved to the ELCMC YouTube Channel here: Early Learning Coalition of Marion County – YouTube
2 Hours of In-Service Training will be awarded to in-person attendees only.
Attendance is counted for those who arrive within 15 minutes of the start time and who remain until the end of the meeting. Certificates are given as attendees exit.
Both meetings contain the same information and are repeated to allow providers to attend at their convenience.

CPR/First Aid
2026-07-18 09:00 - 13:30, 2026-08-15 09:00 - 13:30, 2026-09-12 09:00 - 13:30, 2026-10-17 09:00 - 13:30 | Early Learning Coalition of Marion County, FL, United States
Class Description: Furtherance Safety Associates CPR & First Aid /AED is a course that teaches students critical skills needed to respond to and manage a first aid, choking or sudden cardiac arrest emergency in the first few minutes until emergency medical services (EMS) arrives. This course provides a 2-year certificate approved for use in childcare facilities. Registration starts at 8:45 am & class starts promptly at 9:00 a.m. No refunds for any cancellations. Credit available with notice-see confirmation details.
Location: ELCMC – 2300 SW 17th Road, Ocala, FL 34471
Instructor: Nelson Green
Cost: $20.00
CEU’s: .4 CEU’s

38th Annual CF Early Childhood Conference
2027-03-27 07:15 - 16:00 | College of Central Florida Ewers Century Center, 3001 SW College Road, Ocala, FL, 34474, United States
Class Description: Join us for the 38th Annual Early Childhood Conference to be held at the Ocala Campus Ewers Century Center on March 27, from 7:15 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. The conference workshops provide information on best practices and techniques to engage and nurture children.
CEU’s: 0.8 CEUs
Registration: https://www.cf.edu/academics/areas-of-study/teacher-education/early-childhood-conference/

39th Annual CF Early Childhood Conference
2028-03-25 07:15 - 16:00 | College of Central Florida Ewers Century Center, 3001 SW College Road, Ocala, FL, 34474, United States
Class Description: Join us for the 39th Annual Early Childhood Conference to be held at the Ocala Campus Ewers Century Center on March 25, from 7:15 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. The conference workshops provide information on best practices and techniques to engage and nurture children.
CEU’s: 0.8 CEUs
Registration: https://www.cf.edu/academics/areas-of-study/teacher-education/early-childhood-conference/
