Touchpoints: The How of Child and Family Engagement Brendan Rooney July 28, 2025

Special Topics: Advanced Specialized Care ,

Sponsor: VCHIP, University of Vermont

Instructor: Chloe Learey, Heather Sullivan, Tonya Kangas

The Touchpoints Approach is an evidence-based method for building strong family-child relationships from before birth through age five. This intensive training program provides a practical, preventive approach that supports professionals in forming strengths-based partnerships with families. Providers who implement Touchpoints in their practice partner with families to lay the vital foundation for children’s early learning, healthy development and family engagement.

This course is presented in three sessions and 1.5-hours of asynchronous work online, followed by six monthly one-hour reflective practice sessions. Attendance is required for all sessions; sessions are not recorded.

What you will practice:

• Strategies for building partnerships with parents that promote family strengths

• A framework to understand why children’s behavior can sometimes be challenging and confusing

• Techniques for talking with families about child development concerns

• How to actively listen to families and collaboratively solve problems related to child development and family relationships

Topics covered in the courses include:

• Newborn, 9-month and Toddler Touchpoints of a child’s development

• Being culturally responsive

• Touchpoints principles of relationship-based practice

• Providing anticipatory guidance

Attendance is expected at all sessions.

Core Knowledge Area

Child Development & Learning

Focus

Infant/Toddler
Preschool/PreK

Session Dates

Session Times

September 10, 2025

8:30 am - 3:30 pm

September 24, 2025

8:30 am - 3:30 pm

October 8, 2025

8:30 am - 3:30 pm

Additional Information

A $895 value FREE when you attend all sessions. Six 1-hour monthly reflective practice session dates TBD (November 2025-April 2026)