Title: Coffee & Connection: Preschool to Prison Nexus
Date: March 20th, 2025
Time: 1 - 2:30pm CST/ 2- 3:30pm EST
Description: The Preschool to Prison Nexus is a disturbing trend in which disciplinary policies and other practices leads children from early education settings into the criminal justice settings. This training is designed to educate and reflect about the root causes, consequences, and strategies to dismantle this nexus.
Join us in this crucial reflection space and become part of the movement to ensure every child receives the support and opportunities they need to succeed—without the shadow of incarceration.
Presenter(s): Lisa Smith, M.S., IMH-E®
Lisa Smith, M.S., IMH-E®, Research Instructor with Georgetown University, provides training and technical assistance with the National Center on Health, Behavioral Health and Safety related to infant and early childhood mental health practice and consultation. Lisa also provides training and technical assistance with the National Training & Technical Assistance Center for Child, Youth, and Family Mental Health (NTTAC) related to systems of care structures, infant and early childhood mental health practice and consultation.
Lisa has dedicated over 19 years to supporting young children and families. Her expertise spans a range of roles, including providing training and technical assistance on the Pyramid Model, managing the Disabilities and Mental Health service area in Head Start and Early Head Start, working with families in Part C Early Steps, and serving as a Licensed Speech Language Pathology Assistant (SLPA) and Pre-K ASD Educator in local school districts. Lisa Smith is currently pursuing her Doctor of Education in Educational Program Development where her research interests explore preschool suspensions and expulsions, family engagement, early childhood teacher workforce, and the importance of teaching social-emotional competence to young children and families.