Explore every episode of the podcast Inclusion Matters

Tracy Schreifels, Infant Mental Health Clinical Mentor and Reflective Consultation trainer and provider, joins Inclusion Matters for a helpful conversation. We discuss the definition of work-life balance and work-life harmony. Tracy shares some useful questions to ask yourself as you explore these concepts and also highlights practices you can incorporate into your day to day to achieve more calm and harmony. 

Priscilla Weigel welcomes Travis Grossman, Executive Director of Confidence Learning Center. Travis shares the many ways that Confidence Learning Center provides programing and camp experiences for individuals with disabilities and their families. 

Confidence Learning Center, also known as Camp Confidence, has been helping families experience the outdoors together since 1969. Located in Central Minnesota, Camp Confidence is a year-round outdoor education and recreation center serving people of all ages with developmental and cognitive disabilities. Through accessible outdoor activities, adaptive recreation and a welcoming environment, Camp Confidence helps individuals and families discover new possibilities, build confidence and create memories together.

🌟Special Event - Camp Confidence Community Day
     October 10, 2026 - 12:00 - 4:00 pm
     Admission is free, and everyone is welcome!
     https://campconfidence.com/event/camp-community-day/

Wadahadalkan wuxuu ka hadlayaa saameynta ay dhaqdhaqaaqyada ICE, cabsida, iyo hadallada xun ee Soomaalida laga sheego ku yeeshaan carruurta, qoysaska, iyo bulshada Soomaaliyeed. Marian Hassan iyo Bureeqo Dahir waxay ka wada hadleen arrimahan waxayna la wadaageen siyaabaha daryeel-bixiyeyaashu u taageeri karaan carruurta marka ay jiraan waqtiyo adag. Waxay ka hadleen muhiimadda ay leedahay in carruurta loo sameeyo jadwal joogto ah, lala hadlo oo la dhageysto, la ogaado calaamadaha walbahaarka, lana caawiyo qoysaska inay helaan taageero.

This conversation discusses the impact of ICE activities and negative messages about Somalis on children, families, and the Somali community. Marian Hassan and Bureeqo Dahir talk about these concerns and share ways caregivers can support children during difficult times while also caring for their own well-being. They discuss the importance of creating routines for children, listening to them, noticing signs of stress, and helping families find support.

Priscilla Weigel welcomes Holly Glaubitz, Work and Wellness Coordinator with the Office of Statewide Health Improvement Initiatives at the Minnesota Department of Health, to the podcast. Holly shares an exciting opportunity for licensed child care programs to be recognized for excellence in supporting physical activity and nutrition in their settings.

🌟Learn more about the recognition program:

• https://www.health.state.mn.us/people/earlycare/recognition.html

🌟Applicants can use one of the following methods to apply for recognition:

• Complete the online application: Childcare Recognition Application
  This online form must be completed on a computer. The form is not compatible with mobile browsers.
• Complete the PDF application: Physical Activity and Nutrition (PAN) Excellence in Childcare Recognition Program for Childcare Centers and Homes (PDF)

Inclusion Matters welcomes back recurring guest Dr. Kris Gendreau to discuss sleep in children.  Dr. Gendreau shares from her over 30 years as a pediatrician key research and strategies that help build strong foundations of healthy sleep patterns in children.

🌟Additional Resources:
 American Academy of Pediatrics (APA):
🔗 Healthy Sleep Habits: How Many Hours Does Your Child Need?

Inclusion Matters welcomes Dr. Jenn Hall-Lande, licensed psychologist and researcher from the University of Minnesota Institute on Community Integration and Masonic Institute for the Developing Brain back to the program to share updated autism prevalence numbers in Minnesota.  She helps us understand the trends in the research and gives useful insights on ways early educators can support early intervention efforts and partner with families.

🌟Additional Resources:

• Centers for Disease Control (CDC):
  🔗 CDC - Learn the Signs. Act Early
  🔗 Data and Statistics on Autism Spectrum Disorder
  🔗 2025 Community Report on Autism
• MN Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring (ADDM) Network
  🔗 https://addm.umn.edu/
• U of M Institute on Community Integration:
  🔗 https://ici.umn.edu/
• Masonic Institute for the Developing Brain:
  🔗 https://midb.umn.edu/

Inclusion Matters welcomes our friend Marian Hassan to the podcast.  Marian was awarded the Minnesota Legacy Cultural Heritage Grant 2024 to document the oral history and lullabies of the Somali culture.  She shares how this project has grown into a book and learning tools offered through the University of Minnesota. Links and further information are included below.  

In this episode of Inclusion Matters, Priscilla Weigel records from Malaysia at the World Forum on Early Care and Education in Kuala Lumpur.  Her guest, Mary-Louise Clifford, is a Director of Early Childhood Services in Australia.  Mary Louise shares about early childhood systems in Australia, including educator training, funding, and supports for children and families. They also reflect on global challenges like the impact of COVID-19 and the importance of finding joy and connection in the work of early childhood.

Inclusion Matters welcomes Marie Lister from Young Hearts Open Minds (YHOM) to the podcast.  She is the Director of Training for YHOM and the Director of Teaching and Research at the University of Minnesota Child Development Center.  The conversation highlights the way this early childhood education program supports and improves the ways very young children learn about, form, internalize, and express attitudes regarding racial identity, racial intolerance, and other biases.  

 🌟Additional Resources:
🔗 https://youngheartsopenminds.org/

📧Frank Forsberg, forsbergfp@gmail.com

Inclusion Matters welcomes Lanay Jacobs, Provider Support Specialist for the Child Care Assistance Rate at the Minnesota Department of Children, Youth, and Families.  Our conversation highlights the process that early childhood educators and families can follow to submit a request for a higher child care assistance payment for their child care setting. 

 🌟Additional Resources:
🔗CCAP Special Needs Rate Variance Request - Parent and Provider Request (DHS-4194)
🔗Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA): https://www.ada.gov/

Federal and State Requirements
🔗Minn. Rule 3400.0130 Subp.3
🔗Minn. Stat. 142E.17, Subd. 3

CICC Tip Sheets:
📝What is the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)?
📝What Does the ADA Mean to Child Care?

Questions? Contact The Childcare Assistance Provider Support Team
📧 Contact us at CCAP.Providers.DCYF@state.mn.us or 651-431-4848  

Inclusion Matters welcomes Melissa Hendrickx, Business and Operations Director for AmazeWorks.  Through professional development and educational curricula, AmazeWorks engages people in creating the conditions for belonging by initiating important conversations with each other about identity, differences, and bias.  Tune in to the conversation to learn more about what they offer.

🌟Additional Resources:
🔗https://amazeworks.org/

Priscilla Weigel is joined by CICC colleagues, Brenda Lowe and Jacy Nylander to discuss coaching that supports the key components of quality care for our youngest children.  In Part 2 of this two-part series, they discuss the fact that individualization and honoring the uniqueness of each child is essential in the infant and toddler child care space.  They also emphasize the need for open communication to foster successful partnerships with a family, and with colleagues, creating a safe foundation for infants and toddlers to learn and grow.

🌟 Want to learn more about CICC Coaching?

•  CICC FAQ Page
• Email info@inclusivechildcare.org or call 651-641-8339 

Priscilla Weigel is joined by CICC colleagues, Brenda Lowe and Jacy Nylander to discuss coaching that supports the key components of quality care for our youngest children.  In Part 1 of this two-part series, they discuss safety, attachment, and the importance of routines. 

🌟 Want to learn more about CICC Coaching?

•  CICC FAQ Page
• Email info@inclusivechildcare.org or call 651-641-8339 

Inclusion Matters welcomes Dr. Kris Gendreau back to our program.  She has 32 years’ experience as a pediatrician supporting healthy development of young children.  In this episode, our conversation focuses on the mind/body connection and the way the nervous system influences behavior.   Join the conversation and check out these helpful resources that she shared during the episode.🌟Additional Resources:
🔗 Cosmic Kids Yoga
🔗 Sesame Street: Elmo's Mindfulness Spectacular!
📱 Insight Timer App: The Magic Blanket - Feel Safe, Loved & Ready to Sleep
🔗 Guide to Using Sesame Street’s Mindfulness Practices

Inclusion Matters welcomes Dr. Kris Gendreau back to our program.  She has 32 years’ experience as a pediatrician supporting healthy development of young children.  Our conversation focuses on the connection between the foods a child eats and their behaviors.  Join the conversation and check out these helpful resources that she shared during the episode.

🌟Additional Resources:

📱 Start Solids with Confidence - Solid Starts App

🔗 healthychildren.org - Nutrition

📖 Healthy Kids Happy Kids - By: Elisa Song, MD

Milestones is a nonprofit organization dedicated to building brighter futures, nurturing growth, and creating pathways to success for the early childhood community. Since 1977, Milestones has supported families, child care providers, and educators with comprehensive resources that strengthen early learning across Central Minnesota and beyond.  Join Priscilla Weigel as she talks with Milestones Executive Director, Jeremey Schreifels to hear more about their work across Minnesota. 

Through programs such as the Shared Services Alliance, CACFP Family Child Care nutrition sponsorship, Parent Aware coaching, Early Learning Scholarships, and Family, Friend & Neighbor (FFN) support, Milestones connects the early childhood community with tools and funding that promote quality care and education. As a regional partner of Child Care Aware of Minnesota, Milestones also offers robust Professional Development and training opportunities to help providers grow their skills and their impact.

🌟 Learn more about Milestones
🔗 www.milestonesmn.org
📱 Follow on Facebook: facebook.com/MilestonesMN
✨ Join the mission to support the early childhood community—because together, we’re building brighter futures.

Jamesetta Ross Diggs joins Inclusion Matters to share about the NEW CICC self-study course that she authored for us.  As an immigrant herself, and an early childhood expert, Jamesetta shares her personal stories as well as an overview of the course.  The course equips early childhood professionals with strategies to partner with families in co-creating culturally affirming learning environments for young children. It also offers support to advocate for strength-based approaches that uplift immigrant families, ensuring that young children can thrive in environments beyond home. 

Be sure to check out our NEW Self-Study on this important topic: 

• Culturally Responsive Partnerships with Immigrant Children And Families

Priscilla Weigel and Helene Pearson of Agape Child Development Center discuss some key ways to build a team, embedding trauma informed practices as you teach, support, and care in partnership with families.  Helene provides real life examples of how she and her team through relationships and connection support the scholars they serve each day.  This episode is part of our Greater Twin Cities United Way 80x3 Initiative Partnership.

• To learn about FREE self-study courses, please visit the 80x3 Page on the CICC Website

Early Childhood Director Margaret Mahowald joins Priscilla Weigel for a conversation about creative activities that foster discovery, exploration, and delight in our youngest learners.  She shares examples of activities and processes that provide experiences for joy and learning, reminding us that infants and toddlers are more interested in DOING art than MAKING a finished product.

Duluth Public Library Early Literacy Librarian, Carmella Hatch joins Inclusion Matters to discuss ways we as caregivers of young children can cultivate the love of reading and learning through books.  She highlights the fact that helping children become successful learners and lifelong readers starts by building interest and early literacy skills when they’re young.

Our CICC Podcast, Inclusion Matters is celebrating!  The 300th episode of this podcast is now available.  

The first origins of Inclusion Matters started back in the early 2000’s with some rudimentary equipment and an idea to spread the word about creating successful inclusive environments for young children. 

Today, in 2025 we are on the brink of our 30th anniversary and still sharing content that highlights and supports quality early childhood care for all children.  Tune in to listen to some highlights from our many years of broadcasting Inclusion Matters.

We are excited to share some great information about the most recent addition to CICC’s list of helpful free resources. The CICC Early Childhood Leadership Development Program is a free support for leaders working in early childhood settings across Minnesota.  Our Lead on the work, Kara Kuehn, joins Inclusion Matters to highlight the history, the purpose, and the impact of this amazing support and connection opportunity. 

If you want to begin receiving resources while you wait for a place in an upcoming cohort please subscribe to our newsletter focused on leadership, Inspiring HOPE.

Inclusion Matters welcomes our guest, Kamy Howard, MSW LCSW and author of our self-study course, The Impact of Parental Incarceration on Young Children. The development of this course was funded by Greater Twin Cities United Way and their 80x3 Initiative.  Kamy brings her 20 plus years of supporting young children and families to the discussion of the systemic issues related to this topic, the emotional and developmental impact of parental incarceration on young children, the trauma and developmental effects of this experience on children and families and shares key strategies for building a safe and secure environment so that children can thrive. 

Register for the FREE self-study course today!

• The Impact of Parental Incarceration on Young Children

Priscilla Weigel welcomes Leo Howard III, Program Officer for the 80x3 Initiative at Greater Twin Cities United Way for an engaging conversation about supporting families. Leo shares his own experiences working with many different families, the work of 80x3, and ways to engage to build trust and partner in relationship for effective support. This podcast is part of our ongoing work with GTCUW 80x3.  

Looking for more information? Explore these links:

• https://www.gtcuw.org/stories-and-news/voices-for-change-how-united-way-is-making-a-difference-in-minnesota/

• https://www.gtcuw.org/stories-and-news/great-start-early-learning-scholarships/

• 80x3 | Resilient from the Start

• To learn about FREE self-study courses, please visit the 80x3 Page on the CICC Website

En este episodio del podcast CICC Inclusion Matters, la presentadora Karina Elze y la maestra de preescolar Susana Villegas profundizan en el tema esencial de la comunicación entre los educadores familiares, especialmente en las comunidades de habla hispana. A través de historias reales, consejos prácticos y ejercicios de juego de roles, exploran cómo los educadores de la primera infancia pueden generar confianza, comunicarse con claridad y fomentar un sentido de comunidad con las familias. Ya sea maestro, propietario de un centro o administrador, encontrará información valiosa sobre cómo superar las barreras del idioma, crear un diálogo abierto y utilizar una comunicación respetuosa y sincera para apoyar la comunicación entre padres y maestros.

In this episode of the CICC Inclusion Matters podcast, hosts Karina Elze and preschool teacher Susana Villegas dive into the essential topic of family-educator communication, especially in Spanish-speaking communities. Through real stories, practical tips, and role-playing exercises, they explore how early childhood educators can build confidence, communicate with clarity, and foster a sense of community with families. Whether you're a teacher, center owner, or administrator, you'll find valuable insights on overcoming language barriers, creating open dialogue, and using respectful, heartfelt communication to support parent-teacher communication.

Sarah Hawley RN, BSN, PHN of Minnesota Child Care Health Consultants joins us again to discuss safety in child care, this time related to summer outdoor play.  We discuss safety in the sun, bug bites and ticks, skinned knees, and ways to prepare your setting and the children in your care for the safest summer outdoors.

Inclusion Matters hosts a conversation with our own CICC Program Manager, Kellee Nelson and we explore nature play.  Kellee highlights the health and educational benefits of playing in the mud, offering young children in our care the important experience of being outside in nature, being curious, getting messy, and having fun!

Inclusion Matters welcomes back Michele Fallon, Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Consultant.  We discuss the important stage of toddlerhood, ages 1-3 years, and how we as professionals and parents of toddlers can support their growth and learning. 

Cory Woosley from Minneapolis College joins us again to highlight key information about inclusion.  Our focus during this conversation is on the ways we as those caring for and teaching young children can help them build positive friendships.  We discuss the importance of friendships and the ways we can set up the environment to support quality play connections for children with special needs. 

*Coming Soon! A CICC Self-Study on this important topic!

Longtime CICC partner and colleague Cory Woosley of Minneapolis College joins us for an important conversation about navigating the relationships of siblings when one has a diagnosis of a special need.  Cory shares her perspective as a parent of a child with a disability and how her family traversed this path.  We discuss the idea of Glass Children, Parentification, and ways to support healthy overall development of the sibling who may have some unique needs and behaviors that get overlooked. 

*Coming Soon! A CICC Self-Study on this important topic!

Baro siyaabo kala duwan oo aad buugaag iyo sheekooyinka ula wadaagto ilmaha guriga iyo markay xanaanadda joogaan. 

Learn different ways to share books and stories with children at home and in childcare settings.

Baro muhiimada iyo faa'iidooyinka akhriska iyo la wadaagida sheekooyinka u leedahay carruurta. 

Learn the importance and advantages of reading and sharing stories with young kids. 

Sarah Hawley, RN, BSN, PHN of Minnesota Child Care Health Consultants is back with us again to discuss brain building in early childhood.  She shares important research about this critical time of brain growth and how we as early educators can foster lifelong success for the children in our care. 

We welcome our strong partner Sarah Hawley, RN, BSN, PHN of Minnesota Child Care Health Consultants back again for a conversation about injury prevention in the early childhood setting.  We discuss key techniques that promote safe care for all young children and their adult caregivers. 

Inclusion Matters welcomes back Michele Fallon, a Clinical Social Worker specializing in Infant and Toddler Mental Health. In this episode, we discuss the key developmental tasks of the baby and also the developmental tasks that parents are going through as they as they navigate the exciting—and sometimes overwhelming—journey of parenthood.

Escuche mientras Karina Elze, miembro de la junta directiva del CICC, entrevista a la Dra. Silvia Álvarez de Dávila, Ph. D. CFLE, profesora de extensión del Departamento de Familia, Salud y Bienestar de la Extensión de la Universidad de Minnesota, y a la Dra. Enid Campos, directora clínica de The Center Clinic en Dodge Center, Minnesota. Ambas mujeres están trabajando para ayudar a desarrollar el Proyecto de 40 días, que brinda apoyo a los padres hispanohablantes. El Proyecto de 40 días promueve el bienestar mental y el apoyo social para los nuevos padres antes del nacimiento y durante las primeras cinco semanas posteriores al nacimiento.

 Listen in as CICC Board Member Karina Elze interviews Dr. Silvia Alvarez de Davila Ph. D CFLE. Extension Professor, Department of Family, Health and Wellbeing at the University of Minnesota Extension, and Dr. Enid Campos, clinical director of The Center Clinic in Dodge Center, MN.  Both women are working to help develop The 40-Day Project, supporting Spanish-speaking parents.  The 40-Day Project promotes mental well-being and social support for new parents before birth and during the first five weeks after birth.

¿Preguntas? https://40days.umn.edu/

Our guest Trinette Potts from The Family Partnership joins us to share a wonderful toolkit for early educators to support executive function and regulation in young children.  This simple-to-use toolkit can support school readiness, buffer children against the harmful effects of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACES) and improves lifelong outcomes in physical, mental, and behavioral health that continue to the next generation.

Interested in learning more? Please contact:

• www.eggtoolkit.com

• Trinette Potts EGG Project Manager

• tpotts@thefamilypartnership.org

Podcastgani wuxuu ku saabsan ilmaha oo Af Soomaali lagula hadlo inuu saldhig u tahay barashada iyo xagsiga Afka Hooyo iyo waxyaabaha suurta geliya in ilmahu Soomaaligu ka dhumin.  Bureeqo Dahir iyo Marian Hassan oo ka hadlaya Mashruuca ururinta iyo Diiwaangelinta Suugaanta Caruurta(SingAgain Somali Lullaby and Oral History Project).

This podcast is about the importance of oral language for bilingual children. It discusses how speaking to children in Somali, singing Lullabies, and reading to children gives children rich language experiences so they can learn and maintain their home language. Bureeqo Dahir and Marian Hassan discuss the SingAgain Somali Lullaby and Oral History Legacy Project in the podcast.

Únase a la Miembro de la Junta de CICC, Karina Elze, mientras conversa con Marilu Plamann, Especialista en Desarrollo Empresarial - Bilingüe (Español) de First Children’s Finance. Marilu destaca los maravillosos recursos que First Children’s Finance ofrece a los negocios de cuidado infantil para apoyarlos, mantenerlos y guiarlos en el camino hacia el éxito empresarial.

Join CICC Board Member Karina Elze as she talks with Marilu Plamann, Business Development Specialist-Bilingual (Spanish) from First Children’s Finance. Marilu highlights the wonderful resources that First Children’s Finance offers to child care businesses to support and sustain them and lead them on the path to business success.

Infant and Toddler Language Development Series Part 4: Strategies that Foster Healthy Communication When There are Delays

Listen in to this four-part conversation about language development with our expert guest, Cindy McInroy, Speech- Language Therapist.  Cindy brings over 35 years of experience working with young children to this information packed series.  Everyone working with young children should have this information as we foster one of the key skills a child needs to unlock their lifelong learning.

Infant and Toddler Language Development Series Part 3:  Concerns Related to Early Language Development

Listen in to this four-part conversation about language development with our expert guest, Cindy McInroy, Speech-Language Therapist.  Cindy brings over 35 years of experience working with young children to this information packed series.  Everyone working with young children should have this information as we foster one of the key skills a child needs to unlock their lifelong learning. 

Infant and Toddler Language Development Series Part 2: Toddlers Preschoolers Learning to Communicate

Listen in to this four-part conversation about language development with our expert guest, Cindy McInroy, Speech-Language Therapist.  Cindy brings over 35 years of experience working with young children to this information packed series.  Everyone working with young children should have this information as we foster one of the key skills a child needs to unlock their lifelong learning. 

Infant and Toddler Language Development Series Part 1: Infants Learning to Communicate

Listen in to this four-part conversation about language development with our expert guest, Cindy McInroy, Speech-Language Therapist.  Cindy brings over 35 years of experience working with young children to this information packed series.  Everyone working with young children should have this information as we foster one of the key skills a child needs to unlock their lifelong learning. 

Help Me Connect from the MN Department of Health is celebrating three years of serving families in Minnesota. Listen as we reconnect with Shawn Holmes, the Help Me Connect Coordinator, as she highlights some of the new and exciting updates to this helpful site, including a provider referral system. Enhancements include access to electronic developmental and social-emotional screenings, an online chat function, and exploration of a toll-free number for families and providers to access navigation support.

For more information:

• Help Me Connect: https://helpmeconnect.web.health.state.mn.us/HelpMeConnect/

• Help Me Connect Newsletter: https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/MNDCYF/bulletins/3af38f9

Join us as we continue our conversation with Tracy Schreifels, MS, LMFT, IMH-E®, the Executive Director of the Ellison Center.  She helps us understand what the research is showing about young children and their development following a global pandemic. Our “tried and true” approaches from the past may not be successful.  We discuss strategies that can support children as they build key foundations for later development and help early educators and families provide important routines and connections to build skills.

Angela Clair, Director of Early Childhood Services at Wilder Child Development Center, joins Priscilla Weigel and Beth Menninga to share her center's story of rethinking their approach to expulsion with the goal of truly being inclusive.  How can we include parents and staff to shift our organizational thinking and practices in our responses to big behaviors so that our doors welcome and support all children to thrive in our early childhood programs?

CICC Coach Lead, Jacy Nylander joins Priscilla Weigel to discuss a key topic for our youngest learners, health and safety.  Listen to their conversation about ways you can create an environment that is safe, calm, clean, and fresh.

Join Dr. Nicole Evans from Embracing Equity and Beth Menninga and Priscilla Weigel of CICC as they discuss the central role of equity in creating inclusive early childhood environments.  Dr. Evans presents a useful framework for taking action at three levels to promote equity in organizations. Examples are shared of how and where learning organizations identified needs and made changes aimed at creating more equity at the individual, cultural and systems levels. As we think about where to begin a focus on equity in early childhood environments, the group talks about ways to create strong family partnerships as a powerful first step

Listen as Priscilla Weigel and guest Brenda Lowe, CICC Coach Lead, discuss an important health and safety topic.  They walk through the daily process of checking your child care environment for safety dangers that can cause harm to children and adults.  The conversation walks through some tips and tricks for making this process smooth and key to your daily routine. 

Dhacdadan, Bureeqo Dahir, Tababaraha CICC, iyo martida khaaska ah Marian Hassan ayaa wada hadlaya muhiimada ay leedahay samaynta joogtayn iyo jadwalyo goobta caruurnimoda hore.

In this episode, Bureeqo Dahir, CICC Coach, and special guest Marian Hassan discuss the importance of establishing routines and schedules in the early childhood setting.