EUGENE, Ore. -- (Feb. 22, 2011) -- The 4th annual Power of Parenting Conference will bring together more than 100 parents to learn parenting techniques from early childhood special educators and community leaders on Saturday, Feb. 26. The conference, presented by the UO's Early Childhood CARES and the Early Intervention Council, educates participants about parenting strategies, and allows parents to meet other parents of children with special needs.

Eugene Mayor Kitty Piercy will deliver opening remarks and Kathryn Weit, the interim executive director and policy analyst with the Oregon Council on Developmental Disabilities, will deliver the keynote presentation. Weit will share her experiences both as a parent and an advocate.

Topics during the conference include how to raise happy readers, how to feed resistive eaters, parent self-care, engaging children in play and self-management strategies for young children. Several sessions will be offered in Spanish.

Audrey Cramer, a mother of twins, is looking forward to attending the conference again this year. "What's nice about the conference is the wide range of helpful workshops," said Cramer. "You can tailor your choice of workshops to meet the age and development-specific stages of your child."

Cramer adds, "It's wonderful to get not only lots of practical tips on approaching daily life with a child with special needs, but also the support of other parents who understand the challenges of this special kind of parenthood."

Early Childhood CARES provides early intervention and early childhood special education services - such as speech, physical and occupational therapy, autism and behavior services and specialized preschool - to more than 1,200 children in Lane County.

Pre-registration is required. Call Early Childhood CARES at 541-346-2578. The conference still has room for registration.

MEDIA CONTACTS: Julie Brown, 541-346-3185, julbrown@uoregon.edu; Laura Dahill, Early Childhood CARES outreach coordinator, 971-226-1368 (on-site contact for the event)
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