Events
Liftoff’s virtual and in-person ‘Learning Network’ events feature policy and community change efforts, emerging research, and county-level convening on early childhood topics.
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Protection Beyond Prevention: Building a Stronger Response to Lead Poisoning in Early Childhood
August 27, 2026Please find Liftoff WNY’s, “Protection Beyond Prevention: Building a Stronger Response to Lead Poisoning in Early Childhood”. This session featured Breana Hargrave of Lead 716, Marc Hennig of Beyond Support Network, Mary Frances Bayer of Beyond Boundaries and Dr. Sarah Ventre of Western New York Children’s Environmental Health Center. This session discussed what a strong […]
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Head Start: A Legacy Worth Protecting
September 30, 2026This report was commissioned by Liftoff.
On August 7, the White House released a proposed rule (NPRM) that would change the standards governing Head Start. The proposal could increase classroom sizes, lower teacher qualification standards, weaken protections and supports for children with disabilities, and add paperwork barriers for families experiencing homelessness. These are not abstract regulatory changes. They affect real children, […]
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Webinar: Protection Beyond Prevention: Building a Stronger Response to Lead Poisoning in Early Childhood
September 1, 2026Please find Liftoff WNY’s, “Protection Beyond Prevention: Building a Stronger Response to Lead Poisoning in Early Childhood”. This session featured Breana Hargrave of Lead 716, Marc Hennig of Beyond Support Network, Mary Frances Bayer of Beyond Boundaries and Dr. Sarah Ventre of Western New York Children’s Environmental Health Center. This session discussed what a strong […]
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Rural Realities: The State of Child Care in Rural Western New York
February 5, 2026Rural communities across Western New York face some of the toughest, and least talked about, child care challenges in New York State. Even with recent policy changes that have expanded access to child care, many rural families and child care providers are still struggling with staff shortages, limited options, enrollment closures, and funding systems that […]
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Building the Future: Expanding the Early Childhood Special Education Workforce
August 1, 2025This report was commissioned by Liftoff.
Please join us for a dynamic convening of professionals dedicated to delivering high-quality Early Intervention and Preschool Special Education services. Collaboratively, we will explore strategies and discuss innovative ideas to fortify our recruitment efforts, bringing more talented educators and therapists into the field of early childhood special education. A light breakfast will be served.
Liftoff Learning Network Presents: “Strong Foundations: Housing as a Building Block of Early Childhood Development”
July 25, 2025This report was commissioned by Liftoff.
At Liftoff, we believe every child deserves a strong start and that includes a safe, stable place to call home. Home is where young children begin to learn, play, grow, and connect. Housing is not just about having a roof overhead. It affects how children grow, how families stay healthy, and how parents are able […]
Kids Can’t Wait Advocacy Day 2025
On February 11th, Liftoff WNY and a bus full of community leaders including parents, early childhood professionals, service providers, and medical professionals headed to Albany for Kids Can’t Wait Advocacy Day. Joining with advocates from across the state, our team urged policy makers to prioritize young children with delays and disabilities. Once in Albany, our […]
Liftoff August 2024 Summer Learning Series Recording
Please see below for the August 2024 Summer Learning Series session. This session featured Robin Fuller of the Allegany County Early Childhood Development Coalition.
Liftoff July 2024 Summer Learning Series Recording
Please find the July 2024 Liftoff Summer Learning Series recording. This session spotlighted the Early Childhood Alliance of Onondaga .
June 2024 Summer Learning Series: The Adirondack Birth to Three Alliance
June 18, 2024