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.

  • Kids Can’t Wait Advocacy Day: February 13th, 2024

    Join Liftoff WNY in Albany for the Kids Can’t Wait Advocacy Day trip on February 13th. This is a great opportunity to speak directly to legislators and demand funding in the 2024 New York State budget. We will provide training and materials on the bus as we travel to Albany so you can confidently advocate for Early […]

  • Improving early outcomes for WNY’s youngest children: A Community Conversation and Call to Action

    This report was commissioned by Liftoff.

    Partners from Buffalo State University, The Children’s Guild Foundation, and Liftoff WNY proudly present a morning of learning, connection, and action. The event, ‘Improving early outcomes for WNY’s youngest children’ brings together professionals working with children with special needs eager to learn more about our region’s most pressing challenges for young children with disabilities to […]

  • Liftoff Summer Learning Series Session 3 Recording

    “State of Early Literacy in NY” facilitated by Rachel Bonsignore of Liftoff WNY featured a presentation from Jeff Smink from Ed-Trust NY.

  • Liftoff Summer Learning Series Session 2 Recording

    This report was commissioned by Liftoff.

    “A Closer Look: An Exploration of Help Me Grow WNY’s Data Dashboard” facilitated by Rachel Bonsignore of Liftoff WNY featuring a presentation from Emily Oaks, of CCNY, Inc.

  • Summer Learning Series Session #3

    This report was commissioned by Liftoff.

    Please join Liftoff WNY on August 15th at 12:00pm for our third and final session of our 2023 Summer Learning Series, “State of Early Literacy in NY”. Reading at grade level by the end of 3rd grade is the most important indicator of future student success. While there has been increased attention on ensuring schools […]

  • Liftoff Summer Learning Series Session 1 Recording

    This report was commissioned by Liftoff.

    “Ensuring Bright Smiles: The State of Early Childhood Oral Health in WNY” facilitated by Rachel Bonsignore of Liftoff WNY featuring a presentation from Bridget Walsh, a Senior Policy Analyst for Health and Public Health at the Schuyler Center for Analysis and Advocacy.

  • Liftoff WNY Summer Learning Series 2023

    This report was commissioned by Liftoff.

    Liftoff is pleased to announce the first two sessions of its 2023 Summer Learning Series. To register, follow the links below and sign up as “Attendee”. If you cannot attend but would like access to the recording, be sure to register and a recording will be sent after the event. If you have any questions, […]

  • Liftoff Lunch & Learn: Kids Can’t Wait Campaign

    This report was commissioned by Liftoff.

    Kids Can’t Wait is a statewide coalition of parents, providers and advocates working to strengthen the Early Intervention and Preschool Special Education systems by eliminating inequities and expanding access to timely and effective services. Drawing on last year’s state legislative wins for children, attendees learned what parents, providers, and government officials can do to ensure […]

  • Call to Action: Voice your support for Preschool Special Education in NYS

    This report was commissioned by Liftoff.

    Ensure that preschool special education programs, as well as state-approved non-public schools for school-age students with significant disabilities, receive the same increase in payment rates as school districts.

  • Liftoff Lunch & Learn

    This report was commissioned by Liftoff.

    In 2018, Governor Cuomo assembled a Task Force of experts to develop innovative solutions to improve access to quality, affordable child care in NY. This month the Task Force’s recommendations were released: Supporting Families, Employers & New York’s Future Report: An Action Plan for a Strong and Equitable Child Care System. Our guest presenters spotlighted the recommendations to create a child care system that is more affordable, accessible, high-quality, and coordinated.