Ohio State student reading picture book to young student

This spring, the Schoenbaum Family Center and Crane Center for Early Childhood Research and Policy are thrilled to host two special events featuring renowned experts in early childcare and education. 

Each in-person event will feature a one-hour presentation followed by reception with an opportunity to meet the speaker as well as the community of attendees passionate about these issues. These events are free and open to all. We hope to see you there!

2023 Crane Lecture Series featuring

Valora Washington, PhD

Wednesday, Mar. 29 from 4 - 6 p.m.

Columbus Museum of Art in the Cardinal Health Auditorium

480 E Broad St, Columbus, OH 43215 (map)

2023 Crane Lecture series with Valora Washington on March 29 from 4-6 p.m.

Actionable solutions for the early childhood workforce

We are honored to welcome Valora Washington, PhD, president and CEO of The CAYL Institute, as our 2023 Crane Lecture Series speaker. Join us as Washington discusses the state of early childcare and education around the country and in Ohio. 

She will describe the most pressing issues facing the early childhood sector and workforce. She will challenge our thinking about how we speak and advocate for better early learning opportunities. Additionally, she will share how other states are tackling these challenges. 

Importantly, Washington’s remarks will leave us with actionable ways to be part of the solution – whether you are a researcher, teacher or support staff, advocate, policymaker, parent or community leader.

Washington founded The CAYL Institute, which stands for community advocates for young learners, to organize, equip and empower people to create change on behalf of children through public policy, professional practice and family engagement. As an internationally recognized leader and change agent in early childhood education and teacher professionalization, she is uniquely situated to motivate leaders across sectors toward solving its most vexing problems.

Please join us for a motivational and meaningful afternoon of connection, made better by your voice and perspective. 

The Crane Lecture Series is a special event hosted every two years by the Crane Center for Early Childhood Research and Policy. The event is dedicated to bringing a high-profile, nationally known speaker to Columbus, Ohio, to inspire and engage key community leaders, educational researchers, policy leaders and educators. 

More information and registration

Special event featuring

Dr. Moira Szilagyi

Thursday, April 20 from 4 - 6 p.m.

WOSU in the Ross Community Studio

1800 N Pearl St, Columbus, OH 43201 (map)

Special event featuring Dr. Moira Szilagyi on April 20 from 4-6 p.m.

Join the Crane Center for a special event on childhood trauma and resilience with Dr. Moira Szilagyi, MD, PhD, FAAP, the 2022 president of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP).

Dr. Szilagy’s experience and expertise are much needed as we work together to address the mental health challenges experienced by Ohio’s children. Whether you are a healthcare leader or practitioner, school counselor, child’s health advocate, researcher or someone who teaches or cares for young children, this event is meant for you as we seek to learn, network and engage with one another to improve children’s well-being.

Dr. Szilagyi is a primary care pediatrician, educator and professor of Pediatrics at UCLA where she is division chief of developmental and behavioral pediatrics. She completed her MD, PhD and pediatric residency at the University of Rochester. 

During her career and work with the AAP, she developed a community-based, integrated-care medical home for children in foster care, worked in a suburban private practice, created and led a regional child abuse program and conducted research highlighting vulnerable children.

Dr. Szilagyi led the team that developed the first health care standards for children in foster care that are now the national standards. She has served in numerous leadership roles and authored several AAP policy statements and clinical and technical reports. She speaks widely about child welfare, vulnerable children and childhood trauma and resilience. 

Dr. Szilagyi is also a dedicated advocate who works closely with the AAP’s Washington office on legislation related to equity, diversity and the care of vulnerable children. She also collaborates with mental health and child welfare to integrate evidence-based interventions into pediatric care.

More information and registration

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