The Early Start Partners Symposium (ESPS) is a comprehensive professional development and networking event that promotes evidence-based, family-centered practices that improve outcomes for infants and toddlers with developmental delays or disabilities and their families.
Early Start Partners Symposium 2026
Date: October 19, 2026
Location: Hyatt Regency San Francisco Airport, Burlingame, CA
Registration and room reservation information coming soon!
This year, the Symposium is being coordinated in collaboration with the CalECSE Annual Conference, which will take place at the same location on the following days, October 20-21.
Registration for each event is separate; individuals who wish to attend both events
must register for each event through its dedicated registration page.
We hope you will join other Early Start partners, including service coordinators,
service providers, and family support professionals, for one remarkable day to connect with colleagues and exchange knowledge, ideas, and resources!
Would you like to be a presenter at ESPS 2026?
Presentation proposals are now being accepted here:
Submit a Presentation Proposal
This event promotes evidence-based, family-centered, culturally responsive, and equitable practices that improve outcomes for infants and toddlers with developmental delays or disabilities and support their families. DDS encourages submission from diverse voices, including family members, culturally and linguistically diverse communities, early intervention providers, regional center and lead educational agency (LEA) staff, educators, researchers, and community partners across California.
Important dates:
- June 1, 2026: Deadline to submit proposals
- July 1, 2026: Registration opens
- July 7, 2026: Notification of accepted proposals
- August 3, 2026: Deadline to submit materials for review
- October 19, 2026: ESPS
Preferred Topics:
- Family-centered practices and caregiver coaching
- Equity and reducing disparities in Early Start access and outcomes
- Supporting culturally and linguistically diverse families
- Service delivery in natural environments
- Family leadership and engagement
- Interagency collaboration and coordination
- Strengthening LEA and Regional Center Partnerships for Transition
Selection Criteria:
Proposals should:
- Focus on infants and toddlers, birth to age 3 with delays or disabilities and their families.
- Highlight the importance of family and child-caregiver relationships.
- Illustrates family and professional partnerships in presentation, team, and/or approach.
- Emphasize strengths of infants and toddlers, families, and professionals.
- Reflect cultural, language, and value diversity of the families served through and professionals working in Early Start.
- Represents services in natural environments.
- Be based on proven, evidence-based methods.
- Offer opportunities for discussion and interaction to support adult learning.
- Promote collaboration among agencies supporting families, including, when possible, presenters from multiple agencies.
If Your Proposal is Accepted:
- Registration fees are waived for presenters, but travel costs are your responsibility.
- Presenters must register for the event.
- PowerPoint presentations should follow DDS guidelines, including accessibility requirements.
- Presenters will need to sign a release for photos and recordings. If you have concerns, contact us for alternative considerations at esps@wested.org.