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«Back to all edWebinarsBuilding a Culture of Safety: Practical Emergency Preparedness for Early Childhood Programs
Thursday, September 4, 2025 @ 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm EDT
Presented by Andy Roszak, JD, MPA, Founder and CEO, Institute for Childhood Preparedness
Moderated by Laura Wilhelm, Ed.D., VP of Professional Learning Services, Kaplan Early Learning Company
Sponsored by Kaplan Early Learning Company
Learn more about viewing the live presentation and the recording, earning your CE certificate, and using our new accessibility features.
National Preparedness Month is the perfect time to elevate safety conversations in early learning. Join early childhood emergency preparedness expert Andy Roszak for a fast-paced, reality-tested look at building a culture of safety in childcare and preschool settings. Drawing on decades of fieldwork, Andy translates emergency-response science into child-friendly, trauma-informed practices that fit busy classrooms.
This edWebinar will equip early childhood leaders and teachers with practical, confidence-building strategies to make everyday readiness part of their routine. After attending, you will know how to confidently:
- Identify the most likely threats for early learning environments and prioritize realistic action steps
- Strengthen internal and external communication so alerts reach staff, families, and first responders quickly
- Apply layered physical and procedural protections—doors, classrooms, and playgrounds—to slow threats and buy critical time
- Foster calm, empowered staff who can guide children through brief, developmentally appropriate drills without fear
This edWebinar will be of interest to PreK-3 teachers, school leaders, and district leaders.
About the Presenter
Andy Roszak, JD, MPA, EMT-Paramedic, is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of the Institute for Childhood Preparedness, where he leads national efforts to strengthen emergency planning, disaster recovery, and resilience across early childhood and community-based settings. With more than 20 years of experience in public health, emergency management, and health policy, Andy has worked at the local, state, federal, and nonprofit levels—supporting initiatives that help communities prepare for and respond to crises. Andy is a frequent contributor and subject matter expert for Sesame Street in Communities, where he supports efforts around preparedness, disaster response, and resilience for families and caregivers.
A former firefighter, paramedic, and hazardous materials technician, he has also served as a Health Policy Fellow in the U.S. Senate, a Senior Advisor at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and as a Senior Preparedness Advisor supporting Super Bowl 46 and the Indianapolis 500. Andy is an award-winning author of the Preparing for the Unexpected book series, and his work has been recognized by organizations including the Red Cross, the City of El Paso, and Sesame Street, where he was named a Sesame Street Hero. His focus is on practical, real-world strategies to help individuals, organizations, and communities be better prepared for whatever challenges may come.
About the Moderator
As the Vice President for Professional Learning at Kaplan, Laura Wilhelm, Ed.D., draws on decades of experience teaching young children and early childhood professionals, starting with toddlers in the 1980s, followed by PreK-third grade in urban and suburban schools, and as a university lab school director. Since earning her doctorate in ECE curriculum and instruction in 1999, she has served as a program director, full professor, national validator for the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), and a site visitor for the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Programs (CAEP). She enjoys planning professional development, speaking at conferences, leading study tours, visiting early education programs around the world, and returning home to her family. She is the author of The Neglected Child: How to Recognize, Respond, and Prevent (2013); Treasure Baskets: Heuristic Learning for Infants and Toddlers (2017); Enticing Environments for People Under Three (2021); and Living Loose Parts: Creatures of Curiosity (2024), all from Gryphon House.
Learn more about viewing the live presentation and the recording, earning your CE certificate, and using our new accessibility features.
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