International Childbirth Education Association Will Host Annual Conference in Denver, CO

MORRISVILLE, N.C. - Aug. 18, 2016 - PRLog -- The International Childbirth Education Association (ICEA) will hold its 2016 Annual Conference on October 13 – 15, 2016 in Denver, CO at the Renaissance Denver Stapleton Hotel. This year's theme is "Reaching the Highest Peaks in Evidence-Based Practice." The theme was chosen by ICEA as it is their goal to empower attendees to focus on the evidence-based information and research that is most relevant for birthing and breastfeeding practices, education, and support.  Upon leaving the conference, attendees will be able to demonstrate to the women and families they work with that what we teach and what we promote is evidence-based and not anecdotal.

ICEA's conference will have over 30 sessions including general sessions with Barbara Harper, Jennie Joseph, LM, CPM, and Rep. Kelly Townsend BS, CD, BDT. Their sessions include, "Where There's a Will, There's a Way: A Model for Transforming Perinatal Outcomes in the USA," "Entering the Sanctuary: The Long Term Effects of Skin to Skin," "Maternal Health and the Transmission of Trauma," and "The Science and Safety of Waterbirth Around the World."

In addition to Joseph's session on transforming perinatal outcomes, ICEA is offering Maternal Child Health Specialist (MCH) Training led by Joseph. The MCH training and certification program equips health navigators, community health workers, outreach personnel, care coordinators, home visitors, doulas, childbirth educators, lactation educators, nurses, midwives, and physicians to understand their local and regional resources. This training provides the ways to negotiate and navigate through the systems that provide perinatal health care for women and babies who are at particular risk for poor outcomes. The MCH specialist training and certification can be achieved in a concise educational session and covers the various angles that are pertinent to breaking down and understanding the interrelatedness of health care systems and how to help vulnerable pregnant and parenting women negotiate and navigate those systems. At no additional cost, all attendees who attend the MCH sessions taught by Joseph will leave with MCH certification.

Between the general sessions are numerous breakout sessions. Attendees are able to choose the breakout sessions that interest them most, making the ICEA conference customizable. These breakout sessions cover various topics including "Growing Green Families" with Donna Walls, "Dogs & Newborns: How Teaching Dog Safety Can Benefit Parents and Babies" with Jennifer Shyrock, "When Breast Isn't Best: Challenges and Support for Sexual Abuse Survivors" with Elizabeth Johnson, "Count the Kicks: A Conversation Worth Having" with Lezlie Mestdagh, and "How Maternity Care Professionals and Birth Advocates Can Implement the VBAC Education Project to Empower Mothers and Improve Maternal and Infant Health" with Nicette Jukelevics.

All conference sessions will give attendees 17 contact hours. These contact hours are being submitted to the Utah Nurses Association (UNA) and Texas Nurses Association (TNA) for approval.  The UNA and TNA are accredited approvers by the American Nurses Credentialing Center Commission on Accreditation.

ICEA is also offering preconference workshops for those who wish to receive their Childbirth Educator, Birth Doula, or Postpartum Doula certifications. Through these certification programs, ICEA unites people who support family-centered maternity care and believe in freedom to make decisions based on knowledge of alternatives in childbirth. The workshops provide all necessary contact hours required for certification, making this a convenient way to receive ICEA certification. These workshops are being held on October 11 and 12, 2016.

Also before the main conference sessions begin, an additional preconference workshop is being held this year and is being taught by ICEA President, Connie Livingston. Titled, "Tools for Success," Livingston will teach attendees how to create a dynamic an interactive curriculum to meet the needs of a variety of learners. Throughout her workshop, attendees will learn about creating SMART objectives, explore proper timing and innovative teaching strategies, and how to develop dynamic PowerPoint presentations.

ICEA is looking forward to hosting their attendees in Denver, CO. For more information regarding registration for the main conference or preconference workshops, please visit http://icea.org/events/attendee-registration/.

About ICEA

The International Childbirth Education Association (ICEA) is a professional organization that supports educators and health care professionals who believe in freedom to make decisions based on knowledge of alternatives in family-centered maternity and newborn care. ICEA's goals are to provide training and continuing education programs, quality educational resources, and professional certification programs.

ICEA is a nonprofit organization, and, since its formation in 1960, ICEA members and member groups have remained autonomous by establishing their own policies and creating their own programs. There are no membership requirements for individuals other than a commitment to family-centered maternity care and the philosophy of freedom to make decisions based on knowledge of alternatives in childbirth. For more information, see www.icea.org.

ICEA is managed by IMI Association Executives Inc., a Morrisville-based association management company.