ECHO Early Childhood Presenter Bios

UW ECHO in Early Childhood strengthens the skills of early childhood professionals by providing training and collaborative support to identify and implement best practices in early literacy, behavior support, transitions, and early identification and referral. Through a statewide network that includes educators, case managers, related service providers, administrators, and other specialists, the program fosters shared learning to improve outcomes for young children. A partnership between the Wyoming Department of Health and the Wyoming Early Childhood Outreach Network, UW ECHO in Early Childhood equips professionals with the tools they need to support children’s development and success.

Presenter Bios

Julie Kurtz is an author and international speaker consulting and training on trauma and resilience. She promotes the concept of optimal brain integration to maximize the human growth potential. Julie is the Founder and Executive Director for the Center for Optimal Brain Integration®.

She is a co-author of:

  • Trauma-Informed Practices for Early Childhood Educators: Relationship-Based Approaches that Support Healing and Build Resilience in Young Children
  • Culturally Responsive Self-Care Practices for Early Childhood Educators
  • Trauma Informed Practices for Early Childhood Leaders: Creating and Sustaining Healing and Engaged Organizations
  • Trauma-Responsive Family Engagement in Early Childhood: Practices for Equity and Resilience
  • Supporting Young Children to Cope, Build Resilience and Heal from Trauma through Play: A Practical Guide for Early Childhood Educators

Coming Next Year:  K-12 Reducing Stress in Schools: Trauma-Responsive Strategies to Support Teachers and Students (Harvard Education Press) Mathew Portell, Julie Nicholson, Julie Kurtz and Ingrid Cockhren

Author of the award winning children’s books:

  • Understanding My Brain: Becoming Human(E)! (Ages 4 English and Spanish and 5-10)

Julie is also the creator of the phone/tablet Application (APP) Trigger Stop: Sensory and Emotional Check-in designed specifically for children ages 3-8 years to promote sensory and emotional literacy and to support self-regulation.