38th Annual NAEHCY Conference (October 31 – November 3, 2026)
2026 Call for Session Proposals Submission Guidelines
Looking to be a keynote speaker? This page is for session proposals only — the breakout sessions that make up the conference program. Keynote speakers apply through a separate process. If you’d like to be considered as a keynote, please visit the 2026 Call for Keynote Speakers page instead.
Session presenters are invited to submit abstracts for the 38th Annual NAEHCY Conference. With 90+ break-out sessions and more than 2,000 professionals from across the country, this is the premier opportunity to share your expertise in the education of children and youth experiencing homelessness.
Overview
The 38th Annual NAEHCY Conference will be held in Nashville, TN, Saturday, October 31 through Tuesday, November 3, 2026. More than 2,000 professionals from across the country typically attend the conference, which offers 90+ break-out sessions for content-rich professional development.
Focus, Topics & Content
Session proposals should focus on the education of children and youth experiencing homelessness, from birth through postsecondary levels.
Topics that provide relevant and applicable information for young people — including those facing other vulnerabilities such as involvement in foster care or the juvenile justice system, migrant or multilingual status, special education needs, unaccompanied youth, or economic instability — will be considered. The conference features six general learning tracks to guide proposal submissions, and all proposals should align with at least one track.
Presentations should contain information from the perspective of an educational equity lens and include relevant disparities, barriers, and inequalities faced by students and youth experiencing homelessness.
Presenter Qualifications & Format
Key requirements every presenter should review before submitting.
Qualifications
Session presenters should have a minimum of three years of experience in homeless education or related fields/support areas. Proposals with lead presenters who have less experience may be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Format & Audience
All selected presenters are expected to present in person in Nashville, Tennessee. NAEHCY will not accept proposals that include virtual presenters (lead or co-presenters). Attendees are professionals in homeless education, social work, or nonprofit advocacy focused on youth experiencing homelessness.
Length of Presentations
Speakers should prepare to present for the entirety of a 90-minute session, with content shareable via slides. NAEHCY collaborates with the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) to award Continuing Education Credits. Per NASW guidelines, CEUs are awarded only for sessions with content for the full 90 minutes (85 minutes of content plus 5 minutes of Q&A is acceptable).
Keynote Note
This submission process is not the process for keynote speaker consideration. Please visit naehcy.org for information about keynote speaker applications.
Proposal Categories
Choose one category for your proposal. Note: the Program Committee may accept a proposal as a different type based on submission volume and how the content is best presented.
Traditional Presentation / Learning Session
A structured session led by one or more presenters focused on sharing information, research, strategies, promising practices, or program models. May include audience engagement and time for questions and discussion.
Panel Discussion
A moderated conversation featuring multiple panelists who share diverse perspectives, expertise, and experiences on a focused topic. Designed to encourage dialogue and may include audience interaction.
Roundtable Discussion
A highly interactive session focused on participant engagement, peer learning, and collaborative problem-solving. Facilitators guide discussion while participants share experiences, resources, and practical solutions.
Workshop / Interactive Presentation
A hands-on, participant-centered session designed for skill-building and practical application. May include activities, demonstrations, small-group collaboration, case scenarios, or audience participation.
Research / Case Study-Focused Presentation
A presentation highlighting research findings, evaluation data, evidence-based practices, or detailed case studies. May explore trends, lessons learned, implementation outcomes, policy implications, or innovative approaches.
Presenter Expectations
- In-Person: Selected presenters are expected to present in person in Nashville, Tennessee.
- Presentation Duration: Be prepared to present for the full 90-minute session, with content shareable through slides.
- Submission: Proposals remain in draft/saved status until the presenter formally clicks “Submit.”
- Submission Limits: NAEHCY will consider up to five (5) presentations per organization, school district, state educational agency, college, or university to ensure broad and equitable representation.
- Repeat Delivery: If requested, would the presenter be willing to repeat the presentation a second time? Not a requirement for selection.
- Pre-Conference Participation: If requested, would the presenter present during the NAEHCY Pre-Conference on Saturday, October 31? Pre-Conference sessions run two hours (110 minutes of content plus up to 10 minutes of Q&A). Presenters provide all content and materials. Not required for selection.
Required Submission Information
Gather these details before you begin. Proposals must include a title (15-word limit; not all uppercase or all lowercase) and a selected proposal category.
Lead Presenter Information
- Personal details — name, address, and contact information.
- Summer / alternate contact — in case the primary email is unavailable. Notifications go out the week of July 20, 2026; if selected, presenters must confirm by August 3, 2026, or the session may be replaced.
- Professional information — position, department, organization, credentials, and license information if applicable.
- Travel approval information.
- Experience — minimum three years in homeless education or related fields (case-by-case for less).
- Biography — credentials, degrees held, organization/district name, and current title.
- Presenter résumé — Word or PDF format.
- Professional headshot.
Co-Presenter Information
- Personal details — name, address, and contact information. Headshots and biographies are requested if the proposal is selected.
- Limits — one (1) Lead Presenter and up to three (3) Co-Presenters (maximum four per session).
- No additional co-presenters? Presenters must still enter that section of the submission site and click “Save.”
Proposal Details
- Available topics / learning tracks — each proposal should align with at least one track. View track descriptions →
- Brief session description — a concise overview in paragraph format only (no bullet points), in third-person narrative, not to exceed 200 words. Do not include the full proposal here.
- Essential components — must address the selected learning track, including the session’s contribution to the field/conference objectives and how it addresses barriers and inequities.
- Learning objectives — three (3) learning objectives are required.
- Presenter Disclosure & Agreement — the 2026 NAEHCY Conference Presenter Disclosure and Agreement must be completed. View the disclosure & agreement →
Career Focus Area (select one)
Intended Audience (select one)
Formatting Rules
Not Allowed
- Tables
- Graphs
- Bullet points within the proposal
Word & Character Limits
- Title: 15-word limit
- Brief Session Description: 200-word limit
- Title not all uppercase or all lowercase
Review Process
Submissions are reviewed and scored by a team of professionals in the field of homeless education. A limited number of presentations that are not selected may be placed on a waitlist at the discretion of the review panel. All submitters are notified regarding the status of their proposal, and chosen presenters are contacted with further instructions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Tap any question to expand the answer.
The title is limited to 15 words. The Brief Session Description is limited to 200 words.
No. Tables, graphs, and bullet points are not allowed as part of the proposal.
Yes. Each organization is allowed up to 5 presentations.
Presentations and panel sessions may include one (1) Lead Presenter and up to three (3) Co-Presenters, for a maximum of four (4) presenters per session.
Yes. This information is collected upon proposal acceptance.
The Program Committee may accept the proposal as a different type than originally submitted. This is usually due to the number of proposals in each category and how the information will best be presented.
Proposals are submitted online through the proposal submission site and must be submitted by the deadline of June 26, 2026 at 11:59 PM EST.
You will need the full name, address, and contact information. Headshots and biographies are requested if the proposal is selected.
Yes. You will receive a confirmation email once the submission is finalized and submitted, sent from naehcypresenters@spargoinc.com.
Proposal notifications are emailed at the end of July 2026. All submitters are notified of their proposal status, and chosen presenters receive further instructions.
Presentation date and time assignments are sent in mid-to-late August. Presenters are expected to be available for the full duration of the NAEHCY Annual Conference.
No. Proposals must be submitted by June 26, 2026 at 11:59 PM EST. Late submissions will not be accepted.
You may make changes before the submission deadline, but you must re-finalize and submit. Proposals in draft state are not reviewed — only finalized and submitted proposals are reviewed. No changes are permitted after the deadline, other than the presenter (if accepted).
Yes. You may change the presenter after acceptance by emailing naehcypresenters@spargoinc.com. The new presenter must be an existing co-presenter on the proposal.
Contact Us
Questions about the 2026 Request for Proposals? Contact:
naehcypresenters@spargoinc.com
Please do not submit proposals to this email address — proposals sent by email will not be considered. All proposals must be submitted through the online submission site.