Fort Wayne, Indiana (5-Day Hybrid Training Course)

Objectives/Agenda

Objectives/Agenda

1. List the seven areas of human function that need to be examined to provide a comprehensive Feeding Assessment.
2. Identify at least five of the oral, sensory, motor, cognitive or emotional developmental milestones key to being able to eat well.
3. List three reasons why children won’t eat, as based on learning theory principles.
4. Differentiate classical and operant conditioning principles as applied to resolving feeding problems.
5. Identify at least four of the necessary components of an SOS Approach to Feeding program for babies, toddlers and young children in either an individual or group therapy session.
6. List all three requirements for building a Food Hierarchy.
7. Identify at least one play based strategy for progressing a child up each of the 6 major Steps on the Steps to Eating Hierarchy.

** To ensure Learners successfully achieve the Learning Outcomes above and to satisfy the completion requirements for the SOS Approach to Feeding Training Course and receive continuing education credits, all attendees are expected to attend the course for the entire duration of each day (8:00 AM to 5:00 PM on Days 1-3, and 8:00 AM to 3:15 PM on Day 4). In order to verify their understanding of the course materials, all Participants are also required to pass a short multiple-choice test with at least 80% accuracy for 5 of the 6 Chapters of the prerequisite, 9-hour Online Segment. In addition, Participants are required to pass a short multiple-choice test with at least 80% accuracy at the end of each day of the In-Person Segment of the course. Upon full completion of the SOS Approach to Feeding Training Course, Participants must also complete a course evaluation form in order to receive their Certificate of Completion.

2025 Agenda – 5-Day Hybrid SOS Training Course

Pricing/Cancellations

Registration Fees

• Early Bird Registration: $785
  • Register by May 18, 2025 and receive $50 off standard registration
  • For the Early Bird Registration discount, please enter the promo code: EBDISCOUNTJUL25 when registering
• Standard Registration: $835
• Registration Deadline: July 8, 2025

• As per the Attendance Policy for this Training Course, all participants must complete the 9-hour pre-recorded Online Segment of the 5-Day Hybrid SOS Training Course no later than one week prior to Day 1 of the In-Person Segment of the course. Registrants who do not complete the prerequisite Online Segment of the Training Course at least 1 week prior to the start of the In-Person Segment of the course will be contacted by Toomey & Associates, Inc. to complete this Online Segment immediately. Registrants who still do not complete the prerequisite Online Segment  will not be allowed to attend the In-Person Segment of the course. Registrants who were notified and did not complete the prerequisite Online Segment will be cancelled out of the SOS Training Course with no refund being issued.

Group Discounts

Toomey & Associates offers a 20% discount off the regular registration fee for groups of 5 or more within the same organization. To receive the group discount, please send the names and email addresses for all participants in your group to [email protected] and confirm whether the registration fees will be paid in one lump some or if participants will be paying individually.

• To ensure that the group discount applies correctly, please DO NOT have any of your group register prior to receiving the discount code.
• Only one discount per registration.  Early Bird and Group discounts cannot be combined.
• Please note: If paying by check, check must be received no later than May 18, 2025 in order to secure your registration. 

Cancellation of Registration by Registrant – Policy

• Cancellations must be received in writing to [email protected] no later than June 18, 2025 to receive a refund minus a $75 administrative fee. No refunds will be issued for cancellations received after June 18, 2025.

• Please be aware that once you receive and view the 9 hours of prerequisite, pre-recorded online material for the course you are currently registered to attend, you will no longer have the option to cancel your attendance at the In-Person Segment of your SOS Training Course. If you receive and view the online material and then decide you cannot attend the In-Person Segment of the SOS Training Course for which you have registered, you will have the option to transfer to a different In-Person SOS Training Course. You will need to notify us immediately if you need to transfer your registration, along with which other SOS Training Course you want to attend instead. There will be a $75.00 administrative transfer fee to place you in the new In-Person Training Course. Please note that if you do not attend the In-Person Segment  of the SOS Training Course within 12 months you will forfeit your complete registration fee.

Registrations may be substituted for another attendee from the same organization. Substitutions must submitted in writing by July 3, 2025 to [email protected] otherwise the substitution cannot be honored.

Registrations cancelled due to a family emergency or illness will be deferred to a future SOS Approach to Feeding Training Course hosted by Toomey & Associates, Inc. within 1 year of the start date of the original course.

Cancellation of the Event by Toomey & Associates, Inc.

Please be aware that Toomey & Associates, Inc. will present this course despite one or even two Speakers being ill. One Speaker can present in an emergency situation, although it is certainly not ideal. If all three Speakers are ill, substitute Speakers will be sent. If all 3 Speakers are ill and no substitute Speakers are available, this would then constitute a Speaker cancellation.

If the course is cancelled by Toomey & Associates due to, but not limited to, the following:
• Speaker cancellation
• Limited enrollment
• Severe weather (snowstorm, flooding, etc.)
• Course site issues (power outages, emergency situations)

Registrants will receive a full refund of their registration fee within 30 days of the originally scheduled course by the method that the registrant used to pay for the registration. (If payment was received by credit/debit card, the refund will be refunded to the original credit/debit card used, if payment was received via a check, a refund will be provided by check.)  Costs incurred for nonrefundable travel arrangements or other related individual expenses will not be refunded by Toomey & Associates, Inc.

Speakers/Disclosures

Online, Pre-recorded Segment Speakers:

Dr. Kay Toomey is a Pediatric Psychologist who has worked with children who don’t eat for over 35 years. She has developed the SOS Approach to Feeding as a family centered program for assessing and treating children with feeding problems. Dr. Toomey speaks nationally and internationally about her approach. Dr. Toomey helped to form The Children’s Hospital – Denver’s Pediatric Oral Feeding Clinic, as well as the Rose Medical Center’s Pediatric Feeding Center. Dr. Toomey co-chaired the Pediatric Therapy Services Department at Rose Medical Center prior to entering private practice. Dr. Toomey acted as the Clinical Director for Toomey & Associates, Inc.’s Feeding Clinic, and then the SOS Feeding Solutions @ STAR before shifting into clinical consultation in order to focus on her teaching. Dr. Toomey is currently the President of Toomey & Associates, Inc. and an Adjunct Research Fellow at Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions.

Statement of Financial/Non-Financial Relationships:
Dr. Kay A. Toomey – Financial: President, Toomey & Associates, Inc. and the  Developer of the SOS Approach to Feeding program (paid), Adjunct Research Fellow of Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions (paid); Non-Financial: Co-Author, “Behaviorally Based Feeding Problems” in Suiter & Gosa (Eds.) Assessing and Treating Dysphagia:  A Lifespan Perspective (2019). New York: Thieme Publishers (unpaid), Founding Medical Professional Council Member with Feeding Matters – PFD Alliance Committee Member and Conference Committee Member (unpaid).

In-Person Speakers:

Dr. Kay Toomey is a Pediatric Psychologist who has worked with children who don’t eat for over 35 years. She has developed the SOS Approach to Feeding as a family centered program for assessing and treating children with feeding problems. Dr. Toomey speaks nationally and internationally about her approach. Dr. Toomey helped to form The Children’s Hospital – Denver’s Pediatric Oral Feeding Clinic, as well as the Rose Medical Center’s Pediatric Feeding Center. Dr. Toomey co-chaired the Pediatric Therapy Services Department at Rose Medical Center prior to entering private practice. Dr. Toomey acted as the Clinical Director for Toomey & Associates, Inc.’s Feeding Clinic, and then the SOS Feeding Solutions @ STAR before shifting into clinical consultation in order to focus on her teaching. Dr. Toomey is currently the President of Toomey & Associates, Inc. and an Adjunct Research Fellow at Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions.

Lindsay Beckerman, MOT, OTR/L received her Master of Occupational Therapy degree from Ohio State University. She is currently the lead OT and Feeding Specialist at Developmental FX, a non-profit pediatric therapy clinic, which utilizes a multidisciplinary approach to transform the lives of children who have neurodevelopmental differences and mental health challenges. Prior to this, she worked as a Pediatric Feeding Specialist at SOS Feeding Solutions @ STAR with Dr. Kay Toomey and Dr. Lucy Jane Miller and currently continues to work with Dr. Toomey as an SOS Professor. Lindsay has also worked as a member of a multidisciplinary team at a hospital/residential facility for children and teens with neurodevelopmental differences and mental health challenges. Lindsay has completed several courses in Ayres SI, is a Level 2 DIR Floortime certified provider, and has completed the Polyvagal Certificate Course. Lindsay enjoys empowering children, teens, young adults, and parents in building skills to help mealtimes go better.

Deborah Lagerborg, MS, CCC-SLP received her master’s degree in Speech Language Pathology from the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley. During her graduate studies, she focused on feeding disorders and dysphagia in infants and children. Deborah currently works as a Pediatric Feeding Specialist and Speech Pathologist for Talking Together, Inc. Prior to this position, Deborah worked as a Pediatric Feeding Specialist at SOS Feeding Solutions @STAR with Dr. Kay Toomey and Dr. Lucy Jane Miller. Deborah has also worked in a pediatric outpatient hospital setting, working primarily with infants and children with feeding disorders. She also spent time working in the NICU as part of a multidisciplinary team, supporting premature infant development and early feeding experiences. Deborah’s passion is to work with the families, empowering parents to support their own child’s development and success.

Statement of Financial/Non-Financial Relationships for Toomey & Associates, Inc. Speakers

Dr. Kay A. Toomey – Financial: President, Toomey & Associates, Inc. and the  Developer of the SOS Approach to Feeding program (paid), Adjunct Research Fellow of Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions (paid); Non-Financial: Co-Author, “Behaviorally Based Feeding Problems” in Suiter & Gosa (Eds.) Assessing and Treating Dysphagia:  A Lifespan Perspective (2019). New York: Thieme Publishers (unpaid), Founding Medical Professional Council Member with Feeding Matters – PFD Alliance Committee Member and Conference Committee Member (unpaid).

Lindsay Beckerman – Financial: Speaker for Toomey & Associates, Inc (paid); Non-Financial: No relevant non-financial relationships to disclose.

Deborah Lagerborg – Financial: Speaker for Toomey & Associates, Inc. (paid); Non-Financial: No relevant non-financial relationships to disclose.

Other Toomey & Associates, Inc. Speakers

Kelly Fitzpatrick, MA, CCC-SLP received her Master of Arts degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders from the University of Memphis. She currently works in a Pediatric Gastroenterology Clinic, where she established a feeding clinic. She works with children of all ages, but specializes in children birth to 3 years and those who are G-tube dependent. Prior to working at the GI clinic, Kelly acted as the Assistant Clinical Director of SOS Feeding Solutions @ STAR with Dr. Kay Toomey and Dr. Lucy Jane Miller. She has also worked in the Early Intervention and Pediatric Outpatient Hospital settings using the SOS Approach to Feeding program. Kelly has completed the STAR Institute’s Intensive Mentorship Program. She is also a Certified Lactation Counselor and a certified DIR Floortime Provider.

Amanda Foster, MS, CCC-SLP received her master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology from Massachusetts General Hospital IHP. With over 20 years, Mrs. Foster has worked with children with various diagnoses across school, clinic, hospital, and early intervention settings. She began her feeding career in 2005 at Toomey & Associates, Inc., later transitioning to the SOS Feeding Solutions @ STAR with Dr. Kay Toomey and Dr. Lucy Jane Miller. In 2010, Mrs. Foster started a private practice specializing in providing feeding support for families in their homes and in community environments. Currently, she works as a consultant to local and statewide feeding therapists and clinics in Oklahoma, providing guidance on pediatric feeding, caseload management, clinic development and training. In addition to consulting, she presents at college-level courses, parent and professional seminars, as well as presenting with the SOS Approach to Feeding.

Susan Kniffen, MS, OTR/L received her master’s degree in Occupational Therapy at Shenandoah University (VA). She spent the first two years of her career working with adults in acute care and rehabilitation settings before transferring to working in pediatric settings in 2005. Since 2006, she has been a feeding specialist in addition to working with children who have orthopedic, neurological, and complex medical needs. She is currently an occupational therapist and feeding specialist in the early intervention program for The Resource Exchange in Colorado Springs, CO. Previously she provided pediatric outpatient feeding and rehabilitation services through Memorial Hospital, Toomey & Associates Inc., and Children’s Hospital Colorado. Partnering with families to educate and empower them to be observers and experts of their children is her passion.

Erin Sundseth Ross, PhD, CCC-SLP received her Ph.D. from the University of Colorado in 2007, followed by a 2-year Post-Doctoral Fellowship in the Section of Nutrition at the University of Colorado Denver. Her master’s degree is in Speech and Language Pathology, from California State University Stanislaus, which she received in 1988. Dr. Ross is currently an assistant clinical professor in the Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, University of Colorado and is on faculty at the Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions. She has authored several book chapters and publications related to feeding preterm infants and infants with medical comorbidities. Dr. Ross provides clinical consultation to several Newborn Intensive Care Units (NICU) within the HealthONE system in Denver, in addition to providing professional education and research consultation through Feeding FUNdamentals, LLC. She created SOFFI^®, a training program for caregivers in the NICU and therapists and other professionals working with babies who are having problems breast or bottle feeding at home. She brings 30+ years of experience working with premature infants and infants with medical problems.

Statement of Financial/Non-Financial Relationships for Toomey & Associates, Inc. Speakers

Kelly Fitzpatrick – Financial: Speaker for Toomey & Associates, Inc. (paid); Consultant for Growing Independent Eaters (paid); Non-Financial: Medical Advisory Board for the Feeding Tube Foundation (unpaid).

Amanda Foster – Financial: Speaker for Toomey & Associates, Inc. (paid); Non-Financial: No relevant non-financial relationships to disclose.

Susan Kniffen – Financial: Speaker for Toomey & Associates, Inc. (paid); Non-Financial: No relevant non-financial relationships to disclose.

Dr. Erin S. Ross – Financial: President, Feeding FUNdamentals, LLC. (paid), Faculty at the Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions (paid), Developmental Specialist for HealthONE Hospital Systems (paid), Consultant for Nestec/Gerber Baby Foods (paid), Gerber Child Advocate/Developmental Panel member (paid), Consultant for Intertek (paid), Speaker for Toomey & Associates, Inc. & Feeding Fundamentals, LLC (paid);Non-Financial:Co-Author, “Behaviorally Based Feeding Problems” in Suiter & Gosa (Eds.) Assessing and Treating Dysphagia:  A Lifespan Perspective (2019). New York: Thieme Publishers (unpaid), PFD Alliance Leadership with Feeding Matters – PFD Alliance Advocacy Chair (unpaid), Consensus Committee of the Standards, Competencies, and Best Practices for Infant and Family-Centered Developmental Care in the Intensive Care Unit (unpaid)

Attendance & Policies

This Hybrid SOS Training Course (5 Days) has a 100% Attendance requirement. Registrants are expected to complete the prerequisite, pre-recorded 9-hour Online Segment at least 1 week prior to attending the In-Person Segment of the course.

In-Person Segment

During the In-Person Segment of the course, Participants are expected to attend the course and participate fully for the entire length of each day (8:00 AM to 5:00 PM on Days 1-3 and 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM on Day 4) in order to receive their Certificate of Completion, any continuing education credits, and/ to be allowed to use the SOS Approach to Feeding program. Participants will miss crucial information needed to be able to correctly use the SOS Approach to Feeding program if they come late or leave the course early.

Participants who arrive late or leave early on any day MUST make up any missed time. If the Participant does not make up the time, they will not receive a Certificate of Completion or continuing education credits and they will not be authorized to use the SOS Approach to Feeding Program. During the In-Person Segment of the course, the Participant must immediately make arrangements with Dr. Toomey to stay late each day of the course until all of the missed time has been made up.

Participants MUST make their travel arrangements on the last day of the course so that they will not be leaving the course for any reason before 3:00 PM. NO EXCEPTIONS for flight or train schedules will be made.

Online, Independent Study Segment

• Registrants will receive an email with instructions for accessing and completing the 9-hour prerequisite pre-recorded Online Segment of the Hybrid SOS Training Course approximately two months prior to Day 1 of the In-Person Segment of the course.
• Registrants will have until one week before Day 1 of the In-Person Segment of the course to complete the 9-hour prerequisite Online Segment .
• Any participant who does not watch the full duration of the prerequisite 9-hour Online Segment (verified by a third-party system) and/or does not pass the 5 Chapter tests with at least 80% accuracy by at least 1 week prior to Day 1 of the In-Person Segment of the course, will be contacted by the SOS Conference Administrators. They will work with the Registrant to make ensure the requirements for this segment of the Training Course have been met in order for the Registrant to be allowed to attend the In-Person Segment of the Training Course.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact us.

Course Test and Evaluation Form Requirements

Course Test and Evaluation Form Requirements
In order to verify their understanding of the course materials, all Participants are required to pass a short multiple-choice test with at least 80% accuracy for 5 of the 6 Chapters of the prerequisite, 9-hour Online Segment. In addition, Participants are required to pass a short multiple-choice test with at least 80% accuracy at the end of each day of the In-Person Segment of the course. Upon full completion of the SOS Approach to Feeding Training Course, Participants must also complete a course evaluation form in order to receive their Certificate of Completion.

Complaint Policy & Procedures
Toomey & Associates, Inc. views complaints as an opportunity to learn and improve future programs and resources, as well as a chance to put things right for the person or organization that has made the complaint. Please read the full Complaint Policy and Resolution Procedures.

Continuing Education

American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA)

This course will focus on the treatment SOS Approach to Feeding and will not discuss other similar or related treatments. Not available for partial credit.

** Note: Each participant must view the entire prerequisite, pre-recorded 9-hour Online Segment and pass the required multiple-choice tests for each of the Chapters with a minimum score of 80%  at least 7 days prior to the first day of the In-Person Segment of the Hybrid SOS Training Course. Each participant is also required to pass a multiple-choice test with at least 80% accuracy at the end of each day of the In-Person Segment of the conference. These tests are to verify Participants’ understanding of the course materials. Upon full completion of both segments of the Hybrid SOS Training Course, participants must also complete a course evaluation form in order to receive their Certificate of Completion.

American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA)

Toomey & Associates, Inc. is an AOTA Approved Provider of professional development. Course Approval ID: 0000006744. This blended/hybrid activity is offered at 3.55 CEUs. Intermediate level, OT Service Delivery and Foundational Knowledge. The assignment of AOTA CEUs does not imply endorsement of specific course content, products, or clinical procedures by AOTA.

Not available for partial credit.

** Note: Each participant must view the entire prerequisite, pre-recorded 9-hour Online Segment and pass the required multiple-choice tests for each of the Chapters with a minimum score of 80%  at least 7 days prior to the first day of the In-Person Segment of the Hybrid SOS Training Course. Each participant is also required to pass a multiple-choice test with at least 80% accuracy at the end of each day of the In-Person Segment of the conference. These tests are to verify Participants’ understanding of the course materials. Upon full completion of both segments of the Hybrid SOS Training Course, participants must also complete a course evaluation form in order to receive their Certificate of Completion.

Commission on Dietetic Registration
The CPE activity application for SOS Approach to Feeding: Assessment and Treatment of Pediatric Feeding Challenges is pending CDR review and approval for 34.50 CPEUs.

** Note: Each participant must view the entire prerequisite, pre-recorded 9-hour Online Segment and pass the required multiple-choice tests for each of the Chapters with a minimum score of 80%  at least 7 days prior to the first day of the In-Person Segment of the Hybrid SOS Training Course. Each participant is also required to pass a multiple-choice test with at least 80% accuracy at the end of each day of the In-Person Segment of the conference. These tests are to verify Participants’ understanding of the course materials. Upon full completion of both segments of the Hybrid SOS Training Course, participants must also complete a course evaluation form in order to receive their Certificate of Completion.

Other Associations
Please contact your association to inquire as to whether this course will meet the requirements for continuing education credits. Upon request, we are happy to provide any additional information for submission to your association.

Accommodations

Toomey & Associates, Inc. has negotiated a discounted room rate for attendees at:

Hilton Fort Wayne @ The Grand Wayne Convention Center
1020 Calhoun St.
Fort Wayne, IN 46802
(260) 420-1100

Group rate: $139/night + tax
Cutoff date: June 27, 2025

Book Online Directly Here

Hotel Features:

• Indoor Heated pool
• 24-hour fitness center
• Onsite restaurant
• Free Wi-Fi
• Airport Shuttle

Parking:

• Parking is $15 daily

ADA Requests

Toomey & Associates, Inc. complies with ADA provisions. If you require special accommodations or need assistance, please contact Toomey & Associates during registration or no later than 30 days from Day 1 of the conference to ensure accommodations are arranged in time for the conference.  Please send an email to [email protected] or call (720) 672-1143.

Support Provided By

Thank you, Huntington University, for providing promotional support and volunteers for the SOS Approach to Feeding Training Course!

Phone: (260) 702-9624
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.huntington.edu