Objectives/Agenda
***This is the ONLY all weekday conference in the U.S. in 2025***
Objectives/Agenda
- List the seven areas of human function that need to be examined to provide a comprehensive Feeding Assessment.
- Identify at least five of the oral, sensory, motor, cognitive or emotional developmental milestones key to being able to eat well.
- List three reasons why children won’t eat, as based on learning theory principles.
- Differentiate classical and operant conditioning principles as applied to resolving feeding problems.
- 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.
- List all three requirements for building a Food Hierarchy.
- 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 conference and receive continuing education credits, all attendees are expected to attend the course for the entire duration of each day (7:30 AM to 5:00 PM on Day 1, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM on Days 2-3, and 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM on Day 4). Additionally, all Participants are required to take a multiple-choice test, with at least 80% accuracy, for the independent Online Segment and one multiple choice test, with at least 80% accuracy, at the end of each day of the In-Person Segment of the conference to verify their understanding of the Conference materials. Upon full completion of the SOS Approach to Feeding Conference, participants must also complete a course evaluation form in order to receive their certificate of attendance.
Agenda 2025 4.75 Day Hybrid Conference – In-Person Segment
Pricing/Cancellations
Registration Fees
- Early Bird Registration: $785 – Register by April 10, 2025 and receive $50 off standard registration. For the Early Bird Registration discount, please enter the promo code: EBDISCOUNTJUNE25 when registering.
- Standard Registration: $835 – Registration Deadline June 1st.
- As per the Attendance Policy for this Conference, all participants must complete the 5.5-hour online, pre-recorded segment of the 4.5 Day Hybrid SOS Main Training Conference no later than one week prior to Day 1 of the in-person segment of the Conference. Registrants who do not complete the online, pre-recorded segment of this Conference by the one week prior deadline, will be contacted by Toomey & Associates, Inc. to complete this online segment immediately. Registrants who still do not complete the required online pre-recorded segment of the Conference will not be allowed to attend the in-person segment. Registrants who were notified and did not complete the pre-recorded segment will be cancelled out of the SOS Conference 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 of all participants in your group to [email protected].
- 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 April 10, 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 May 10, 2025 to receive a refund minus a $75 administrative fee. No refunds will be issued for cancellations received after May 10, 2025.
- Please be aware that once you receive and view the 5.5 hours of online material for the conference 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 Conference. If you receive and view the online material and then decide you cannot attend the in-person segment of the SOS Training Conference for which you have registered, you will have the option to transfer to a different in-person SOS Conference segment. You will need to notify us immediately if you need a transfer, along with which other SOS Conference you want to attend instead. There will be a $75.00 administrative transfer fee to place you in the new in-person conference. Please note that if you do not attend the in-person segment of the SOS Training Conference 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 May 27th, 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 Conference hosted by Toomey & Associates, Inc. within 1 year of the start date of the original conference.
Cancellation of the Event by Toomey & Associates, Inc.
Please be aware that Toomey & Associates, Inc. will present this conference 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 conference is cancelled by Toomey & Associates due to, but not limited to, the following:
• Speaker cancellation
• Limited enrollment
• Severe weather (snowstorm, flooding, etc.)
• Conference site issues (power outages, emergency situations)
Registrants will receive a full refund of their registration fee within 30 days of the originally scheduled conference 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 almost 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 currently works at Developmental FX, a non-profit clinic supporting children with a wide variety of developmental needs. 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 with Autism Spectrum Disorders, SPD, emotional/behavioral disorders and feeding problems in a hospital/residential facility. Lindsay has completed the STAR Institute’s Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3 Intensive Mentorship Programs and is a certified DIR Floortime Provider. She specializes in feeding difficulties in atypical learners, including children and teens with Autism Spectrum Disorders, ADHD, and multisensory processing difficulties. Lindsay also serves as a board member for Charlotte’s Day, a non-profit group that helps to provide posturally supportive chairs to children in feeding therapy.
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.
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: Board Member for Charlottes Day.
Kelly Fitzpatrick – Financial: Speaker for Toomey & Associates, Inc. (paid); Non-Financial: No relevant non-financial relationships to disclose.
Other Toomey & Associates, Inc. Speakers
Amanda Foster, MS, CCC-SLP received her Master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology from Massachusetts General Hospital IHP. For over 15 years, Mrs. Foster has worked with children with a variety of diagnoses in school, clinic, hospital, and early intervention settings. She began her feeding career in 2005 at Toomey & Associates, Inc. and then moved 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 settings. Currently, she is the Lead Speech and Feeding Therapist at a multi-disciplinary pediatric clinic in Tulsa, Oklahoma. In addition to presenting The SOS Approach to Feeding with Toomey & Associates, Inc., Mrs. Foster has lectured on swallowing disorders at Metropolitan State College in Denver, Colorado. She also regularly presents on speech and feeding disorders at parent, teacher, and professional seminars.
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. Previously she provided pediatric outpatient feeding and rehabilitation services through Memorial Hospital, Toomey & Associates Inc., and Children’s Hospital Colorado. Educating and empowering parents to be students of their children is her passion.
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.
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
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.
Deborah Lagerborg – 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), 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.
Attendance & Policies
***This is the ONLY all weekday conference in the U.S. in 2025***
This Hybrid SOS Main Training Conference (4.75 Days) has a 100% Attendance requirement. Registrants are expected to complete the 5.5 hours of online, pre-recorded segment of the Conference at least one week prior to attending the in-person segment of the Conference.
In-Person Segment
During the in-person segment of the Conference, Participants are expected to attend the course and participate fully for the entire length of each day (7:30 AM to 5:00 PM on Day 1, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM on Days 2-3, and 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM on Day 4) in order to receive their Certificate of Completion, any continuing education credits, and/or 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, and they will not be authorized to use the SOS Approach to Feeding Program. During the conference, the Participant must immediately make arrangements with Dr. Toomey to stay late each day of the conference until all of the missed time has been made up.
Participants MUST make their travel arrangements on the last day of the conference so that they will not be leaving the conference 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 online, pre-recorded segment of the Hybrid SOS Main Training Conference approximately two months prior to Day 1 of the In-Person segment of the Hybrid Conference.
- Registrants will have until one week before Day 1 of the In-Person segment of the Conference to complete the 5.5-hour online pre-recorded Conference material.
- Any participant who does not watch the full duration of the 5.5-hour online segment (verified by a third-party system) and/or does not pass the test by at least one week prior to Day 1 of the In-Person segment of the Hybrid Conference, will be contacted by the SOS Conference Administrators. They will work with the Registrant to make ensure the requirements for this segment of the Hybrid Conference have been met in order for the Registrant to be allowed to attend the In-Person segment of the Hybrid.
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact us.
Course Test and Evaluation Form Requirements
All Participants are required to take a multiple-choice test, with at least 80% accuracy, for the independent online segment and one multiple choice test, with at least 80% accuracy, at the end of each day of the in-person conference to verify their understanding of the Conference materials. Upon full completion of the SOS Approach to Feeding Conference, participants must also complete a course evaluation form in order to receive their certificate of attendance.
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.
d 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 Online Segment video and pass a test with a minimum score of 80% by 7 days prior to the first day of the In-Person Segment of the Hybrid SOS Approach to Feeding Conference. Each participant is also required to take another multiple-choice test, with at least an 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 conference materials. Upon full completion of both segments of the Hybrid SOS Approach to Feeding Conference, participants must also complete a course evaluation form in order to receive their certificate of attendance.
American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA)
Toomey & Associates, Inc. is an AOTA Course Approved Provider of Continuing Education. 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 a specific course content, products, or clinical procedures by AOTA or indicate AOTA approval of a certification or other professional recognition.
Not available for partial credit.
** Note: Each participant must view the entire Online Segment video and pass a test with a minimum score of 80% by 7 days prior to the first day of the In-Person Segment of the Hybrid SOS Approach to Feeding Conference. Each participant is also required to take another multiple-choice test, with at least an 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 conference materials. Upon full completion of both segments of the Hybrid SOS Approach to Feeding Conference, participants must also complete a course evaluation form in order to receive their certificate of attendance.
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:
Hyatt Regency Rochester
125 E. Main Street
Rochester, NY 14604
(585)546-1234
Group rate: $159/night + tax
Cutoff date: May 12, 2025
Book Online Directly Here
Hotel Features:
- Indoor Heated pool
- 24-hour fitness center
- Onsite restaurant
- Free Wi-Fi
Parking:
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.
Conference Support Provided By
Thank you, Mary Cariola Center, for providing promotional support and volunteers for the SOS Approach to Feeding Conference!
Phone: (585) 271-0761
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.marycariola.org
