Distance education brings together students and instructors separated by geographical distance.
The CHTC’s Distance Learning Program provides staff with the opportunity to participate in training experiences via the Internet within their local agency setting. Over one hundred twenty-broadcasts and training videos have been developed and produced by the CHTC with topics selected by the Illinois Department of Human Services (DHS), Office of Family Wellness.
Instruction via satellite and webcast has proven to be a cost effective means of reaching a statewide and often nationwide audience. Within that framework, broadcasts provide learning opportunities using lecture, role play and panel discussions. Topics range from “Safety and Sobriety: Real Tools for Working with Women with Multiple Abuse Issues” to “Diabetes and Tobacco: A Harmful Combination.”
April 10, 2026, 9am-10am CST “The Art of Hand Expression”
Speaker: Barbara D. Robertson, IBCLC
Hand expression is one of the most important breastfeeding skills that can reduce the perception of low milk supply for families. It may be more effective than pumps at removing colostrum in the first days postpartum and can be a valuable skill used throughout breastfeeding. However, it can be challenging for nursing parents and breastfeeding advocates to learn. This webcast will review the benefits of hand expression, teach multiple methods of hand expression, and help the viewer counsel families about this skill in pregnancy as well as postpartum.
Objectives:
- The participant will be able to list three benefits of hand expression.
- The participant will be able to demonstrate two types of hand expression
- The participant will be able to share with families when and how prenatal hand expression might be appropriate for them.
Viewing time for this presentation is 1 hour and has been approved for 1 credit.
Participant Outline “The Art of Hand Expression”
**slides and handouts are not to be shared or copied to other websites**
April 17, 2026, 1pm CST “Maternal Mental Health and Medical Risk in Pregnancy and Postpartum Care”
Description:
Improve educational understanding and awareness of maternal mental health and its impact on maternal and infant health outcomes.
Objectives:
- Effectively correlate maternal mental health and is impact on health outcomes for mother and infant
- Identify tools, techniques, and opportunities to screen and refer pregnant and postpartum individuals and their families for mental health support.
- Understand the role that untreated mental health conditions play on high-risk medical conditions when treating high risk populations.
- Recognize and understand the importance of cultural competency and awareness to effectively screen, support, and case plan for diverse patients.
- Effectively develop a birthing plan and joint treatment planning that incorporates mental health and wellness considerations and medical factors.
Viewing time for this presentation is 1 hour and has been approved for 1 credit (for Nursing and Social Work credit)
Past Events
2026 – 2025 – 2024 – 2023 – 2022 – 2021 – 2020 – 2019 – 2018 – 2017 – 2016 – 2015 – 2014 – 2013 – 2012 – 2011 – 2010 – 2009 – 2008 – 2007 – 2006 – 2005 – 2004 – 2003 – 2002 – 2001 – 2000 – 1999 – 1998 – 1997 – 1996
2026
| Date | Topic of Presentation | Handouts | Webcasts |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4/17/2026 | “Maternal Mental Health and Medical Risk in Pregnancy and Postpartum Care” | Flyer PPT Presentation | Watch Recording After the original webcast date, please contact rpondexter@springfieldul.org to register and receive the passcode. |
| 4/10/2026 | “The Art of Hand Expression” | Participant Outline “The Art of Hand Expression” | Watch Recording After the original webcast date, please contact rpondexter@springfieldul.org to register. |
2025
| Date | Topic of Presentation | Handouts | Webcasts |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11/13/2025 | “From Connection to Collective Action: Creative Community Engagement” | Flyer PPT Presentation | Watch Recording After the original webcast date, please contact rpondexter@springfieldul.org to register. |
| 10/28/2025 | “Promoting Positive Pregnancy Outcomes for Families and Babies” | | Watch Recording After the original webcast date, please contact rpondexter@springfieldul.org to register and receive the passcode. |
| 10/20/2025 | “Way Beyond the ABC’s: Preventing Sleep-Related Infant Death” | | Watch Recording After the original webcast date, please contact rpondexter@springfieldul.org to register and receive the passcode. |
| 4/17/2025 | Black Maternal Health Week “Strategies for Saving Lives” | | Watch Recording |
2024
| Date | Topic of Presentation | Handouts | Webcast |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10/28/2024 | Preventing Sudden Unexpected Infant Death: Turning Data to Action | Safe Sleep Flyer (English) Safe Sleep Flyer (Spanish) | Watch Recording After the original webcast date, please contact rpondexter@springfieldul.org to register. |
| 06/04 – 06/05/2024 | Black Maternal Health Equity Course | There are no handouts for these presentations. | Video 1 Video 2 Resources |
| 05/21/2024 | Breastfeeding Aids and Devices | PPT Presentation | Click here to access the presentation After the original webcast date, please contact rpondexter@springfieldul.org to register. |
| 04/17/2024 | The Fight Continues | There are no handouts for this presentation. CE was provided only to viewers on the original airing date. | Video shown as part of the presentation: Carrita’s Story “The Fight Continues” |
2023
| Date | Topic of Presentation | Handouts | Webcast |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11/28/2023 | Understanding the Mastitis Spectrum | Access the presentation After the original webcast date, please contact rpondexter@springfieldul.org to register. | |
| 9/19/2023 | Count the Kicks | PPT Presentation | Access the presentation Supporting Materials: Good Morning America video Emily’s story Nahla’s Story Extra: How to use the app |
| 07/14/2023 | Postpartum Prime Time: Compassionate Lactation Care Through a Mental Health Lens | Perinatal Mental Health Resource List | Access the presentation |
| 05/04/2023 | Wake Up Call: Protecting Infants from Sleep Related Death, Part 2 | DHS Resource 2019 SUID Case Registry Cook County | After the original webcast date, please contact rpondexter@springfieldul.org to register. |
| 04/27/2023 | Wake Up Call: Protecting Infants from Sleep Related Death, Part 1 | Handout | After the original webcast date, please contact rpondexter@springfieldul.org to register. |
| 04/24 – 04/25/2023 | 2023 WIC Symposium | WIC Symposium Day 1 Day 1 Panelist Discussion Day 2: Services Through the Looking Glass of the WIC Participant Day 2: Bringing It All Together | |
| 02/07/2023 | How Comfortable are you doing Pump Fitting and Assessment? | Handout Quiz | Access the presentation After the original webcast date, please contact rpondexter@springfieldul.org to register. |
2022
| Date | Topic of Presentation | Handouts | Webcast |
|---|---|---|---|
| 09/06/2022 | All Those Breastfeeding Myths: What Can We Do? | Handout Quiz Questions | Access the presentation After the original webcast date, please contact rpondexter@springfieldul.org to register. |
| 08/01/2022 | USDA Breastfeeding Curriculum Videos | After viewing a module listed below, please email Roberta Pondexter (rpondexter@springfieldul.org) to receive a completion certificate Session 1 Session 2A Session 2B Session 2C Session 3A Session 3B Session 4A Session 4B Session 4C | |
| 07/21/2022 | WIC Health | Creating Your Client Account (English) Creating Your Client Account (Spanish) WIC Health Intro Presentation Topics: Beginning to 10:02 Introductory and historical context 10:02-28:49 Logging in as a participant for the first time and a walk through of a participant’s experience 28:49-36:29 Logging in as a staff member 36:29-end conclusion, next steps, and contact information | |
| 06/07/2022 | I Don’t Have Enough Milk: Perception versus Reality | Handout Quiz Questions | Access the presentation After the original webcast date, please contact rpondexter@springfieldul.org to register. |
| 05/03/2022 | Those Amazing Human Milk Oligosaccharides! **CE is no longer available for this webcast | Quiz Questions | Access the presentation After the original webcast date, please contact rpondexter@springfieldul.org to register. |
| 04/19/2022 | Covid-19 Vaccines for Pregnant Persons & Children (webinar) | Handout | Access the presentation After the original webcast date, please contact rpondexter@springfieldul.org to register. |
| 04/05/2022 | Navigating the Day Care Waters: Assisting Breastfeeding Parents **CE is not provided for these presentations | Handout Quiz Questions | Access the presentation After the original webcast date, please contact rpondexter@springfieldul.org to register. |
| 03/17/2022 | Peer Counselor Enrichment Breastfeeding: Keep it Simple, Make it Real presented by Amy Spangler, MN, RN, IBCLC **CE is not provided for these presentations | None | “Teaching without Preaching: Communication Strategies that Work” “Keep it Simple, Make it Real” “Navigating Breastfeeding’s Mythical Minefields” |
| 03/01/2022 | Baby Wearing; I Can Make Dinner **CE is no longer available for this webcast | Handout Quiz Questions | Access the presentation After the original webcast date, please contact rpondexter@springfieldul.org to register. |
2021
| Date | Topic of Presentation | Handouts | Webcast |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12/7/2021 | Practical Strategies for Managing Human Milk Supply: Part 1: Preparing Parents to Lay the Foundation for Milk Supply **CE is no longer available for this webcast | Presentation handout | After the original webcast date, please contact rpondexter@springfieldul.org to register. |
| 11/18/2021 | Breastside Manner: A Participant-Centered Approach to Lactation Support **CEUs for this webinar were issued only for participants in the live event. ** | There are no handouts for this presentation | Watch Recording |
| 2/2/2021 | D-MER: What breastfeeding moms might not be telling you | PPT Presentation Quiz Questions | Watch Recording Watch Recording (CC) After the original webcast date, please contact rpondexter@springfieldul.org to register. |
2020
| Date | Topic of Presentation | Handouts | Webcast |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7/7/2020 | Primetime: The First Hour | PPT Presentation Quiz Questions | Watch Recording Watch Recording (CC) After the original webcast date, please contact rpondexter@springfieldul.org to register. |
| 6/2/2020 | Why Do Mothers Supplement So Early? **CE is no longer available for this webcast | PPT Presentation Quiz Questions | Watch Recording Watch Recording (CC) After the original webcast date, please contact rpondexter@springfieldul.org to register. |
| 5/5/2020 | Canceled | ||
| 4/7/2020 | Canceled | ||
| 3/3/2020 | The Use of Social Media to Support and Promote Breastfeeding (50 minutes) | Handout Quiz | Watch Recording Watch Recording (CC) After the original webcast date, please contact rpondexter@springfieldul.org to register. |
| 2/4/2020 | Breastfeeding and the Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome Infant (58 minutes) | Handout Quiz | Watch Recording < |