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support@pelicancenter.org

Upcoming Events​

Mar
7
Thu
2024 National Conference on Juvenile Justice @ Hilton Cleveland Downtown
Mar 7 @ 1:00 pm – Mar 20 @ 6:00 pm
2024 National Conference on Juvenile Justice @ Hilton Cleveland Downtown

Please join the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges (NCJFCJ) for the 2024 National Conference on Juvenile Justice taking place March 17 – 20, 2024, at the Hilton Cleveland Downtown in Cleveland, Ohio. The conference will feature amazing presentations on current and cutting edge topics that will inspire you, broaden your knowledge, and provoke discussions about issues facing the juvenile and family court system.

For 86 years, the NCJFCJ has led systems to change by embracing the values of Compassion, Leadership, Education, and Community through our network of more than 30,000 juvenile and family court professionals who share in the mission of this organization.

There will be plenary and breakout sessions on juvenile justice, trafficking, child welfare, court best practices, and innovative solutions. These are just some of the educational offerings of the 2024 National Conference on Juvenile Justice.

Who Should Attend?

This conference is designed for a wide range of disciplines and is open to all those interested in the improvement of child welfare and the juvenile justice system. We offer two registration rates – one for current NCJFCJ members and one for non-members with a Pathway to Membership (may include a 1 year NCJFCJ membership with conference registration if applicable).

REGISTER HERE

Mar
21
Thu
Community-Centric Fundraising and the Exciting Evolution of Nonprofits and Philanthropy, a Deep Dive with Vu Le @ Grand Hyatt Denver
Mar 21 @ 9:30 am – 5:30 pm
Community-Centric Fundraising and the Exciting Evolution of Nonprofits and Philanthropy, a Deep Dive with Vu Le @ Grand Hyatt Denver

Nonprofits are amazing and do incredible work every day. To support this work, we all do some level of fundraising. No matter how strong your existing strategy is, there is room for improvement. It’s time to reimagine the future of fundraising in our sector. During this engaging and interactive 6-hour session, geared towards leaders in the child welfare and mental health sectors, Vu Le of NonprofitAF.com will lead conversations on how fundraising is evolving. The first half of the day will focus on the overarching view of our field. We will examine philosophies and practices that may be holding us back, including boards, philanthropy, our relationship with for-profits, and our own bad habits. The second half of the day will dive into Community-Centric Fundraising: what it is, why it is needed, and what actions we each can take. Be prepared to laugh, be challenged, and feel validated. Space is limited. Programming will include lunch and a post-event happy hour.

Objectives:

  • Attendees have a better understanding of the overarching challenges facing non-profit organizations
  • Attendees increase knowledge in history and principles of CCF and the actions aligned with CCF
  • Attendees leave with concrete action items to implement at their organization
  • Attendees feel more connected to their colleagues and their work

REGISTER HERE

CIP Cafe’ Introduction To The Department of Children And Family Services
Mar 21 @ 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
CIP Cafe' Introduction To The Department of Children And Family Services

David N. Matlock was appointed Secretary of the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) on January 8, 2024. Secretary Matlock previously served as Chief Judge of the Juvenile Court for Caddo Parish from 1999 until his retirement in June 2023. First elected to serve as judge in 1994, he has been praised for proactive, trauma-informed approaches to handling the adversities facing Louisiana families. 

Secretary Matlock is excited and optimistic about his new position. As a former juvenile judge, he brings a unique perspective to the role—understanding the court side of the child welfare system. He is concerned about the DCFS attrition rates, especially at the local level, and the high caseloads carried by DCFS workers. His priorities include focusing on supporting judges, addressing DCFS workforce issues, and addressing the shortage of foster homes. Please join us for this special CIP Café and opportunity to hear directly from the new head of DCFS.

Speaker:

  • David N. Matlock, J.D., Secretary of the Department of Children and Family Services

With facilitators:

  • Storm Ehlers, J.D., Deputy Judicial Administrator of the Division of Children and Families at the Louisiana Supreme Court
  • Mark Harris, J.D., Executive Director, Pelican Center for Children and Families

 

Agenda:

12:00-12:20 pm   Background and Perspective

12:20-12:50 pm   Priorities, Strategies, and Collaborations

12:50-1:00 pm     Questions & Discussion

Objectives:

  • Be introduced to the new Secretary for the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS).
  • Understand the current DCFS priorities applicable to child welfare and legal stakeholders.
  • Learn about the planned strategies the agency will use and collaboration opportunities for child welfare partners.

REGISTER HERE

Mar
28
Thu
Assessing Our Capacity for Family Support and Prevention Programming – Training
Mar 28 @ 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Assessing Our Capacity for Family Support and Prevention Programming - Training

There are a myriad of unique challenges and opportunities related to the development of family support and primary prevention programming for non-profit child welfare agencies. Many jurisdictions have been exploring a variety of approaches that prioritize more accessible, non-stigmatizing, and common-sense approaches to service delivery. There is a renewed emphasis on family engagement and involvement as agencies are being encouraged to collaborate with a wider range of community partners.

 

Non-profit child welfare agencies, especially those with long histories of providing deeper end services to children and families, are rethinking their purpose and the programs to align themselves more closely with public policy and the best practices related to family support and primary prevention. For many of these agencies, this is easier said than done and the practical reality of implementation can be daunting for an organization, its Board, its leadership team, and its frontline team practitioners. The adaptive and organizational culture changes are transformational but there is no established road map for how provider agencies might best achieve their goals.

 

This two-hour session will be a primer that frames the useful and practical questions on the road to redesign. The content will take participants beyond slogans and big picture themes and will emphasize a more detailed and operational approach to the task of redesigning an agency’s programs and practices.

REGISTER HERE

Apr
2
Tue
Trauma-Informed Parenting for Adoptive Parents (Part 2)
Apr 2 @ 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
Trauma-Informed Parenting for Adoptive Parents (Part 2)

Join us for a continued look at trauma-informed parenting, through the lens of complex trauma. This workshop-style webinar will look at the characteristics of Complex PTSD, behaviors and conditions that can develop after exposure to traumatic stress, and the ways this may present itself within an adoptive parent-child relationship. We’ll provide strategies for parenting through challenges related to maintaining trust, repairing self-worth, and regulating complex emotions. This presentation will explore ways to understand and meet the needs of children as they move toward adolescence, a phase where the brain’s developmental progression may present additional challenges for those who have experienced significant interpersonal trauma.

Registration is open until the webinar begins. To participate in this webinar, attendees must have the Zoom application downloaded to their device. For more information on this webinar and continuing education credits please follow the links below.

REGISTER HERE

Apr
7
Sun
42nd Annual Protecting Our Children Conference
Apr 7 @ 8:30 am – Apr 10 @ 4:30 pm

Each year, NICWA hosts the largest national gathering on American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) child advocacy issues. With over 1,600 attendees—and growing every year—this three-day conference has become the premiere national event addressing tribal child welfare and well-being. Keynote speakers range from federal officials at the highest level of government to youth with lived experience in child welfare systems.

New this year! For those who can’t make it to Seattle, we have a virtual option. All three of our amazing general sessions with over a dozen wonderful speakers will be broadcast virtually. If you can’t make it in person, consider being a virtual attendee.

NICWA provides meaningful programming to conference attendees, creating a space where participants can learn about the latest developments and best practices from experts in the field and from one another. Participants represent a cross-section of fields and interests including child welfare, mental health, and juvenile justice service providers; legal professionals; students; advocates for children; and tribal, state, and federal leaders.

UPDATE: NICWA’s 42nd Annual Protecting Our Children Conference is officially sold out for in-person attendance. You can still join the excitement by registering as a virtual attendee! If you have any questions, contact us at training@nicwa.org and we’ll be happy to assist you.

REGISTER HERE 

Apr
9
Tue
ABA Center on Children and the Law Spring 2024 National Conferences @ The Ritz-Carlton in Tysons Corner
Apr 9 @ 8:00 am – Apr 12 @ 4:00 pm
ABA Center on Children and the Law Spring 2024 National Conferences @ The Ritz-Carlton in Tysons Corner

Join us for the ABA Center on Children and the Law Spring 2024 National Conferences designed to train, engage, and provide opportunities for networking and dialogue among child welfare professionals.

As of 2/20, the ABA National Conference on Parent Representation has reached capacity. As of 2/29, the Full conference has reached capacity. If you are seeking to register for either conference, we can put your name on a waitlist.

For those seeking to attend only the Access to Justice Conference, we will leave that registration option open until it reaches capacity.

REGISTER HERE

Apr
13
Sat
AMCHP Annual Conference
Apr 13 @ 8:30 am – Apr 16 @ 5:30 pm
AMCHP Annual Conference

This year, the 2024 AMCHP Annual Conference falls during Black Maternal Health Week (BMHW). BMHW is a week-long, annual campaign founded and led by the Black Mamas Matter Alliance and takes place April 11-17. It is a celebration and annual crescendo in the reproductive justice movement and a time of deep solidarity, creativity, visioning, and action.  

The co-occurrence of the AMCHP conference during Black Maternal Health Week was not intentional, and we wish we acknowledged it sooner. We will ensure that AMCHP conference activities include time, space, and acknowledgment for attendees to participate in virtual events hosted by the Black Mamas Matter Alliance and partner organizations. We will maximize the opportunity presented by AMCHP 2024 and convening maternal and child health leaders from across the country to raise awareness of this critical movement, to honor Black maternal health leaders, birthing people, and families, and to make deep commitments to using our collective power to transform systems for reproductive justice and racial justice.  

We look forward to providing more updates on how we will celebrate Black Maternal Health Week at AMCHP 2024 through our conference newsletter and forthcoming detailed agenda.

REGISTER HERE

Apr
17
Wed
Child Welfare League of America – National Conference @ Washington, DC
Apr 17 – Apr 19 all-day
Child Welfare League of America - National Conference @ Washington, DC

CWLA’s conference will bring together solutions from all sectors of child welfare and its related systems, furthering the shift toward an integrated, accessible, culturally responsive services continuum that advances family and community well-being.

Creating Meaningful Change

2024 National Conference

April 17-19, 2024 in Washington, DC

Apr
22
Mon
29th Children’s Justice Conference @ Spokane Convention Center
Apr 22 @ 7:00 am – Apr 23 @ 7:00 pm
29th Children’s Justice Conference @ Spokane Convention Center

The Children’s Justice Conference (CJC) is the largest child welfare-related conference in the Pacific Northwest. The CJC provides professionals from multiple disciplines a unique opportunity to receive core and advanced training and skill development in identifying, investigating, and prosecuting child maltreatment.

You will have unparalleled opportunities to learn and network with professionals representing a variety of disciplines involved in the child welfare community.

REGISTER HERE