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  • Child Abuse Prevention – Outreach Toolkit 2024 - National Child Abuse Prevention Month: April 2024 Whether by proclamation, through social media, with graphics, or through other means, spreading the word about child abuse prevention lets your community know they can take action to strengthen families and help them … Read More
  • Child Welfare Law Specialist Certification - Child Welfare Law Specialist (CWLS) certification is a professional achievement that signifies an attorney’s specialized knowledge, skill, and verified expertise in the field of child welfare law. The specialization area is defined as “the practice of law representing children, parents … Read More
  • LA Benchbook Louisiana CINC Benchbook - The Court Improvement Program of the Louisiana Supreme Court, Louisiana Judicial College, and Pelican Center for Children and Families is delighted to announce the publication of the Louisiana Child in Need of Care Benchbook for Juvenile Judges. The Benchbook project is a … Read More

Upcoming Events

Nov
6
Wed
22nd Annual Together We Can Conference
Nov 6 – Nov 8 all-day
22nd Annual Together We Can Conference

The Together We Can Conference is a multi-day conference with over 50 workshops, institutes, keynotes and more! The multi-disciplinary event that is considered the place to go for child abuse and neglect training for CASA, CAC, Judges, parents’ attorneys, children’s attorneys, social workers, Indigent Defenders, DCFS workers, law enforcement professionals, education professionals, mental health professionals, and more!

The TWC conference began in Louisiana in 2002 as a merger between two events that were very similar and often had the same speakers – the Families in the Balance Conference and the Justice for Children Conference. Since that time, several other organizations have begun collaboratively working with us annually to present this conference.

The Together We Can conference will offer in-depth learning opportunities which address policy and practice concerns. There will be keynote addresses focused on the latest trends and institute sessions allowing more intensive attention to the selected topics.  Awards will be presented during Keynote sessions to honor those who have demonstrated commitment above and beyond on behalf of children.

REGISTER HERE

TBRI Connecting Principles Virtual Training Module 2: Attachment (when things go wrong) and Mindfulness Strategies
Nov 6 @ 8:00 pm – 9:30 pm
TBRI Connecting Principles Virtual Training Module 2: Attachment (when things go wrong) and Mindfulness Strategies

Parenting is challenging, particularly when you are parenting a child from a hard place. TBRI® Connecting Principles will provide and in-depth look at connection and attachment and will give you strategies and skills for helping children and families heal. This multi-disciplinary training is designed to give caregivers, volunteers, and professionals who serve children and families the knowledge and practical skills they need to bring hope and healing.

This multi-disciplinary training is designed to give caregivers, volunteers, and professionals who serve children and families the knowledge and practical skills they need to bring hope and healing. This live, online training has 4 video-conferencing modules, giving participants the opportunity learn in an interactive environment.

Please Note: Participants must attend TBRI Introduction and Overview prior to attending this training.

Module 1: Introduction and Insight
Learning objectives:
1. Gain knowledge & insight about infant attachment that will build a foundation for awareness of your own attachment history as well as how to build secure connections with children.

Module 2: Attachment (when things go wrong) and Mindfulness Strategies ( May 15)
Learning objectives:
1. Gain knowledge regarding the effects of insecure attachment on the ability to regulate behavior.
2. Gain insight on how our own attachment styles and histories influence the relationships we have with others.

Module 3: Engagement Strategies
Learning objective:
1. Gain strategies and techniques that make it easier to relate to children in the ways they communicate best – non verbally and through playful interaction.

Module 4: Building Trust by Giving Voice
Learning objectives:
1. Gain understanding and compassion regarding the fact that children from hard places often crave control of their environments, which is a product of having no control over their past.
2. Gain strategies that teach children that their words have power and safe adults will listen to their needs.

REGISTER HERE

Nov
7
Thu
National Federation of Families 2024 Conference: 35th Anniversary Celebration
Nov 7 – Nov 9 all-day
National Federation of Families 2024 Conference: 35th Anniversary Celebration

The National Federation of Families is the nationwide advocacy organization with families as its sole focus, playing an important role in helping parents, caregivers, and families of children—of any age—whose lives are impacted by mental health and substance use challenges during their lifetime. This important work is supported largely by generous sponsors, supporters, and donors like you who contribute to our cause. Additionally, the National Federation of Families (NFF) provides the only National Certification for Family Peer Specialists™ (CFPS).

For the last 35 years, the NFF has brought families, parents, community leaders, providers, partners, and legislators together at our Annual Conference where we work to leverage our lived experience and learned solutions for the support and advancement of families impacted by mental health and/or substance use challenges during the lifetime of their children.

To accomplish this, we welcome a diverse array of voices of those with lived experience for attendees to learn from and alongside. We look forward to celebrating our 35th anniversary in Orlando, FL with you this year!

REGISTER HERE

Bringing Your Diligent Recruitment Plan to life: Developing a Meaningful Implementation Plan
Nov 7 @ 12:00 pm – 1:15 pm
Bringing Your Diligent Recruitment Plan to life: Developing a Meaningful Implementation Plan

Join us for a free webinar to learn about effective approaches for implementing your child welfare system’s diligent recruitment plan. Hear specific tips and strategies for creating an implementation plan that will help guide your work, including ideas for prioritizing and sequencing your efforts and ways to connect your diligent recruitment efforts to other relevant priorities and initiatives in your child welfare system.

Learning objectives

  • Actionable approaches for implementing your diligent recruitment plan
  • The value of connecting your diligent recruitment plan implementation to other priorities in your system
  • How other child welfare systems approach implementing diligent recruitment strategies and activities
  • The value of tracking progress and measuring impact as part of your implementation efforts
  • Ways to engage people with lived experience in diligent recruitment plan implementation

Presenters

Alicia Groh
Consultant
National Center for Diligent Recruitment

Margarita Assink
National child welfare advisor
National Center for Diligent Recruitment

REGISTER HERE

Equipping Systems to Support American Indian and Alaska Native Families Affected by Substance Use
Nov 7 @ 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
Equipping Systems to Support American Indian and Alaska Native Families Affected by Substance Use

This webinar is tailored for systems that serve American Indian and Alaskan Native (AI/AN) families affected by substance use. It provides specific strategies and tools to equip the workforce to deliver culturally appropriate services for AI/AN families. Attendees will

  • Receive information on the history of policies and practices that separated AI/AN families
  • Learn about legislation, such as the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA), developed in response to the policies and practices
  • Gain access to newly developed tools focused on improving outcomes for AI/AN families affected by substance use

Join the webinar to receive the newly published NCSACW resource The Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) Active Efforts Support Toolkit (IAST)

Paperwork Reduction Act Statement: https://www.cffutures.org/pra-training-registration/

REGISTER HERE

Nov
8
Fri
TBRI® Empowering Principles Module 1: Empowering
Nov 8 @ 9:00 pm – 12:00 am
TBRI® Empowering Principles Module 1: Empowering

Parenting is challenging, particularly when you are parenting a child from a hard place. TBRI ® Empowering Principles will provide an in-depth look at ways to empower your children by meeting their unique physical needs and creating an environment in which they can succeed. This session includes information on sensory processing and practical tools and skills to help children regulate their emotions and behaviors. This multi-disciplinary training is designed to give caregivers, volunteers, and professionals who serve children and families the knowledge and practical skills they need to bring hope and healing.

This multi-disciplinary training is designed to give caregivers, volunteers, and professionals who serve children and families the knowledge and practical skills they need to bring hope and healing. This live, online training has 4 video-conferencing modules, giving participants the opportunity learn in an interactive environment.

Please Note: Participants must attend TBRI Introduction and Overview prior to attending this training.

Module 1: Empowering
Learning objectives:
1. Understanding regarding how to help teach children self-regulation through internal (physiological) and external (environmental) strategies
2. Understanding the importance of felt safety and how it enables learning and growth in children
3. Understanding the effects of dehydration and fluctuations in blood glucose and how to proactively avoid such fluctuations.
4. Mindset shift surrounding the question, “What is the need behind this behavior?”
5. Understanding regarding the functions of the external and internal senses
6. Understanding how trauma has affected the sensory systems of children and how these deficits are often mistaken as willful misbehavior.

Module 2: Empowering
Learning objectives:
1. Watching empowering principles put into practice in behavioral episodes
2. Recognizing the importance of felt safety, connection, and setting the behavioral bar appropriately in relationship with a child’s ability to self-regulate.
3. Understanding the need for support during transitions for children who have experienced trauma and how to implement those needed supports.
4. Understanding the progression from external regulation to self-regulation and how to mentor children’s capacity to self-regulate.

REGISTER HERE

Nov
11
Mon
High-Quality Legal Representation in Cases Involving Infants and Toddlers Session Three: Advocacy Around the Removal Decision
Nov 11 @ 2:30 pm – 4:00 pm
High-Quality Legal Representation in Cases Involving Infants and Toddlers Session Three: Advocacy Around the Removal Decision

NACC is pleased to announce our new and expanded Infants & Toddlers series. This comprehensive four-session series is tailored for attorneys for the agency, children, or parents, as well as judges and social workers in infant and toddler cases.

Dive deep into the nuances of providing high-quality legal representation in cases involving our youngest and most vulnerable clients. From compassionate advocacy and understanding the unique harms faced by infants and toddlers to navigating the removal decision and fostering collaboration for families, each session is designed to equip you with the specialized knowledge and skills needed to effectively advocate for these young individuals.

Don’t miss this opportunity to enhance your practice and make a meaningful impact in the lives of infants and toddlers. Register now to secure your spot in this essential series. All registrants also receive electronic access to last year’s recordings and materials from the High-Quality Legal Representation for Infants and Toddlers Training Series.

Session Three: Advocacy Around the Removal Decision

  • Trauma of Removal: Child, Parents, Sibling Kin
  • Early Advocacy
  • Reasonable Efforts Advocacy
  • Bonding/Attachment Considerations with Birth Family

REGISTER HERE

TBRI Connecting Principles Virtual Training Module 3: Engagement Strategies
Nov 11 @ 8:00 pm – 9:30 pm
TBRI Connecting Principles Virtual Training Module 3: Engagement Strategies

Parenting is challenging, particularly when you are parenting a child from a hard place. TBRI® Connecting Principles will provide and in-depth look at connection and attachment and will give you strategies and skills for helping children and families heal. This multi-disciplinary training is designed to give caregivers, volunteers, and professionals who serve children and families the knowledge and practical skills they need to bring hope and healing.

This multi-disciplinary training is designed to give caregivers, volunteers, and professionals who serve children and families the knowledge and practical skills they need to bring hope and healing. This live, online training has 4 video-conferencing modules, giving participants the opportunity learn in an interactive environment.

Please Note: Participants must attend TBRI Introduction and Overview prior to attending this training.

Module 1: Introduction and Insight
Learning objectives:
1. Gain knowledge & insight about infant attachment that will build a foundation for awareness of your own attachment history as well as how to build secure connections with children.

Module 2: Attachment (when things go wrong) and Mindfulness Strategies ( May 15)
Learning objectives:
1. Gain knowledge regarding the effects of insecure attachment on the ability to regulate behavior.
2. Gain insight on how our own attachment styles and histories influence the relationships we have with others.

Module 3: Engagement Strategies
Learning objective:
1. Gain strategies and techniques that make it easier to relate to children in the ways they communicate best – non verbally and through playful interaction.

Module 4: Building Trust by Giving Voice
Learning objectives:
1. Gain understanding and compassion regarding the fact that children from hard places often crave control of their environments, which is a product of having no control over their past.
2. Gain strategies that teach children that their words have power and safe adults will listen to their needs.

REGISTER HERE

Nov
12
Tue
Sustained Recovery: Don’t Make Aftercare an Afterthought
Nov 12 @ 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm
Sustained Recovery: Don’t Make Aftercare an Afterthought

Recovery is a process, and FTCs are a time-limited acute intervention in a family’s life. FTCs must blend aftercare planning into its program design to best support parents and their children after case closure. Aftercare plans, also known as “continuing care plans,” can provide parents with structure, accountability, and needed ongoing services to both parents and children after child welfare, treatment services, and the FTC no longer remain a central part of their lives. This Practice Academy shares the “do’s and don’ts” of aftercare planning, highlights innovative approaches to continuing care, and offers strategies and examples that FTC teams use to support sustained family recovery.   

Learning Objectives: 

  • Identify the purpose and process of aftercare planning. 
  • Establish do’s and don’ts of aftercare planning. 
  • Apply lessons about aftercare planning successes and challenges from FTC alumni in sustained recovery. 
  • Adopt strategies from recovery research and innovative FTCs focused on sustained recovery. may not appropriately identify and treat parents with co-occurring disorders.  

REGISTER HERE

Conversations on Race, Equity, and Inclusion Training Series: Session 4 – Intersectionality: A Rationale for Cultural Humility
Nov 12 @ 1:30 pm – Nov 14 @ 2:00 pm
Conversations on Race, Equity, and Inclusion Training Series: Session 4 – Intersectionality: A Rationale for Cultural Humility

The civil rights movement of the 1950s and 60s prompted educators and health and human services professionals to develop cultural competence. The belief was, if the mostly white practitioners increased their knowledge of diverse racial and ethnic groups’ values and customs, they could improve the delivery of services to diverse populations. While cultural competence was a step in the right direction, it inadvertently reinforced and created stereotypes about cultural practices and experiences that fell short of achieving its goal of supporting culturally sensitive service delivery.

 

In this two-part training session, participants will learn the importance of cultural humility: suspending cultural assumptions and, instead, embracing individuals’ personal definitions and expressions of culture. Participants will explore cultural humility by defining their own personal culture using a myriad of identity factors (e.g., skin color, ethnicity, age, gender, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, and ability) and determining whether those identity factors place them in privileged or marginalized groups, or both. They will learn how the intersections of various identity factors create a unique cultural experience for every individual and how these intersections result in systemic power differentials and complex experiences of oppression. Finally, they will apply their cultural identity to the framework of the Cage of Oppression and, using the example of lookism, evaluate how existing power structures impact their lives and the lives of those they serve. By recognizing the societal effects of intersectionality, participants will be challenged to incorporate cultural humility in their personal and professional interactions.

REGISTER HERE