The Georgia Conference on Children & Families is the largest annual interdisciplinary event in Georgia designed to convene the community that serves children and families. With the theme of “Better Together,” GCCF 2022 will feature specialized tracks, training/CE opportunities, and keynote speakers with the goal of improving outcomes for the children and families that we serve.
GCCF Participants represent the full spectrum of disciplines and organizations serving Georgia’s children and families which includes child advocacy, juvenile justice, social service, education, legal counsel and the faith-based community. The conference provides a forum to improve competencies, learn from experts in the field and network with other professionals who have a wealth of experience.
Our goal is for this to be the most impactful and exciting GCCF yet - you won't want to miss this incredible conference!
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
9:00 AM - 1:00 PM
1:00 PM - 2:15 PM
2:30 PM - 4:00 PM
4:15 PM - 5:45 PM
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
8:00 AM - 8:30 AM
8:30 AM - 10:00 AM
10:15 AM - 11:45 AM
11:45 AM - 1:15 PM
1:30 PM - 3:00 PM
3:15 PM - 4:45 PM
5:00 PM - 6:30 PM
8:00 AM - 12:00 PM
8:00 AM - 8:30 AM
8:30 AM - 10:00 AM
10:15 AM - 11:45 AM
A01
This workshop will explore the use of traditional West African drumming with challenging youth. Information will be shared about research documenting the therapeutic benefits of drumming. . Participants will learn how to use simple warm-up activities with drums and found percussion items to work with groups. A traditional West African rhythm will be taught and played.
Tom Harris, MS
Therapeutic Drumming Manager, Youth Villages of Georgia
Marquis Taylor
Youth Villages of Georgia
A02
When selecting Evidence-Based Programs ... what can go wrong? This workshop will highlight common challenges during EBP implementation and then offer tips regarding the appropriate selection of evidence-based programs; real-world guidance regarding high-fidelity implementation and delivery of EBPs; and practical recommendations for program sustainability.
Dr. Dan Edwards
Senior Director, Evidence Based Associates
Kevin Freeman, LPC
Vice President of Evidence Based Programs, ncgCARE
A03
Relationships have the power to shape our brains. Relationships helps us learn better, work better, parent better. When we experience tough times. They help us heal. With each connection, we develop a healthier stronger community. This presentation will provide an overview of the Adverse Childhood Experience (ACEs) study and Georgia data.
Kari Viola-Brooke
LPC, CPCSExecutive Director of Child Enrichment
A04
Bridging the communication between the parent and child is crucial for therapeutic progress. We will discuss the use of dialectics and validation, based on Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)’s Walking the Middle Path Skill module, to help teen and parents see each other’s perspective, deescalate strong emotions, and improve communication.
Gaan Akers
LPC, NCC – Clinical Education & Referral Relations Manager, Hillside, Inc.
A05
This workshop examines the principles and values required for relative search to be effective and how these can be reflected and applied in everyday practice. The session focuses on the 5 steps of FSE and introduces participants to strategies and tools that assist in engaging youth and family to explore a range of support and connection.
Lori Ryan
M.A., LSW - Senior Child Welfare Manager, Plummer Youth Promise
A06
In this workshop, participants will engage in a process of exploring biases and stereotypes and ways to move beyond them when working with clients and colleagues. Through dialogue and activity, participants will gain a greater understanding of the many facets of diversity and culture, analyze their perceptions and biases, and learn key strategies for how to work better with others and apply knowledge about diversity to their work.
Debra Ross
MSW – Instructional Services Coordinator, Georgia State University School of Social Work Child Welfare Training Collaborative
A07
Join Together for Families Program Manager Sarah Winograd and Atlanta Angels Executive Director Christie Simons will present how they started their grass roots organizations. They will explain what their organizations do to help families, as Together for Families does to not have their children go into Foster Care due to poverty, and Atlanta Angels directly supports Foster Families who have children in their Foster Homes. Together Georgia Executive Director Juanita Stedman will lead the discussion that follows as to how organizations such as these two can be utilized by the Child Welfare Community.
Juanita Stedman
Executive Director, Together Georgia
Christie Simons
LPC – Executive Director and Co-Founder, Atlanta Angels
Sara Winograd-Babayeuski
Program Manager, Together for Families at Advocates for Children
B01
Self-care is a practice that each individual must develop based on their own unique needs. In the state of the world we live in, most people confuse self-recovery with self-care. Through the exploration of awareness, breath work, meditation, and painting, this interactive session will help identify mind/body practices which can be the foundation of a consistent self-care ritual.
Kimmy Yon
Community Engagement Manger, Youth Villages of Georgia
B02
Before moving into Managed Care I had not heard of HEDIS and what it means for providers. This is an interactive discussion centering on the behavioral health HEDIS measures. Peach State Health Plan values everything you do to deliver quality care for our members – your patients – and to make sure they have a positive healthcare experience. There are several behavioral health measures that providers can directly impact. That’s why we’ve created an easy-to-use, informative HEDIS At-A-Glance Toolkit.
Tami Brown
LPC – Senior Behavioral Health Program Manager, Peach State Health Plan
B03
This workshop will give advocates and child welfare workers the latest research on how trauma and digital media affects black girls’ mental health. This presentation will also help them recognize signs of suicide and trafficking and offers strategies to help black girls when they're struggling.
Dr. Sarah Bingham
DSW, MSW – Founder & CEO, Make-It-Click, Inc.
B04
Participants attending this workshop will learn the strategies that have proven effective in the field of youth employment by Georgia Division of Family Services and gain knowledge on the difference between working with the general population of youth versus foster youth and gain an understanding about employment trends and opportunities for youth in the state of Georgia.
Dolly Pope
Employment & Training Specialist, Georgia Division of Family & Children Services
B05
This workshop examines the principles and values required for relative search to be effective and how these can be reflected and applied in everyday practice. The session focuses on the 5 steps of FSE and introduces participants to strategies and tools that assist in engaging youth and family to explore a range of support and connection.
Lori Ryan
M.A., LSW - Senior Child Welfare Manager, Plummer Youth Promise
B06
This presentation focuses on Implicit Bias, Personal Mindset and the Child Welfare System in Georgia. As a participant, you will consider the messages you learned about people and the interacting systems that shaped your internal wiring, and contributed to your decision making around safety, and wellbeing.
LaFayette Young Jr
MSW – Training and Inclusion Specialist, Georgia CASA
B07
It takes parents, caregivers, and supportive RESOURCES to help children thrive. As professionals you know parents are often in complex situations and need professional and community support. This session explores barriers to meeting families’ basic needs and linking families to resources through concrete support through FindHelp Georgia.
Jennifer Stein
Executive Director, Prevent Child Abuse Georgia
C01
Join legislative experts Polly McKinney, Stan Jones, and Helen Sloat as they discuss the impacts of the 2022 legislative session on child welfare, provide information as to the implementation of House Bill 1013 (the Mental Health Parity Act) as well as provide Q&A opportunity.
Polly McKinney
Advocacy Director, Voices for Georgia’s Children
Stan Jones
Partner
Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough,
LLC
Helen Sloat
Legislative Consultant
C02
PCIT is a short-term, specialized behavior management program designed for young children experiencing behavioral and/or emotional difficulties and their families. PCIT teaches caregivers to manage their child’s difficult behaviors, while increasing their positive behaviors.PCIT works with the child and caregiver together to improve behavior and reduce parenting stress.
Leigh Gobbel
LPC, LCSW – Clinical Director, Pathways Transition Programs
Marina Yearsovich
LPC – PCIT Coordinator, Pathways Transition Programs
C03
C04
QPR is Gatekeeper Training for Suicide Prevention. Teaches lay and professional gatekeepers to recognize and respond positively to someone exhibiting suicide warning signs and behaviors. Key gatekeepers include a variety of professionals that can recognize a crisis and the warning signs that someone may be contemplating suicide.
Donnica Carpenter
MA, LMHC, LPC, MBA – Behavioral Health Initiative Lead, CareSource
C05
Attachment challenges in the children we serve are directly related to their past trauma experiences. This workshop will assist attendees in identifying the symptoms of the trauma-attachment connection. It will also identify strategies for clinicians, including how clinicians can help parents of attachmentchallenged adopted, foster, and congregate-care children.
Dr. Mark Andrews
Founder/Director, Adoptive Family Resources, Inc.
C06
This workshop reviews the qualifications and steps to get a foster youth who is diagnosed with a developmental disability into the Georgia COMP Waiver program for alternative residential options.
Brandie Chapman
Director of Developmental Disabilities Program, Creative Community Services
C07
Through this training, Georgia Appleseed will explore trends in exclusionary school discipline across the state of Georgia, with a focus on youth in foster care. The training will show how to best advocate for children in care facing exclusionary school discipline (or long term removal from school). The session will focus on best practices for preparing for and attending school disciplinary hearings and manifestation determination reviews, and how to best interact with the school system to promote positive educational outcomes for children in foster care.
Morgan Bridgman
JD – Policy Counsel, Georgia Appleseed Center for Law & Justice
Caren Cloud
JD – Legal and Policy Director, Georgia Appleseed
D01
This workshop references ACA Codes of Ethics Guidelines.
Dr. Jeffery D. Lawrence
VP of Programs, The Methodist Home
D.Min, MSW, LCSW
VP of Programs, The Methodist Home
D02
Magellan Health in Louisiana has successfully administered the Coordinated System of Care (CSoC) based on the WrapAround framework and principles for youth and families with the most complex behavioral health needs. This presentation will look at sustaining WrapAround through Medicaid waivers, quality measurement, and a drive to outcomes that matter.
Barbara Ann Dunn
LCSW, MSW – Senior Director of Children’s Healthcare, Magellan Healthcare
Syralja Griffin
LPC - Vice President and General Manager, Magellan Healthcare of Louisiana
D03
Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) has become irrevocably linked with autism. However, ABA has its roots in mental health. This workshop will explore how one agency is utilizing Trauma Informed Applied Behavior Analysis to reduce problem behavior and improve the quality of life for youth in care, leading to improved outcomes and permanency. A Trauma Informed Applied Behavior Analysis approach focuses on what is behind the function, what life experiences and events contribute to the individual's behavioral profile. TIABA uses trauma-sensitive assessment and intervention methods to support positive behavioral change for youth in foster care.
Courtney Norris
SOAR Program Behavior Director, Creative Community Services
Tanya Leonardo
Director of SOAR Services, Creative Community Services
D04
Since 2014, Clayton County Public Schools (CCPS), The Orange Duffel Bag Initiative (ODBI), a 501c3 nonprofit, and Clayton State University have partnered to provide ODBI After School Coaching Program and curriculum to CCPS students in need, helping them stay on track for life and education success. ODBI's coaching model and program were highlighted at NAEHCY 2013-2014. In this session, also highlighted at NAEHCY 2021-22, the story continues of this partnership and its growth to serve more students in need. Participants will learn how these partners scaled the program, curriculum, and delivery method, and how to replicate similar collaboration within their local community.
Michael Daly
President, Orange Duffle Bag Initiative
Sonia Davis
– Coordinator of Homeless Education, Clayton County Public Schools
D05
Attendees learn how Teen Parent Connection Services support breaking the cycle of child abuse. Attendees will explore exercises from Nurturing Parenting Curriculum, what are the five constructs of the Adult Adolescent Parenting Inventory, and the fundamentals of Teen Parent Connection Services.
Rochelle Grice
Director of Teen Parent Connection, Creative Community Services
D06
Most parents worry that their newly minted 18-year-old is not prepared to take on the rights and responsibilities that come with 'adulthood'. But for young adults who experience disabilities, guardianship is often the default response for meeting this need. What if there was another way? A way for parents and youth to be better prepared and build the skill of decision-making and move towards independence. Participants will learn key concepts of Supported Decision-Making, explore opportunities to practice self-determination and hear stories from youth who are navigating adulthood by using Supported Decision-Making.
Katie Chandler
LCSW – Sangha Unity Network
Dana Lloyd
Director of Developmental Disabilities Program, Georgia Advocacy Office
D07
Parents from the Parent Advisory Council will share the different ways child welfare stakeholders can find and utilize different peer supports across Georgia - from certified peer specialists, parent navigators and mentors to foster parents. Attendees will leave with the knowledge, skills, and resources to provide parents with peer support opportunities across Georgia in child welfare and prevention services.
Lindsay Dale
MPA – Program Specialist and Parent Advisory Council Lead, Georgia Division of Family & Children Services
E01
This workshop references ACA Codes of Ethics Guidelines.
Dr. Jeffery D. Lawrence
VP of Programs, The Methodist Home
D.Min, MSW, LCSW
VP of Programs, The Methodist Home
E02
Navigating the healthcare system is certainly challenging. Understanding Medicaid is additionally challenging. Amerigroup as one of the Managed Care entities for the state of GA and the contract holder for the Georgia Families 360 contract will help demystify how Medicaid isif funded and how Amerigroup specifically works with providers and members. This presentation will be a an informative, interactive and engaging session that will allow participants to better understand the system of care and how they can interactive more effectively.
Bhavini Solanki
LPC – Director of Georgia Families 360, Amerigroup Georgia
Lakeisha Williams
LPC – Director of Behavioral Health Services, Amerigroup Georgia
E03
In a trauma-informed approach to human services, every employee should understand the potential impact of trauma on adults who are receiving services from the organization. In this workshop, participants will explore the different aspects of trauma including how trauma and significant childhood adversities may impact the way adults interact with the service system. Using this foundation, participants will learn how to establish an environment of psychological safety for clients/customers and explore different strategies for improving customer engagement and communication.
Darrell Green
Instructional Services Coordinator, Georgia State University School of Social Work Child Welfare Training Collaborative
E04
This workshop will provide evidence, research, and experience based guidance on how to effectively partner with youth with lived foster experience to improve programmatic service array. Sharing power with youth can lead to impactful and meaningful change and help them build social capital. Participants will learn strategies to support shifting to a youth-centered system structure where youth as seen as partners and granted decision-making power.
Candis L. Jones
LAPC – GARYSE Chafee Independent Living Program Senior Director, Georgia Division of Family & Children Services
E05
Mr. Lyon is the owner of ProFamily, LLC, an agency that partners with DFCS and DBHDD to provide comprehensive mental health services to low income families and individuals effected by mental health disorders. He has a Masters in Professional Counseling and is currently finishing his doctorate in Marriage and Family Therapy and will be detailing his dissertation research in this presentation, which seeks to understand and identify factors that will predict long term foster parent retention by looking at burnout, self-identified trauma and training.
Joel Lyon
MA – Owner, ProFamily
E06
This training discusses the context and prevalence of the opioid epidemic, in order to understand the impact of opioid use disorder on children and families. During this training, we discuss the intersection of the opioid epidemic, child welfare systems, and child health. Through this training, we look to identify opportunities to support families impacted by trauma and substance abuse.
Chris Haider-Bardill
LPC, CPCS – Director of Substance Abuse Services, CHRIS 180
E07
Health barriers to learning and development like uncorrected vision problems and dental pain interfere with students’ ability to learn in Georgia every day. This session will include a whole child-focused, solution-oriented approach to addressing unmet basic health needs for children in the school setting through collaborative community efforts.
Mary Lauren Salvatore
MPH, CHES – Integrated Wellness Manager, Georgia Department of Education
F01
A serious injury or abuse claim is every organization’s nightmare, but one that can become all too real in today’s litigious culture. Fortunately, you can plan ahead for many problems. Come learn and share important principles for responding to crises with compassion and transparency while still defending your organization and maintaining its reputation. We’ll talk about preparation, immediate response, and how to build a safety culture within your organization
Debbie Ausburn
JD – Partner, Taylor English
Tom Rawlings
JD – Counsel, Taylor English
F02
Addressing disparities in treatment outcomes for youth from low-income communities and reducing the level of provider stress requires adopting innovative digital health solutions. TQIntelligence’s technology currently services families with children ages 5 to 18yo, and its homegrown technology leverages Artificial Intelligence (AI) Voice Recognition Technology to quickly (5 minutes or less) and effectively (data-driven) determine the child's mental health care needs and triage their required care. Given the shortage of care professionals and increased burnout amongst counselors, TQI’s technology enables counselors and other care professionals to ultimately care for more individuals, including removing the administrative burden of the tedious documentation process (reducing burnout). The voice-based algorithm is trained to understand behavioral and emotional tendencies and to anticipate future behaviors to determine if a child’s vocal utterances deviate from age-appropriate linguistic and speech patterns.
Dr. Yared Alemu
Ph.D. – Founder and CEO, TQIntelligence, Inc.
F03
(Trauma STARs program) designed to enable organizations, women advocacy groups, social service systems, crisis teams, adult behavioral health therapists, and other human service professionals to help individuals that may have experienced traumatizing events. The Trauma STARs program can be successfully applied with diverse cultures and across varied settings.
Rita Mathis
LCSW – Clinical Supervisor, CHRIS 180
F04
As key members of Wellspring Living, a non-profit organization in Atlanta, Georgia, whose mission is to transform the lives of those at risk for or victimized by sexual exploitation; the goal of this workshop is to help communities understand the complexities surrounding the sexual exploitation of children and youth. During this workshop we will discuss ways to identify youth potentially at risk, ways to support trafficking victims, as well as information relevant to the work we do everyday to provide restoration and hope to children victimized by this horrible epidemic.
Kristen Black
Assistant Director of the Girls Residential Program, Wellspring Living
Damita Bullock
Director, Wellspring Living
F05
Leveraging 35+ years of organizational experience in community-based programing, presenters will guide participants in learning and developing best practices and techniques for building engagement, maintaining motivation, and sustaining change throughout service delivery. This presentation is ideal for helping professionals in the juvenile justice and/or child welfare system of care.
Rebecca King
LCSW – FFT Regional Director, Southwest Key Programs
Antonio Wyche
LCSW – FFT Program Director, Southwest Key Programs
F06
We have an obligation to do a thorough inventory of strengths and leverage those to achieve healing. Even with multiple moves and additional trauma, utilizing a strength-based approach can lead to a more hopeful journey through the child welfare system. This workshop will focus on why strengths are important, how to cultivate them and how we can all contribute to this process in different ways.
Sandy Corbin
LCSW – Chief Program Officer, Multi-Agency Alliance for Children, Inc.
F07
CFSR and Federal Reporting- Children and Families Services review and Federal Reporting. What does this mean to our stakeholders, child welfare staff and advocates? Breaking down the data and how talking to our partners about ways they can assist us with increasing our performance on the outcomes. Federal Reporting and the different plans that are monitored by the State office.
Kelly Dennis
Program Manager, Georgia Division of Family & Children Services
Christine Barbery
M.S. – Federal Plans Specialist, Georgia Division of Family & Children Services
Adoptive Family Resources
Adventure Bags
Atlanta Angels
Child Welfare Information Gateway
Child Welfare Training Collab
Family Match
Funtology Fundamentals
Georgia Youth ChalleNGe Program
Pharm Chem
Prevent Child Abuse
The Center for Children and Young Adults
Together Georgia
