The 2024 virtual Families Rising conference on July 17 and 18 offers a variety of workshops each day.
After the conference has concluded, attendees will also have access to recordings of all sessions and be able to view those anytime through September 30.
All times are listed in central time zone!
Keynote Sessions
July 17, 2024
In Wednesday’s opening general session, Family’s Rising’s CEO will offer practical strategies for nurturing authentic leadership in child welfare, in parenting, and emphasize the importance of cultural competence to foster inclusivity and positive outcomes for staff and families.
Robyn Gobbel, MSW brings 20 years of practice in family and child therapy, specializing in complex trauma, attachment, and adoption and an attachment-rich, sensory-sensitive, and relational neurosciences supported healing environment for children and families to teach brain-body-sensory strategies that really work. This keynote will show how understanding the connection between the brain, nervous system, and behavior means we have an opportunity, perhaps an obligation, to change everything we thought we knew about why humans do what they do. Whether we’re considering the behavior of our children, our clients, or co-workers, our families, or even ourselves, making sense out of the most baffling behavior invites compassion, curiosity, and ultimately healing to ourselves and to each other. Grounded in neuroscience yet embodied in relationship, changing how we see people is the most powerful intervention of all. “We come to know who we are through the eyes of the other.”
July 18, 2024
Many transracial adoptions occur without a deep examination of classism and racism, which can lead to adoptees being deracinated from their biological family and roots. Angela Tucker is a leading voice in the adoption community, offering nuanced, ethical, and accessible content that delves into the complexities of adoption. Through storytelling, Angela Tucker offers a new perspective as a transracial adoptee. She will share expertise and insights she has gained with over 15 years of experience as an author, documentary film subject, and mentor to adoptees.
Nathan Ross and a panel of professionals with lived expertise in foster care, adoption, or kinship care will close the conference with inspiration and strategies as they identify and explore practical and actionable ways organizations can engage them more intentionally. Participants will learn how to enhance the contributions of those with lived expertise to enhance their involvement in advancing organizational missions, extending beyond traditional keynote speaking roles to more integral, impactful positions.
9:00 – 10:00 am
Youth who are adopted, fostered, or in kinship care have unique — and sometimes intensive — needs in the school setting. This presentation addresses ways for caregivers to build collaborative relationships with teachers and school staff. Beginning with an understanding of how schools work and the knowledge teachers bring to the classroom, families will be better positioned to effectively advocate for their children. The presenters, who are former classroom teachers, teacher educators, and current caregivers, will share tips and ideas from their own professional and personal experiences.
Stacia Stribling, PhD, and Kelly Henderson, PhD, Formed Families Forward, Virginia
This workshop focuses on four key areas critical to foster parent recruitment and retention strategies and how intentional efforts in these realms impact the success of recruitment campaigns and initiatives. Presenters will address the importance of building statewide networks; discuss efforts needed to engage community advocates, agencies, non-profits, and faith-based organizations; and will introduce a novel program designed to collaborate with local churches, expediting interested applicants through the licensing process while leveraging their church community as a support network before, during, and after licensing. This program offers a replicable model for other states, serving as an out-of-the-box idea to try a new approach in foster parent recruitment and support.
Gretchen Grier and Maximillian Lisembee, Indiana Department of Child Services
Therapy is one of the first services parents and/or foster parents seek for their children to address a variety of concerns, especially trauma. However, we often wonder if therapy is ‘working’, particularly when youth have been involved with services for extended periods. This presentation will discuss the reasons traditional therapy approaches may not be helping these youth, and what current research suggests caregivers and therapists can do about it.
Justin Coates, LPCC, Greater Minnesota Trauma Center (GMNTC)
10:30 – 11:45 am
This keynote offers practical strategies for nurturing authentic leadership in child welfare, in parenting, and emphasize the importance of cultural competence to foster inclusivity and positive outcomes for staff and families.
Ligia Noemi Cushman, MA, Families Rising, Florida
11:45 am – 12:15 pm: Lunch Break
Grab lunch and explore the Exhibit Hall!
12:15 – 1:30 pm
Neuroscience research underscores the influence of environmental factors, teratogens, and prenatal or postnatal stressors such as trauma, alcohol, and drug exposure on brain development. Many children impacted by these factors also face behavioral struggles. Why do traditional parenting techniques often fall short for such children and what alternative strategies can parents use to effectively support their children? This workshop will teach participants how to apply a brain- first approach to parenting children who have FASD and other neurobehavioral conditions. Through this lens, behaviors are redefined and solutions are aligned with research findings, offering new insights into supporting affected children more successfully.
Eileen Devine, MSW, LCSW, Oregon
Embark on a comprehensive journey through the Kin First Culture, agency management challenges, and the latest federal rule impacting kinship foster families. Explore the Kin First approach though a racial equity lens and embedding lived experience, emphasizing its profound impact on children’s stability and well-being. Address common agency management challenges, recognizing the pivotal role of leadership in resource allocation, staff training, and policy adaptation. Dive into the latest federal rule, understanding its key provisions, implications, and compliance requirements for agencies. This condensed workshop provides essential insights for professionals navigating the complex landscape of kinship care and child welfare.
Kenisha Coon, MS, Child Welfare Information Gateway, Michigan and Naquanda Jordan, MSW, Child Welfare Information Gateway
This workshop provides an overview of racial and cultural identity development, focusing on and how adult caregivers and providers can intentionally support and encourage healthy and positive identity development for children who may differ in terms of perceived race or culture from their caregivers, parents, and family.
Kimara Gustafson, MD, MPH, Adoption Medicine Clinic, University of Minnesota
2:00 – 3:15 pm
It is estimated that between 50% and 80% of all young people entering foster care do so while separated from a sibling. Sibling relationships, when nurtured, can be an anchor in the often tremendously turbulent seas of foster care and adoption, and yet often parents and professionals are under equipped to support this essential link. In this session, we will explore the importance of sibling relationship, the impacts of sibling separation, and what parents and professionals can do to maintain and strengthen this most vital connection.
Ed Morales, MPP, MSW, LICSW, Socorro Consulting, Minnesota
The Quality Improvement Center on Engaging Youth in Finding Permanency (QIC-EY), a project funded by the Children’s Bureau, identified three characteristics and nine competencies that facilitate child welfare workers’ ability to engage authentically children and youth in their case plan and permanency planning. We invite you to join us in exploring these characteristics and competencies. By embracing the opportunity to expand your knowledge about authentic engagement with children and youth, you can unlock your relationship building potential and make a powerful impact on the lives of the children and youth with whom you work.
Thomas Threlkeld and Anna Brown, Spaulding for Children, Michigan
This workshop will focus on preparing and developing the leaders of tomorrow’s child welfare workforce with a specific emphasis on leaders of diverse backgrounds. The presenters will include personal experiences and reflection, strategies, and tools for creating a safe space for emerging leaders. Key takeaways will include how to prepare, assist, and maintain minority leaders in child welfare.
Maximillian Lisembee, Indiana Department of Child Services; Marcie Baker-Hinds, Adoption Rhode Island; & Monique Jackson, MA, Michigan Department of Health and Human Services
3:30 – 5:00 pm
“We come to know who we are through the eyes of the other.” Understanding the connection between the brain, nervous system, and behavior means we have an opportunity, perhaps an obligation, to change everything we thought we knew about why humans do what they do. Whether we’re considering the behavior of our children, our clients, or co-workers, our families, or even ourselves, making sense out of the most baffling behavior invites compassion, curiosity, and ultimately healing to ourselves and to each other. Grounded in neuroscience yet embodied in relationship, changing how we see people is the most powerful intervention of all.
Robyn Gobbel, MSW, Michigan
Thursday, July 18, 2024
9:00 – 10:00 am
Brainspotting is a powerful brain-body-mindfulness-based relational therapeutic technique that is particularly suited for those impacted by foster care and/or adoption due to its flexibility and relational approach. Used to address and process trauma, emotional distress, and other psychological issues, Brainspotting can be an effective tool for addressing such issues as PTSD, anxiety, and depression by helping individuals process and integrate their experiences. This session will introduce Brainspotting for both clients and practitioners to understand, provide a brief demonstration, and discuss how Brainspotting principles can be integrated into therapeutic parenting.
Brooke Randolph, LMHC, LPC, LPCC-S, Counseling at The Green House, Indiana
SOUL Family is a proposed permanency option that offers a flexible alternative that expands pathways to legal permanency on the same continuum as adoption, guardianship, and reunification with birth families. This youth led proposal aims to center young people in their case planning around permanency and provide an alternative permanency pathway to youth who would otherwise age out to achieve family and belonging. In addition, this work addresses the critical gap of assessing and strengthening the overall permanency continuum of different sites in partnership with lived experts, legislative allies, and community partners.
Patricia Chin and Doreen Chapman, MSW, Annie E. Casey Foundation, Maryland, & Sierra Jones, SOUL Family Kansas Implementation Team
This session will cover some terminology and differentiate between gender assigned, gender identity, and gender expression as well as sexual orientation and romantic orientation. We will focus on why supporting your LGBTQ+ youth/young adult comes before your understanding and acceptance in order to help the child on their own journey.
Nitara Frost, Families Rising, Minnesota & Kade Goepferd, MD, Children’s Minnesota Hospital
10:30 – 11:45 am
Many transracial adoptions occur without a deep examination of classism and racism, which can lead to adoptees being deracinated from their biological family and roots. Through storytelling, Angela Tucker offers a new perspective as a transracial adoptee. She will share expertise and insights she has gained with over 15 years of experience as an author, documentary film subject, and mentor to adoptees
Angela Tucker, The Adopted Life, Washington
11:45 am – 12:15 pm: Lunch Break
During your lunch break, be sure to explore the resources in the Exhibit Hall!
12:15 – 1:30 pm
The human brain processes 11 million bits of information every second, which comes in through our eight (not five) senses. Neurodivergence and trauma can bias the brain toward quick, defensive reactions to all that sensory input. This often leads to frustrating behaviors and stressed relationships. This workshop will provide some eye-opening sensory basics in a child- friendly format, walk through action steps to create a more sensory-friendly (and meltdown-reducing) environment, and offer practical takeaways that can be integrated into your busy day.
Jessica Sinarski, LPCMH, certified adoption therapist, Delaware
This workshop will focus on how systems can support families pre and post adoptively to prevent dissolution and discontinuity. Systems considerations will be shared on ways to normalize adoption support, remove accessibility barriers, ensure racially and linguistically responsive support, and maintain connection with families during the critical intersection of adolescence and trauma. This presentation will share information about two new national centers that can support child welfare systems and professionals in providing comprehensive family support.
Melinda Lis, MSW, Spaulding for Children, Florida & Deborah Burrus Germany, National Center for Diligent Recruitment, Maryland
The Indian Child Welfare Act honors the inherent sovereignty of tribal nations and aims to preserve the cultural identity and connections of Native children. In this training, you will hear from two tribal child welfare professionals with expertise in working ICWA cases across the country. They will share about the deep rooted historical trauma that Native families have experienced and the practical application of ICWA to ensure the best interest of children and families are considered. Attendees will gain knowledge to work cross culturally and explore the impact of public misconceptions about ICWA.
Kendra Lowden, EdD Candidate, MS, and Kim Johnson, MSW, Families Rising, Oklahoma
2:00 – 3:15 pm
Parenting children with trauma histories takes a different kind of parenting, and it doesn’t end when the children turn 18. In this workshop, the speakers will explore how to adjust expectations, make accommodations, and set children up for success by launching them in a way that meets their unique needs.
Barb Clark, Families Rising, Florida Kim Stevens, MEd, Louisiana
Acknowledging and addressing secondary stress is essential for child welfare professionals to maintain their effectiveness, prevent burnout, enhance personal well-being, improve client relationships, reduce the risk of vicarious trauma, and enhance organizational effectiveness. It requires a holistic approach with practical steps that encompasses individual support, organizational initiatives, and a commitment to promoting mental and emotional health within the child welfare workforce.
Myca Jeter, MSW, LCSWA, Families Rising, North Carolina
When children can’t live with their parents, they should stay with family whenever possible. While kinship care is the best option for children, it is also hard. In this session, the presenter — who has firsthand experience as a former foster and kinship youth, child welfare professional, and dedicated kinship caregiver — will discuss the unique dynamics of kinship families and talk about the potential trauma of relative care on children, caregivers, parents, and the family as a whole. This session will delve into the challenges kinship families face; provide valuable insights into the emotional, legal, and logistical complexities of kinship care; and provide a compassionate space to enhance understanding and contribute to the well-being of families navigating these intricate paths. We will explore how to effectively support kinship families and promote healing from within. You’ll leave feeling encouraged and empowered to support the kinship families in your life!
Trista Miller, Nevada
3:30 – 5:00 pm
Join our panel of professionals with lived expertise in foster care, adoption, or kinship care as we identify and explore practical and actionable ways organizations can engage us more intentionally. Participants will learn how to enhance the contributions of those with lived expertise to enhance their involvement in advancing organizational missions, extending beyond traditional keynote speaking roles to more integral, impactful positions.
Nathan Ross, MSW, LMSW, Families Rising, Florida, Jamole Callahan, Families Rising, IN, Jessica Funk, Families Rising, MO, & Deanna Jones, Families Rising, OH, and Indi LaBellarte, Families Rising, MO
