The National Alliance of Children’s Trust and Prevention Funds is partnering with Casey Family Programs to support the BPNN.

BIRTH PARENT NATIONAL NETWORK

Parents’ Roles in Transforming Systems

Virtual Convening Goals• Share and learn about new

ideas and tools that states and jurisdictions are using to effectively support parent partnerships in policy and systems reforms;

• Develop knowledge and discuss strategies to support parents in speaking with policymakers to educate them about needed systems reforms;

• Hear from keynote speakers on national trends, national initiatives, research and ways parents, staff, key stakeholders and policymakers can partner together to improve policies and practices that impact families.

There will be time for questions and answers at the end of each presentation.

All times listed are Pacific Time Zone.

Register now for this virtual convening at:

bpnn.ctfalliance.org

Tuesday, November 3, 2015 10:00–10:10am Welcome and Convening Overview

• Teresa Rafael, MSW, Executive Director, National Alliance of Children’s Trust and Prevention Funds

• Meryl Levine, MSSA, ACSW, Senior Consultant, National Alliance of Children’s Trust and Prevention Funds

10:10 – 10:50am Understanding Child Neglect and its Connection with Poverty• Kristen Shook Slack, PhD, Professor, School of Social Work, University of Wisconsin-

Madison

Child neglect is the most prevalent form of child maltreatment, with serious and long-term consequences. This workshop will provide an overview and dialogue about child neglect and poverty and how participants can work to prevent child neglect within families, communities and the society-at-large.

10:50–11:20am Preventing Child Neglect: It’s More than a Family Matter• Meryl Levine, MSSA, ACSW, Senior Consultant, National Alliance of Children’s Trust

and Prevention Funds• Rebecca Murray, MBA, Associate Director, Wisconsin Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention

Board

Over the last four years, the Alliance has looked at the literature, conducted their own original research and created a theory of change that details how individuals, communities and society can share responsibility in preventing child neglect and building healthy communities. Presenters will discuss strategies to prevent child neglect, talk about Alliance resources, and how participants can contribute to addressing this issue. We will showcase one unique strategy, Project GAIN, an economic support intervention being implemented by the Wisconsin Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Board.

11:20–11:50am Connect the Dots: Building a Movement to Strengthen and Support Families and Communities• Cailin O’Connor, Policy Analyst–Strengthening Families Initiative, Center for the Study

of Social Policy • Ben Tanzer, Senior Director of Strategic Communications, Prevent Child Abuse America• Jim McKay, Public Policy Consultant, National Alliance of Children’s Trust and

Prevention Funds

This is a great opportunity to learn about the “Connect the Dots” movement and how this approach can be used by participants in building collective efforts that strengthen and support families.

11:50am–12:00pm Next Steps, Wrap-Up and Evaluation• Corey Best, Birth Parent National Network (BPNN) Parent Co-Facilitator, Florida• Sherry Thomlinson, BPNN Parent Co-Facilitator, Kansas

Tuesday, November 10, 2015 10:00–10:10am Welcome and Convening Overview

• Teresa Rafael, MSW, Executive Director, National Alliance of Children’s Trust and Prevention Funds

• Meryl Levine, MSSA, ACSW, Senior Consultant, National Alliance of Children’s Trust and Prevention Funds

10:10–10:50am Parents’ Roles in Transforming Child Welfare Systems and an Update on the Commission to Eliminate Child Abuse and Neglect Fatalities • David Sanders, PhD, Executive Vice President of

Systems Improvement, Casey Family Programs, and appointed by President Obama as Chair of the Commission to Eliminate Child Abuse and Neglect Fatalities

Dr. Sanders will discuss the importance of parent voices in promoting policy and practice at the national, state and local levels. Finance reform will be one key area of focus to best allocate resources to support parents in providing safe and caring homes. Dr. Sanders, who was appointed by President Obama in 2013 to chair the Commission to Eliminate Child Abuse and Neglect Fatalities, will share an update of the commission’s important work.

10:50–11:20am Parent Experiences in BPNN Policy Activities • Rena Moran, Minnesota State Legislator and Parent

Leader, Coordinator, Prevent Child Abuse Minnesota• Toni Miner, Family Support Partner, Jefferson County

Colorado, Child and Youth Leadership Commission• Sandra Killett, (NY) Executive Director, Child

Welfare Organizing Project

Three BPNN members will share their experiences and perspectives on how best to prepare and effectively engage in policy activities.

11:20–11:50am Engaging in Policy Work through Strategic Sharing• Denise Moore, Des Moines Service Area Coordinator,

Iowa Parent Partner Approach• Roxanna (Roxy) Foster, Director Prevention

Initiatives – Central and Northeastern Minnesota – Public Policy Lead, Minnesota Communities Caring for Children

Participants will hear how two different states, Iowa and Minnesota, have successfully implemented statewide training initiatives with parents and other constituents using the Casey Family Program’s Strategic Sharing curriculum. This training is extremely valuable in helping parents and other constituents learn to strategically share their personal experiences and ideas for improving systems with multiple audiences, including policymakers.

11:50am–12:00pm Next Steps, Wrap-Up and Evaluation• Sandra Killett, BPNN Parent Co-Facilitator, New York• Toni Miner, BPNN Parent Co-Facilitator, Colorado

Thursday November 19, 2015 10:00–10:10am Welcome and Convening Overview

• Teresa Rafael, MSW, Executive Director, National Alliance of Children’s Trust and Prevention Funds

• Meryl Levine, MSSA, ACSW, Senior Consultant, National Alliance of Children’s Trust and Prevention Funds

10:10–10:50am Building a Culture of Health through Strong Foundations for Children and Families• Martha Davis, MSS, Senior Program Officer,

Robert Wood Johnson Foundation

Ms. Davis will talk about the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s Culture of Health Initiative, which focuses on promoting the overall health and well-being of communities. She will talk about overcoming trauma, reducing violence and promoting the social and emotional development of children and families. Participants will be encouraged to consider ways they can help promote these concepts in their own organizations and communities.

10:50–11:20am What Can We Do to Better Support Parents through the Court Process? • Nancy Vivoda, BPNN Member and Family Advocate,

Detroit Center for Family Advocacy• Shannon Slurbon, Managing Director, Detroit Center

for Family Advocacy

Ms. Vivoda and Ms. Slurbon will highlight how local teams consisting of an attorney, a social worker and a family advocate can help parents navigate the court system and achieve the best outcomes for their families. They will briefly discuss key elements of the Detroit Center for Family Advocacy model and the essential points to use in conversations with stakeholders in local communities.

11:20–11:50am Better Together: Building Partnerships between Birth Parents and Foster Parents • Geraldo Pilarski, MA, ACSW, Program Specialist,

New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services

• Parent Leader (to be announced)

New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services’ representatives discuss the importance of strengthening relationships between birth parents and foster parents to support healthy social and emotional development of children placed in foster homes. The presenters will highlight key elements of the Casey Family Program’s Better Together training.

11:50am–12:00pm Next Steps, Wrap-Up and Evaluation• Denise Moore, BPNN Parent Co-Facilitator, Iowa• Jeremiah Donier, BPNN Parent Co-Facilitator,

Washington

Register now for this virtual convening at: bpnn.ctfalliance.org

Copyright © 2015