2022 Annual Convening

8:00 AM - 9:00 AM ET
Breakfast

9:00 AM - 9:15 AM ET
Welcome

• Elissa Hyne – Partnership for America’s Children

9:15 AM - 10:30 AM ET
Opening Plenary / Understanding the Child Welfare Landscape: A Conversation with Leaders in the Field

Presenters shared their insights about the challenges and opportunities in the child welfare landscape, and also shared examples of notable policy or programmatic developments over the past year.

• John Kelly – Fostering Media Connections, The Imprint, moderator 

• Mike Shaver – Children’s Home & Aid

• Melissa T. Merrick – Prevent Child Abuse America - Download Additional Resources (PPT)

• Binley Taylor – FosterClub

10:30 AM - 11:00 AM ET
Break

Free time to connect with each other, take phone calls, check email, stretch and move around, and enjoy light refreshments.

11:00 AM - 12:30 PM ET
Panel Presentation with Facilitated Discussion / Building and Supporting a Workforce to Advance Equitable Outcomes and Meet the Needs of Children and Families Involved in Child Welfare

Presenters shared research about child welfare workforce trends, as well as strategies to build and sustain an effective child welfare workforce, including advocacy and legislative examples.

• Todd Lloyd, Annie E. Casey Foundation, Moderator

• Mary L. McCarthy -  National Child Welfare Workforce Institute, University at Albany School of Social Welfare - Download Mary’s Presentation (PDF)

• Julie Collins – Child Welfare League of America - Download Julie’s Presentation (PPT)

• Meg Dygert -  American Public Human Services Association

• Rachael Miller  -  Pennsylvania Partnerships for Children - Download Rachael’s Presentation (PPT)

12:30 PM - 1:30 PM ET
Lunch

1:30 PM - 2:30 PM ET
Panel Presentation with Facilitated Discussion / Federal Policy Issues & Priorities

Presenters shared information about proposed, pending, or enacted federal policies and shared insights about the policy landscape ahead.

• Aubrey Edwards – First Focus, moderator

• Kristen Torres - Office of Rep. Chu (D-CA) 

• Tanisha Lewis – Office of Rep. Don Bacon (R-NE)

• Brian Widuch -  Office of Management and Budget, the White House

2:30 PM - 3:00 PM ET
Break

Free time to connect with each other, take phone calls, check email, stretch and move around, and enjoy light refreshments.

3:00 PM - 5:00 PM ET
Network discussions led by SPARC Prevention and REI Workgroups / Strategic Focus Areas of the SPARC Network  

PART 1:  Prevention

Recap of the SPARC Prevention workgroup’s efforts and focus, with examples shared of primary prevention. Participants engaged in an interactive discussion about what an ideal approach to primary prevention would look like.

PART 2:  Race, Equity, and Inclusion

Recap of the SPARC Race, Equity and Inclusion workgroup’s efforts and focus, including the planned development of a strategic decision-making tool on neglect. Participants engaged in an interactive discussion of defining and responding to neglect at different decision points in a child welfare case (reserved for SPARC partners and non-SPARC workgroup members only).

• Susan Elsen – Massachusetts Law Reform Institute

• Molly Dunn – Children’s Action Alliance - Download Molly’s Presentation (PPT)

• Allison Gilbreath – Voices for Virginia’s Children

5:00 PM - 6:00 PM ET
Break

Free time to connect with each other, take phone calls, check email, stretch and move around, and enjoy light refreshments.

6:00 PM - 8:00 PM ET
10th Anniversary Celebration – The Power of Networking: 10 Years of SPARC Advocates Connecting for Change

Reception at Annie E. Casey Foundation Headquarters included beer and wine, passed appetizers, buffet style appetizers, and passed desserts. Remarks from Todd Lloyd, Annie E. Casey Foundation.