The 2nd Annual Child Placement Conference

Registration Brochure

Savannah International Trade and Convention Center and Westin Savannah Harbor Resort

Wednesday, November 14 to Friday, November 16, 2001

Welcome

A Special Greeting

Welcome to the 2nd Annual Child Placement Conference! We are excited to welcome professionals from all aspects of the Georgia child welfare system to Savannah. Together we’ll share the latest information on foster care, adoption, permanency, best practices in Georgia and nationally, juvenile justice, the relationship between personal wellness and professional growth, and technology.

This collaborative event is the largest statewide multi-disciplinary gathering in the field of child welfare in Georgia. It brings together over 900 DHR placement staff, supervisors, resource development staff, independent living coordinators, DJJ case managers, administrators, juvenile court judges, attorneys, and private providers.

We are excited to welcome our newest planning partner, the Department of Juvenile Justice, to the conference. We hope that this collaboration and cross-training between the foster care and juvenile justice systems will help us to better serve the increasing number of children and youth who are involved in both systems.

This year's theme, From Surviving to Thriving, concentrates on addressing the unique challenges faced by professionals in all areas of the children and family services field. The conference will explore how to go beyond simply maintaining and meeting minimum standards, as well as how to look for innovative ways to collaborate with others in the system to achieve success for children and families. The theme also focuses on how to address personal wellness issues for professional development and to help maintain peak performance in the workplace. Working alone, we may feel overwhelmed, but working together, we can achieve success.

Welcome to Savannah and enjoy the conference!

The 2nd Annual Child Placement Conference Planning Partners

Georgia Department of Human Resources

Georgia Association of Homes and Services for Children

Supreme Court of Georgia Child Placement Project

Georgia Department of Juvenile Justice

Conference Schedule

Wednesday, November 14, 2001

8:30 AM - 11:30 AM

Registration/Visit Exhibits

11:30 AM - 1:30 PM

Opening Session/Luncheon

1:45 PM - 3:15 PM

Workshops, Session A

3:15 PM - 3:30 PM

Break with Refreshments

3:30 PM - 5:00 PM

Workshops, Session B

Thursday, November 15, 2001

7:30 AM - 8:30 AM

Continental Breakfast

8:30 AM - 10:00 AM

General Session

10:10 AM - 10:15 AM

Break

10:15 AM - 11:45 AM

Workshops, Session C

11:45 AM - 12:45 PM

Networking Luncheon

1:00 PM - 2:30 PM

Workshops, Session D

2:30 PM - 2:45 PM

Break with Refreshments

2:45 PM - 4:15 PM

Workshops, Session E

5:00 PM – 7:00 PM

Networking Reception

Westin Savannah Harbour Resort

Grand Ballroom

Friday, November 16

7:30 AM - 8:30 AM

Continental Breakfast

8:30 AM - 10:00 AM

Workshops, Session F

10:00 AM - 10:15 AM

Break

10:15 AM - 11:45 AM

Workshops, Session G

11:45 AM - 1:30 PM

Closing Session

Wednesday, November 14, 2001

8:30 AM - 11:30 AM

Registration/Visit Exhibits

11:30 AM - 1:30 PM

Opening Session/Luncheon

Introduction and Welcome

Normer Adams, Executive Director, Georgia Association of Homes and Services for Children

Juanita Blount-Clark, Director, Division of Children and Family Services, DHR

Keynote Speaker – Jim Martin, Commissioner, Georgia Department of Human Resources

1:45 PM - 3:15 PM

Workshops A1-A17

Note: All workshop sessions will be set up to accommodate a limited number of people. Seating will be on a first come, first-served basis. Workshops will close when they become full and participants must attend another workshop.

A1. The Art of Managing Events, Part I

(If you attend this workshop, you should also attend B1)

Cynthia H. Langley, Juvenile Program Manager, DJJ
The events in our lives often seem to have control over us rather than us having control over them. Find out what reasons prevent us from taking control and how to maintain control once we obtain it. Learn techniques to effectively manage the events in our lives.

A2. DFCS & CASA: Working Together in a Child’s Best Interest

Allyson Anderson, Director of Advocacy, Georgia CASA

Pam Collin, Program Director, CASA for Children

Rosemary Norsworthy, Program Coordinator, Rainbow House CASA

Glenda Thompson, DFCS Director, Cherokee County

DFCS Director, Houston County

In this workshop, DFCS and CASA professionals will host a panel discussion exploring the ways in which DFCS staff and CASA volunteers can best work together in a child’s best interests. Participants will learn about the statewide DFCS-CASA Protocol, the rules and responsibilities of each agency, and what to do when there are differences in their recommendations to the court.

A3. Shaken Baby Syndrome

Dr. Randy Alexander, Morehouse School of Medicine

This presentation will be a discussion of the mechanisms of injuries for shaken babies and the results of those injuries, including long-term consequences and specific cases.

A4. Everything you Need to Know About a Deprivation Case from the Seventy-Two Hearing through Motions to Extend

John Robert (Bob) Coleman, Jr., Attorney and Special Assistant Attorney General

This workshop is an insider’s view of all you need to know about deprivation cases from the 72-hour hearing until a decision is made to file a termination petition. Presenter is an experienced SAAG who has tried thousands of deprivation cases.

A5 Placement Issues in Concurrent Planning

Elizabeth Bryant, Manager – Resource Development Unit, DFCS

Anne B. Deibel, Adoption Exchange Coordinator

Child welfare agencies across the country are beginning to explore the benefits of dual licensure/approval to expedite the process of permanency planning. This workshop will explore the use of foster/adopt homes in concurrent planning as well as identify differences between foster/adopt and foster parent adoption.

A6 Wellness in the Workplace

Karla Grady, Health Promotion Specialist, Peachtree Fitness Professionals

Ruthann Clark, Health Promotion Specialist, Peachtree Fitness Professionals

Learn ways to stay healthy and fit while at work! The changing nature of work and lifestyles means that many people are engaging in everyday activities that involve repetition and/or sustained postures. Positive body mechanics, ergo-smart exercises at the computer, better ability to handle stress and improved quality of life are addressed at this workshop. A healthy mind and body leads to increased productivity and an improved quality of life.

A7 Relative Care Subsidy

Gloria M. Patterson, Human Services Specialist, Foster Care Unit, DFCS, DHR

This workshop will provide information and answer questions regarding the new DFCS Relative Care Subsidy (RCS) Policy, which supports children in the care of relatives who applied for and received permanent (until age 18) custody of them.

A8 Kinship Care: Keeping Ties that Bind, Part I

(If you attend this workshop, you should also attend workshop B-8)

Zelma Smith, Director of Program Development, Child Welfare Institute

Kinship care is a natural response to a national problem for children in out-of-home care. This workshop provides an overview of kinship care, the impact of recent child welfare reform legislation, and the complex issues confronting relative caregivers. The role of child welfare practitioners will be explored in addressing the challenging issues related to transitional issues, changes in family roles, lifestyle, and living arrangements.

A9 Family Conferencing at the Local Level

Elsie L. Matthews

Social Services Administrator, Clayton County DFCS

This workshop will provide an overview of the family conference. Logistics, content, and necessary follow-up activities will be discussed.

A10 Placing Children from Detention

Don Mayer, Detention Counselor, Department of Juvenile Justice

This presentation will help the child placement specialist understand the importance of the child’s experience in detention. The workshop will cover how the child’s activity in detention can and will impact future placement. It is designed to give the placement specialist the greatest benefit to aid in placement through ongoing communication with the child and detention staff.

A11 What Exactly is the Office of the Child Advocate?

Dee Simms, Georgia Child Advocate, Office of the Child Advocate

Come learn about the mission and actions of the Office of the Child Advocate. The presenter will discuss recent investigations and reports, trends in the complaints being made, and plans for the future. Time will be available to take questions.

A12 Child Sexual Abuse Investigations: Multidisciplinary Collaborations (an Internet Resource for Forensic Investigation of Child Sexual Abuse Cases)

C. Curtis Holmes, Licensed Psychologist and Project Content Coordinator

Suggested uses and practice with a new Internet resource will be demonstrated. The web site contains a compilation of best-practice methods and supporting research for skilled, objective and accurate investigation of child sexual base cases available to professionals in the state of Georgia. An underlying multi-disciplinary team (MDT) model under girds the many subjects covered which are useful to such professionals as CPS and foster care caseworkers, resource development directors, training staff, law enforcement, health care professionals, mental heath processionals, prosecutors, court personnel, CASAs, child advocacy center personnel, judges, and all mandated reporters.

A13 Community-Based Alternatives to Secure Detention

Neil Kaltenecker, Georgia Detention Alternatives Initiative (GDAI) Coordinator, Department of Juvenile Justice

Jean Newton, Case Expediter, DJJ

Crowded and unsafe conditions in the Department of Juvenile Justice secure detention facilities led to legal action by the federal government, which resulted in a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between the U.S. Department of Justice and the Georgia Department of Juvenile (DJJ) Justice. One of the results of the MOA has been a stronger emphasis on community-based alternatives to secure detention for appropriately screened youth. This workshop will focus on the ability of local jurisdictions to establish effective and efficient systems to accomplish the purposes of juvenile detention and provide quality services for youth. The coordinator for the Georgia Detention Alternatives Initiative (GDAI), as well as a DJJ Case Expeditor will present information related to detention reform and will address pertinent issues regarding community-based programming.

A14 Judicial Oversight of Children in Foster Care

R. Michael Key, Judge, Juvenile Court of Troup County, Georgia

This program will cover the court’s oversight responsibilities and authority under state and federal law relative to children in foster care. That responsibility begins with the determination that continuation of the child in the home would be contrary to the welfare of the child and ends with post-termination reviews to monitor reasonable efforts to finalize an adoption. In between are issues of judicial reviews and reasonable efforts determinations. Also included will be a discussion about to what extent the court can specifically require DFCS to do any particular thing.

A15 Improving Educational Outcomes for Youth in Care: A National Collaboration

Millicent M. Williams, Director Foster Care, Child Welfare League of America

This workshop will focus on preliminary findings/outcomes of a joint project between the Child Welfare League of America and the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges. We will examine the committed leadership and cooperation needed among the core systems – child welfare, courts, education, and caregivers to ensure the best possible educational outcomes for youth in out-of-home care. We will also review promising initiatives addressing this issue.

A16 The Nuts and Bolts of ASFA

Mimi Laver, Assistant Director, Child Welfare, ABA Center on Children and the Law

The Adoption and Safe Families Act passed in 1997. We will discuss how it is being implemented across the country and, of course, in Georgia. Included will be some history of the reasons for the bill, an overview, how it is supposed to work and how it is working!

A17 The ABC’s of ILP

Millicent Houston, State Independent Living Coordinator, DHR

Walter Pitman, State Independent Living Coordinator, DHR

This workshop will address new and expanded Independent Living Program service initiatives and their impact on youth transitioning from foster care. Also discussed will be the changing role of the Regional Independent Living Coordinators. Questions will be answered regarding formalized assessment and placement options for transitioning youth as well as continued eligibility of youth achieving permanency through adoption, guardianship and reunification. The presenters will explain how this new policy will impact practice and service delivery.

3:15 PM - 3:30 PM

Break with Refreshments

3:30 PM - 5:00 PM

Workshops B1-B17

B1 The Art of Managing Events, Part II

(If you attended A1, you should also attend this session)

B2. Introduction to Solution-Oriented Family Focused Work

Annie Kelahan, Clinical Director, The Bridge Family Center

This workshop will familiarize participants with the basic principles of solution-oriented and family-focused approaches. Strategies for engaging and building rapport, building on competencies by identifying strengths, and utilizing solution-oriented technique will be discussed.

B3. Building and Utilizing a Network of Care

Emily Acker, Executive Director, Metropolitan Atlanta Alliance for Children (MAAC)

Abe Wilkinson, Executive Director, Elks Aidmore and President, MAAC

The Metropolitan Atlanta Alliance for Children (MAAC) is a network of nine non-profit agencies working together to provide a continuum of care in behavioral health. The MAAC Executive Director and the MAAC Board President will share the struggles and successes of MAAC through six years of combining resources into a multi-disciplinary, multi-agency service delivery system. Participants will leave the workshop with a basic understanding of the mechanics in building and utilizing an alliance. The formal will be a panel presentation with adequate time allowed for a question and answer session.

B4 Current and Proposed Juvenile Law: Is it Becoming More Punitive

Karen L Worthington, Professor, Barton Child Law & Policy Clinic at Emory University

This presentation provides an overview of current and proposed federal juvenile justice legislation, discusses some of the policy implications of juvenile justice legislation, and explains Disproportionate Minority Confinement and why this is a ‘hot’ issue.

B5 Everything you Need to Know About a Deprivation Case from the Seventy-Two Hearing through Motions to Extend

John Robert (Bob) Coleman, Jr., Attorney and Special Assistant Attorney General

B6 Financial Services and Administrative Procedures for Children in Foster Care

Mary Brooks, DFCS

Larry Ellington, DFCS

This workshop will be an overview of the following: how internal control procedures impact services staff as well as accounting staff, a review of County Statistical Reporting System (COSTAR), foster care funding sources (UAS codes), how foster care invoices are coded, processing procedures for foster care invoices and other items under the regional accounting system, use of representative payee funds, and budget/expenditure procedures for direct benefits (department statements, balance reports, etc.)

B7 Termination of Parental Rights

Sheri Capes, Attorney

This workshop is a nuts-and-bolts discussion of terminations. The presenter will review the grounds for termination of parental rights and how you provide evidence to support the various bases for termination to adequately satisfy the court. There will be information on the difference between proceedings in superior court and juvenile court. We will provide sample documents for the entire process and checklists for the preparation phase. This course will be most appropriate for caseworkers that deal with placement issues.

B8 Kinship Care: Keeping Ties that Bind, Part II

(If you attended A-8, you should also attend this workshop)

Zelma Smith, Director of Program Development, Child Welfare Institute

B9 ABC’s of Diagnosis

Judy M. Plecko, LCSW, Director of Family Support and Social Work, Marcus Institute

Karen L. Carter, M.D., Assistant Professor of Pediatrics

Children in foster care or the juvenile justice system often have multiple diagnoses for behavioral, emotional, and medical issues. Come learn how to make these diagnoses work to your advantage. This workshop is designed to explore how the process of “putting labels on children” works and will help you understand how these labels are linked to obtaining appropriate services, both at school and for mental health and medical treatment.

B10 Creating a Safe Environment

Karen M. Jackson, Coordinator, Girls and Boys Town of Georgia

Linda Coil, Consultant, Girls and Boys Town of Georgia

How can you ensure child safety for children in out-of-home placements? Learn one way to identify behaviors and situations that may violate a child’s rights and the process for reporting such violations. Learn also 15 child rights as well as program components that help create and promote a safe environment.

B11 Strengthening Services and Resources Through Collaboration

Ada Cornwell, Program Coordinator, Central Intake System, Georgia Baptist Children’s Homes & Family Ministries, Inc.

This workshop will present a brief discussion of the process of collaboration, including an overview from literature regarding the elements of effective collaboration. Through group discussion and activities, assist audience in developing an awareness of how collaboration occurs and how they can play a role in the collaborative process in order to strengthen resources in the field of childcare.

B12 Georgia's Child and Family Services Federal Review: Where Do We Go From
Here?"

Doris Walker, Program Manager for the Foster Care Program, DHR, Moderator

Peter Lyons, Ph.D., Georgia State University

Annette VanDevere, Project Director

Allyson Anderson, JD, Director of Advocacy, Georgia CASA,

Dee Simms, Georgia Child Advocate, Office of the Child Advocate

Andy Barclay

The 1994 Amendments to the Social Security Act authorized the U.S.
Department of Health and Human Services to review State child and family service
programs. The state reviews cover child protective services, foster
care, adoption, family preservation and family support and independent
living. In addition to reviewing for the State's substantial conformity with
applicable requirements, the reviews are designed to help States improve
child welfare services and the outcomes for families and children who
receive services by identifying strengths and needs within State programs, as
well as areas where technical assistance can lead to program improvements.
The federal review has been completed in Georgia. Find out the results
of the review and what steps Georgia needs to take to improve services to
families and children

B13 Effective Strategies Used to Educate Parent Skills to Difficult and Slow-Learning Adults

Holly Hubbard, President, Family Support Services, Inc.

This is a non-lecture based program, which requires the seminar participant to be actively involved. Clients can often learn more by “visualizing” their role as a parent and their child’s role, which these activities will demonstrate. This is a great class for working with difficult and slow-learning adults. The activities discussed in the workshop will center on: how to keep children focused on rewards, how to encourage parents to use non-physical forms of discipline, how to encourage family cooperation, development of verbal and physical nurturing skills, how to decrease the use of negative labels, and how to motivate parents to give children more accountability for their behavior.

B15 Fitness on the Run

Karla Grady, Health Promotion Specialist, Peachtree Fitness Professionals

Ruthann Clark, Health Promotion Specialist, Peachtree Fitness Professionals

Does eating out do you in? Eating out has become one of life’s necessities for busy people – and certainly one of its pleasures. Learn healthy ways to make eating away from home possible, lean lunch ideas, healthier fast food and restaurant choices, and simple modifications to make wider choices in your cooking. No time to exercise? Increase your metabolism, burn more calories, be “toned” and have more energy by adding exercise to your life. Exercise guidelines, a simple exercise routine and motivation to start your program are included in this workshop. Habit change is the key to wellness.

B16 Aspirational Guidelines for Attorneys Representing Parents

Susan Teaster, Division Director, Juvenile Advocacy Division of the Georgia Indigent Defense Council

Trish McCann, Staff Attorney, Juvenile Advocacy Division of the Georgia Indigent Defense Council

In March, a group of attorneys gathered for a two-day workshop sponsored by the Supreme Court of Georgia to develop guidelines for attorneys who represent parents in deprivation and termination of parental rights actions. Two attorneys for the Juvenile Advocacy Division of the Georgia Indigent Defense Council will discuss the resulting guidelines detailing the role of a parent’s attorney at every stage of a proceeding in juvenile court.

B17 Promoting Safe and Stable Families

Ann Dennard Smith, Foster Care Consultant, DHR

This workshop will present innovative and successful public/private community approaches to preventing child abuse.

Thursday, November 15, 2001

7:30 AM - 8:30 AM

Continental Breakfast

8:30 AM - 10:00 AM

General Session

Special Breakfast Guest

Judge Luz F. Cloy, Judge of Juvenile Courts, Atlantic Judicial Circuit

Judge Cloy entered the New Jersey foster care system at the age of 10 due to abuse and a dysfunctional family environment. During her time in foster care, she had 17 placements, including a juvenile detention center, foster homes, kinship placements, and assorted independent living placements. Come listen to the inspirational story of how she triumphed over this adversity to become a juvenile court judge and help children face their own challenges.

Keynote Speaker

Pastor W.C. Martin

Pastor Martin joins us from Possum Trot, Texas, where he is the pastor of Bennett Chapel Baptist Church. Under his direction, this small church in a small community has fostered and adopted a total of 78 children from the Texas Department of Protective and Regulatory Services System. Pastor Martin will discuss the work of his church and the important role that the community plays in supporting children.

10:10 AM - 10:15 AM

Break

10:15 AM - 11:45 AM

Workshops C1-C17

C1 Create Real Magic: Five Steps to Get Great Results in Half the Time

Jennifer Webb, Magic Communications

This workshop focuses on 5 strategies to change behavior in ourselves and others to get outstanding results, starting immediately! This includes techniques for more powerful communication as well as tools to develop smarter leadership skills. Entertaining, educating, exciting, and empowering, this workshop allows audiences to have a fabulous time while they learn!

C2 Wellness in the Workplace

Karla Grady, Health Promotion Specialist, Peachtree Fitness Professionals

Ruthann Clark, Health Promotion Specialist, Peachtree Fitness Professionals

C3 Finalization is Only the Beginning: After Adoption, the Need for Services

Sheila Blanton, Contracts Manager, DHR Office of Adoptions

Gail Greer, Post Adoption Services Administrator, DHR Office of Adoptions

This workshop is designed to inform all attendees about the various types of programs available to children and families once an adoption has taken place. There will also be a discussion of Adoption Assistance benefits, as they are often an integral factor in maintaining an adoptive placement. The Office of Adoptions continues to expand its post adoption services program. This workshop will not only provide information on exciting and recently developed services, but also will identify ways to access services and determine who is eligible to receive them.

C4 Assessment Process

William Reid Buckelew, Program Coordinator, Georgia Baptist Children’s Homes and Family Ministries

The Presentation will provide pictures of facilities, samples of typical assessment done for placement in sexual abuse victim and perpetrator programs, OTP programs, therapeutic foster care, and intermediate or intensive group homes. Also, a sample of the new plan of care that has been developed for the Diagnostic and Assessment Center covering normal expectations of the program along with specific goals and crisis intervention techniques particular to the child in question will be provided.

C5 Why Does Georgia Need a Child Endangerment Statute?

Wendi Clifton, Director of Advocacy, Georgia Council on Child Abuse

A child endangerment bill did not make it through the legislative session last year and it is up again for passage. We’ll discuss why it didn’t pass, why we need it, and what the plan is for this year. Time will be set aside for questioning.

C6 Balancing the Interests: Parent’s Rights v. Children’s Rights in the Juvenile Court

Karen Worthington, Professor, Barton Child Law & Policy Clinic at Emory University

This presentation explains the role of attorneys for parents in the juvenile court. It explains the constitutional and statutory basis for protection for parents, the rights of parents in juvenile court deprivation proceedings, and the rights of children in juvenile court deprivation proceedings. Finally, it explains the type of evidence a judge considers in making decisions in deprivation matters. The target audience for the presentation is non-lawyers who volunteer or work in juvenile court deprivation proceedings.

C7 Sharing Confidential Information: WHO DFCS CAN TELL!!!

Adina Broome, Legal Services Officer, DFCS, DHR

DFCS has many community partners with whom agency staff need to share information so that we can work together to protect children and serve their families better. In this workshop, caseworkers, supervisors, and other agency managers will learn the groups with whom they must and can share information so that the whole community can do a better job of protection and serving children and their families.

C8 Making the Internet Work for You in Child Protection

Kelli Stone, CPRS Project Manager, DFCS

Computer users will be walked through resources available on the Internet now that help those who are charged with protecting children. This is a basic computer class. Sample sites include searching a database of group homes, substance abuse treatment facilities, and the United Way Help book on-line. We will also talk briefly about the computer systems available at DFCS, including CPRS and will provide an update about the future.

C9 Parental Alienation

Judge Peggy Walker, Juvenile Court of Douglas County

Dr. Dennis Herendon, Psychologist

During and following custody disputes between parents, allegations of physical, sexual and emotional abuse are made. Many of these allegations are false. This workshop will discuss eight factors to examine to differentiate between parental alienation and actual abuse. Dr. Richard Gardener ahs developed these factors in his book, The Parental Alienation Syndrome.

C10 Recruitment and Retention of Foster Parents

Toni Oliver, Executive Director, ROOTS

How do we get good foster parents? How do we keep them? What do satisfaction with relationships with social workers, foster parent training, and financial compensation have to do with it? Join us for a discussion of these and other issues involving recruitment and retention of foster parents.

C11 Placing Children from Detention

Don Mayer, Detention Counselor, Department of Juvenile Justice

This presentation will help the child placement specialist understand the importance of the child’s experience in detention. How the child’s activity in detention can and will impact future placement. To give the placement specialist the greatest benefit to aid in placement through ongoing communication with the child and detention staff.

C12 ABC’s of Diagnosis

Judy M. Plecko, LCSW, Director of Family Support and Social Work, Marcus Institute

Karen L. Carter, M.D., Assistant Professor of Pediatrics

C13 Legal Issues You Should Know About in Juvenile Court

Mary Hermann, Fulton County Child Advocate

Will discuss all the miscellaneous legal stuff in juvenile court, including guardianships, legitimations, private fillings (third parties getting custody with non-reunification, siblings rights (is it in the future??), and emancipation. Will leave time for discussion.

C14 Attorney Secrets – How to Win Your Case

Andrew Dodgen, Attorney at Law, Moore and Dodgen

Presentation is targeted for DFCS workers who want to hear the perspective of a parent attorney/defense council. We will focus on exactly what these attorneys are looking for to poke holes in your case in court. The workshop will highlight communication gaps within the court system. DO you feel like attorneys and workers don’t speak the same language? Then come join us.

C15 Deprivation Case Law Update

Judge James Morris, Cobb County Juvenile Court

This workshop will discuss the most recent case law involving Georgia and federal appeals in deprivation law.

C16 How Family Services Workers Can Drive Up the Success Rate for Child Placements?

Sandra P. Pointer, Program Consultant, DHR, DFCS

Do you mistakenly think of the Family Services Worker as someone who just drives up to provide transportation? Then this workshop is for you. Participants will learn the many ways that FSWs can help drive up the rate of success in child placement cases. Preparing a thorough request for Family Services and developing a case plan that effectively incorporates this valuable resource will be discussed. A variety of actual case examples will be presented from county staff who have already discovered the FSWs can be one of the driving forces in reaching case goals. Proper training, effective case planning, ongoing communication or regular “pit stops” make the FSW a vital member of the child placement team.

C17 Trauma and Attachment in Abused and Neglected Children

Dr. Patrice Harris, Child Psychiatrist, The Barton Child Law & Policy Clinic

Judge Robin Nash, DeKalb County Juvenile Court

A brief overview of the scope of the problem of abused and neglected children will be presented. Attachment and trauma theories will be reviewed as they relate to abused and neglected children and the scope of services these children receive. Finally, strategies for working with these children will be presented.

11:45 AM - 12:45 PM

Networking Luncheon

1:00 PM - 2:30 PM

Workshops D1-D17

D1 Race, Foster Care, Adoption and the Law (MEPA)

Judge Nikki Marr, DeKalb County Juvenile Court

A panel discussion will address the issue of race in foster car and adoption. The Multi-Ethnic Placement Act (MEPA) is the federal law prohibiting all organizations receiving federal funding from “delaying or denying” the placement of a child on the basis of race. We will talk about the continued confusion and controversy surrounding this law and what is allowed to be considered and what is not.

D2 Fitness on the Run

Karla Grady, Health Promotion Specialist, Peachtree Fitness Professionals

Ruthann Clark, Health Promotion Specialist, Peachtree Fitness Professionals

D3 Corrective Action in Foster Homes

Winifred Abdullah, Program Consultant, DFCS

A review of policies and procedures guiding corrective action in DFCS approved homes, including foster, foster/adopt, adoptive, granny homes, and relative foster homes. Practice issues will be explored in terms of early intervention and follow through with caregivers to effect increased prevention and the provision of adequate resources and support when a corrective action is in effect.

D4 DFCS & CASA: Working Together in a Child’s Best Interest

Allyson Anderson, Director of Advocacy, Georgia CASA

Pam Collin, Program Director, CASA for Children

Rosemary Norsworthy, Program Coordinator, Rainbow House CASA

Glenda Thompson, DFCS Director, Cherokee County

DFCS Director, Houston County

In this workshop, DFCS and CASA professionals will host a panel discussion exploring the ways in which DFCS staff and CASA volunteers can best work together in a child’s best interest. Participants will learn about the statewide DFCS-CASA Protocol, the rules and responsibilities of each agency, and what to do when there are differences in their recommendations to the court.

D5 Presenting a Persuasive Deprivation Case: Improving Your Courtroom Performance

Vivian Egan, Legal Services Manager, DHR, DFCS

This workshop provides caseworkers with practical knowledge about and advice on how to present a persuasive deprivation case with the assistance of their SAAG’s. The topics included are 1) how to build evidence for a deprivation case, 2) how to prepare to present the deprivation case, 3) how to be an effective party representative and witness, and 4) the rules of evidence which commonly affect the presentation of a deprivation case and how to get around them.

D6 3 Things that Can Change Your Life!

John Anderson, Director of Right from the Start, DHR

Diane Sacks, DHR

Randy Mooney

We will discuss revenue maximization, changes in foster care regulations, and what could happen if we experience an economic downturn.

D7 Financial Services and Administrative Procedures for Children in Foster Care

Mary Brooks, DFCS

Larry Ellington, DFCS

D8 Sharing Confidential Information: WHO DFCS CAN TELL!!!

Adina Broome, Legal Services Officer, DFCS, DHR

D9 Mental Illness Education: Recognizing the Signs, Finding Resources

Patricia Strode, Director of Family Education, National Alliance for the Mentally Ill of Georgia (NAMI Georgia)

The presentation will focus mainly on educational resources available for families of children and adolescents with bran disorders, with an emphasis on the most commonly diagnosed illness. Participants will be provided with information on recognizing symptoms of brain disorders, and how to help children and their families effectively navigate the road to effective treatment and recovery.

D10 Level of Care (LOC): WHAT is it? WHO is eligible? WHEN to apply? WHERE is the child's placement? HOW do I apply?

Linda Ladd, DHR

Come learn the ins, outs, ups, and downs of Level of Care and how to use it to enhance services for children.

D11 Attorney Secrets – How to Win Your Case