CONFERENCE SCHEDULE

Turning on the Light: Immigration Laws That Protect Vulnerable Children and Families

Gina Fraga, Esq. | Immigration Attorney - Acosta & Fraga Law, PLLC

Heidy Garcia, LMHC, IMH-E | Founder and CEO - Hope Valley Resource Center

​Immigration status can influence whether abuse is reported or whether families access services. This workshop, presented by an immigration attorney, provides a basic overview of immigration protections available to vulnerable children and families. Participants will learn how schools, therapists, social workers, and law enforcement intersect with immigration law. 

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Connecting the Dots: Social Media Investigations in the 21st Century

Dr. Steve Webb | President – Safe Secure Systems

Join our Keynote Speaker and author of the book "Education in a Violent World: A Practical Guide to Keeping Our Kids Safe", Dr. Steve Webb, as he continues the conversation of the dangers of social media usage and provides 21st century investigation techniques to help protect our kids from violence.

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Long-term Impact of Grooming by Today's Most Prolific Sex Criminal

Randee Kogan, LMHC, CSA, CDV, CFT | Therapist, Owner – Kogan Counseling Services

Hundreds of women were groomed as minors, sexually exploited, and trafficked by one wealthy, powerful pedophile. The audience follows a timeline from when they first met this man to the present. The workshop will focus on the impact their 20-year trauma timeline has had on their lives.

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Preverbal Trauma and Its Impact on Adulthood

Jacy Mesch, LCSW | Executive Clinical Director - Lukas Counseling

This training focuses on understanding how trauma experienced during the preverbal stage (infancy to around age three) affects emotional, cognitive, and relational development throughout life. 

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From Survival to Stability: The Postpartum Support Bridge

Angelique Adderly MHA, M.Jur., CD, CLE | President - Sereni Postnatal Retreat

This presentation explores how culturally responsive birth and postpartum support can reduce perinatal depression and strengthen child and family wellbeing. Attendees will explore the postpartum period as a critical window of intervention that supports parental mental health, promotes healthy attachment, and positively influences outcomes for children and families.

 

Helping Children Manage Big Emotions

Diane Kelly Andreou, PhD | Psychologist - Palm Beach County Youth Services Department

This interactive workshop will explore how children develop emotional regulation skills and the vital role adults play in this process. Designed for parents and professionals, this presentation offers practical, developmentally appropriate strategies to support children’s emotional growth, resilience, and positive behavior across settings.

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Normal Expressions of Sexuality in Children

Lawrence Siegel, PhD, CSE, CSES | Director of Education and Training - Sage Institute for Family Development

This session will present an overview of sexuality and sexual conditioning, as well as a developmental perspective on healthy sexual expression. The session will focus on typical developmental childhood sexual expression and present ways to differentiate between normative and potentially problematic or abuse-related sexual behavior in children.

Why We Disconnect: The Science of Communication and Connection

Anna Elton PhD, LMFT, CST | CEO - Longwood Care

Explore the emotional patterns that shape how we connect, communicate, and grow apart. Dr. Anna Elton shares research-based insights and practical tools to improve communication, rebuild trust, and strengthen emotional closeness in relationships, helping partners, parents, and professionals understand what keeps connection alive.

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Youth Mental Health in the Age of Artificial Intelligence

Steven Arcidiacono, PhD | Director - Boystown Behavioral Health Clinic

This interactive workshop explores the benefits and risks associated with youth use of artificial intelligence (AI) from a mental health perspective. Designed for caregivers and professionals alike, attendees will learn practical strategies and principles to guide youth toward safe and ethical interactions with AI.

Where Is the Compassion When the Caregiver Is Fatigued?

Nefretiri McGriff, LMHC | Founder - Transcendent Living

​This session explores the emotional toll of caregiving through the lens of compassion fatigue. Participants will gain practical strategies to recognize warning signs, restore balance, and model self-compassion, both personally and professionally, without carrying the weight of everyone else’s needs.

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Behavior is Communication: Behavioral Science Principles for Understanding Challenging Behavior of Children and Adolescents 

Marcela Galicia, PhD, NCSP | Licensed Psychologist - Boystown Behavioral Health Clinic

​This workshop provides an introduction to behavioral science principles used to decrease youth challenging behavior (e.g., tantrums, elopement, etc.). Topics covered include behavior functions, prevention strategies, and positive behavior supports. This workshop is geared toward school staff, parents/caregivers, and anyone who wants to approach problem behavior with empathy and science. 

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Listening to Children: Innovations in Forensic Interviewing

Melissa Kelly, J.D. | Assistant State Attorney in Charge - Broward State Attorney's Office 

​This presentation explores innovative, child-centered approaches to forensic interviewing across disciplines. Participants will learn how structured interviews, developmentally appropriate questioning, and multidisciplinary collaboration support reliable evidence gathering while prioritizing the child’s best interests. The session will also address courtroom preparation for interviewers and child victims.​

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Repair: The #1 parenting and relationship strategy

Desi Scianno, MS Ed. | Parent Aide Coordinator - The Children's Healing Institute 

​Repair is the act of going back to a moment of disconnection, taking responsibility for your behavior, and acknowledging the impact it had on another. We will explore why it matters, how to repair, and the lasting impact this has on our people.