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• LCTF Caucus for Children - Statewide Meetings

  • Start
    08/19/2024
  •  
  • End
    10/15/2024
  •  
  • Schedule
    11 sessions
  • Location
    Multiple Locations
  • Registered
    155 registrants

  Register

  

  
  

  We invite you to attend the 2024 Caucus for Children!

  Sign up for meetings in your area or online!

  Every voice is very important for our children’s future. This plan will cover the next five years of strategic efforts to prevent child abuse and neglect across Louisiana.

  Please invite all of your parish and city leaders, educators, faith-based leaders, nonprofit and civic organizations, law enforcement, medical and legal professionals, social service groups and more! We want to have a full and robust response in each area to help determine a customized regional plan.

  REGION 8: August 19 - Shreveport Area

  • Location: The Harbor on Knight Street Building 6 @ 3004 Knight Street in Shreveport, La - 9 am

  REGION 9: August 20 - Monroe Area

  Location: West Ouachita Branch Library @ 188 La-546, West Monroe, La 71291 ***Start time 9:30 am for this location - Download PDF of Agenda 

  
  

  REGION 7: August 21 - Alexandria Area

  • Location: Northwestern State University CENLA Campus Meeting @ 1410 Neel Kearby Blvd, Alexandria, LA - 9 am

  REGION 6: September 9 - Lake Charles Area

  • Location: Family & Youth Counseling Agency @ 220 Louis Street in Lake Charles, La - 9 am - Use Entrance A

  REGION 5: October 2 - Lafayette Area

  • Location: Lafayette Public Library Main Branch @ 301 W Congress St, Lafayette, La - Second Floor meeting room, left off the elevator ***Start time 9:30 am for this location - Download PDF of Agenda 

  REGION 2: October 3 - Baton Rouge Area

  • Location: DCFS in Iberville Building Room 1-129 @ 627 North 4th Street in Baton Rouge, La 
  • IMPORTANT Parking Info - Download PDF

  REGION 3: September 17 - Covington Area 

  • Location: St. Tammany Parish Coroner's Office @ 65278 La - 434 in Lacombe, La - 9 am

  REGION 1: September 18 - Orleans/Jefferson Area

  • Location: Plaquemines Community CARE Centers Inc Foundation @ 115 Keating Dr. in Belle Chasse, La - 9 am

  REGION 4: September 19 - Thibodaux Area

  Location: Terrebonne Parish Main Library @ 151 Library Drive Houma, La ***Start time 9:30 am for this location - Download PDF of Agenda 

  
  

  Zoom 1*: October 14 - North Louisiana

  Zoom 2*: October 15 - South Louisiana

  *The two zoom sessions are offered for those unable to attend a meeting in their region. We hope you can attend in your area when we are there - we want to meet you!

  9 am Start time AGENDA

  9am          Welcome & Introductions

  9:30am     Networking Activity

  10am        Regional Trends & Data Discussion

  10:30am   Recommendations & Solutions Discussion

  11am        Prioritization of Recommendations & Solutions

  11:30am   Wrap-up and Closing Comments

  
  

  ***9:30 am Start time AGENDA

  9:30am     Welcome & Introductions

  10am        Networking Activity

  10:30am   Regional Trends & Data Discussion

  11am        Recommendations & Solutions Discussion

  11:30am   Prioritization of Recommendations & Solutions

  12pm        Wrap-up and Closing Comments

  
  

  Questions? Call Team Dynamics at 985-624-3514. 

  Attendees - please bring business cards and or flyers to share with others in your region!

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• LCTF Monthly Speaker Series - September 18, 2024

  • When
    09/18/2024
  •  
    12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
  • Location
    Online - Zoom
  • Spaces left
    386

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  Coffee & Conversations Speaker Series

  
  

  September 18, 2024  12pm - 1pm Online

  Speaker:

  LaToya Butler, BA, MPA

  
  

  About the guest speaker: My name is LaToya Butler and I work as a CPS Consultant for the Department of Children and Family Services. I previously served as the MCC (My Community Cares) State Family Support Coordinator. I have a 15 year old daughter who is in 10th grade in high school. I have a Bachelor’s Degree in Broadcasting with a minor in Marketing and I have a Master’s Degree in Public Administration. I received both Degrees from Southern University and A&M College. I used to be an Investigator for Child Protection and the Case Manager/Liaison for the East Baton Rouge Parish Juvenile Court. When I am not working, I enjoy roller skating (I used to belong to a roller derby league in Baton Rouge, LA), traveling, reading and meeting new people. I once worked as a Disc Jockey for 101.5 WYNK. More interesting facts about me: I was born in Bad Kreuznach, Germany, I have a skating group called Roll On It Gurlz, am a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and I have an Employment Consulting business called Butler Premier Consulting Firm, Inc.

  Sign up today! You must be present for over 50% of the presentation for us to award credits.  

  CLE HOURS SPONSOR:                     CEU HOURS SPONSOR:

            

  
  

  Questions? Registrations, Connectivity and Credits can be supported by contacting Team Dynamics (985-624-3514).

  
  

  LCTF Program Support Questions can be directed to Michele Rabalais (225-342-2245).

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• CIP Cafe' - September 2024

  • When
    09/19/2024
  •  
    12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
  • Location
    Online
  • Spaces left
    219
  • Registered
    231 registrants

  Register

      

  GATHER. LEARN. COLLABORATE.

  ^____       Hosted by the Court Improvement Program of the Louisiana Supreme Court       ^____

  INTRODUCTION TO DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILY SERVICES DUE PROCESS TO APPEAL VALID FINDINGS OF ABUSE/NEGLECT

  Thursday, September 19 | 12:00pm-1:00pm

  Approved 1 HOUR CEU - Presumptive Approval CLE 1 HOUR

  Download a flyer for sharing!

  
  

  
  

  This training is free and is designed for all judges, private adoption attorneys, adoption agencies, clerks of court, foster parents, social workers, educators, faith-based leaders and child welfare stakeholders.

  
  

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• Child in Need of Care Trial Skills Building Training

  • When
    09/23/2024
  •  
    8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
  • Location
    Arts Council Building at 1104 4th Street in Alexandria, La
  • Spaces left
    0

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  SIGN UP NOW - LIMITED TO 30 PARTICIPANTS!

  
  

  
  

  Arts Council of Central Louisiana Building Classroom  C

  1104 4th Street Alexandria, La 71301

  Registration at 8:00 am

  Program begins promptly at 8:30 am

  8:30 am to 4:30 pm

  Morning session will be held in Classroom C and

  the afternoon sessions will be held in Classroom C & D

  Share the flyer

  6.5 hours Presumptively CLE approved, includes 1 hour professionalism 

  The Louisiana Court Improvement Program and the Pelican Center for Children and Families, in collaboration with the American Bar Association Center on Children and the Law, are pleased to offer a specialized Trial Skills Building training for attorneys in Child in Need of Care cases. The training is designed to support and enhance trial skills for CINC attorneys. We welcome assistant district attorneys, Bureau of General Counsel, children’s attorneys, and parents’ attorneys of any experience level.

  The training delivers comprehensive information about the art of CINC courtroom advocacy. Topics include discovery, direct examination, cross-examination, expert witnesses, exhibits, objections, and closing argument. Participants will have the opportunity to practice direct and cross-examination skills and receive feedback from experienced Louisiana CINC attorney trainers.

  Earn 6.5 hours of in-person credits.

  This course will satisfy  the hours required to represent children in court all in one day! 

  Sign up now to save your spot -

  limited to 30 legal professionals.

  A courtesy block of rooms at the rate of $109++ has been reserved at the the Four Points by Sheraton located at 2301 N MacArthur Dr, Alexandria, LA 71303. Here is the information to secure your hotel accommodations:

  1. Call 1 888 236 2427 to reserve your room and use the group code TD1.

  2. Reserve your room online at Book your group rate for Team Dynamics.

  You must reserve your room with a major credit card by the deadline of 9/7/2024. Cancellations must be made 48 hours in advance or guest will be charged for stay.

  Registration questions can be directed to:

  Team Dynamics at 985-624-3514.
  

  
  

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• LYFE Grantee Meeting - Invite Only

  • Start
    09/30/2024
  • End
    10/01/2024
  • Location
    Doubletree Lafayette, Louisiana

  Register

  Mandatory LYFE Grantee Meeting

  September 30 to October 1

  Doubletree Hotel, 1521 W. Pinhook, Lafayette, LA

  

  Congratulations on being a FY25 LYFE Grantee! In accepting the LYFE grant funds, you agreed to participate in the mandatory two-day training. Your organization may send up to two people to the training. Hotel rooms (2 nights), some meals and training registration are included. You can send more than two people, but you will need to pay for their registration and expenses in advance.

  When registering, you will enter the information for your hotel accommodations. Rooms for attendees will follow the Louisiana State Travel Regulations (GSA schedule). Accommodations are for the nights of September 29-30, checking out on October 1st. Parking in the hotel parking lot is free.

  Breakfast and Lunch will be provided on September 30th and October 1st during the meeting. Dinner is on your own. Dietary issues are addressed in the registration form.

  Attire for this meeting is business. Dress in layers, as we cannot always predict if a meeting room will be hot or cold.

  The week before the meeting, we will send you your hotel room confirmation information and any additional information you will need to bring. We highly suggest you bring business cards to exchange with other grantees.

  Questions?

  For registration and logistics questions, contact Team Dynamics at 985-624-3514. sharon@teamdyn.com

  LYFE Program questions, please contact: Amanda M. Shackelford, LYFE Executive Director amanda.shackelford@la.gov  225-342-3423

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• LCTF Monthly Speaker Series - October 16, 2024

  • When
    10/16/2024
  •  
    12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
  • Location
    Online - Zoom
  • Spaces left
    436

  Register

  
  

  Coffee & Conversations Speaker Series

  
  

  October 16, 2024  12pm - 1pm Online

  Speaker:

  Corie Hebert, PhD

  
  

  About the guest speaker: Dr. Hebert has served as the Principal Investigator of the Louisiana Child Welfare Training Academy from inception to present. She had over twenty years teaching experience in social work. Her focus for areas of research includes foster parent engagement, training, and trauma.

  Sign up today! You must be present for over 50% of the presentation for us to award credits.  

  CLE HOURS SPONSOR:                     CEU HOURS SPONSOR:

            

  
  

  Questions? Registrations, Connectivity and Credits can be supported by contacting Team Dynamics (985-624-3514).

  
  

  LCTF Program Support Questions can be directed to Michele Rabalais (225-342-2245).

  Show details
• LCTF Monthly Speaker Series - November 20, 2024

  • When
    11/20/2024
  •  
    12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
  • Location
    Online - Zoom
  • Spaces left
    448

  Registration is closed

  
  

  Coffee & Conversations Speaker Series

  
  

  November 20, 2024  12pm - 1pm Online

  Speaker:

  Sherrod Crespo, LCSW

  
  

  About the guest speaker:

  Sherrard Crespo is a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) who obtained her Masters Degree in Social Work from Louisiana State University in 2017. Her professional background is highlighted by her work with suicide education, prevention, intervention, and postvention. Sherrard is currently employed with VIA LINK in the position of Director of Outreach and PCAL where her current duties include: clinical oversight of VIA LINK's 24/7 contact center, VIA LINK internal training on suicide risk assessment, community outreach and education on VIA LINK services as well as specialized skills and information on suicide, crisis intervention, and trauma. She also facilitates VIA LINK's two support groups: Survivors of Suicide Loss and “Real Talk” a support group for teens with suicide ideation. She is also the Director for Prevent Child Abuse Louisiana (PCAL), the Louisiana state affiliate for Prevent Child Abuse America, which is operated by VIA LINK, in which her current focus includes education and advocacy for the community to support Louisiana families and prevent child abuse. Her professional clinical skills also include seeing individual clients who are bereaved by suicide loss as well as providing consultation for clients who are assessed for suicide risk.

  Sign up today! You must be present for over 50% of the presentation for us to award credits.  

  CLE HOURS SPONSOR:                     CEU HOURS SPONSOR:

            

  
  

  Questions? Registrations, Connectivity and Credits can be supported by contacting Team Dynamics (985-624-3514).

  
  

  LCTF Program Support Questions can be directed to Michele Rabalais (225-342-2245).

  Show details
• LCTF Monthly Speaker Series - December 18, 2024

  • When
    12/18/2024
  •  
    12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
  • Location
    Online - Zoom
  • Spaces left
    441

  Register

  
  

  Coffee & Conversations Speaker Series

  
  

  December 18, 2024  12pm - 1pm Online

  Speaker:

  Thomas Mitchell, LPC

  
  

  About the guest speaker: Thomas Mitchell serves as the Executive Director of Children’s Advocacy Center - Hope House in Covington. He graduated from Nicholls State University with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and a Master of Arts in Psychological Counseling. Thomas began his CAC career with the Carl Perkins CAC network as a Clinical Therapist. He later became the Director of Clinical Services, providing oversight of trauma therapy in 16-Children's Advocacy Centers across West Tennessee. In 2017, he relocated to the Northshore to assume the directorship of CAC Hope House. Thomas holds board certification in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and formal certification in Trust-Based Relational Interventions® as both a Practitioner and Educator. Since 2019, Thomas has served as the Board Treasurer for the Exchange Club of West St. Tammany in addition to serving as a board member with the Louisiana Commission on Law Enforcement. He is a former board president for the Louisiana Alliance of Children’s Advocacy Centers, serving a term from 2018 through 2019. Thomas is featured as an annual guest lecturer at both Louisiana State University and Nicholls State University for advanced training relative to the neurological impact of complex developmental trauma. Thomas holds professional memberships with the Louisiana Counseling Association and the American Professional Society on the Abuse of Children. He was invited to facilitate an advanced training session for APSAC - New York in December of 2021. His research interests include normative conformity, complex developmental trauma, and the neurological effects of trauma. He resides in Mandeville with his beautiful wife Sayuri and three children, Zoe, Emma, and Owen.

  Sign up today! You must be present for over 50% of the presentation for us to award credits.  

  CLE HOURS SPONSOR:                     CEU HOURS SPONSOR:

            

  
  

  Questions? Registrations, Connectivity and Credits can be supported by contacting Team Dynamics (985-624-3514).

  
  

  LCTF Program Support Questions can be directed to Michele Rabalais (225-342-2245).

  Show details
• LCTF Monthly Speaker Series - January 15, 2025

  • When
    01/15/2025
  •  
    12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
  • Location
    Online - Zoom
  • Spaces left
    450

  Register

  
  

  Coffee & Conversations Speaker Series

  
  

  January 15, 2025  12pm - 1pm Online

  Speakers:

  Stacie LeBlanc, JD, MEd and

  Viola Vaughan-Eden, PhD, MSW, MJ

  
  

  About the guest speakers:

  Stacie Schrieffer LeBlanc, JD, Med, a lifelong child advocate, co-founder of the Up Institute, President Emeritus of The American Professional Society on Child Abuse (APSAC), has served 34 years in the child maltreatment field. She led a child abuse felony prosecution program with a 94% conviction rate. During her 19 years at Children’s Hospital New Orleans, Stacie lead the Audrey Hepburn CARE Center and the Children’s Advocacy Center. She has published numerous articles and five books, and her legislative impact includes 11 successful amendments, earning her the title of Champion for Children. Recognized with numerous awards, such as a Lifetime Achievement Award, FBI Directors Award, and APSAC Outstanding Service, Stacie was also named Advocate of the Year by the American Psychology Association in 2022 for her work advancing No Hit Zones as a tool to combat child abuse. She chairs the National No Hit Zone Committee, overseeing the global expansion of No Hit Zones. Stacie remains dedicated to creating a safer world for children through her expertise, legislative influence, and innovative prevention programs. Stacie Schrieffer LeBlanc, JD, Med, a lifelong child advocate, co-founder of the Up Institute, and former APSAC president, has served 34 years in the child maltreatment field. She led a child abuse felony prosecution program with a 94% conviction rate. During her 19 years at Children’s Hospital New Orleans, Stacie led the Audrey Hepburn and the Children’s Advocacy Centers. She has published articles and five books, and her legislative impact includes 11 successful amendments. Recognized with numerous awards, such as a Lifetime Achievement Award, FBI Directors Award, and APSAC Outstanding Service, Stacie was also named Advocate of the Year by the American Psychology Association in 2022 for her work advancing No Hit Zones as a tool to combat child abuse. She chairs the National No Hit Zone Committee, overseeing the global expansion of No Hit Zones.

  Viola Vaughan-Eden, PhD, MSW, MJ is a Professor and the PhD Program Director with the Ethelyn R. Strong School of Social Work at Norfolk State University. She is also the President and CEO of UP For Champions, a non-profit in partnership with The UP Institute, a think tank for upstream child abuse solutions. As a forensic and licensed clinical social worker, she serves as a consultant and expert witness in child maltreatment cases – principally sexual abuse. She has evaluated and/or consulted on more than 3000 child abuse cases and provided expert testimony more than 700 times. She is also a Child Welfare Advisor to the National Family Violence Law Center at George Washington University. Dr. Vaughan-Eden is President Emerita of the American Professional Society on the Abuse of Children, President Emerita of the National Partnership to End Interpersonal Violence, and Past-President of the National Organization of Forensic Social Work. She lectures nationally and internationally on child and family welfare to multidisciplinary groups of professionals. She is co-editor of the 2012 and 2023 APSAC Practice Guidelines on Forensic Interviewing Children and is one of the editors-in-chief of the six-volume 2022 NPEIV Handbook on Interpersonal Violence. Dr. Vaughan-Eden is the recipient of several honors including the 2023 Outstanding Individual in Academia from the Congressional Research Institute for Social Work and Policy, the 2020 NOFSW Sol Gothard Lifetime Achievement Award, 2018 APSAC Outstanding Service Award, and the 2012 National Association of Social Workers-Virginia Chapter Lifetime Achievement Award. See www.violavaughaneden.com
  

  Sign up today! You must be present for over 50% of the presentation for us to award credits.  

  CLE HOURS SPONSOR:                     CEU HOURS SPONSOR:

            

  
  

  Questions? Registrations, Connectivity and Credits can be supported by contacting Team Dynamics (985-624-3514).

  
  

  LCTF Program Support Questions can be directed to Michele Rabalais (225-342-2245).

  Show details
• LCTF Monthly Speaker Series - February 19, 2025

  • When
    02/19/2025
  •  
    12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
  • Location
    Online - Zoom
  • Spaces left
    447

  Register

  
  

  Coffee & Conversations Speaker Series

  
  

  February 19, 2025  12pm - 1pm Online

  Speaker:

  Franchesca Hamilton-Acker, JD

  
  

  About the guest speaker: Franchesca L. Hamilton-Acker is the Managing Attorney/Unit Leader of the Child(ren) In Need of Care Unit (CINC) at Acadiana Legal Service Corporation (ALSC) in Lafayette where she has practiced public interest law for over 25 years. She received a BS degree in Criminal Justice with a minor in English and Political Science from the University of Southwestern Louisiana in 1995 and a Juris Doctorate from Southern University Law Center in 1998.

  Sign up today! You must be present for over 50% of the presentation for us to award credits.  

  CLE HOURS SPONSOR:                     CEU HOURS SPONSOR:

            

  
  

  Questions? Registrations, Connectivity and Credits can be supported by contacting Team Dynamics (985-624-3514).

  
  

  LCTF Program Support Questions can be directed to Michele Rabalais (225-342-2245).

  Show details
• LCTF Monthly Speaker Series - March 19, 2025

  • When
    03/19/2025
  •  
    12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
  • Location
    Online - Zoom
  • Spaces left
    439

  Register

  
  

  Coffee & Conversations Speaker Series

  
  

  March 19, 2025  12pm - 1pm Online

  Speakers:

  Kayana Bradley, Peer Support Specialist

  and Kathy Cook, JD, CWLS

  
  

  About the guest speakers:

  Kayana Bradley, Peer Support Specialist, Southeast Louisiana Legal Services; Louisiana Elite Advocacy Force: Kayana Keedy Bradley, a lived experience stakeholder, and advocate utilizes her professional and personal experience to enhance the foster care system. She highlights the importance of teamwork throughout the Louisiana system. Kayana has worked with the Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) and the Chafee Independent Living Skills providers, speaking directly with current foster kids and preparing them to age out. She has been a part of the HCR 168 Taskforce on Youth Aging Out of Foster Care, and SCR10 Taskforce on Extending The Age of Foster Care. For Kayana’s work on behalf of other youth, she was recognized with one of the first Louisiana Angels awards from the Louisiana Institute for Children in Families. Kayana has been recognized for her commitment to excellence towards the state and community development receiving the Young Adult Achievement Award. She has been able to partner with the Casey Family Programs to publicize across the nation why youth engagement is important in 3 youth engagement briefs. She is the President of Louisiana Elite Advocacy Force (LEAF), Technology and Transitioning Age Youth with Foster Together Network, and a Pelican Center Board Fellow. She happily pushes for change in policy to encourage permanent placements and family stability while increasing youth voice and supportive resources to benefit current and former families that face adversity in Louisiana’s system. Kayana believes it takes a village to raise children and keep families stable, so as citizens, we all bare a responsibility for children in our community, parish, state, and nation.

  Kathy Lynn Cook, J.D., M.A., C.W.L.S.,* Deputy General Counsel, Mental Health, Advocacy Service/Child Advocacy Program: Ms. Cook has been a Mental Health attorney for juveniles and adults for 28 years, spending the last 18 years as a CINC attorney for children. Her agency responsibilities include legislation writing and monitoring, training and data management, and she works on child welfare policy and quality indicators development at both the state and national levels. Ms. Cook has A.S., B.S., M.A. and J.D. degrees, and is NACC certified as a Child Welfare Law Specialist.

  Sign up today! You must be present for over 50% of the presentation for us to award credits.  

  CLE HOURS SPONSOR:                     CEU HOURS SPONSOR:

            

  
  

  Questions? Registrations, Connectivity and Credits can be supported by contacting Team Dynamics (985-624-3514).

  
  

  LCTF Program Support Questions can be directed to Michele Rabalais (225-342-2245).

  Show details