National One Church One Child
26th Annual Conference
October 23-25, 2013
Wyndham Hotel, Tampa, Florida
FEATURING:
FEATURING:
Antwone Fisher
Former Foster Child,
Celebrity
Father George Clements
Founder National OCOC
Rev. Karey Free
National President
Rev. Beverly Lane
Florida President
/National Regional VP
Rev. R. B. Holmes
Florida Founding
President
Gordon Johnson
Co-Founder OCOC
Judge David Gooding
Circuit Court Judge,
Duval County, Florida
Increasing Permanency for Children and Support for Families
National One Church, One Child and Florida One Church One Child are pleased to co-host The 26th Annual National One
st
Church One Child Conference. In the 21 Century, ever increasing changes in society and Child Welfare dictate a need
to develop and/or strengthen faith partnerships to successfully address the critical issues of prevention, intervention,
adoption and foster care promotion and support for families.
Dwindling resources and increasing needs require creative approaches to strengthening families and providing child
welfare service delivery, including widely needed recruitment, retention and support services for foster and adoptive
families. By strengthening faith partnerships, we can more effectively assist families in transitioning as they navigate the
child welfare system. This conference, on increasing permanency for children, is about working together with mutual
respect and goodwill for seamless service delivery, so that the quality of life for children and families is made better.
Register today to enhance and improve your service delivery as an individual, agency or organization.
A “must” seminar for:
 Clergy – Pastors, Ministry Leaders
 Adoption Professionals
 Foster Care Professionals
 Social Workers
 Counselors & Therapists
 Foster & Adoptive Parents
 Child & Family Advocates
 Community Members
 Mentors/Educators
This conference provides 11.25 CEU’s
for Clinical Social Workers, Mental
Health Counselors and Marriage &
Family Therapists.
CE Provider #: 50-481
Sponsoring Agency & Partners
National One Church One Child, Inc.
One Church, One Child of Florida, Inc.
Florida Department of Children & Families
Daniel Memorial, Inc.
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Conference Agenda
Wednesday, October 23, 2013
9:00 am
1:00 pm – 2:30 pm
2:30 pm – 3:30 pm
3:30 pm – 3:45 pm
3:45 pm – 4:45 pm
5:30 pm – 7:00 pm
7:00 pm
Registration Opens
Open Plenary
Session I Workshops
Break
Session II Workshops
Networking Reception
National OCOC Board Meeting
Thursday, October 24, 2013
7:30 am - 8:00 am
7:30 am
8:30 am - 9:30 am
9:30 am - 10:30 am
10:30 am - 10:45 am
10:45 am - 11:45 am
11:45 am - 1:30 pm
1:30 pm - 2:30 pm
2:30 pm - 3:30 pm
3:30 pm - 3:45 pm
3:45 pm - 4:45 pm
7:30 pm -
Morning Prayer (open to all)
Registration Opens
Session III Workshops
Session IV Workshops
Break
Session V Workshops
Lunch (Keynote Address)
Session VI Workshops
Session VII Workshops
Break
Session VIII Workshops
OCOC Family Reunion Appreciation Banquet (Keynote)
Friday, October 25, 2013
8:00 am - 9:30 am
9:30 am – 11:30 am
11:30 am – 12:00 noon
Faith Partnership Recruitment Prayer breakfast
Clergy Round Table Discussions and Partnership Opportunity Building with Local
Community Based Organizations
Conference Closing
Workshop Descriptions
A. Child Specific Adoption Recruitment: - This workshop explains why child specific recruitment activities are more
effective than generic recruitment activities. Attendees will learn that all child specific recruitment activities must begin
with gathering information about the strengths and needs of a specific child and identifies the sources from which this
information must be gathered. Tools provided to attendees will include a list of questions that can be used for interviewing
with the child, a handout about writing effective narratives on waiting children and photographs and information on how to
document children as available on statewide, and national websites as well as use of the local heart gallery. Attendees
will also receive a sample letter that can assist in communicating with any significant adults and prior caregivers in the
child’s life. Discussion will include ideas for recruiting for children with medically involved issues and other considerations
such as recruiting for children who love sports in a local community center. This is a dynamic workshop that will provide
participants with value information to increase adoption placements through child specific initiatives. Kathleen Waters,
Adoption Program and Policy Manager, Office of Family Safety, Florida Department of Children and Families.
B. Diligent Recruitment and Retention Strategies to Find, Engage, Develop and Support African American Foster
and Adoptive Families: AdoptUSKids will present findings from a national study on barriers to African American
families seeking to adopt or foster. The presentation will include specific initiatives, including diligent recruitment efforts
across the nation, designed to address the need to engage, develop, support and retain families for the disproportionately
high number of African American children in foster care. We will demonstrate the use of the AdoptUSKids website and
media to use” strengths” narratives and “positive” photos to find families for African American children. This workshop will
describe the trauma experienced by many children who have been in care, and will identify strategies which AdoptUSKids
is using to increase permanency and to support the well-being of African American children in foster care. Examples will
be given of the AdoptUSKids website redesign and recruitment and retention materials. Training will be provided on
photolisting children and families as well as finding families for waiting children listed on the AdoptUSKids website. Also
strategies will be discussed which can be used to build the capacity of child welfare staff and also engage community
groups in discussions about increasing adoption opportunities for African American children in care. These will include
the use of innovative use of the media to inform potential families about the children waiting. Stephanie Johnson
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Pettaway, MSW, National Recruitment Campaign Fulfillment Director and Ruth G. McRoy, PhD, Evaluator,
AdoptUSKids.
C. Strategies for Matching Children with Families: This workshop will review and examine best practice in matching
children based on assessed needs with the appropriate strengths of families using a comprehensive, cultural approach.
Participants will also review and discuss matching versus connections. Roz Davis, Licensing/Adoption Specialist,
Florida Department of Children and Families.
D. Identifying Opportunities to Link Children in Care to local Churches for support: This training will involve
substantive discussion of current initiatives and opportunities for local churches to successfully build partnerships with
Community Based Care agencies in connecting children in care with the local churches who can provide support for the
children and actively engage in recruitment of families for these children. Rev. Al Williams, Deputy Director for One
Church One Child of Florida.
E. Opportunities to Link Children Aging Out of Care to Local Churches through the “help Me Stand” Ministry:
This workshop examines opportunities to engage and utilize the church as a resource to become a family support for
children aging out of care. It includes discussions of the steps in setting up projects in other churches and the partnership
roles with the local community based care organizations. Rev. Herbert Corbin, Pastor Good Hope AME Church and
Chair of One Church One Child Local Advisory Committee.
F. Providing Support for Family Strengthening Through Church Intervention: This workshop reviews the current
operating ministry of the church in supporting families and the potential to expand support to families who are in
reunification or children previously in care who now have their own children. The session will look at expanding options
through engaging churches to serve in its natural role of helping to strengthen families. Rev. William Randall, Pastor,
St. Simon Church, Orange Park, Chair One Church One Child Local Advisory Committee.
G. Recruitment and Retention of Minority Families through the Church: This workshop will focus on recruitment
strategies that are critical steps in successfully engaging and retaining minority families as valuable and needed resources
to address adoption and foster care needs. Cora Perry, Program Coordinator One Church One Child of Florida.
H. Church Recruitment Dos and Don’ts: This workshop will review the important protocols in appropriately and
successfully engaging the faith community, the particulars and specifics in understanding from the Church’s perspective
the role of outreach in local communities and providing services as working partners with child welfare. Cora Perry,
Program Coordinator and LaKay Fayson, Recruitment Coordinator for One Church One Child of Florida.
I. Understanding and Engaging Communities: This workshop explores the best practice model of the Neighborhood
Center Concept. One example is the Schell Sweet Community Resources Center, an intergenerational approach to
community care through unique partnerships. The Neighborhood Center Concept has been proven to be an extremely
useful primary prevention tool for communities and families in Circuit 4 (Duval, Clay and Nassau Counties) of Northeast
Florida. The Neighborhood Centers are located within communities so that services are within walking distance and
easily accessible. The concept is based on the Igbo and Yoruba (Nigerian) proverb that child upbringing is a communal
effort. The responsibility for raising a child is shared with the larger (extended) family and even the wider community, not
government entities. This is especially true for children who have been without a permanent family. Jacquelyn Green,
Client Relations Manager, Florida Department of Children and Families.
J. Bring Them Home: A Guide to Expediting Adoptions: This workshop will provide guidance in the efforts to
successfully move children into permanency. The practical steps offered in this workshop will help parties to timely satisfy
permanency goals. Judge David M. Gooding, Circuit Court Judge, Duval County, FL.
K Culture Competency – What You Don’t Know – A Winning Strategy: This workshop provides participants a
broader perspective of the dynamic of culture competency and a greater understanding of how to increase permanency
for children through delivering services to clients from a cultural frame of reference. Dr. Brenda J. Jarmon, Professor,
Florida A & M University.
L. Servicing Crossover Children - Research has documented the higher probability that young people who have been
abused or neglected will engage in delinquent behavior. The primary systems involved in this model are juvenile justice
and child welfare. While each serves a different function, they both aim to improve the lives of their client by creating
greater efficiencies and levels of effectiveness in their respective systems. In order to best serve crossover youth,
collaborative efforts between the juvenile justice system and the child welfare system is necessary. This collaboration
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promotes better service provision to this population. The purpose of this workshop is to introduce the Crossover Youth
Practice Model and discuss its impact in the state of Florida. Stacy Cleveland, MSW, Office of Child Welfare, CPI
Performance Improvement, Florida Department of Children and Families.
M. GAL Recruitment of Volunteers. With almost 30,000 children under Court supervision throughout the state of
Florida, the Guardian ad Litem Program faces many challenges. First and foremost is providing each of those children
with “a voice”, fortunately more than 21,400 children have “a voice” and someone to look out for their best interest.
However since there are still children who will not have the benefit of a Guardian ad Litem our volunteer recruitment
efforts are vital. Over the last 18 months many changes have been made in the recruiting practices of the Guardian ad
Litem Program. We have broadened our scope, increased our training opportunities and opened our eyes to new and
intriguing opportunities. Making a difference in the life of a child is the responsibility of everyone who is a part of the
community. Every member of society has the opportunity to have an impact and no contribution can be ignored or
discouraged. It is looking beyond the confines of where we have been and opening our eyes and minds to new
possibilities. Yvonne Marrone, Volunteer Recruiter, Guardian as Litem Program.
N. Finally Letting Kids be Kids: Overview, history and implementation of the 2013 Normalcy legislation. The
training will review the Quality Parenting For Children in Foster Care Act of 2013 and the Reasonable and Prudent Parent
standard. Many children who are growing up in foster care confront barriers that do not allow them to enjoy normal ageappropriate activities that man of their peers take for granted such as overnight stays, extracurricular activities, dating, and
driving automobiles. This discussion tells of the path Florida has taken to support our values on children are treated in
foster care. This presentation will look at House Bill 215 called the “Quality Parenting for Children in Foster Care Act” and
the steps that Florida has taken to be the national leader in this effort. Championed by children, desired by foster parents
and caregivers, advocated by guardian’s ad Litem, demanded by DCF and supported by advocates, this law empowers
caregivers to act as reasonable prudent parents and has in law the goals we strive to achieve for children in foster care.
The Governor said it should really be called the “Let kids be kids law” at the signing of the law. Discussion will include
history of the law, implementation of the law, and what’s next in normalcy. Alan Abramowitz, Executive Director,
Guardian ad Litem Office.
O. The Importance of Keeping Siblings Together and Applicable Rules – This session focused on the Importance of
Keeping Siblings Together, will address the rules which govern keeping siblings together and the “Matter of Fact” reasons
why we should do it beyond because we are told to. This interactive session will engage the audience in discussion about
how the work is currently being done, how well it is working, and what everyone’s role is to make it better.. Michelle
Costley, Training Coordinator, Eckerd Community Alternatives, Eckerd Community Based Care Lead Agency,
Tampa, Florida and William Swain, Learning and Development Coordinator, University of South Florida.
P. Preparation of a Child/Youth for Adoption: This workshop focuses on children who have been removed from their
home because of abuse or neglect have experienced trauma who cannot safely return home and adoption becomes the
goal. This dynamic session presents critical questions that must be answered for children to prepare and assist them in
being able to connect with the adoptive family and begin relationship building. Participants will discuss the following
questions of: Why was I removed from my birth family? Many children only remember parts of what happened on the day
of removal. Many children blame themselves for parts of what happened. Why can’t I home now? Many children worry
about the parent or don’t know if it is still unsafe to live with the birth parents. Many children have heard rumors or pieces
of information and do not know that it is okay to ask questions. What does adoption mean? Do I have to change my
name? Can I continue to see my siblings? Can I continue to have contact with my grandmother who is ill or my prior
foster parent or my coach? Do I have to change schools? A Lifebook is a great tool for a child or youth because all
photos and historical information can be maintained in one place. Attendees will be provided with an example of pages of
documentation for a Teen Lifebook and how it answers some of the lingering questions listed above: Kathleen Waters,
Adoption Program and Policy Manager, Office of Family Safety, Florida Department of Children and Families.
Q. Providing Youth In Foster Care With the Extra Support they Deserve. This workshop will focus on changes that
impact youth. Starting January 1, 2014, young adults turning 18 while in foster care will have the option to remain in
foster care or re-enter foster care until age 21. These young adults will have access to the housing resources,
educational support and independent living services they need to transition smoothly into adulthood. Attorney Melanie
Coats, Program Manager, Independent Living and Extended Foster Care, Florida Department of Children
and Families.
R. Transformation: This presentation will provide an overview of the vision, goals, and objectives for the Department of
Children and Families' Child Protection Transformation activities that are occurring in the State of Florida. This
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presentation will also present an introduction to the new Florida Safety Decision Making Methodology, an overview of
DCF Professionalization activities for the Child Protective Investigator job family, and a review of the operational
technology changes on the horizon. Kellie Sweat, Director of Child Protection Transformation, Florida Department
of Children and Families.
S. Strengthening Adoption Placements Long-Term through Discovery – Full Disclosure - This workshop will deal
with the importance of full disclosure in sharing with families who are seriously interested in adopting a child or siblings
from care. Presenting the child’s or siblings’ history honestly will assist families in better understand the child or siblings
they are adopting, potential expectations and information in making decisions and plans both short and long term for
children, thereby increasing retention of adoption placements. Sharon Dues, Chief Operating Officer, Sylvia Thomas
Center.
T. Interoperability and Coalition Building – Connecting Agencies, Programs and Resources to Maximize Benefits
for Children and Families: This workshop will demonstrate how interoperability addresses this problem by placing clients at
the center of the services we provide, limiting technical and bureaucratic barriers between programs and organizations that
make it harder for people to qualify for and obtain the services they need. The workshop will also demonstrate the value of
Coalitions as a framework for interoperability to assist organizations working together in a common effort for a common purpose
in order to make more effective and efficient use of resources to impact children, families and communities. Carol Osborne,
Director, Program Initiatives, Administration for Children and Families, HHS, Southeast Regional Office and W.
Kenneth Jackson, Deputy Regional Administrator, Administration for Children and Families, HHS, Southeast
Regional Office.
U. Why Everyone is Needed to Make Fatherhood Work: This workshop is designed to take a look at and discuss the
major parties in making fatherhood programs work and why such programs should be established and evaluated.
Particular emphasis is on the role of faith based organizations and how fatherhood can be an effective outreach effort.
Faith and community based organizations will have information that will be pertinent as they collaborate in strengthening
existing fatherhood programs or in establishing new fatherhood programs. Carol Osborne, Director, Program
Initiatives, Administration for Children and Families, HHS, Southeast Regional Office and W. Kenneth Jackson,
Deputy Regional Administrator, Administration for Children and Families, HHS, Southeast Regional Office.
V. Panel Discussion on Kinship Adoptions – This informative workshop will include a panel of attorneys and other
professionals involved in the work with extensive experience in working with kinship adoptions who will lead the
discussion on the perspectives and practice with kinship adoptions. Attorney Susan Stockham, Board Certified
Adoption Law Attorney.
Conference Information
Special Events
Family Reunion Banquet: On Thursday, October 24th, One Church, One Child will host the OCOC Family
Reunion Banquet to honor families, workers, and administrators that are part of the adoption and foster care network.
Please join us in extending heartfelt appreciation to everyone involved in this arena. Dinner ticket costs are included in
the full conference registration fee; however, additional dinner tickets may also be purchased.
Faith Partnership Recruitment Prayer Breakfast: On Friday, October 25th One Church One Child will host
a partnership Prayer Breakfast designed to reach out to and engage clergy and members of the faith community in
partnering with local community organizations in addressing permanency needs in the local communities. The focus will
be on linking partnerships.
Clergy Round Table Discussions and Partnership Opportunity Building with Local Community
Based Organizations: Friday, October 25th - This session will be a roll-over of the faith partnership prayer
breakfast and will provide opportunity for more substantive discussions among stakeholders that will lead to formulation of
potential partnerships and/or more effective strategies for mobilization of community members to address the needs of
children in foster care and to strengthen families.
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Conference Location & Lodging Information
Wyndham Hotel
700 North Westshore Drive, Tampa, Florida 33609
Call (813) 289-8200 for reservations
Please make hotel reservations directly with the hotel. You must reference “One Church, One Child
Conference” to receive the conference group rates as follows+ tax. Reservations must be made by October 7,
2013 to ensure the conference rate. For travel directions, please call the hotel directly.
Group Rates:
$105.00 Standard Rooms (2 double beds, queen or king beds).
Transportation
The Wyndham provides free transportation from the airport to the hotel and to nearby shopping.
Continuing Education Hours
As an organization approved by the Board of Clinical Social Work, Marriage and Family Therapy and Mental Health
Counseling, Daniel Memorial, Inc. is able to offer this activity for 11.25 hours of continuing education credit. CE Provider
# 50-481, Expires 03/31/2015. Participants seeking these hours are responsible for approaching the registration desk to
sign up to receive the credits.
Booth Registration for Exhibitors
Ware encouraging exhibitors to register for a booth. Please contact the One Church One Child Headquarters Office
directly for booth registration options at 850-414-5620.
Registration Information
Fee: The fee for this conference is outlined on the registration form. Cancellations must be requested in writing (FAX and
Email are acceptable) and received in the OCOC office by 5:00 p.m. on October 4, 2013. Fax cancellation requests to
850-488-2647. Email cancellation requests to Paulette_Glover@ococfl.org. A cancellation fee equal to 25% of the total
applicable registration fee will be assessed to cover administrative costs. “No Shows” will be billed the full
registration fee, however, substitutions are welcome without penalty.
Confirmations: To the best of our ability we confirm receipt of registrations within 72 working hours via fax or email.
Written confirmations and receipts will be faxed or mailed to all whose registrations are received in our office before
October 4, 2013.
Payment Policy: Several forms of payment will be accepted including cash, checks made payable to One Church, One
Child, money orders, or purchase orders with a valid PO number. Please do not send cash in the mail.
Call (850) 414-5620 or (888) 283-0886 for more conference information!
If you require Americans with Disabilities Act accommodations to participate in
this event, please notify Paulette Glover at Paulette_Glover@ococfl.org within at
least seven (7) days of the event.
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Registration Form
To register, print and complete this form, enclose payment and mail to the address listed.
Please print clearly to ensure accuracy of information:
Name: __________________________________
PROFESSIONAL
Please circle appropriate category:
FOSTER PARENT
ADOPTIVE PARENT
CLERGY
OTHER ___________________________________________________
Address: ____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
Telephone Number: ____________________ Agency/Organization/Church:__________________
E-Mail: ________________________________ Special Needs: Wheelchair Access, Meals,
Etc.:______________________________________________
Workshop Selections (Please circle 1 workshop per session – see previous page for workshop
descriptions)
Session I –C G I M N
Session II A H K L T
Session III –A D K O T
Session IV B E I J Q
Session V – C F P R U
Session VII B E M O U
Session VIII F L R S V
Session VI –D H P Q S
Registration Fees:
Full Conference (includes all meals and luncheons) $200.00
1 Day Only (includes 1 lunch-NO Dinner) $100.00
Additional Family Reunion Dinner Tickets $40.00
QTY___ Full Conference Registration $200.00
QTY___ Family Reunion Banquet only Tickets $40.00
( orgs. can register 2 or more for $180.00 each)
QTY___ Child Family Reunion Tickets $20.00
QTY___ 1 Day Only $100.00
Amount Enclosed $_____________
CK/PO#_____________________
Make Checks Payable To: One Church One Child
Pre-Registration Deadline: September 23, 2013
You may register onsite, however pre-registration is strongly encouraged to secure workshop selections.
Mail registration form and payment to:
One Church One Child of Florida
3051 Highland Oaks Terrace, Suite 1
Tallahassee, FL 32301
www.ococfl.org | 850-414-5620
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