39th ANNUAL EDUCATION CONFERENCE
CLASS SCHEDULE
Sunday Feb. 22, 2015
Class description
Location
Welcoming Address 12:15p – 1:00p
Assembly
Concurrent Sessions 1:15 – 2:45p
A. Darkness to Light – Ann Spinks, LFAPA
Caucus
Overview: A revolutionary sexual abuse prevention training that
educates adults to prevent, recognize, and react responsibly.
B. Advocacy 101 – Revonda Kirby, Attorney
Senate
Overview: This session prepares parents to advocate effectively
for the needs of your children.
C. Teaming with Families – Toni Buxton, DCFS
Assembly
Overview: Discussion of teaming process of case planning with families,
children and caretakers and how this builds sustainable, long-term support
for all parties to assure the safety of the children.
Concurrent Sessions 3:00 – 4:30p
D. Internet Basics – Juan Andricain, LFAPA/EBFPA
Caucus
Overview: Technology is everywhere and the business landscape requires
us to begin to embrace it and move away from costly and time consuming
ways we have done in the past. This class will show the basics of setting up
a free e-mail account for your organization and creating a mailing list for
quick communication. Attendees will also be introduced to crowd funding
sites for fund raising, as well as discussion on finding technology that is
best for your organization and how to find the best price. Learn the basic
internet techniques.
E. Youth Transition – Carmen Spooner, LMSW/DCFS
Overview: This session is about the role caregivers have in the planning
process for youth transitioning out of foster care.
“DINNER ON YOUR OWN”
-------Breakfast for registered hotel guests Monday and Tuesday --------------------------------6:30 – 7:45 am-------------------------------Program will begin at 8 am. Please be seated and served prior to 8 am.
Senate
Monday, Feb. 23, 2015
Breakfast 6:30a - 7:45a
Atrium
Concurrent Sessions 8:00a – 9:30a
F. Trauma Informed Care for Children – Tiffany Shaw, DCFS
Senate
Overview: This session will prepare parents for the initial placement and
getting the child acclimated to the home, other family members, the school
setting, etc. It will also focus on how we need to work with the biological
family to reduce trauma to the child.
G. Stress Management Strategies for Foster Families – Revonda Kirby, Attorney
Caicus
Overview: If I am told just one more time to take a bubble bath, I am going to scream!
General Education Session 9:45 – 11:15a
H. Louisiana Child Welfare Training Academy – Dr. Corie Hebert, SE University
Assembly
Overview: This presentation will inform foster parents of a recent initiative to develop
a Child Welfare Training Academy for the state of Louisiana. Southeastern Louisiana
University and the other six state universities who receive Title IV-E funding are
partnering with the Department of Children and Family Services and the Pelican Center
for Children and Families to form a state of the art Child Welfare Training Academy.
The Academy will eventually manage all training for child welfare workers, foster
parents, and members of the court who work in child in need of care cases. Part of this
initiative is to restructure the foster parent certification training and in-service training
available to all current and new foster parents. Dr. Hebert from Southeastern is in charge
of the foster parent training project and is interested in getting input from foster parents
on what they feel is needed in terms of training. This will be an interactive session.
LUNCH 12:00 – 1:30
Assembly
Jan Byland, DCFS Child Welfare Executive Director (invited)
Concurrent Sessions 1:45 – 3:15p
I. Youth Transition – Carmen Spooner, LMSW/DCFS
Caucus
Overview: This session teaches the resources available to youth ageing out
of the system.
J. Understanding the Role of Legal Stakeholders – Revonda Kirby, Attorney
Overview: Learn the role each player on your child’s team. CASA. Children’s Attorneys,
DA’s and Bureau of General Counsel
Senate
Concurrent Sessions 3:30p – 5:00p
K. Youth Panel – Elizabeth Anthon & Angie Thomas
Caucus
Overview: This workshop focuses on what youth need as they transition out of the
system. It will provide successful planning tools and techniques for working with
and preparing a youth for independence, communication with youth, and understanding
the impact of lasting support systems from a youth’s perspective.
L. Building Resilience and Finding Serenity – Dr. Corie Hebert,
SE University Senate
Overview: This is an interactive workshop. The literature on resilience is briefly
reviewed to identify factors that are present in caregivers who are more resilient.
Summarized, the research shows that individuals with more resiliency factors are
better equipped to manage the demands of being a foster care provider. Many of
these factors can be developed. Techniques for building resilience will be learned
and practiced.
MEET AND GREET---------6 – 9 pm
HOTEL ATRIUM
FUN, FOOD, MUSIC AND DANCING
COME OUT AND ENJOY YOUR EVENING
Monday, February 24, 2015
6:30 – 7:45
Breakfast
General Session 8:00 – 11:00
Annual Membership Meeting
Assembly
Guest Speaker
Suzie Sonnier, DCFS Secretary (invited)
11:15 – 12:45
Last Session
M. Louisiana Child Welfare Trauma Project
Dr. Michael Scheeringa and Devi Miron-Murphy, PhD
Overview: Understanding the team which is helping DCFS caseworkers to implement a
new screen for trauma and post-traumatic problems in children in the Child Welfare system.
We also train clinicians who treat these children to deliver evidence-based cognitive behavioral
therapy for these problems. Foster parents are a critical piece in this project for completing these
screenings. The presentation will focus on the recognition of trauma-related problems in these youth.
Class Schedule subject to change without notice
Caucus
MISSION STATEMENT
___________________________________
The mission of the Louisiana Foster and Adoptive Parent Association is
to empower foster and adoptive parents and the children in their care
by providing communication, support, training and advocacy services.
___________________________________
LFAPA will accomplish this by:
 Providing a website, www.lfapainc.org, for information and support
 Encouraging formation and retention of local foster and adoptive parent
associations and support groups
 Continuation of the Louisiana Advocacy Support Team (LAST)
 Provide a statewide toll free number – 888-655-9564
 Organizing, sponsoring and participating in educational training for foster
and adoptive parents
 Hosting the Annual Educational Conference
 Sponsoring regional educational trainings in partnership with the agency
 Promoting community education and awareness of foster care and
adoption issues
 Legislative advocacy – updating elected officials on the needs of foster
families and children in care, testifying during sessions & continued
contacts
 Continued partnership with the Department of Children and Family Services
promoting cooperation and improved communication between
foster/adoptive parents and workers