Maryland CASA’s 13th Annual Conference Aims to “Restore Hope” for Maryland’s Foster Children
Contact: Jeff Kerr | 410.828.6761, ext. 1001 (o) | 410.615.8110 (c) | Jeff@marylandcasa.orgEvent Website: http://marylandcasa.org/2019conference/FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Maryland CASA’s 13th Annual Conference Aims to “Restore Hope” for Maryland’s Foster Children (Annapolis, MD. – March 22, 2019) More than 200 volunteer advocates, children’s attorneys and child welfare professionals will converge in Annapolis on Friday, March 29 & Saturday, March 30 for Maryland Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) Association’s 13th Annual Conference on Child Well-Being. The conference, entitled Resorting Hope, will be held at the Judicial College Education & Conference Center (JCECC) and will provide an opportunity for volunteer advocates and child welfare professionals from across the state to sharpen their skills and improve outcomes for Maryland’s nearly 5,000 children under the court protection due to abuse and neglect.
“We’re thrilled to welcome CASA volunteers, legal and child welfare professionals from across Maryland to our 13th annual conference,” said Ed Kilcullen, Maryland CASA’s state director. “The conference will provide the latest research and tools to help those working with children who have experienced trauma as a result of abuse and neglect.”The Honorable Mary Ellen Barbera, Chief Judge of the Maryland Court of Appeals, will kick off the conference with a welcome and opening remarks. Day One will provide an in-depth look at trauma-informed care as it relates to child welfare. The day will feature plenary speakers and breakout sessions with subject matter experts to help judges, magistrates, CASA volunteers, child welfare, legal and other professionals develop best practices for addressing these increasingly complex issues.Day Two will feature a dynamic keynote address by Dr. Allison Sampson-Jackson, who will share her personal story to set the context for her professional experience helping victims of trauma. “The Adverse Childhood Experiences study lit a fire under me personally and professionally, said Sampson-Jackson. “It made my lived experience make sense as well as the life challenges I and so many victims have had make sense. The keynote will be followed by three series of workshops on a variety of topics pertinent to Maryland's foster youth, including a workshop by Dr. Sampson-Jackson on building resilience in children and families.Dr. Sampson-Jackson is the CEO of Integration Solutions, a consulting firm that helps institutions to provide trauma-informed care and practices as they guide victims toward healing and recovery. Dr. Sampson-Jackson is a national leader with more than 20 years of professional experience providing trauma-informed care in the behavioral health, education, child welfare and criminal justice systems.About Maryland CASA AssociationMaryland CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) Association is statewide non-profit organization with 15 affiliated CASA programs that recruit and train volunteers to advocate for children in the child protection system. Last year, 1,371 CASA volunteers served 1,589 children in Baltimore City and 20 of Maryland’s 23 counties. Maryland CASA supports the local CASA programs by providing training and technical assistance to program staff, board and volunteers, as well as increasing public awareness of CASA and assisting with program development and quality assurance. For more information about Maryland CASA, please visit www.marylandcasa.org or call 410-828-6761.
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