The 2025 conference agenda is still being finalized. The below schedule and session information is subject to change.
Speaking of Children Conference
Speaking of Children is a two-day conference at Embassy Suites Omaha-La Vista Conference Center including phenomenal plenary presentations and breakout sessions for professionals in the fields of law enforcement, social work, medicine, advocacy, education, and mental health.
Unto the Third Generation: A Call to End Child Abuse in 30 Years
Speaker: Victor Vieth
In this moving and hopeful address, students will learn the five obstacles that prevent us from ending child abuse and will learn about sweeping changes now taking place in our child protection system that will enable us to significantly reduce and perhaps eliminate child abuse over the course of the next three generations. The presentation is based on a scholarly work that was published in the Journal of Aggression, Maltreatment and Trauma, and in the Hamline Journal of Public Law and Policy, Fall 2006.
9:15 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. Break
9:30 a.m. – 10:45 a.m. Morning Breakout Sessions I
Project Harmony's Anti-Trafficking Community Initiative: A One-Year Update
Repeats in the Morning Breakout Sessions II
Speaker: Colleen Roth, LMHP
At Speaking of Children 2024, Project Harmony announced the beginning of a 5-year, community-wide initiative to address the trafficking of youth in our community. Much has happened since we announced this initiative. A Steering Committee is overseeing the efforts of 4 workgroups (with 50+ agencies) on the topics of prevention, protection, prosecution, and partnerships. Each workgroup involves people from multiple agencies involved in this work. In this session, participants get a real-time update on this important work.
Social Capital and the Poverty Mindset
Repeats in the Morning Breakout Sessions II
Speakers: Scott Hazelrigg and Anthony Anderson
At an early age, children in families of wealth and middle class may begin to experience and benefit from the social capital built by their families. Building social capital means different things at different levels. At the individual level, building social capital involves the actions and intentions of the individual. What is Social Capital? Why is it important? How do young people in poverty learn to build their own with a long-term, future orientation that can aid in their rise.
Special Considerations for Working with Young Children and Their Families Involved in The Child Welfare System
Repeats in the Afternoon Breakout Sessions
Speakers: Joanna Halbur, LIMFT and Samantha Byrns, LIMHP, LPC, NCC, IMH-E
Presentation Description Coming Soon
What Now? Best Practices Following Disclosure
Session does not repeat.
Speakers: Ellie Arnold, MS, LMHP, Vanessa Summers LICSW, LIMHP, Taira Masek, LCSW, MPA
Supporting youth and families at the time of and beyond the disclosure of abuse or neglect involves multiple stakeholders. Participants in this session will learn the roles and responsibilities of the various stakeholders in order to avoid further complicating the investigation and treatment.
When Faith Hurts: Effective MDT Responses to the Spiritual Impact of Child Abuse
Session does not repeat.
Speaker: Victor Vieth
A significant body of research finds that many abused children are impacted spiritually or have religious questions pertaining to maltreatment. Failing to address these questions may impact a child physically and emotionally.
Fostering Out of Foster Care: Beyond Surviving
Repeats in the Morning Breakout Sessions II
Speaker: Clarissa Siebrecht
Using her lived experience from foster care, Clarissa addresses the challenges and traumatic experiences that are often associated with being a state ward, as well as the difficulties associated with transitioning out of foster care. Clarissa offers effective strategies that motivate and engage young people in achieving success as they establish independence from the juvenile welfare system.
Good Grief: The Many Losses of Youth in Child Welfare
Repeats in the Afternoon Breakout Sessions
Speaker: Cathy Fox
Grief is a universal human experience, a reaction to significant loss, yet we often feel ill-equipped to support those who are grieving, especially youth. Youth involved in out-of-home placements are often navigating numerous and frequent losses, but this grief may often be overlooked, forgotten, or ignored. Recognizing, naming, and supporting their losses can foster growth and a trajectory toward positive coping through the future. In this session, explore the grief experiences of youth you work with and learn ways to incorporate grief support strategies to help cultivate a nurturing environment for them.
10:45 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. Break
11:00 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. Morning Breakout Sessions II
Dropping Gems: Working with Families Experiencing Complex Trauma
Session does not repeat.
Speakers: Salvador Hernandez, LICSW, LIMHP and Alexis Dickerson, MS, LIMHP
Learners will explore the complexities of working with families impacted by abuse and experiences of historical, racial, or cultural trauma. This session will focus on the non-linear trajectory of the therapeutic process along with nontraditional ways of working and promoting hope with families that have experienced complex trauma.
The Diagnostic Paradox: Using Tools to Think Beyond Checklists
Repeats in the Afternoon Breakout Sessions
Speaker: Jennifer McWilliams, MD
In the face of an ongoing and increasing mental health crisis among children and adolescents, health care providers are asked to quickly assess, diagnose, and treat youth with complex physical, psychological, and environmental concerns. Assembling a complete picture of the challenges in each child’s life requires multiple perspectives and sources of information. In this session, participants will discuss common misperceptions and pitfalls clinicians face and the importance of considering the biopsychosocial model.
Generational Differences: The Impact on Team Collaboration
Repeats in the Afternoon Breakout Sessions
Speakers: Kristin Chandler, MS and Katie Good, M.S., LIMHP, NCC
For the first time in U.S. history, there are currently five generations that make up the workforce. While each generation is shaped by their collective experiences, they each bring something unique to their professional teams. Being consciously aware of today’s workforce and potential challenges is crucial to cultivating high-functioning multidisciplinary teams.
Student Self-Reported Hope and Its Relationship to Connectedness and Mattering
Repeats in the Afternoon Breakout Sessions
Speakers: Patrick Tyler and Jonathan Huefner
The purpose of this research is to examine whether the cultivation of hope creates a positive, supportive environment that empowers youth to greater success and persistence in their educational efforts and connectedness with others. Hope is the belief in a positive future and serves as a catalyst for motivation and perseverance. A sense of mattering can help youth develop a positive outlook on the future and is therefore related to hope.
Let's Talk About Sex… Addiction
Session does not repeat
Speakers: Dr. Megan Pendley, LICSW, PLADC, CSAT-Candidate
Professionals in social work, mental health, and law enforcement may unintentionally allow cultural, moral, and personal biases to interfere with their work with individuals facing sex addiction. This can result in barriers to offering the understanding and empathy needed for effective intervention. This presentation explores how bias and misconceptions about sex addiction can shape professional discomfort and hinder our ability to create appropriate interventions. Effective treatments of sex addictions can serve to prevent future sexual exploitation of children.
12:15 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. Lunch Break with Optional Session
The People’s Comedy Show
Speakers: Jarell Roach and Miles Busby
Unlike like the traditional standup comedy experience, we invite the audience to bring the hilariousness with us. A range of standup, crowd games, and hilarious on-stage competitions. This clean comedy style has left audiences expressing it as their favorite comedic experience. We incorporate the theme of hope directly into the nature of our show. It’s one seamless, hilarious, and hopeful comedic experience.
1:30 p.m. – 2:45 p.m. Afternoon Breakout Sessions
2:45 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. Break
3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Plenary Presentation
The Intersection of Community Violence and Child Abuse
Speakers: Freedom Jones and Adam Rosenberg
Community violence and child sexual abuse intersect in ways that profoundly affect the safety and stability of families, emphasizing the need for collaborative efforts between child advocacy centers and community violence intervention programs. Addressing these issues together strengthens community support networks, ensuring that vulnerable children and families have comprehensive protection and access to resources. This session will focus on how unified strategies can enhance prevention, support, and response, creating safer, more resilient communities.
Wednesday, April 23, 2025
7:30 a.m. – 8:30 a.m. Networking and Breakfast
8:30 a.m. – 9:45 a.m. Morning Breakout Sessions I
Mental Health Treatment Guidelines for Youth who have Experienced Commercial Sexual Exploitation
Repeats in the Morning Breakout Sessions II
Speaker: Kelly Kinnish
The National Center on Child Trafficking (NCCT) has developed evidence-based consensus mental health treatment guidelines for youth who have experienced Trafficking and Commercial Sexual Exploitation (T/CSE) and their families. In this session, participants will learn the 10 treatment guidelines, discuss practice implications across core identified treatment elements, and explore applications with under-identified and under-served youth.
Understanding Internet Crimes Against Children
Repeats in the Afternoon Breakout Sessions
Speakers: Lt. Monty Lovelace and Dr. Scolaro
Presentation Description Coming Soon
A Conversation About Social Media and Youth Mental Health
Repeats in the Morning Breakout Sessions II
Speaker: Jenny Radesky, MD
Dr. Jenny Radesky will present the work of the Center of Excellence on Social Media and Youth Mental Health, the current research on social media and impacts on youth, and the importance of centering youth in the conversation. She will use the new 5 Cs of Media Use approach and how this can be used to talk to parents about kids and screens. The 5 Cs are: Child, Content, Calm, Crowding Out, and Communication.
9:45 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. Break
10:00 a.m. – 11:15 a.m. Morning Breakout Sessions II
Medical Aspects of Child Abuse & Neglect, Updates 2025
Repeats in the Afternoon Breakout Session
Speaker: Suzanne B. Haney, MD, MS, FAAP
In this session, Dr. Haney, pulling directly from her experiences working with children and families, will provide an overview of current trends related to medical assessment, treatment, and prosecution of child abuse and neglect.
"I Just Don't Know What to Believe"
Repeats in the Afternoon Breakout Session
Speakers: Ashley Noodell, MS and Tess Willis
Program Description Coming Soon
11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Keynote Luncheon with Elizabeth Smart
Speaker: Elizabeth Smart
The abduction of Elizabeth Smart as one of the most followed child abduction cases of our time. At the tender age of 14, just before celebrating her middle school graduation, Elizabeth went to sleep in her family home just as she had always done. Awakened hours later to a knife held roughly against her throat, she was taken from her home and family and held captive for nine long months. In this captivating message, Elizabeth shares her incredible story of perseverance in the face of unimaginable adversity. Her speech not only tells her personal story, but also discusses topics such as overcoming extreme adversity, the importance and process of recovery, and not allowing your past to dictate your life’s future. Elizabeth knows that there is nothing more important than having hope in a difficult situation. Having lived through an extreme circumstance as a young teenager, Elizabeth gives great insight and hope to all.
1:15 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. Afternoon Breakout Sessions
Empowering Young Minds through Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
Speakers: Kaitlyn Young, PhD and Alison Delizza, PhD
Acceptance and commitment therapy is grounded in two theoretical frameworks: functional contextualism and relational frame theory. Functional contextualism posits that human behavior is best understood by considering both the function and context of behavior. Relational frame theory posits that humans develop rules and labels based on relationships we identify in our environment. Presenters will show how those who support youth can utilize the techniques shared in their everyday practice.
2:30 p.m. – 2:45 p.m. Break
2:45 p.m. – 3:45 p.m. Plenary Presentation
So On We Go
Speaker: Scott Hartman, MS
As we close Speaking of Children 2025, Scott will address questions such as What motivates us to continue this work? From where do we derive our strength? The answer is the people for whom we do this work. Scott will share lessons learned from his years of experience working with and for youth and families. Attendees will leave hopeful for the work they do and inspired to be someone in the life of a child.
3:45 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Closing Remarks
Cost to attend the conference is $350. Please contact training@projectharmony.com with questions about the conference.
Traveling from out of town?
Check out VisitOmaha.com for restaurants, hotels and things to do in Omaha.
We wish to thank you for your hospitality and the wonderful program and tour of Project Harmony. We are so fortunate to have an organization acting on the behalf of our children with such outstanding enthusiasm and dedication.
- Rotary Club of Omaha Northwest
Thank you so much for coming to Children’s and speaking to our staff. Your talk on “Understanding Poverty” was excellent, and I could see “wheels turning” as some staff members commented on simple ways their interactions might make a difference for children and parents.
- Patty Carrell, CMSW
I have felt that my input has been highly valued and respected when it comes to doing my job, and that is something that speaks volumes to the working environment here at Project Harmony.
- Brenda Jewell
We began collaborating with the Project Harmony through their Connections program last year, and we’ve continued the partnership. Connections represents an extremely valuable partnership and an opportunity to provide our students with a bridge to mental health services.
- Papillion La Vista Community Schools
Our experience and partnership with Project Harmony/Connections has been fantastic! It is a comfort knowing we have a partner who can connect our students and families with the appropriate resources in times of crisis or trauma.
- Millard Public Schools
This shadowing experience actually made me very interested in this field. One aspect that helped me narrow my choice of careers is the environment that Project Harmony had. It was very upbeat, cheerful and bright.
- UNMC High School Alliance Program – Student Journal
We would like to take this opportunity to thank Project Harmony for planning and delivering professional development to our 70 counselors, social workers and community counselors. We feel fortunate to have such a valuable resource in our community to partner with.
- Millard Public Schools
You have a top rate program – really national quality. I’m totally impressed.
- Lisa Fontes
At our last D2 Center Board meeting, I was describing the training and professional development we provide for our staff. At the top of the list was Project Harmony. Please know that you are providing an invaluable service to nonprofits in our community.
- Greg Emmel
Congratulations on the great media coverage of your Stewards class at Project Harmony on WOWT. You did a great job articulating the importance of prevention, and Susan was amazing too. Thank you so much for your partnership and all the important work you are doing.
- Cindy McElhinney – Darkness to Light
Just wanted to know that you made a difference in my life, and I will be using that momentum to make a difference in the lives of others. You are truly a rock star and a role model for me. Thank you for a new life I’m getting the chance to live.
- Anonymous
Many children through my caseload have received a backpack generously donated to the Project Harmony Triage Center. I have witnessed many faces light up when given the opportunity to pick out a new backpack, and I am very grateful for the generosity of the Junior League.
- DHHS – Children & Family Services
I have never felt as valued at other organizations like I do at Project Harmony. I really feel that the culture of a working environment is incredibly important. If an employee feels respected, valued and supported, that person will likely give more to fulfill the mission.
- Javier Castellote
Nick and Javier were great teachers and role players. It gave us an opportunity to see how someone in that situation would have reacted to our questions. They did a great job at showing us the difference between sympathy and empathy.
- Anonymous
I was able to shadow Mr. Nick Zadina. He was in charge of dealing with abused kids and help them. I am thankful to know all the information I learned during shadowing because it was eye opening.
- UNMC High School Alliance Program – Student Journal
The experience at Project Harmony was a deepening reminder of empathy that will be vital in my career as a nurse. I felt my perspective was widened on how others think, especially when discussing the assumptions we make.
- Anonymous
I didn’t know how many people work at Project Harmony, so I drew a lot to show how much Project Harmony means to me!
- Project Harmony Client
As difficult as a removal is on a child, the backpack they receive at Project Harmony provides a sense of belonging and hope. It truly is amazing something that seems so simple can change the perspective and shine light on these children.
- DHHS – Children & Family Services
Great leadership for a wonderful cause with outstanding long-term goals. Keep on doing all the good you do.
- Bill & Jean O’Conner
Project Harmony is the reason I started my journey in college. I just finished my associates and I'm going for my bachelors now in Child Protection and Juvenile Justice. Y'all helped my daughter back in early 2013 and I knew what I wanted to do with my life — help children.
- LaLa Ann
A young lady who works in our field told me that she loved what we do here at Project Harmony — she had been to Project Harmony seven years ago for a forensic interview. She said her positive experience was the biggest reason she is doing the work that she is today.
- Trainee
I found out that my foster son is going to have a forensic interview here at Project Harmony soon. It’s been interesting being on the other side of things and feeling so reassured that the child I care so deeply about is in very caring and capable hands.
- Jessica Kroeker
Nick demonstrated how one person could impact a huge group of student nurses by just attending his presentation. He gave me the reason, the courage to act, and the knowledge how to save victims that I will face in my future nursing career.
- Anonymous
I recently attended the Testifying Training course. Since that class I have been subpoenaed three times, and I had to testify at each hearing. Without this class I would have been less than prepared and too nervous to be credible. Thank you so much!
- Jenny Lewis
You are part of the solution.
The cycle of abuse does not have to continue, but we can’t end it alone. Anyone has the power to be someone who makes our community a safe place for all children.