Speaking of Children Conference

Speaker: Victor Vieth

In this moving and hopeful address, conference participants 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.

Repeats in the Morning Breakout Sessions II

Speakers: Colleen Roth, LMHP and Taylor Newton

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.

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.

Repeats in the Afternoon Breakout Sessions 

Speakers: Joanna Halbur, LIMFT and Samantha Byrns, LIMHP, LPC, NCC, IMH-E

The early years are critical in child development and overall health, especially for those who have experienced a traumatic event.  This session will discuss the importance of early intervention utilizing an attachment lens.  We will explore therapeutic considerations, including the identification and treatment of posttraumatic stress.  We will also review the treatment continuum, including referral criteria, the components of a trauma-informed evaluation and how to identify treatment goals within attachment-based therapeutic interventions. 

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.

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.

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.

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.

Speaker: Marcus Bell

In the fields of child welfare and education, children and families from diverse backgrounds are prone to adverse childhood experiences. It is essential that helping professionals effectively support these families navigate the challenges they encounter. Drawing on experience in community leadership and youth mentorship, Marcus will provide insights into creating an inclusive and trauma-sensitive environment that fosters resilience and growth.

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.

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.

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.

Repeats in the Afternoon Breakout Sessions

Speakers: Patrick Tyler, Ph.D. and Jonathan Huefner, Ph.D.

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.

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.

Speakers: Jarell Budrell 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.

Speakers: Tony Jones, Michelle Tauber, and Jasney Cogua

Community violence and child maltreatment 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. The long history of the Adverse Childhood Experiences study and broader Philadelphia Expanded ACE Survey demonstrates the inextricable connections between exposures to community violence with child abuse and neglect. Addressing these issues together strengthens community support networks, ensuring that vulnerable children and families have comprehensive protection and access to resources. This workshop will focus on how unified strategies can enhance prevention, support, and response, creating safer, more resilient communities.

Speaker: Whitney Anderson, LIMHP

This presentation is designed to equip professionals with the knowledge and confidence to work effectively with individuals exhibiting problematic sexual behaviors. By demystifying the work with this population, empowering professionals to provide effective and compassionate care, we can enhance treatment outcomes and promote healing.

Speakers: Freedom Jones and Adam Rosenberg

Community violence and child maltreatment 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. The long history of the Adverse Childhood Experiences study and broader Philadelphia Expanded ACE Survey demonstrates the inextricable connections between exposures to community violence with child abuse and neglect. Addressing these issues together strengthens community support networks, ensuring that vulnerable children and families have comprehensive protection and access to resources. This workshop will focus on how unified strategies can enhance prevention, support, and response, creating safer, more resilient communities.

Repeats in the Morning Breakout Sessions II

Speakers: Jessica Tippery, APRN, CPNP, SANE-P, SANE-A, Kati Kilcoin, Nicole Walker, Janessa Michaelis, PLMHP, and Samantha Lane

Panelists from a variety of agencies will highlight the importance of collaboration in moving a case from disclosure through prosecution. These speakers will share the role they played in an actual case of child sexual abuse.

Repeats in the Morning Breakout Sessions II

Speakers: Freedom Jones and Adam Rosenberg

This session will dive into the critical intersection of street intervention work and child protection efforts, emphasizing how these approaches can work together to break cycles of violence and trauma. We’ll explore the unique role of violence interrupters and community responders in identifying and addressing risks to children, while also protecting families impacted by community violence. Participants will learn how street intervention programs can partner with child protection services to build holistic, trauma-informed systems of care. This session will include real-world examples and collaborative frameworks to enhance safety for children and families in high-risk communities.

Session does not repeat

Speaker: Linda Cordisco Steele, MEd, LPC

Connection is a biological imperative. The ability to soothe and be soothed, to talk and to listen, and to give and to receive support grows from a sense of connection. Not just a matter of saying the “right” words, safety and connection is experienced within our autonomic nervous system.  In professional roles as social workers, advocates, forensic interviewers, law enforcement, and prosecutors we interact with children for a limited period.  Our goal may be to gain details about a child’s experiences or come to understand their needs and wishes, or it may be to impart information and/or positive messages.  There are a variety of ways that we can offer safety connection through a comfortable environment, non-verbal behavioral signals, and skillful verbal communication.  This session will take us beyond a reliance on saying “This is a safe place, and you are safe to talk about anything with me.”

Repeats in the Morning Breakout Sessions II

Speaker: Kelly Kinnish, Ph.D.

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.

Repeats in the Afternoon Breakout Sessions

Speakers: Lt. Monty Lovelace and Dr. Scolaro

The internet is an ever changing place that allows people to connect and learn, but it can also pose serious risks for all users, including children. The fact is, in Nebraska we require kids to have training to hunt and drive a car, but we will give them a phone for a present with no training requirements. Misuse of the net can lead to consequences just as serious as misusing a car or a gun. This presentation will give you confidence on how to recognize the dangers on the net and how to communicate the risks to your children.

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.

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.

Repeats in the Afternoon Breakout Session

Speakers: Ashley Noodell, MS and Tess Willis

Why would parents not believe their children during disclosures of abuse? What if someone you trusted with the care of your child betrayed that trust? Would you be able to “flip the switch” and no longer care for that person immediately upon hearing the disclosure? Using research, tools, and relevant experience, we will show how offenders use grooming and manipulation on not only the children they victimize, but also on their caregivers and other adults around them.

Speaker: Elizabeth Smart

The abduction of Elizabeth Smart was 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.

Speakers: Breanna Schroeder, Garrett Goodwin, Jamie Vetter, Taylor Newton, and Kristin Chandler

The team at the Family Advocacy Network, the Child Advocacy Center serving the larger Kearney, NE area, has worked with community partners to create and implement a multidisciplinary team in Dawson County dedicated to combating human trafficking of youth. This collaborative team used what they learned from the experience of more urban communities to inform their work in a rural setting.

Speaker: Linda Cordisco Steele, MEd, LPC

The preschool years are a period of dynamic development around physical, cognitive, linguistic, and social development, and so questioning children of this age can be challenging when they don’t achieve the developmental milestones at the same time. This session will address these challenges and equip participants with strategies to ask questions in a developmentally appropriate way.

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.

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.