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Falling Through the CracksCrittenton Services Joins West Virginia Child Care Association in hosting Fall Conference that Will Feature Prevention Strategies for Kids at RiskMorgantown, WV -- Suicide; bullying; dropping out of school...these are some of the most critical issues facing the professionals who work with children and teens. These difficult issues inspired the theme, "Falling Through the Cracks - Prevention Strategies for Kids at Risk," for this year's West Virginia Child Care Association (WVCCA) Fall Conference. The conference is organized in three tracks - environmental, emotional and physical - with experts in the field presenting on cutting edge topics that focus on prevention, detection and early intervention. Environmental: Children face challenges in their homes and communities every day. Engaging families is a natural, but often difficult, first step. Creating, supporting, or accessing existing community resources, especially schools, can influence kids to graduate, prevent victimization, promote healthy development, strengthen families, and enhance our understanding of diversity in West Virginia. Emotional: If only emotional scars were as visible as tattoos. Children at risk for behavior problems, substance use, dropping out, and out-of-home placement can't always identify their emotional pain - so they act on it in a variety of ways. Understanding the impact of bullying, grief, abuse on a child and family is imperative as is understanding the influence of education on emotional development and developing tools for helping children speak to their pain and celebrate their gifts. Physical: Our children confront problems that they are ill-equipped to handle. Understanding how kids process information is critical in helping them move forward after trauma. Protecting children in court is the special role of guardians ad litem, while opening their eyes to the possibility of a future without substance abuse or suicide attempts is the work of vigilant direct care staff. "Rather than reacting to problem behaviors, we are leading a culture shift that seeks to prevent problem behaviors or vulnerable situations before they occur," said Kathy Szafran, president and CEO of Crittenton Services and president of WVCCA. Through national research, state at-risk needs assessment and innovative thinking, WVCCA is striving to champion prevention strategies and resources that will comprehensively address various ways to successfully prevent at-risk behavior in youth. In addition to hard-hitting themes, the conference will feature speaker Ryan Mack, of Optimum Capital Management, Brooklyn, New York, who is nationally recognized for finding innovative ways to help at-risk youth by teaching the importance of financial literacy, education and leadership. He makes regular appearances on television networks such as CNN, CNBC, and BET discussing economic and social issues that impact American citizens and the future of our youth. His keynote will take place on October 28th at 8:45 a.m. Hasan Davis, Deputy Commissioner of Operations at the Kentucky Juvenile Justice, will serve as the keynote on day two of the conference, October 29th at 8:45 a.m. Mr. Davis will draw upon the personal challenges of his childhood and his experiences helping youth in transition. Before JD behind his name stood for Juris Doctor (now an attorney), it was clear to many that he was 'just' a Juvenile Delinquent. Mr. Davis is going to share some of his wisdom and gifts that some of the caring adults in his life provided on his journey to exchange one JD for another. As part of the Annual Awards Luncheon on October 28th at 12:30 p.m., Delegate Barbara "Bobbie" Hatfield will be presented with the prestigious Champion of Children Award. Other awards will include Child Care Worker, Non-Agency Community, and Foster Care Treatment Family Awards. The conference will be held at Waterfront Place Hotel in Morgantown, WV. Registration is still open and Continuing Education Units (CEUs) will be available for social workers and counselors. For more information about the agenda, registration, CEUs, accommodations and conference costs, go to www.wvcca.org/confernece or call 304-541-7553. Crittenton Services offers comprehensive behavioral health treatment for children and families, including community-based outpatient counseling through Wellspring Family Services in 18 counties in Northern West Virginia and a residential treatment facility for at-risk adolescent females serving all of West Virginia in its Elm Grove facility. The agency also operates child care facilities in Ohio County and an Intensive Outpatient Program for at-risk adolescent girls in Ohio County. |
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