Children’s Law Institute Annual Conference
January 7-9, 2015
Albuquerque, New Mexico
Final Report: Executive Summary
April 2015
NM Court Improvement Project Prepared by the Southwest Region National Child Protection Training Center
New Mexico State University, Department of Extension Family & Consumer Sciences
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Table of Contents
Page
Introduction 3
Registration and Attendance Report 4
Overall Conference Evaluation Report 7
Suggestions for 2016 CLI from survey respondents 16
Attachment: Full Conference Program
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Introduction
This year marks the 22nd Anniversary of the New Mexico Children’s Law Institute (CLI). For twenty-two years the Children’s Law Institute has focused on new and emerging trends and best practices in ever changing child welfare and juvenile justice environments. Through the CLI, the child welfare and juvenile justice communities have successfully advocated for blended systems and preserving connections. We have learned the importance of a trauma-informed approach, acquired skills for enhancing practice, and deepened our service to children and youth by focusing on empathy and compassion.
This year’s conference incorporated more youth, foster parents, families and bio-parents as both participants and presenters in larger numbers than ever before. 49 different workshops were offered on many topic of interest for juvenile justice and child welfare professionals, the legal community, service providers, volunteers, family, youth and their advocates. We are engaging the community on both the practice and policy level, and addressing the overlap of our work with child sex trafficking, domestic violence, immigration issues, and the role of educators in child welfare and juvenile justice. We are also looking at new advances in services and treatment in mental health and substance abuse, more effective advocacy, the importance of understanding gender and orientation, positive outcomes from holistic approaches such as restorative justice and multi-systemic therapy. For a full list of session topics, descriptions and speakers see the conference program attached to this report.
The Children’s Law Institute is a multi-agency/organization collaboration and is led by the Court Improvement Project of the NM Supreme Court and planned and coordinated by the Southwest Region National Child Protection Training Center at New Mexico State University, CYFD Juvenile Justice, CYFD Protective Services, UNM Institute of Public Law Corinne Wolfe Children’s Law Center, the New Mexico Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) Network, UNM Institute of Public Law Rozier E. Sanchez Judicial Education Center, and the NM State Bar. Financial Sponsorship of the 2015 CLI was from the NM Supreme Court, Casey Family Foundation, Children Youth and Families Department and a number of other contributors. For a complete list, please visit the website www.childrenslawinstitute.org.
The 2015 Children’s Law Institute took place January 7-9, 2015 at the Hotel Albuquerque, located in Old Town Albuquerque, New Mexico. Just over 1000 registered with 949 in attendance. The breakdown of persons registering and attending, as well as those responding to the evaluation survey, follows on the next pages.
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Registration and Attendance Report
Registration by category Total Registered: 1007
Registration Breakdown by Payment Category: Judge 32 Youth 37 Attorney 174 Students 6 Professional 537 Exhibitors 22 Volunteer 174 Presenters 48
Registration by Position (self-report) CASA Staff 33 Guardian Ad Litem 36
CASA Volunteer 97 Judge/Hearing Officer 38
Children’s Court Attorney 36 Law Student 0
Counselor/Mental Health 25 Medical: MD/RN/Other 0
County Detention Staff 15 Non-Profit Service Provider 63
CRB Member 9 Other Administrator 12
CRB Staff 5 Other Attorney 49
CYFD Administrator/Manager 68
60 Other Juvenile Justice 14
CYFD-JPO 35 Other Service Provider 18
CYFD-Juvenile Justice 16 Other Social Worker 48
CYFD-Other 34 Parent/Family Member 12
CYFD-PSD Worker 172 Respondent Attorney 43
Educator 12 Social Work Student 12
Foster/Adoptive Parent 40 Youth 44
GAL/Youth Attorney 11 Youth Attorney 11
Other 6
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2015 Conference Attendance Attended the 2015 CLI Conference: 949 Registered but did not attend: 58
Attendance breakdown by Conference Session The following is estimated attendance based on CLI staff headcount during the sessions.
Estimated Attendance
Pre-Conference Sessions, January 7thth 8:45am-12:00pm Children’s Law Center Legal Pre-Conference Session: Removal, Reunification, and Termination 70 NM CASA Pre-Conference Session: Everyone’s An Asset Builder (EAB) 290
Opening Session, January 7th 1:00pm-3:00pm Opening Remarks and Keynote: Rachel Lloyd, Founder of GEMS 900
Workshop Session One, January 7thth 3:30pm-5:00pm Access to Services for Tribal Children & Families 140
Considerations in Delinquency Record Sealing 30
Developing and Revising Suicide Prevention Protocols for Youth involved in the Juvenile Justice
73
Developmental Relationships 130
Education Liaisons: Improving the Educational Outcomes of Children and Youth in the State’s C d
105
The New Mexico Attorney/Social Work Model 35
Victim, Survivor, Leader- Engaging and Empowering Commercially Sexually Exploited Youth 157
Workshop Session Two, January 8th 8:30am-10:00am Building Futures & Foundations: Youth Leadership Network 87 Healing Our Youth Through the Power of the Sacred Circle 75
Pediatric Bipolar Disorder and Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorders
105
Reducing the Use of Psychotropic Medication in Foster Care 60 Silent dilemma: Gender and Orientation in Foster Care & Juvenile Justice 76
A Step in Our Direction 75 Successful Transitions for Older Youth with Developmental Disabilities
42
Where Faith Meets the Law: Child Welfare Laws and the First Amendment 100 Why Use Restorative Justice? 48
Workshop Session Three, January 8th 10:30am-12:00pm Immigrant Eligibility for Public Benefits
77 Let’s Give Children and Families What They Need Instead of “What we got”… 180 Reducing the Use of Psychotropic Medication in Foster Care 70
A Step in our Direction 88
Step Up! Diligent Recruitment 14 Taking the High Road: Ethical Challenges and the Multidisciplinary Team 120
What Is Multi-systemic Therapy and When Is It an Appropriate Service for Delinquent Youth?:Trends in Youth Drug Abuse
90
2014 Developments in Law of Abuse and Neglect 160
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Workshop Session Four, January 8th 1:30pm-3:00pm
Advanced Advocacy in Mediation 35
Healing Our Youth Through the Power of the Sacred Circle 90 Help Us Help You Help the Youth! 105
The Impact of Domestic Violence on Children Who Experience Divorce, Separation, and Third Party Placements
185
It’s Not Easy Being Green, or Do THIS for a Living..... Wellness/Survival and the MDT Approach to Child Abuse
140
Protections for Immigrant Children and Mixed Status Families: A Practical Guide for Eligibility, Screening and Referrals
62
Silent dilemma: Gender and Orientation in Foster Care & Juvenile Justice 35
2014 Developments in Law of Abuse and Neglect 80
Workshop Session Five, January 8th 3:30pm-5:00pm Evidentiary Issues in Children’s Court: Laying the Foundation for Getting Those Pesky Documents
d d 105
The Family Engagement Inventory: An Evidence-Based Cross-Disciplinary Synthesis 40 Gangs 101- Understanding the Culture of Youth Violence 115 How Trauma Impacts Development 132 How Would a Trauma Informed “System” Care for Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn 96 It’s Not Easy Being Green, or Do THIS for a Living..... Wellness/Survival and the MDT Approach to Child Abuse
98
Successful Transitions for Older Youth with Developmental Disabilities 25
What You Do, You Teach: Solution Focused Supervision 40
Why Use Restorative Justice? 30
Workshop Session Six, January 9th 8:30am-10:00am
Domestic Violence Screening Techniques in Child Protection Cases 68
Gangs 101- Understanding the Culture of Youth Violence 100
The Importance of Being Trauma Informed in Working with Cross Over Youth 35
Improved Outcomes Start With U 137
Pediatric Bipolar Disorder and Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorders 160
Protections for Immigrant Children and Mixed Status Families… 55
What You Do, You Teach: Solution Focused Supervision 68
The Youth Attorney Role: Common Pitfalls and Role Confusion for Attorneys Representing Youth in Foster Care
50
Closing Session, January 9th 10:30am-12:00pm Closing Remarks and Keynote: Travis Lloyd, Speaker, Mentor, Hip Hop Artist 900
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Conference Evaluation Report All attendees of the 2015 CLI Conference were sent an email with the online satisfaction survey on January 15, 2015. The survey was available until February 10, 2015. Of the 949 participants at the conference, 358 or 38% responded to the survey. Participants were asked to identify what sessions they attended and answer a set of questions about each session each on a 5 point scale where 1 is low and 5 is high. Narrative feedback about each session was also collected. The responses about the general conference and overall feedback are summarized below. Responses about Pre-Session, Keynote and Workshop sessions is provided to the individual presenters of those sessions and CLI planning committee members and may be provided to others upon special request.
Participant Satisfaction Survey Respondent Profile
Category
Number Percent Category Number Percent Youth 2 0.6% CYFD Protective Services Staff 39 10.9% Social Worker 90 25.1% CYFD Juvenile Justice 16 4.5% Parent/Family 2 0.6% CYFD Administrator 14 3.9% Other 25 7.0% Counselor, Therapist, Service Provider 41 11.5% Mediator 5 1.4% Citizen Review Board 7 2.0% Law Enforcement 1 0.3% Children’s Court Attorney 11 3.1% Judge 14 3.9% CASA Volunteer/Staff 35 9.8% Foster/Adoptive Parent 12 3.4% Attorney, GAL, RA, Other 41 11.5% Educator 3 0.8%
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Overall Conference Feedback Participants were asked to provide six overall ratings of the conference on five-point scales. As is evident in the tables that follow, the conference was well received and highly regarded. Comments about the conference, along with suggestions for the 2016 CLI, can be found at the end of this report.
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Narrative comments about the 2015 CLI Answered: 124 Skipped: 234
# Responses 1 Very informative...enjoyed it a lot
2 The reason I was unable to attend all meetings was because I had a crisis with the family I work with. I was giving rides for them to go to school and come home. One of the children
3 The coffee was great but was not able to enjoy the goodies due to peanut allergies. If there 4 The conference was nicely organized and very interesting topic.
5 Again, as in past years, another great and worthwhile CLI
6 I feel that everything was well organized, but I feel that some presenters need to 7 I enjoyed it, CLI does a great job putting together interesting topics. More ethics would be
helpful for attorneys trying to get their requirements met for CLEs.
8 Usually the conference has dynamic topics and speakers. Most of us have attended this event for more than five years. This year the workshop choices were limited in scope and redundant. Not really happy about this year's choices.
9 CLI never fails to improve my ability to work with children
10 Appreciate the scholarships for tribal judges.
11 I enjoyed the conference very much. It provides an opportunity to meet and gain connections.
12 This was the first time I had the opportunity to attend CLI. It was interesting and informative.
13 Great conference, I loved everything about it.
14 I coordinated a legal free clinic in Valencia Co District 13 Court on the 2nd Thr. each month for several attorneys and 40 to 70 clients. Was unable to attend CLI on that Thr.
15 The chairs were very uncomfortable. The rooms for some of the workshops were too small. I've been to CLI in the past and was really disappointed with this year's. Previous years were much better.
16 Great CLI
17 I thought this was a really good CLI--lots of good workshops and events. I really liked Rachel 18 Would have liked a stronger closing speaker.
19 The conference facility was good and conference programs was worth the time.
20 Have scholarships so that award nominees can attend conference. Encourage attendance by law enforcement investigators working with child abuse cases.
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21 In our office we had 3 workers that were nominated for awards but nobody was informed in time and our office had already made arrangements and registered other workers to attend. I would like to see this change so that any worker nominated for awards can attend the full conference. Perhaps registration spots can be held for them or nominations can be announced prior to offices selecting and submitting which workers will attend.
22 None.
23 Find a way to have a serious closing session & not a feel good speaker.
24 CASA luncheon was nice....thanks!!
25 Some rooms were uncomfortably tight and there were several that had many people sitting on the floor. This is unacceptable and very distracting.
26 Well planned. Very well organized. All I had heard it is. I enjoyed it so much and learned a great deal.
27 It was my first time at CLI and I thought it was an amazing conference. I very much appreciated that you repeated particular workshops at different times. I had many competing interests, and it was thoughtful for the planners to repeat workshops in case a participant was unable to attend the first time. Thank you for that level of insight.
28 The conference could stand a little tweaking. I found it somewhat disorganized at times. Two of the sessions I attended were so overcrowded it was hard to move around, it was hot, had to sit on the floor or stand. Also audience would interrupt to ask questions and not wait till the end to do so.
29 Very good job, well done. Running out of space in a lot of the conference rooms
30 Very good conference.
31 Excellent job done. Plan to attend again in future.
32 Seems like every year the same topics are presented. Need various organizations to present, 33 As always, it was a great conference. With the increase in nationally recognized speakers,
would it be possible for some sessions to be longer than 1.5 hours? It can feel rushed with little time for questions or discussion.
34 Really enjoyed this year’s CLI. The topics were great, so great, I wanted to attend many at the same time. My only negative is that some sessions quickly filled up. It seemed that some sessions were held in the smaller rooms, and other less attended sessions were held in the ballrooms. A switch could have worked.
35 Missed receiving the 2015 CLI notebook.
36 Well done!
37 Great conference. I am able to attend because the price is reasonable. Please don't change that.
38 It was a wonderfully organized and effective conference. The programs were good to excellent, it was a comfortable learning and meeting environment.
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39 Excellent job!
40 This conference had less energy than previous ones. I have attended 8 of the last 10 years, and this one did seem to have the same level of excitement, organization, or high caliber speakers like previous conferences.
41 CLI was extremely informative and cultural relevant to issues and topics we face in our NM region. However, I noticed the need for more cultural CEU's for future conferences.
42 I appreciate that all the information can be found on the CLI web site and can be accessed at any time. The workshops I attended were very helpful and educational and the speakers were great!
43 I was impressed by the number of workshops focused on older youth in care. Also, it was great to see a JJ youth be honored this year! Maybe there should be a category for "service provider" and "bio parent"??? Seems to be two glaring holes when honoring important/inspirational people within the child welfare community.
44 Thank you for the opportunity.
45 I really benefitted from the workshops I attended.
46 I enjoyed and will be attending as many as these as I can.
47 Please move the CLI to a different hotel. The WiFi port limitation continually hinders our ability to use the internet and accomplish work during the week of CLI. This problem has plagued us for several years now.
48 I need a table to take notes and had to ask the hotel staff to move a table in for me at each session. Seems that was true for many...
49 Excellent - my first Institute and I am already looking forward to the next year's institute
50 Very Good Conference. I would like to attend in the future
51 Not as helpful as last year (2014). Vast majority of courses were not geared towards Juvenile Justice work.
52 I volunteered and worked as a monitor and at the registration desk. I found the preparation was great.
53 Thank you for providing opportunities for getting cultural CEUs.
54 The sign in line. My last name initial is "L". I noticed that my line was long, everyday it was long. I guess it was because the way the alpha-split for the sign in was made to include more in my section. I would just ask to split them up more evenly next year.
55 Overall very good. The final keynote was a waste of time for most of us. I understand that the youth liked it but many of the adult did not get a thing out of it.
56 Informative, challenging, and full of networking opportunities as always - thank you!
57 Hadn't been for 3 years and enjoyed it much better. Had more JJS subject matter.
58 It would have been nice if they had enough rooms available to reserve. 12
59 More handouts.
60 Thanks to all the staff that made this conference possible. I enjoy attending, learning and refreshing my knowledge and skills on the various topics that were presented.
61 Wonderful workshops
62 This year's CLI was great. Much improved from last year. Workshops were professional and helpful. Keynote and plenary speakers were not useful to me.
63 It would have been more comfortable if the workshops had tables to help take notes. 64 This year I thought the "big, plenary" speakers were your weakest link and not inspiring of 65 Good conference as usual
66 You probably get this every year, but it is much too cold in the workshops....hard to really be present when you're freezing!
67 Wonderful as usual
68 Awesome experience! It was refreshing to see a theme of being "Hopeful". We see many people burnout and give up in our line of work. I'm so glad to see that my peers remain hopeful of the work we do. The mix of topics and presenters was excellent! Thank you to everyone that coordinated the conference.
69 Great conference - so many people
70 This is the 3rd CLI I have attended. It was well organized and I especially enjoy interacting with the variety of professionals involved in this area.
71 This year's CLI did not meet my expectations at all. Exhibitors were not even allowed to take a program and we pay good money for our exhibit tables. I doubt we will attend next year.
72 Heck of a job organizing this event. Only negative comment is the breakout sessions didn't have the space to fit all the attendees.
73 Well worth the time and $
74 It would have been nice to see some people from Detention get awarded for the work they do with. Even though we have limited resources we make a great and positive impact on our youth.
75 Thank you for all the work you do to give us an inexpensive exceptional learning experience!
76 Need working surface so people can take notes and put their drinks on in order to stay warm, awake or comfortable. Seating arrangements were uncomfortable without having something to lean on. Hard on the back and legs.
77 I feel it is very important that chosen speakers make the most of their presentation time and this included utilizing the entire 1.5 hours they are allotted to share their expertise. I do not come prepared to fill in the down time with work nor do I feel I should have to.
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78 It was the best conference I have been to, however, If attorneys could present with more hands on ways of connecting, The talk with no hands on gets boring.
79 Always informative. I take away from the CLI a since there is always more to do, on many levels.
80 So glad I attended.
81 I am always stimulated.
82 Please bring in better presenters next year. Maybe talk to the youth in the detention centers and on probation to ask what they are having the most challenges with. Also try to bring more presenters that can offer new ways to provide treatment and support for the youth.
83 Please have the workshop materials available at the CLI. Best CLI I have attended. Relevant, helpful topics.
84 CLI was helpful, as always, in allowing me re-connect with relevant services around the state, and I was definitely overall refreshed and inspired by the conference. I would love more of a intentional venue to be created for general networking. I really appreciate workshops with panels, youth and foster parent. I was very disappointed with the final speaker especially after last year's was so moving.
85 I look forward to this conference every year and it seems as if ever year it gets better and better!
86 Very informative and helpful.
87 Thank you for the wonderful job you all do each year with CLI.
88 I look forward to this conference every year. It is both affordable and provides a wealth of information. Thank you.
89 Except for the closing plenary I gained useful info at each of the sessions I attended. There was a broad range of interesting topics to choose from.
90 Maybe you could ask those who have signed up for the CLI in advance to indicate which workshop they are planning to attend, and then plan the size of the room for that workshop on the numbers anticipated. I did not attend a workshop Thursday morning the three workshops I was interested in were all full.
91 Thank you so much for everything. It was great. This was my second year attending and I look forward to attending next year. The venue was great, too, as usual. Thanks.
92 Some small rooms in the back did not draw a large crowd as they were not easy to find and space was small. ie. Diligent Recruitment workshop was the last room in the back, did not draw a crowd and this was a very important workshop to discuss with the attendees about the work that is about to happen in Protective Services.
93 As always, it was well-organized, diverse, and very helpful!
94 Looking forward to next year!!
95 awful food this year for breakfast; stale muffins and mushy fruit
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96 Great conference!
97 More space needed in the rooms. Too many participants- not enough room. Run ON SCHEDULE!!
98 The presentations seemed to have become less relevant and professional over the years.
99 It was great. Learned a lot.
100 It was a wonderful experience & I enjoyed the opportunity to participate very much.
101 shorter breaks
102 Great conference!!
103 Workshops were very basic as compared to other years. They presented information that is common knowledge.
104 Always has good topics and fresh new speakers.
105 I would have liked more delinquency breakout sessions.
106 As a new CYFD worker who works very hard every day to help families achieve their goals to reunification through education and services, my feelings were hurt by the anti-CYFD sentiments
107 Thank you, well organized.
108 My first time going and had a wonderful time.
109 Overall, it was not very useful in my role as attorney.
110 I would love to see more Facility specific sessions.
111 Best conference yet!
112 While at your conference I was able to meet with those afterwards for dinner to discuss the dynamics of my expertise as it related to New Mexico (criminal justice system and Diversion Program).
113 Excellent conference. I wish I could have stayed longer. The staff were very organized and helpful to me as a presenter.
114 Good, as always.
115 Prefer to have power point docs in hand for note taking in all sessions.
116 The conference was very well organized.
117 Well-organized. A lot of topics around youth-which was great.
118 The conference is too long. 2 days would get it done
119 Thumbs up!!
120 We should provide presenters with some basic instruction about PowerPoint presentations. I have a PowerPoint that does this and can provide it.
121 It was a great conference. Jealous that Texas and other states are not able to do something like this.
122 Well planned with workshops to meet various areas of interest.
123 It was great as always!!
124 Well organized, with a variety of workshops to choose from.
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Ideas and topics for next year's 2016 CLI Conference Answered: 93 Skipped: 265
# Responses 1 More on Mediation and Restorative Justice. Invite presentations from the Longmont, Colorado
center that has a 7% recidivism rate.
2 Gang 101 is a great session that needs exposure for people to have more understanding and awareness of this topic as this is not a trend it is a life style that has been carried on for many generations and has been put on the back burner. I believe awareness is needed in this department because our youth that do not have much turn to this life style. The trend falls into place for the kids that have too much or just enough and want to be tough.
3 When is someone going to address the elephant in the living room: how to prevent the tragedy of drug affected babies, fetuses, whatever, during pregnancy. Meaning, legally permissible means of early intervention in identifiable at risk (chronic repeaters) mothers prior to delivery, including programs for monitored pre-natal care and even mandated, court ordered in-patient programs during pregnancy.
4 I feel that hearing from therapists of the youth/children in the system, would be of great benefit to those who serve them daily.
5 How do we keep CYFD cases from the juvenile justice system, obviously some serious felonies may never be kept out.
6 CYFD wake up! One of your largest referral bases is APS and other school districts. You must include a panel or workshop on the collaboration between schools, community agencies, and CYFD. As a school counselor, I'm the one who must make the decision to initiate a CYFD process and I'm the one who has to deal with the fallout when CYFD fails to take action. The new Cabinet Secretary touched on this, but missed the boat as her address was primarily to CYFD workers. How are school counselors and teachers expected to teach Juan to read, when he either is beaten at home, is witnessing DV, doesn't have utilities or food, and CYFD fails to offer intervention/prevention services. Really!!! You definitely need to open up this conversation involving legal, judges, CYFD and school personnel. There was a marked absence of Albuquerque community support agencies present at this conference. Shameful!
7 More Youth Panels (like Foster Children or former foster children) Information on Trauma and acting out in children, like committing crimes
8 More CASA topics and how to recruit new volunteers.
9 Teaming amongst respondents, their attorneys, GAL's, CYFD staff, and Foster parents. Importance of foster parents connecting and modeling for birth parents. The importance of collaborating with law enforcement.
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10 Skill based training, with actual time/experiences for application. Panels of bio parents. More blended workshops, attorneys and judges kept too separate. Workshop or two on what’s working across the state, new practices. The use of technology, social media.
11 Juvenile Community Correction Program and how it can assist youth on probation.
12 Youth mentorship programs and information - stats and existing services with positive outcomes for youth. foster youth culture Self-care-taking a hands on approach and practicing the techniques in class
13 Self care sessions as related to secondary Trauma/child welfare Supervision in child welfare
14 More speakers from New Mexico so when they are talking about problems in foster care or with children in general the resources are more beneficial for us to use.
15 Parent involvement with their children. CASA's clients are because the parents and children are separated.
16 More on MDT team functioning and collaboration with mental health providers.
17 I would like to see another workshop on any progress being made on the legislature level as to reducing psych meds that foster children are being given while in foster care.
18 Attachment Trauma
19 Gender issues and medication education.
20 Find a bigger venue. We have outgrown this one.
21 Bring in some people who are knowledgeable about Special Education Issues. So many of our clients are victims of drug use and more knowledge of how it affects educational issues and students' rights would be very helpful.
22 Survival and support for social workers.
23 Give the "G" surnames their own registration line
24 Add more workshop sessions on legal services for tribal children and youths.
25 An increased focus in juvenile justice issues.
26 Human Trafficking, Domestic Violence, and child abuse.
27 I would like summary of content when possible, particularly where outlines comprise the full content of the session. Creative audience involvement is also very helpful in learning and remembering.
28 Maybe a session on Treatment Foster Care, why and what it is all about. Maybe a session on YDDC, what it is all about and how it serves youth.
29 Could you please include a track focusing on children's law in the area of IEP's, IDEA, and school related subjects.
30 Utilizing out of state providers.
31 There is no community excellence award category for providers, and there should be.
32 Cultural CEU's -more 17
33 I would like to see some workshops covering the legal rights of children in care; creating a healthy atmosphere or boosting morale in our working environments; and anything to do with becoming a better supervisor.
34 Brene Brown as a plenary speaker.
35 Advancing Excellence in Child Welfare: Emerging Caseload Trends and Issues Building an Integrated Practice Model for Child Welfare and Mental Health Babies in Foster Care: Working Across Systems to Help the Youngest Children Succeed
36 Bring back Jerry Tello!
37 Perhaps more topics related to juveniles, substance abuse, medications, mental health, and treatment options related to kids in the juvenile justice system, treatment homes, commitment, group homes etc. Please include ethics as well.
38 What happens to the kids that get lost in the system.
39 Truancy prevention Definitions of how the law applies to Truancy
40 Find new venue for CLI 2016 with WiFi infrastructure. Address issues related to successfully transitioning teenagers into adoptive homes, and how to deal with their attachment issues. Dump speakers who are doing nothing but selling themselves.
41 process of CYFD adoption Loss/grieving for adopted children
42 Some course for foster parents, i.e., how to intervene, when to address the judge.
43 a session on the Indian Child Welfare Act and its implications
44 A workshop on resources, what is available and how to use them.
45 Working with children in foster care. Addressing play therapy and resiliency.
46 Just keep it interesting like other speakers by using humor
47 Cartels, Drug Trends, gangs - in depth for juvenile justice - this year was specifically made for therapists.
48 I would like to volunteer again.
49 More interactive type presentations. Maybe some group activities. I liked the massage corner. How about a Zumba or Yoga class? I think Yoga was offered in the past.
50 Dr. George Davis, Kelly Browe Olson were especially good speakers, and would love to hear them again next year - in any topic in their field, for it all relates to how professional growth helps the children served. As well, any chance of getting a national speaker such as Dr. Bruce Perry to present the most current information possible on social trends/psychological study findings/trauma healings? Also, there was no specific session this year (there was one last year) on healing the healers, nurturing wholeness and surviving trauma in the professionals who work with it daily - a critical component to slowing/preventing personnel turnover rates and improving quality of professional life in the meantime. That might help as well.
51 supporting DD children in foster placements developing care plans for dd children
52 To fresh into the program to recommend
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53 There were some "statistics" that were floated out that are incorrect. I think having someone from the Sentencing Commission come to present about the actual youth incarceration, the fact that the female population is increasing while the male is decreasing. Also, about the changes in how youth are being "treated" while in custody. The drug problem in NM with youth (10 year olds having to detox). Etc. Tony Ortiz of NMSC would be a great addition to your agenda.
54 More workshops on supervision.
55 I find the presentations that have useful techniques and information more helpful than the feel good or inspirational ones - same with speakers.
56 Why isn't there a push to get older youth adopted? Especially, those children that are incarcerated.
57 Some focus on model CYFD programs that provide successful parental counseling/recovery while kids are in CYFD custody - - (not treatment foster)
58 Detention based classes. Unfortunately some of the kids spend time in facilities and the state and visitors as a whole should know what we do. Again, it would be nice to see some detention personnel get recognized publically for the great job they do.
59 Play & Art Therapy Techniques for Children Solutions for Children Grieving Children & How to Help Teaching Parenting Skills Resolving Conflicts Anger Management Addiction
60 Writing service, more fruit (healthy) and not heavy, and more even air and heat.
61 I think it would be nice to help attorneys to think outside the box in terms of how they 62 Mental illness related to foster care and adoption.
63 Let's talk about being objective, and not make assumptions about families. Try Ross Greene.
64 I have been to the Advocacy in Action Conference twice now and have always gained a lot from the Catharsis Productions presentations (they are from Chicago), especially the workshop on victim blaming.
65 More on law, different types of treatment systems, abuse/neglect effect on children
66 I would like to see more about abuse of animals and the correlation with abuse of their children--this is not talked about enough. Also, more information about how gambling addiction impacts children both economically and emotionally. In addition, CYFD/PS provide families with the process of Family Centered Meetings. I know a lot about this, but getting the message out there about this wonderful process will help to change the reputation of PS--due to confidentiality, this is not talked about enough. Thank you.
67 More workshops on serving LGBT youth and the challenges they face. Bring Father Boyle back!!
68 This year's presentation on the youth attorney role made me more aware of the rights of our youth. I think a good discussion about the various roles of the participants in Family Centered Meetings or treatment team meetings and the rights of our youth would be a great topic.
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69 information on sibling connections, LGBTQ panel to discuss their experience in foster care, perhaps successful LGBTQ foster parents.
70 I would like a workshop presented by appellate attorneys to assist RAs at trial and hearings, especially TPRs
71 Use of DBT and explanation of theory.
72 Review of current research re best practices in foster care system and how NM does or doesn't stack up.
73 I would have liked to see more information on what is happening on a national level on some of the topics and what interesting new programs or policies are being used in different states. What is best practice in other states? What is working in other states?
74 I enjoy seeing someone from the police drug unit to educate us about new drugs, how the drug use is going throughout NM.
75 Make it more comfortable. Enjoyed the snacks and refreshments but extremely difficult to carry everything along with all the literature. Tables would be great.
76 I would like to see a higher level of expertise in some of these presentations. It seems like every year we get basics on a variety of topics, but some advanced trainings for those of us who have been in the field for numerous years would be nice.
77 Maybe some safety classes on how to be out in the field.
78 Team approaches to case planning for families involved in legal cases. Using CQI to identify gaps in services and resources for families. Cultural - including Pan-Asian (NM Asian Center) and Jewish (NM Holocaust Museum staff) or even DV and other cultural issues among the Deaf and Hard of Hearing community. How to make services and the legal system more accessible for these families.
79 Delinquency issues as well as the abuse and neglect issues. Sessions addressing synthetic drug use/treatment/effect on the youth's brain, etc.
80 CYFD is not the enemy: An overview of the CORE and Pinon Values and how they relate to the child welfare process.
81 More of a variety in cultural CEU workshops
82 More topics regarding statutes, rules and procedure.
83 Best Practice Models from other states.
84 Add more seminars specific to Law Enforcement's role and responsibilities with Juveniles
85 More trauma and GLBTQ workshops
86 More options for cultural CEUs.
87 More on Restorative Justice More on dealing with historical trauma (maybe you can get Maria Yellow Horse Braveheart. I would love that!
88 More specifics about ADA accommodations
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89 I was not from NM but liked hearing about the practices there. It would be great to have one topic discussed getting input from various jurisdictions.
90 More on being an effective supervision would be great.
91 Family engagement; Workshop on the Family Connections model out of Baltimore.
92 Working with parents of children in custody Behavior issues of children in custody and effective ways to deal with those behaviors
93 Recommend bringing in Dan Powers as a Keynote speaker. He is motivating and has some great information!!
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