Record-Breaking Statewide CQI Conference Unites Child Welfare and Probation Professionals
From March 25–27, 2025, the Northern Academy at UC Davis Human Services welcomed California’s child welfare and probation county teams, leaders, social workers, officers, case reviewers, analysts and Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) support staff to the 2025 CQI Statewide Conference for Child Welfare and Probation in Sacramento.
This year’s theme, Building a CQI Culture: Empowering Everyone Through Continuous Improvement, set the tone for two and a half days of learning, sharing and collaborative growth. With 350 attendees from 49 California counties and one Tribe, the annual event enjoyed the highest turnout since it began in 2018.
Sponsored by the California Department of Social Services, the annual statewide conference explores how CQI systems can be used to evaluate and improve outcomes for children, families and communities served by child welfare and probation services.
Keynotes That Inspired
Following opening remarks and a breakfast icebreaker led by Brian Semsem from Sacramento County, keynote speaker Robert L. Matthews, chief program officer at Think of Us, explored the powerful intersection of data-driven decision making and kinship care.
“I appreciate [Matthews] having us look beyond the numbers to determine what improvements can be done,” said one participant. “Making data relevant is such a key point.”
In the afternoon keynote, Data Storytelling: Transforming Numbers into Human Narratives, internationally acclaimed and returning conference speaker Ann K. Emery brought a down-to-earth approach to data engagement, emphasizing that the challenge today is not data collection, but making it resonate with people.
Energizing Day Two
The second day kicked off with an energizing icebreaker led by Yolanda Green-Rogers of Chapin Hall, followed by a morning keynote and panel discussion featuring Anita Barbee (program director, Kent School of Social Work and Family Science) and Barrett Johnson (program development, evaluation policy and workforce improvement specialist), respectively. Together they discussed the California Job Analysis and Design Pilot and shared strategies for workforce strengthening and service improvement.
“I have learned so much about CQI due to all of the wonderful speakers and presenters,” wrote one first-time attendee following Barbee and Johnson’s presentations. “I hope to come back next year to check in.”
“Super well-structured panel conversation,” shared another. “[Panel facilitator Barrett Johnson] is an excellent, seamless facilitator.”
Later in the day, keynote speaker Junious Williams (specializing in collaboration design, strategy development and advancing equity and social justice) discussed the synergy between Collective Impact (CI) and CQI. His talk encouraged participants to consider how CQI’s structure can enhance collaborative initiatives and vice versa.
“The breakdown and contrast between CQI and CI was incredibly useful,” noted an attendee. “We get so wedded to one way—this was the most impactful presentation for me so far at this conference.”
Closing Reflections
The final day's breakfast icebreaker was led by Lori-Ann Kimble-Denhalter from Riverside County and Merrisa Touray from Northern Academy. For the closing keynote, speaker Lisa Maaca Bartlette continued the focus on intersectionality, this time from a lens of psychological safety and trauma-informed care. She encouraged attendees to envision a system where CQI, psychological safety and trauma-informed care operate in harmony to foster resilience and drive better outcomes.
Standards and Training for Corrections (STC) Credit
For the first time, the CQI Conference was able to offer STC credit for probation professionals in attendance. We look forward to offering this credit in the future as the annual event moves forward.
Workshops, Connections and a Look Ahead
Beyond the keynotes, the conference offered 25 workshops, eight data cafés, an evening reception and numerous opportunities to forge meaningful connections. All programming aimed to strengthen the impact of CQI in improving child welfare and probation case management services.
The Northern Academy at UC Davis Human Services would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to all attendees, keynote speakers, workshop presenters and staff whose engagement and collaborative partnership contributed to making this record-breaking event such a success. We can’t wait to welcome participants to next year's event!