2025 Title IV-E Summit: In-Person Event Dashboard

Healing Together: The Road to Building Collaboration, Sustainability and Well-being in Child Welfare

Friday, April 18, 2025 | 9:30 AM–4:00 PM | Long Beach Marriott

Program At a Glance

Thursday, April 17 

Friday, April 18

Hotel Parking & Shuttles

• The Long Beach Marriott provides a complimentary shuttle that runs to and from the Long Beach Airport. To request a shuttle ride, call 562-425-5210. 
• Please note that the hotel does not provide a shuttle service to either Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) or John Wayne-Orange County Airport.
• Self-parking at the Long Beach Marriott (4700 Airport Plaza Dr, Long Beach, CA 90815) is complimentary for this event. No validation is necessary.

Wi-Fi & Connectivity

• Complimentary Wi-Fi will be available in conference facilities and guestrooms. Login details for conference Wi-Fi can be found here. 

Check-In & Registration

• Registration is open 9:30–10:30 AM on Friday, April 18, 2025 - all attendees must sign in. Follow signs for the Grand Ballroom, registration tables will be in the lobby. 
• Optional dress code is business casual

Full Program Details 

Breakout Sessions (10:45 AM-12:00 PM)

• Collaborative Healing for Lasting Impact in Child Welfare (Salon B)

• In this workshop, participants will gain insights into the principles of collaborative healing, including building trust within multidisciplinary teams, fostering community partnerships, and adopting trauma-informed approaches to engagement. Through case studies, interactive discussions, and practical tools, the workshop will highlight strategies for breaking down barriers, sustaining worker well-being, and driving systemic resilience.
  
  Convener: 
  Michaella Conteh, MSW, ASW, is a Child Welfare Social Work Supervisor at Alameda County Children and Family Services. Conteh graduated from California State University, East Bay with a Master’s of Social Work as a Title IV-E student. Conteh concentrated on Children, Youth, and Families. Conteh holds an Associate Social Work (ASW) license and is currently working on her clinical hours to become a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW). Conteh also completed a BA in Child Development at Sacramento State University. Conteh has worked in the child welfare field across various specialty areas for nine years. In June 2021, she published a book, How to Survive as a Child Welfare Social Worker, which she offers as an important resource for social workers considering the child welfare field. When not working, she loves spending time with her husband and adorable daughter, as well as their extended families and friends. Conteh loves to travel, and her favorite place to visit is West Africa, especially Sierra Leone, her home, which she misses desperately. Her motto in life is, "Positive thinking leads to a positive outcome," which she shares with students and supervisees.

• Driving Systemic Change: Advancing Child Welfare Through Integrated Practice (Lindbergh)
• This panel will consider how diverse stakeholders can collaborate to create a sustainable, trauma-informed child welfare system. Sharing experiences and strategies, panelists will highlight the importance of fostering partnerships that support the well-being of children and families, ensuring both immediate and long-term needs are met in a collaborative framework to strengthen child welfare programs. Drawing on the Integrated Core Practice Model (ICPM), the discussion will highlight how the Children and Family Services Division aligns system partners' resources and responsibilities. Key topics include policy and practice intersections, leadership in shared accountability, and strategies for sustainability. Panelists will emphasize CDSS's commitment to aligning policies with ICPM values, addressing equity, access to care, and integrating lived expertise. 
  
  Panelists: 
  Hector Rodriguez, MSW, works with the Child Welfare Workforce Unit 2, formerly the Training Support Unit. He is Chicano, originally from the Los Angeles area, but moved to Northern California to study. He received his Bachelor’s in Chicano Studies from Sacramento State University in 2022. He also received his MSW from Sacramento State after completing the Title IV-E program in 2024. He draws motivation from his own lived experience as a former foster youth and his passion for utilizing data to support the ongoing improvement of our state child welfare training programs.
  
  Alana Dussell, MSW, is the Assistant Branch Chief for the Children's Services Quality Management Branch at the California Department of Social Services (CDSS). She holds an MSW from San José State University and a BA in Social Welfare and Public Policy from UC Berkeley. Alana's career began in aging and adult services before transitioning to child welfare in 2017. She has worked in Emergency Response, court services, and as part of the Office of the Foster Care Ombudsperson. Now focused on workforce development, Alana is committed to improving services for children and families through collaboration and innovation.
  
  Kelley Hartman, BA, is chief of the Technical Assistance and Systems Support Section in the System of Care Branch (SOCB) at the California Department of Social Services (CDSS) and serves as the lead representative on California’s Joint Interagency Resolution Team. Prior to joining CDSS in 2017, she spent over 10 years in child welfare, including 6 years serving survivors of domestic and international sex and labor trafficking. For the past 7 years, she has been with the Child Trafficking Response Team, first as an analyst, then as manager of the Child Trafficking Program Support Unit. A 2016 Guardian of Hope Award recipient, Kelley is a visionary leader dedicated to advancing equity, harm reduction, trauma-informed care, and child-centered policy for youth with complex needs.
  
  Ian Clark, MSW, manages the Family Intake and Engagement Unit in the Safety and Early Intervention Bureau (SEIB) at the California Department of Social Services (CDSS). SEIB develops policies, programs, and funding to protect children, youth, and families through prevention and early intervention. It supports Title IV-E partners—including child welfare agencies, probation departments, and tribes—via emergency response, pre-placement, family maintenance, care for exploited children, and Families First Prevention Services. A Title IV-E scholar with an MSW from San Francisco State University, Ian has over five years of county child welfare practice as a social worker and Wraparound services coordinator. As a member of the SOP Backbone Committee, he fosters collaboration, engagement, and sustainability in California's Child Welfare System.
• Trauma-Informed Supervision: A Model for Addressing Secondary Trauma and Compassion Fatigue (Salon A)
• This training focuses on effective methods for increasing collaboration, sustainability and well-being by addressing a common barrier in the public child welfare workforce: secondary trauma and compassion fatigue. Participants will learn how to use a parallel process model to identify the impact of secondary trauma and compassion fatigue on social workers while at the same time teaching social workers to identify the impact of trauma on client families. By using a weekly supervision structure, the model supports the practical application of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration's (SAMHSA) six trauma-informed principles: safety, trustworthiness, peer support, collaboration, empowerment, voice/choice, and cultural issues.
  
  Conveners: 
  Jessica Polk, LCSW, graduated in 2007 with her BASW and in 2009 with her MSW, both from San Diego State University. She is a full-time faculty member in the School of Social Work at CSU Long Beach, teaching BASW and MSW classes. She also serves as a Project Coordinator for both the LADCFS + UCLA Academy of Workforce Excellence and the Adult Protective Services Intern Training Programs. In addition, Polk is the Co-Chair of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility for the College of Health and Human Services. Prior to her time in higher education, Polk held several clinical and management roles in both residential and outpatient, trauma-informed programs for youth experiencing homelessness and mental health concerns.
  
  Dr. Tory Cox, Ed.D, LCSW, PPSC is Assistant Title IV-E Project Coordinator for the CSU, Long Beach School of Social Work. Dr. Cox manages the child welfare grant's budget, teaches school social work and practicum education, and oversees the school's distance education program. He is an interim co-Editor-in-Chief for the International Journal of School Social Work and the Program Coordinator for the school-based mental health program "Strengthening Youth Resilience." In addition, he is the lead editor for a book in progress titled Emerging Trends in School Social Work and was the lead editor for The Art of Becoming Indispensable: What School Social Workers Need to Know in Their First Three Years.
• Undoing the Wrongs: Racial Trauma & Mistrust in the Social Welfare System (Rickenbacker)
• This presentation delves into the lasting impact of racial trauma and how it has fueled deep mistrust of welfare institutions, particularly among Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC). Furthermore, we will examine the suspicion and distrust that has been cultivated within the LGBTQ+ community, especially among LGBTQ+ youth, who face a disproportionate level of discrimination and harm within the social welfare system. These communities have long experienced the system as a site of neglect and punishment rather than support and care. Now is the time to restore hope, rebuild trust, and to change the narrative surrounding the social welfare system. 
  
  Conveners: 
  Kimberly Warmsley, MSW, is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), advocate, transformative leader, and social justice champion. Warmsley's extensive experience spans a variety of areas, including medical social work, trauma-informed practice, policy influence, and grassroots organizing. Warmsley holds a Master’s in Social Work from California State University, Stanislaus (2009) and a bachelor's degree in sociology (2005). As a policy influencer, Warmsley has been at the forefront of several landmark social justice initiatives. She played an instrumental role in the country's first guaranteed income study and the transformative Healthy Communities Initiative. Additionally, she was involved in Stockton's Status of Women Report and worked on shaping equity and inclusion policies for BIPOC communities during the global pandemic. As Executive Director of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) California Chapter, Warmsley is fully committed to empowering social workers and advancing the profession. With years of experience in the field, she brings a unique perspective to the role, driven by the belief that every person deserves to live in a just and equitable world. Warmsley's leadership vision emphasizes collaboration, innovation, and a relentless drive to create lasting positive change.
  
  Dr. Teauania Charles is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and holds a Doctorate of Social Work (DSW). She is also the membership director for the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) California Chapter. With a deep passion for mental health, she has dedicated her career to helping individuals navigate the complexities of life, particularly those struggling with anxiety and depression. Her work is centered on providing the support and tools necessary to help her clients cope with daily life and the emotional burdens they may face. With years of experience in the field, she has worked in various settings, helping individuals from diverse backgrounds work through challenges related to mental illness, trauma, and life transitions. She fosters a compassionate, non-judgmental space where clients can openly express their feelings, explore their emotional struggles, and work on developing healthy coping mechanisms. In addition to her clinical practice, Dr. Charles serves as membership director for the California Chapter of the NASW. Through her work in both her clinical practice and her role at the NASW-CA, Dr. Charles has made it her life's mission to create spaces where people feel safe, valued, and supported. Dr. Charles’s approach to therapy is holistic, integrating a variety of therapeutic modalities to address the unique needs of each client.

Primary Sessions (1:15-4:05 PM, Grand Ballroom)

• Playing Out Of the Box: Healing Childhood Trauma (1:15-2:30 PM) 
• In this interactive workshop, participants will explore the profound healing potential of play therapy and its role in helping children in the child welfare system recover from trauma. Play is a natural medium through which children express their inner world, process complex emotions, and foster healing. However, many children in child welfare face challenges such as limited resources, frequent transitions, and environments where toys or therapeutic tools are not always available. This workshop highlights how, with few or no toys, adults can still facilitate healing by harnessing the most powerful tool children possess: their imagination.
  
  Convener: 
  Christine Mark-Griffin, MSW, is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), certified EMDR therapist and EMDRIA approved consultant. She is the founder of Spark All Wellness, a private practice specializing in EMDR therapy with children, EMDR consultation for clinicians and trauma-informed trainings for professional organizations. In the past decade, Mark-Griffin's professional experience has included working in non-profit, child welfare, juvenile justice, community mental health, school-based mental health and higher education settings. Working in these various settings over the years has deepened her knowledge and understanding of complex trauma but has also exposed her to some of the most beautiful stories of healing and resilience. Additionally, she is the author of EMDR Workbook for Kids & founder of EMDR for Kids. The mission at EMDR for Kids is to empower therapists, parents, and children of all ages with resources, tools, and advanced training to overcome trauma & adversities.
   
• Thriving Together: Strategies to Navigate Burnout & Enhance Well-Being (2:45-4:05 PM)
• In child welfare work, unique challenges like stress, trauma, and competing priorities often lead to burnout and compassion fatigue. This workshop emphasizes self-care, self-compassion, boundary-setting, and time management to support career sustainability and personal well-being. Participants will learn about moral distress and engage with practical tools like grounding techniques, mindfulness, and emotional regulation. They will also learn about self-compassion and boundary-setting frameworks and time management tools for managing challenges in the front end and ongoing programs. Drawing on a decade of professional experience in child welfare, this workshop offers actionable tips and methods for both emerging and seasoned professionals. Let’s thrive together!
  
  Convener: 
  Avni Panchal holds a Master’s of Social Work (MSW) from the University of California, Berkeley and a Bachelor’s in Psychology from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo. She is also certified as a Pupil Personnel Services Credential (PPSC) and Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW). Panchal has dedicated over a decade to child welfare and was a Title IV-E recipient. Her expertise encompasses various child welfare programs, including Emergency Response, Dependency Investigations, Independent Living Program, and Adoptions. Currently, she is involved in training child welfare workers and mental health professionals across multiple training regions. She teaches at San Francisco State University in the Social Work Graduate Program. Additionally, she has a virtual private practice, providing individual and couples therapy, as well as coaching services focused on empowerment and relationship development. Panchal has extensive experience facilitating wellness sessions, dialogue circles, racial equity and inclusion, trauma-informed discussions, and other mental health and social work-related topics. She is committed to fostering a learning environment that prioritizes strength-based approaches and cultural responsiveness.

Dining & Menus

Thursday, April 17 

Friday, April 18

Facility Information

• Registration Area
• The Summit registration area will be located in the foyer outside the Grand Ballroom (see map below). Please ensure that you register upon arrival.
• Restrooms
• Restrooms are located adjacent to the Earhart room, across the foyer from the Grand Ballroom. An all-gender restroom will be available. 
• Facility Map
• Long Beach Marriot Conference Facility Map

Luggage Storage

• For those staying overnight at the Long Beach Marriott, please note that checkout is 12:00 PM. The Long Beach Marriott will provide luggage storage at the front desk during conference proceedings, but you must check out of your room prior to 12:00 PM.

Prizes & Gift Cards

Join us Thursday evening at the Welcome Reception (April 17, 4:00–6:00 PM) for a fun and interactive networking activity. You could win a gift card just by participating! 🎁✨

How to Participate:

• Engage with fellow attendees through the networking activity
• Visit the NASW-CA table to complete your submission
• Drop your completed card in the submission box by the end of the reception

Don’t miss this opportunity to expand your professional network, learn about NASW-CA, and win exciting prizes just for engaging. See you there!

Presenter Handouts & Slides

View All Presenter Handouts

• Collaborative Healing for Lasting Impact in Child Welfare
• Driving Systemic Change: Advancing Child Welfare Through Integrated Practice
• Trauma-Informed Supervision: A Model for Addressing Secondary Trauma and Compassion Fatigue
• Undoing the Wrongs: Racial Trauma & Mistrust in the Social Welfare System
• Playing Out of the Box: Healing Childhood Trauma
• Thriving Together: Strategies to Navigate Burnout & Enhance Well-Being

Questions: 

• Q: Can I cancel my in-person registration for the Summit? 
  • A: Yes! You can cancel your registration using this form. 
• Q: I have a question about the Summit. Who do I contact? 
  • A: You can contact Summit organizers by email at ivesummit@ucdavis.edu 

Acknowledgements: 

The 2025 Title IV-E Summit would have been impossible without the hard work and dedication of our Student Planning Committee, comprised of IV-E students from across California. We also wish to acknowledge the generous contributions of our sponsors. The 2025 Title IV-E Summit is sponsored by NASW-CA, with additional support from CDSS. Learn more about NASW-CA membership. 

 

We recognize and acknowledge that the 2025 Title IV-E Summit is taking place on the traditional homelands occupied by the Gabrieleño/Tongva people, the Toongvetam, and the shared origins of cultural knowledge and sacred teachings to the Acjachamen/Juaneño and many other Southern California Indian people. We also acknowledge the Gabrieleño/Tongva and Acjachamen/Juaneño  as the traditional custodians of the Los Angeles region along with the Chumash  to the north and west, and the Tataviam and Cahuilla Nations to the east. We respect and value the many ways the Tongva/Acjachemen cultural heritage and beliefs continue to have significance to the living people and remind us about the sacred and spiritual relationship that has always existed here at what we now call Long Beach.