2020 Autumn Institute for Public Assistance Professionals

Nov. 17-18, 2020

The UC Davis Autumn Institute for Public Assistance Professionals is a virtual event and is an ideal opportunity for participants to:

• Embed best practices into everyday practice
• Increase critical thinking skills about complex situations
• Gain confidence in strengths and abilities
• Develop previously untapped potential
• Connect with others in a supportive and safe space

As 2020 has consistently proven, we must evolve in order to move forward. This is both the theme and the story of the Autumn Institute. When we began planning for this event back in January, we expected it to be in person and in August. As situations have changed over the course of the last 9 months, taking us virtual and altering our time frame, so too have we altered the workshops we will be offering.

Institute Overview

We’ll all convene for the keynote presentations, then break off into concurrent workshop sessions. Participants can attend any workshop they choose across a variety of subject areas, including:

• Anti-Racist Practice
• Mindfulness and Wellness
• Leadership
• Employment and Training
• Family Focus
• Eligibility Program Updates
• Professional Development

Keynote Presentations

Day 1 Keynote: Eye of the Storm: Cultivating Resilience in Times of Turbulence and Uncertainty

Due to the way the human brain is wired, the nervous system can be triggered into a state of threat during times of rapid change and uncertainty, shutting down the areas of the brain needed for emotional and physical wellness. However, insights from modern neuroscience shine light on ways to regain control to maintain a sense of calm and clarity. This presentation shares the science underlying what we are experiencing as we navigate the turbulence associated with an evolving environment. It explores evidenced-based mind-body tools for cultivating stress resilience in the face of ongoing flux. Strategies for managing stress and strain, staying focused at work and maintaining peace at home will be shared.

Laurie Ellington, M.A., LPC, RCC, HMCT is co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of Zero Point Leadership, a leading-edge neuroscience-based organization for personal and leadership learning and development. She is also co-founder of NeuroLeader University, the world's first neuroscience-based online university dedicated to expanding personal and leadership greatness through science-based learning, and the co-author of Six Steps to Unlocking Extraordinary Leadership: The Neuroscience of High Performance Leadership. Laurie has over 20 years of experience in coaching, training consulting, and mind/body medicine.

Day 2 Keynote: Evolving Continuous Quality Improvement into Continuous Learning and Adaptation

People who work in a learning-conducive environment naturally get better at what they do. People who are good at what they do naturally produce good outcomes. Dr. Stephen Shimshock will share a framework for creating a learning culture within an organization. He’ll also highlight the importance of engagement and collaboration in the learning process and provide strategies on how to implement in your own work life and within your agency.

Stephen Shimshock, Ph.D., is the associate director of the Center for Innovation in Population Health and assistant professor of Biostatistics at the University of Kentucky. He serves as the Precision Analytics Lead for the International Transformational Collaborative Outcome Management (TCOM) team. Dr. Shimshock provides analytical and consultation services to a wide variety of private and government agencies looking to transform the lives of youth and families. He has over 25 years of experience working in the social services field and extensive experience in cultivating data-informed learning cultures, or what he calls “cultures of best-practitioners.”

Institute Workshops

Multiple workshops are offered during each Workshop Session. See full workshop descriptions to help you choose which workshops you plan to attend.

Agenda at a Glance

Tuesday, November 17

Wednesday, November 18

Preview the Institute

We’ve developed a series of videos to give you an inside peek at this year’s Institute:

• Introductory video
• Opening keynote presentation with Laurie Ellington
• Leadership and Anti-Racist Practice Q&A session with presenters
• Conversation with presenter Carl Rabun about strengths and mindfulness

Enrollment Fee

The enrollment fee is $140 or 0.033 training unit per person (or 3 people for 0.1 TU) for those utilizing a county training contract.

To Enroll

Submit an online enrollment form for each participant.