TUESDAY, OCT. 17 (Day 1)
8:00 am - 8:30 am
Coffee Connection
8:30 am - 8:45 am
Welcome & Opening Remarks
8:45 am - 10:00 am
Opening Keynote
The Public Athlete: Finding Your “Personal Best” Stats
There are many different and sometimes conflicting realities in the public sector. Post pandemic, you will find many different scenarios ranging from an increase in vacancies to an increase in positions. One reality that remains true is that leadership is a necessary component in today’s public sector industry. Dynamic speaker Nic Bryant will utilize a range of experience, research and data to connect the audience to their “personal best” stats. At the end of the presentation, participants will have the framework to search within themselves and find “strengthening stats” that they were unaware of.
Nic Bryant is the former director of the Community Services Bureau at the Contra Costa County Employment and Human Services Department. He has more than 13 years of experience in the public sector, with over nine of those years in a leadership position. He has worked in over five counties where he gained insight and a wide range of experience leading in different county environments. Driven by his passion in leadership, service and development, Bryant takes pride in providing the best personalized experience for professional growth for the new, post COVID-19, professional environment.
10:00 am - 10:30 am
Break, Networking & Craft Activity
10:30 am - 12:00 pm
SESSION 1 WORKSHOPS
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Unveiling Your Path: Career Exploration and Connecting to Purpose
Track: Workforce Development
In this dynamic 90-minute presentation, we delve into career exploration and the journey of connecting your choices to a greater sense of purpose. We will equip you with resources for fostering professional growth, ensuring you embark on a path that aligns both with your professional prowess and your inner purpose. Additionally, mastering the art of navigating through inevitable changes that arise on your journey. Career development is the strategic series of steps that propel you toward your long-term professional goals. This presentation will distill the process into essential steps, providing you with effective tools to recognize your strengths within knowledge, skills, and abilities, while also highlighting areas primed for further development.
Presenter
Annie Barrett is an experienced manager and educator with more than 20 years in the government administration industry. She has a strong social services background, having dedicated her career to serving her community, and helping both families and vulnerable individuals access the necessary resources to achieve self-sufficiency. She is an accomplished manager and trainer who presents to and works with multiple community-based organizations.
Introduction to Substance Use Disorders
Track: Family Engagement
The development of substance use disorder (SUD), also known as addiction, is complex and often impacts every aspect of a person’s life including a person’s ability to provide adequate care for themselves and their families. Regular and frequent patterns of substance use are a strong indicator that a SUD/addiction may have developed. Even though SUD is recognized as a diagnosable medical problem, the signs/symptoms are largely observable by people who have no medical or clinical training. This means that non-medical and non-clinical human service professionals can be taught to recognize the signs, indicators and functional impairments commonly utilized in the diagnosis of SUD. Human service professionals can use this information to assist them in helping connect individuals to qualified professionals for further assessment and treatment as needed. However, to do this, they must possess the requisite knowledge which this one-day training provides.
Presenter
Michael Prichard M.S., LAADC, is the owner of Covenant Training and Consulting and is a community educator on the topic substance use disorder (SUD). He has been employed in the SUD profession for 12 years, hold a Master of Science in Addiction Counseling and is a Certified substance use disorder counselor. During his career, he has also been employed as a substance abuse specialist in Fresno County Child Welfare and as staff analyst in SUD Treatment and Prevention services for Fresno County Department of Behavioral Health.
Engaging Fathers in Human Services
Track: Family Engagement
Hear from 2023 Casey Excellence for Children Award winner (Birth Father of the Year) Roger DeLeon as he shares his experience and insight from participating in government programs and community work. This engaging workshop will include a review of research supporting father involvement, best practices for engaging and/or re-engaging dads, and a discussion of “Right Now” actions and resources you can take when you return to work!
Presenter
Roger De Leon is currently a Parent Partner with the Parent Partner Program for Riverside County’s Children Services Division. Riverside’s first Parent Partner and one of the program’s founding members, he has also been a part of different fatherhood coalitions. De Leon is one of the founders and steering committee members for Riverside County’s “Dads Assisting Dads” (D.A.D) coalition to help bring awareness of the importance of a father’s presence and participation in building families. He is currently a member of the Parent Partner Advisory committee (PPAC) and an instructor for UC Davis Human Services and for San Diego State University’s Cultural Responsiveness Academy.
Learn more about Roger De Leon. Get a sneak peek at Roger’s worjshop.
The Frontline Leader
Track: Frontline Leadership Development
his presentation is an excerpt from the Front-Line Leader course which was created for those in a first level leadership position, or those that want to lead from the level they are at. Often, leadership training is reserved for higher level managers, but a lot of information can be beneficial for line level staff to help inspire others at any level within an organization.
Presenter
Lindsay Boyd, MBA, has 14 years of experience as a senior deputy probation officer. She worked on a variety of probation assignments in both juvenile and adult divisions, including juvenile placement, where she worked closely with the Human Services agencies in her county. Her passion for teaching led her to become one of the first Career Enhancement Academy instructors for her department. She also has experience instructing Probation Core classes and several probation and leadership classes. Boyd incorporates the philosophy of “leading from the line” into her curriculum development, and in early 2022, she left probation and founded her own training company, Next Level Corrections, which provides state-approved training to both probation and corrections officers.
WEDNESDAY, OCT. 18 (DAY 2)
8:30 am - 10:00 am
SESSION 2 WORKSHOPS
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Adapting State Policy into County Practice
Track: Workforce Development
One thing that is constant in Health and Human Service Agency is changes. Policies and procedures evolve overtime and it is important for staff to stay current on new and revised policy and procedures. This course will focus in developing County Policy and Procedures based on directives received from the State, Federal, and County government. We will explore the processes in adapting State Policy into County Practice. The course will demonstrate how to create county materials that is easy to understand to better support staff.
Presenter
Ederlyn Vilaythinh has more than 10 years of experience in the field of Health and Human Services. She started her career as an eligibility worker for self-sufficiency programs, including Medi-Cal, CalFresh and CalWORKs. She supervised new staff as well as staff assigned at a customer service call center. The majority of her career has been dedicated to developing staff. She facilitated induction trainings on agency policies, procedures and the fundamental aspect of self-sufficiency programs. Her program experience includes development of CalWORKs and Stage One Child Care policies and procedures for eligibility and employment services staff.
A Trauma-Informed Approach to Working with Families Afflicted by Intimate Partner ViolenceTrack: Family Engagement
Intimate Partner Violence (Domestic Violence) is a common affliction within family systems with research indicating that approximately 15.5 million children have witnessed domestic violence annually, and by age 17, over one-third of all U.S. children will have been exposed in some manner. Despite the frequency in which intimate partner violence occurs, human service professionals have struggled to identify and support families experiencing domestic violence. When issues are identified, intervention typically involves child welfare services and are victim focused versus looking at the family as a whole, including the batterer. This workshop will provide an overview of intimate partner violence within family systems, common red flags, and knowledge to support a holistic, trauma informed, non-fragmented approach to meeting the needs of families.Presenter
Stefania M. Agliano, E.D., LMSW, received her doctorate from Northeastern University researching the impact of identity on facilitator efficacy, providing anti-trafficking and gender-based violence prevention education with adolescent males. Agliano is currently a clinical assistant professor in the School of Social Work graduate program at Sacred Heart University. She previously worked in child welfare services and child protection for over 25 years. Agliano is co-founder of I AM Training and Consultation Group LLC and has been a contributing member of efforts to eradicate trafficking inclusive of the development of various training curriculum, training hundreds of child welfare staff, law enforcement officers, probation officers and community providers on the local and national level using an anti-oppression practice lens.
Centering Employee Wellness and Well-Being: A Series Overview
Track: Workforce Development
Human Services organizations are uniquely positioned to respond to the U.S. Surgeon General’s 2022 Employee Wellness and Well-being recommendations. Now more than ever, employees desire workplaces that support wellness, belonging, and the development of culturally responsive trauma-informed skills. This engaging and informative training will provide an overview of a new four-part series aimed at helping human services organizations center employee wellness and well-being. Participants who attend this overview will gain increased understanding and skill to support community care, culturally responsive trauma-informed care, and workplace wellness.
PresenterAmanda Gibson, M.S.W, L.C.S.W., is the founder and CEO of Counseling Col:lab in Sacramento California, which provides a collaborative space where therapists of all different backgrounds come together to serve the Sacramento area. Gibson is also an adjust professor at the USC School of Social Work and the CEO of Rita’s work, a platform that assists first responders and shelter staff in providing critical services to the community. Previously, Gibson served as Executive Director of Good Shepherd Shelter in Los Angeles. An independent professional counselor with more than 15 years of experience, Gibson treats adults and families in the areas of child welfare, domestic violence, trauma, chronic health, and mental health and wellness. In addition to her extensive clinical skills, she has always integrated self-care into each agency she has been a part of, and as a result has led very successful teams who provide high quality, efficient services, with low rates of burnout and staff turnover.
Exploring the Layers of DiversityTrack: Workforce Development
Are you ready to move from diversity talk to action? This 90-minute seminar will support engaging in critical thoughts and behaviors necessary to take the next step in acknowledging and supporting diversity in the workplace. By participating in this workshop, you’ll gain knowledge of effective advocacy skills and behaviors that support the diverse families and communities we serve; develop or enhance skills required to have crucial conversations; and increase understanding related to the impact of systemic and institutional biases on the everyday decisions we make in the workplace.Presenter
Dionne Puckett has nearly two decades of human services experience, Puckett has served in a variety of positions of community outreach, leadership, direct practice, and education. As a social worker with San Diego County, she honed her ability to provide leadership, engagement, and education to a multitude of families and staff. Puckett combines her professional experience with theory, adult learning model and best practice to illustrate course material in every training she facilitates.
10:00 am - 10:30 am
Break/Networking & Crafting Activity
10:30 am - 12:00 pm
SESSION 3 WORKSHOPS
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Cal OAR and WTW Updates
Track: Workforce Development
This workshop dives into the latest and upcoming changes that shape the Welfare to Work program, keeping participants informed about recent developments and offering insight into Cal-OAR highlights. Participants can expect to explore the latest policy changes to ensure they are equipped with the knowledge to make a positive impact in their program. The course will guide you through the key features of Cal-OAR and its connection to CW 2.0. By understanding how CW 2.0 and Cal-OAR work harmoniously, participants can enhance service delivery and contribute to building a stronger, more inclusive community.Presenter
Kim Adams spent more than 20 years supporting human services staff in Kings County, specializing in employment services, expanded subsidized employment, family stabilization, Linkages and Cal-OAR before joining UC Davis Human Services full-time. In addition to leading and participating in pilot projects for programs such as CalWORKs 2.0 and Linkages, she contributed to staff development during the transition. During her tenure with Kings County, Adams led various workgroups, providing coaching and guidance to staff while developing policies and implementing programs, as well as overseeing a peer coaching program. As a coach and trainer, she has provided support and training to various levels of staff on topics ranging from personal and professional development to technical human services issues.
Intent vs. Impact: Building Relationships with Tribal PartnersTrack: Workforce Development
Leading with intention will provide an opportunity in building relationships with Tribal Partners. This course will provide a basis for understanding Tribal infrastructure and how planned partnerships with Tribal Partners can be impactful for programming. Acknowledging and offering appropriate culturally sensitive thinking will allow you to serve at a higher capacity. This course will help to establish a dialogue to support you and your team while working with tribal entities.Presenter
Glenn Basconcillo is the founder and president of GNB Consulting Inc., a human services solutions company based in California. With 40 years of public and tribal human services experience, he brings a wealth of experience and knowledge in human services delivery systems. Before starting GNB Consulting, Inc., he held the positions of chief operations officer, TANF director and TANF deputy director during a twelve-year career with the Owens Valley Career Development Center, a consortium based Tribal organization in California. Basconcillo also currently provides his professional support and services to the National Congress of American Indians TANF Task Force.
Introduction to LivingWorks SafeTALKTrack: Family Engagement
This workshop is a high-level introduction to SafeTALK, developed by Livingworks. In addition to highlighting the current suicide rates in California and the urgent need for increased suicide awareness, this training will look at how traditional education on suicide prevention and intervention skips a very important step when it comes to long-term help. Participants will learn the basic concept of SafeTALK and gain access to additional information toward attending a certified SafeTALK training offered through UC Davis.Presenter
Antonio Lopez has more than 20 years of experience as a presenter and/or trainer on a variety of topics, including employment workshops, loss and change, suicide prevention, mental health, ACEs, stress and burnout and resiliency. He also has specialized knowledge and experience in county, state and federal policies and procedures, working for 10 years in human services (cash aid and employment and training), 10 years in mental health and suicide prevention, and two years in public health. Lopez has been a certified trainer for multiple evidence-based curricula ranging from parenting, skill building, mindfulness, and mental health first aid.
Introduction to Strengths-based Mandated ReportingTrack: Family Engagement
The current practice for mandated reporters requires that a Suspected Child Abuse Report be submitted to Child Welfare when the professional has a suspicion of child abuse. While this process allows professionals to document essential information, it does not inquire about known protective capacities or family strengths. This trauma-informed workshop provides strategies for mandated reporters to identify and report protective capacities when making a child abuse report. Participants will expand their critical thinking toward providing a more holistic assessment of the family and learn how to make a more strength-based assessment with the assistance of a tool designed specifically for mandated reporters.Presenter
Meet Dr. Jocelyn Wormley
Joycelyn Wormley, D.S.W., is a distinguished social worker, educator and advocate for social change. She specializes in child welfare services, having spent more than a decade working with children, youth and families in diverse communities. She is also passionate about educating families and organizations on issues surrounding social justice, equality and trauma-informed practices that reduce adverse childhood experiences. She has created a strength-based practice to improve the child welfare system and reduce the number of children removed from their homes. Wormley continues to contribute to the field of social work via research and improving the child welfare system policy reform.
12:00 pm - 12:45 pm
Break/Networking & Crafting Activity
THURSDAY, OCT. 19 (Day 3)
8:30 am - 10:00 am
SESSION 4 WORKSHOPS
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Cultivating Psychological Safety with Peers in the Workplace
Track: Frontline Leadership Development
This workshop focuses on developing the essential skills and knowledge necessary to foster psychological safety within peer relationships in the workplace. Participants will learn about the concept of psychological safety and its significance in creating an environment where individuals feel comfortable taking risks, expressing their ideas, and engaging in open and honest communication. Through interactive activities, discussions, and case studies, participants will explore strategies for building trust, promoting collaboration, and mitigating interpersonal conflicts among peers.Presenter
Meet Misty Kerrigan
Misty Kerrigan, M.S., is a business psychologist, author, international speaker and podcaster. She creates and directs programs to empower leaders to make a difference in our most vulnerable populations in the mental health field, such as foster and at-risk youth and economically disadvantaged families. For over 10 years, Kerrigan has been consulting and training at UC Davis, as well as working with the State of California to design and deliver skill-based workshops to empower leaders and decrease burnout in their mental health and children's systems. In her role as a business psychologist, Kerrigan is dedicated to assisting and inspiring entrepreneurs to execute all aspects of their life and business with purpose and vision.
Eligibility Program Updates
Track: Workforce Development
This workshop will provide current regulation updates for the CalWORKS, CalFRESH, and Medi-Cal Programs for the 2023-24 fiscal year.
Presenter
Dan Witherell has more than 20 years of experience working in human services. Formerly an eligibility worker, supervisor and trainer for the Siskiyou County Department of Human Services, he has trained staff on CalWORKs, CalFresh food stamps, Medi-Cal, CMSP and general assistance, as well as automated eligibility systems, including ISAWS. An instructor for UC Davis' Human Services Programs since 1992, Witherell is the recipient of an Outstanding Service Award for Teaching.
Engaging Criminal Justice Involved Adults
Track: Family Engagement
Addressing the needs of clients involved with the criminal justice system is a complex and layered process. The ability to effectively engage this demographic is often compromised by our own biases and that of an inherent mistrust our clients may have of the systems we represent. The barriers to engagement are further exacerbated by an offender’s legal history, combined with their psychological profile, mental health or co-morbid disorders, environmental influences, and systemic issues related to racism. This workshop will provide participants with an opportunity to consider their own biases that impact the engagement process and explore solution focused tools for effective client engagement inclusive of trust building and goal setting to help clients move toward a greater sense of stability and success.
Presenter
Bryan Hall II, LCSW, M.S.W., has more than 20 years of experience working in outpatient adolescent and young adult therapy, child welfare, adult probation services and law enforcement. He is a clinical assistant professor at the Sacred Heart University Graduate School of Social Work, where he treats adolescents with mental health disorders and legal issues. He also serves as an adjunct undergraduate professor in Urban and Community Studies, where he developed an anti-racist practice curricula in human services and law enforcement. Hall is also the co-founder of the I AM Training and Consultation Group LLC, where he trains probation officers, social workers and providers to eradicate sex trafficking. Hall has developed anti-racism and prevention programming where he educates participants on sexual exploitation, the issues with hypermasculinity and youth violence.
Growing a High-Performing Team from Any PositionTrack: Frontline Leadership Development
A high-performing team is the key to operational success, as they are more likely to be productive, collaborative and to hold each other accountable to achieve outstanding results. This practical and energizing course will give you a range of tangible skills and techniques to create a plan that enhances trust and clarity within your team. The mix of 5 (communication, goals, roles, trust, and training) will help you create the ground rules and structure to set your team up for success and get the best performance out of everyone. Attend this workshop if you’d like to learn how to lead yourself, as well as others, and are ready to take this step toward personal growth and development!Presenter
Meet Tammy Rice
Tammy Rice, M.S., is an innovative educator, consultant, trainer, coach, manager and leader with more than 20 years of experience in diverse corporate, non-profit, city, state and federal government sectors. She strives for optimal performance in her experiences as a deputy probation officer, social work supervisor, program specialist and unit manager which reflects her broad lens and abilities in policy development, training, coaching, budgeting and program operations. Rice is an ongoing advocate and consultant for diversity, equity and inclusion throughout the U.S. and is dedicated to inspiring others to understand their purpose.
10:30 - 11:45 am
Closing Keynote
Leading from the Line
Are you above or below the line? The answer is simple.
At any point, we will find ourselves on one side of the line. Above the line thinking is about being open and curious. It’s being able to respond effectively and usefully in any given situation. It’s about starting with an intention and then working out how you can actually bring it into play. When your thinking is below the line, you’re protecting and defending yourself either passively (not contributing at all), or aggressively (by attacking others). This type of thinking is about trying to avoid responsibility, criticism and loss of control.
People who are able to take a moment to reflect and “locate themselves” experience a shift that can be a powerful game changer. Understanding this simple model can create clarity for both experienced and aspiring leaders who want to make an impact in their organizations and the communities they serve.
Join us for a conversation that will help teach you how to locate yourself and shift into a place where you truly have the power to take action and lead yourself and others!
Kristen Bennett is a program manager, ICF-trained coach and organizational effectiveness consultant. For the past 10 years, she has worked with each of California’s 58 counties to create and sustain transformational change that improves the quality of life for people in the workplace and beyond. As a self-proclaimed “disruptor,” Bennett pushes herself and others to challenge ordinary ways of thinking to achieve extraordinary results. She uses her humor, candor and compassion to consistently call people to greatness, and works with them while they discover ways to activate their natural strengths.
Meet Kristen Bennett