Title Four E Summit participants gather in a large banquet hall for a presentation by Christine Mark-Griffin.

2025 California Title IV-E Summit

On April 17 and 18, 2025, more than 250 Title IV-E students and child welfare practitioners from across the state gathered in Long Beach, California for the 2025 Title IV-E Summit. Focusing on the theme "Healing Together: The Road to Building Collaboration, Sustainability and Well-Being in Child Welfare," participants came together to tackle some of the most pressing challenges facing the child welfare workforce, including burnout, compassion fatigue, and secondary trauma. The Title IV-E Summit was generously sponsored by the National Association of Social Workers-California Chapter and the California Department of Social Services. 

All photos: Josimar King

A group of Title IV-E Summit attendees gather in a banquet room following a plenary presentation
A group of Title IV-E Summit attendees gather around an outdoor table during a networking activity
A group of Title IV-E Summit attendees gather around an outdoor table during a networking activity
A group of Title IV-E Summit attendees smile for the camera during a networking activity on an outdoor patio
A group of Title IV-E Summit attendees gather around an outdoor table during a networking activity
Two Title IV-E Summit attendees smile and hug on an outdoor patio during a networking activity.
A group of Title IV-E Summit attendees gather in a seminar room for a presentation. Two women stand behind a lectern at the front of the room, next to a projection screen.
A group of Title IV-E Summit attendees gather in a seminar room for a presentation.
The Title IV-E Summit student organizing committee gathers on the steps of an outdoor plaza and strike a celebratory pose for the camera.
A Title Four E participant wearing a bright orange cardigan over a black dress smiles for the camera as she walks past the Summit registration table, where student organizers are helping other participants sign in
A young woman with dark hair wearing a blue and white dress speaks to a group of Title Four E Summit attendees. She stands near a lectern and is gesturing toward a projection screen with a slide displayed on it.
A panel of four speakers addresses a room of Title Four E Summit participants. The panelists sit behind a long table at the front of a seminar room.
A Title Four E presenter, Christine Mark-Griffin, addresses a room full of Summit participants from a raised stage. She is standing next to a lectern and is wearing a bright yellow blouse and dark trousers. In the foreground, Summit participants hold up colorful balloons as part of an exercise that Mark-Griffin is leading from stage.
Two Title IV-E Summit attendees gather around an outdoor table during a networking activity
Two Title Four E Summit attendees laugh and chat in a busy ballroom during a break between presentations. They are both young women and they are both wearing dark tops.
Two Title Four E Summit participants chat and laugh together during a break between presentations. The woman on the left is wearing a black jacket over a bright red shirt, and the woman on the right is wearing a long, colorful coat.
Two Title IV-E Summit attendees gather around an outdoor table during a networking activity
A Title Four E Summit participant sits at a round banquet table during a break between presentations. He is smiling for the camera and flashing a peace sign. Behind him, other participants mingle and chat.
Avni Panchal, a Title Four E Summit presenter, stands on a raised stage at the front of a crowded banquet room, addressing Title Four E Summit participants. She is wearing a blue and red patterned dress and speaks into a hand-held microphone.
Lucy Fuentes, Title Four E Project Coordinator, stands at a lectern on a raised stage at the front of a crowded banquet hall during the Title Four E Summit. Participants sit around round banquet tables as Fuentes delivers her closing remarks. She is wearing glasses and a light-colored, floral-print dress.
A Title Four E Summit student organizer wearing a navy blue staff t-shirt stands next to a large sign that reads 'Welcome to the Title Four E Summit.' She is smiling for the camera.
Two Title Four E Summit presenters, Tory Cox and Jessica Polk, stand at the front of a seminar room next to a lectern. They are smiling and speaking to a room full of Summit participants. Cox is wearing a suit and tie while Polk is wearing a floral patterned blouse.
A Title Four E Summit presenter, Michaella Conteh, smiles toward an audience member from the front of a crowded seminar room during a presentation at the 2025 Title Four E Summit. The room is full and Conteh is wearing a blue and white striped dress.
Two Title Four E Summit Presenters, Kimberly Warmsley and Dr. Teauania Charles, stand at the front of a crowded seminar room and speak to a group of Summit participants during a breakout session. They are standing next to a lectern and a projection screen, which is displaying a presentation slide.
Three Title Four E participants smile for the camera as they exit a seminar room. They are carrying coffee and various documents.
A Title Four E presenter, Christine Mark-Griffin, addresses a room full of Summit participants from a raised stage. She is standing next to a lectern and is wearing a bright yellow blouse and dark trousers.
Avni Panchal, a Title Four E Summit presenter, stands on a raised stage at the front of a crowded banquet room, addressing Title Four E Summit participants. She is wearing a blue and red patterned dress and speaks into a hand-held microphone.