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2026 Agenda: TBD

19^th Annual Conference to Improve the Well-Being of Our Children

Wednesday, February 4, 2026 –

The 2026 Agenda TBD

Date/Time	2025 Sessions
7:45 – 8:30 am	Registration, Breakfast, and Exhibits
8:30 – 8:35 am	Welcome, Invocation, and Presentation of Colors Dr. Kevin D. Besnoy, Executive Director, Tuscaloosa’s One Place, A Family Resource Center Invocation, The Reverend Caroline Kelly, Pastor, Grace Presbyterian Church Presentation of Colors, Tuscaloosa County High School JROTC
8:35 – 8:45 am	Opening Remarks Mayor Walt Maddox, City of Tuscaloosa
8:45 – 9:00 am	America’s Promises Dr. Charles Nash, Chairman, Challenge 21 – Tuscaloosa’s Promise
9:00 – 9:25 am	Data-Driven Approaches to Enhancing the Wellbeing of Alabama’s Children *Apriell Hartsfield,* Policy/Data Analyst, VOICES for Alabama’s Children
9:25 – 9:55 am	Empowering Fathers and Families Churmell Mitchell and Jonathan Hornsby, Alabama Parent Advisory Council, Alabama Department of Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention (Children’s Trust Fund)
9:55 – 10:40 am	Youth Perspectives on What Matters for Alabama’s Children *Lupita Amaro,* Student, Holt High School *Lauren Luckie,* Student, The University of Alabama at Birmingham Carmen Andres Manuel, Student, Paul W. Bryant High School
10:40 – 10:55 am	Exhibits and Networking
11:00 am – 12:00 pm	Concurrent Morning Breakout Sessions (Choose One) Safe Places and Out-of-School Programs for Children Lindsey Blevins, Extended Learning Coach, Tuscaloosa City Schools *John Mullenix, MA, ALC,* Director of Intake, Volunteers, and Counseling Programs, Tuscaloosa’s One Place *Christopher Spencer*, Chief Engagement Officer, Black Belt Community Foundation Hope and Healing: Peer Support for Children and Families Affected by the Drug Crisis Brittany Davis, Tuscaloosa Campus Coordinator, R.O.S.S. (Recovery Organization of Support Specialists) *KaKeisha Keeby, B*irmingham Assistant Administrator, R.O.S.S. (Recovery Organization of Support Specialists) Supporting Immigrant Children and Families Leigh Pate, Child Development Specialist, The University of Alabama Child Development Center Andrea Hayes, Projects and Grant Manager, Tuscaloosa Latino Coalition Alex Morgan, Social Worker, Tuscaloosa City Schools Judith Zambrano, Community Advocate Workforce Development: Overcoming Barriers to Employment *Holly Glasgow,* Director of Child Development, Shelton State Community College Ted Sexton, Executive Director, Phoenix House Sabrina Thomas, Director of Workforce Development, Shelton State Community College How Adoption and Foster Care Programs Impact the Lives of Children Cathy Wood, Executive Director, Freedom Farm Marina Sattari-Lawing, Deputy Director, Children and Family Services, Alabama Department of Human Resources Candyce Hughston, Foster Parent
12:00 – 12:45 pm	Lunch Elevating K-12 Education: Strategies for Advancing Alabama’s Students *Dr. Autumn M. Jeter,* Assistant State Superintendent, Alabama State Department of Education
12:45 – 1:00 pm	Exhibits and Networking
1:00 – 2:00 pm	Concurrent Afternoon Breakout Sessions (Choose One) How Children’s Policy Councils are Making a Difference for Children and Families *Hon. Elizabeth C. Hamner,* Circuit Judge, Sixth Judicial Circuit *Liletta Jenkins,* Director of Community Outreach and Engagement, Alabama Department of Early Childhood Education The Family Resource Center Model *Joan Witherspoon-Norris,* Alabama Network of Family Resource Centers LaKesha Ross, Deputy Executive Director, Mercy House Statewide Resources to Support Alabama Families Matt Holdbrooks, President, Kid One Transport Michelle Raybon, Alabama Partnership for Children *Melinda Smith,* Reference Librarian, Alabama Public Library Service, Homework Alabama: An Extended Day Learning Opportunity Safe and Sound- Safe Screens & Sound Minds Jeff Davis, Co-Founder, Fowler Davis 4 Change, LLC Future-Proofing Alabama’s Youth: Bridging STEM Education and Workforce Readiness Rene McNeal, Ecosystems Coordinator, Alabama STEM Council Taylor Lamon, Education Team Member, Saban Center Brian Rose, Education Team Member, Saban Center
2:10 – 2:50 pm	Shifting the Narrative: Learning About and Doing What is Right for Alabama’s Gifted & Talented Children *Erin Fears Floyd,* Educational Consultant, Founder & CEO, Equity and Excellence in Education, LLC
2:50 – 3:20 pm	Fatherhood Programs Across Alabama Jori Jordan, Program Manager, Alabama Department of Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention
3:20 – 3:50 pm	Developing Pathways & Intersections to Address Child & Adolescent Mental Health *Karen Jones,* Chief Executive Officer, Indian Rivers Behavioral Health
3:50 – 4:00 pm	Closing Remarks Dr. Kevin Besnoy, Executive Director, Tuscaloosa’s One Place, A Family Resource Center