2024 Agenda Doing What Matters for Alabama’s Children
“Safety Nets for Our Children and Their Families”

17th Annual Conference to Improve the Well-Being of Our Children

Tuesday, January 30, 2024

 

Date/Time Session
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
8:35 – 8:45 am Opening Remarks
Mayor Walt Maddox, City of Tuscaloosa
8:45 – 9:00 am America’s Promises
Dr. Charles Nash, Challenge 21 – Tuscaloosa’s Promise
9:00 – 9:20 am Strategies for Supporting Alabama’s Children and Families
Steve Marshall,
Attorney General, State of Alabama
9:20 – 9:55 am The State of Our Children
Rhonda Mann, Executive Director, VOICES for Alabama’s Children
9:55 – 10:40 am Youth Perspectives on What Mattes for Alabama’s Children 
Paris Henderson, Student, University Charter School
Kristel Orduna-Rayez, Student, Tuscaloosa City Schools
Laura Phillips,  Student, American Christian Academy
10:40 – 10:55 am Exhibits and Networking
11:00 am – 12:00 pm Concurrent Morning Breakout Sessions (Choose One)

Inclusive Spaces for LGBTQ Students
Amanda Keller, Director, Magic Center Acceptance Academy
Lauren Jacobs, Assistant Director, Magic City Acceptance Center
Laura Leffel, LMSW, Social Worker, Magic City Acceptance Center
Isiah Caldwell, Community Outreach Worker, Magic City Acceptance Center

Securing the Financial Health and Wellness of Generations to Come
Betty Jones, Peoples’ Loan Program

Supporting Children and Families through Pediatric Partnerships
Elizabeth Dawson, MD, President Troy Resilience Project, Pediatrician American Academy of Pediatrics Alabama

The Importance of Early Literacy
Carrie Jones,
Community Literacy Specialist, Tuscaloosa Reads
Caroline Lassiter,
Tuscaloosa Education Foundation Reading Allies
Lori Maxey, Executive Director, The House Tuscaloosa
Jodi Wilson, Program Manager, United Way  of West Alabama Success by 6

Health and Wellness Services
Leigh Ann Alexander, Audiologist, The Woolley Institute for Spoken-Language Education
Vicky Britt, Pickens County Smart Clinic
Kevin Daum, ODPHD, Director and Optometrist, Mobile Eye Clinic, Alabama Lions Sight
Nancy Gregg, Executive Director, Woolley Institute for Deaf and Haring Impaired Children Mobile Clinic
Amanda Newman, Senior Utilization Manager, Pickens County Smart Clinic
Kim Taylor Smith, Regional Utilization and Engagement Coordinator/Integrated Behavioral Health Coordinator, Pickens County Smart Clinic

 

12:00 – 12:45 pm Lunch
Update from Freedom Farm 
12:45 – 1:00 pm Exhibits and Networking
1:00 – 2:00 pm Concurrent Afternoon Breakout Sessions (Choose One) 

I Need Your Help: Parenting While Facing a Diagnosis 
Vilma Blanco, Alabama Parent Advisory Council Member, Congressional District 2
Kayla Etie, Alabama Parent Advisory Council Member, Congressional District 4
Sarah-Ellen S. Thompson, IECMH Services Coordinator, Office of Early Childhood Special Programs
Cariell Weeks, Vice President, Tuscaloosa, Angels
Vadonna Williams, Alabama Parent Advisory Council Member, Congressional District 7

Community Programs that Make a Difference
Pam Clasgens, Prevention Director, National Children’s Advocacy Center
Eric Prewitt, President, 100 Black Men of West Alabama
Jesse Smith, Northeast Alabama Human Trafficking Taskforce Coordinator
Karen Thompson-Jackson, Ph.D., Executive Director, Temporary Emergency Services

Recognizing, Rethinking, and Responding to Child Trafficking: What You Can Do!
Jan Bell, Co-founder and Director, Child Trafficking Solutions Project, Children’s Aid Society

Dental and Medical Health Services for Children
Tommy Johnson, DMD, Dental Director, Alabama Department of Public Health
Aymee Anderson, DMD, Tuscaloosa County Health Department
Keisha Lowther, MD, Chief Medical Officer, Whatley Health Services

Suicide Prevention 
Lee Andra Calvin, LBSW, Maternal Child Health Coordinator, Alabama Department of Public Health
Richard Beatty, Suicide Prevention Coordinator, Tuscaloosa VA Medical Center
JaQuan Winters, Executive Director, Kristen Amerson Youth Foundation

2:10 – 2:50 pm Children’s Mental Health: Bringing Behavioral Health Care to Local Communities 
Susan Griffin, LICSW, PIP, CHCQM, Pediatric Access to Telemental Health Services Director at Children’s of Alabama
2:50 – 3:20 pm Threat Assessment
Lt. Craig Parker, Commander of Behavioral  Intervention Team, Tuscaloosa Police Department
Matt Tootle, Supervisory Special Agent, FBI Birmingham Field Office 
3:20 – 3:50 pm How We Can Make an Impact
Sebrena Jackson, PhD, School of Social Work, The University of Alabama 
3:50 – 4:00 pm Closing Remarks
Dr. Kevin Besnoy, Executive Director, Tuscaloosa’s One Place, A Family Resource Center