Doing What Matters for Alabama's Children
Wednesday, February 4, 2026
Online or In Person
A hybrid community meeting to address the current and future challenges of Alabama’s children
Challenge 21, Tuscaloosa’s Promise, and the Tuscaloosa County Children’s Policy Council invite you to the 19th Annual Doing What Matters for Alabama’s Children Conference on February 4, 2026, online or in-person at the Bryant Conference Center.
| Date | February 4, 2026 |
| Time | 8:30 am – 3:30 pm |
| Location | Bryant Conference Center 240 Paul W. Bryant Drive Tuscaloosa, AL 35487 |
Agenda
19th Annual Conference to Improve the Well-Being of Our Children
2026 Agenda
| Time | Session | Speaker(s) |
|---|---|---|
| 7:45 – 8:30 am | Registration, Breakfast, and Exhibits | |
| 8:30 – 8:35 am | Welcome | Kevin D. Besnoy, PhD., Executive Director, Tuscaloosa’s One Place, A Family Resource Center Honorable Elizabeth Hamner, Alabama Circuit Court |
| Invocation | Charles Nash, Ed.D., Chairman, Challenge 21 and Tuscaloosa’s Promise | |
| Presentation of Colors | Paul W. Bryant High School JROTC | |
| 8:35 – 8:45 am | Opening Remarks | Mayor Walt Maddox, City of Tuscaloosa |
| 8:45 – 9:00 am | America’s Promises | Charles Nash, Ed.D., Chairman, Challenge 21 and Tuscaloosa’s Promise |
| 9:00 – 9:45 am | Hidden Insights | Blake Butcher, Coordinator of Employee Wellness, Auburn University |
| 9:45 – 10:15 am | Safe Screens and Sound Minds | Jeff Davis, Co-Founder, Fowler Davis for Change |
| 10:15 – 10:45 am | Cost of Child Maltreatment in Alabama | April Kendrick, PhD., Director of Child Development Resources, The University of Alabama Nyesha Black, PhD., Assistant Research Personnel, The University of Alabama Sallye Longshore, Director, Alabama Department of Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention |
| 10:45 – 10:55 am | Exhibits and Networking | |
| 11:00 am – 12:00 pm | Concurrent Morning Breakout Sessions (Choose One) | |
| Lack of Maternal Health Care | Ronica Fuller, LMSW, Outreach and Education Worker, All Babies Program, Alabama Department of Public Health. Lindsay Gray, Executive Director, Bundles of Hope TBA-West Alabama Maternal Child Care Coalition | |
| Innovative Approaches to Solving Food Insecurities | Jean Rykaczewski, Chief Executive Officer, West Alabama Food Bank Hannah Costanzo, Assistant Principal, Tuscaloosa County High School Brad Newman, President, The Unity Foundation of Tuscaloosa County | |
| Autism: Prevalence, Services, and Resources | Chelsea Taylor, State Autism Coordinator, Alabama Department of Mental Health | |
| Happiness Puzzle | Blake Butcher, Coordinator of Employee Wellness, Auburn University | |
| Hot Topic: Vaccines | Wes Stubblefield, M.D., District Medical Officer, Northern and Northeastern Districts, Alabama Department of Public Health | |
| 12:00 – 12:45 pm | Lunch Fluoride- An Ever-Changing Topic | Tommy Johnson, DMD, State Dental Director, Alabama Department of Public Health – Office of Oral Health |
| 12:45 – 1:00 pm | Exhibits and Networking | |
| 1:00 – 2:00 pm | Concurrent Afternoon Breakout Sessions (Choose One) | |
| Alabama Department of Youth Services (DYS) Funded Diversion Programs: Exploring how DYS Invested in Local Communities to Facilitate Improved Outcomes for Alabama Youth | Monica Roland, LICSW, Proposal Development Administrator, Alabama Department of Youth Services Institute | |
| RAISE Act | Corinn O'Brien, Vice President of Policy, A+ Education Partnership | |
| Making a Difference through Advocacy | Amanda Lightsey, Special Project Manager, Alabama Department of Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention | |
| The Importance of Mandatory Reporting of Child Abuse and Neglect | Misty Renfroe, Director, Pickens County Department of Human Resources | |
| Rinsing Again: More on Fluoride | Tommy Johnson, DMD, State Dental Director, Alabama Department of Public Health – Office of Oral Health | |
| 2:10 – 2:40 pm | State of Education in Alabama | Ryan Hankins, Executive Director, Public Affairs Research Council of Alabama |
| 2:40 – 3:20 pm | Self-Care: You Be You | Lou Lacey, Director of Emotional Wellness, Children’s of Alabama |
| 3:20 – 3:30 pm | Closing Remarks and Door Prizes | Kevin Besnoy, Executive Director, Tuscaloosa’s One Place, A Family Resource Center |
Workshop Location
The conference will be held online and at the Bryant Conference Center located in the heart of Tuscaloosa on The University of Alabama campus.
Directions
Parking Your Vehicle
Attendees can park at the Capstone Parking Deck, which is located across the street from the Bryant Conference Center. A limited number of handicap parking spaces are available in front of the Conference Center. Approximately one week prior to the conference start date, you will receive a parking permit. The parking permit will only be valid for the Capstone Parking Deck and the handicap spaces in front of the Bryant Conference Center.
Conference Registration
Register for In-Person
Bryant Conference Center
Tuscaloosa, AL
Register by Phone
Our Registration Services Office is open Monday – Friday 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. To register by phone or for inquiries regarding your registration, please call 205-348-3000.
Register by Mail
Navigate to the printable registration form.
A portion of the invoice amount for this program will go to the Capstone Lifelong Learning Foundation to support activities of The University of Alabama and the Office of Teaching Innovation and Digital Education.
Special Accommodation Requests
The University of Alabama is committed to complying with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Requests for accommodation of physical and/or dietary needs should be made at least 30 calendar days in advance of the program date. Please email your request to professionaldevelopment@ua.edu.
Need our STAARS Vendor Number? Please use VC000118827 for UA Office of Teaching Innovation and Digital Education.
A portion of the invoice amount for this program will go to the Capstone Lifelong Learning Foundation to support activities of The University of Alabama and the Office of Teaching Innovation and Digital Education.
Cancellation Policy
A cancellation charge of 100% of the registration fee will be assessed on cancellations occurring within seven (7) days of the start of this session. Any changes to the session registration type (example: in-person to virtual or virtual to in-person) within seven (7) calendar days of the program will be assessed a $25.00 administrative fee. Refunds will not be granted after the program has begun. The University of Alabama reserves the right to cancel, postpone or combine class sections, to limit registration or to change instructors. Contact the Registration Services department at 205-348-3000 or registration_services@ua.edu to cancel your registration. View the OTIDE Cancellation Policy.
Sponsorship Opportunities
Buddy – $250
- Company’s name listed on the Tuscaloosa’s Promise webpage
- Recognition as a Sponsor at the “Doing What Matters for Alabama’s Children” Conference
Supporter – $500
- Benefits of Bronze Level
- Two tickets to the Conference (includes lunch)
- Link to company website on the Tuscaloosa’s Promise webpage
- Booth space ($100 value)
Guardian – $1,000
- Benefits of Silver and Bronze Levels
- Four tickets to the Conference (includes lunch)
- Table sponsorship at the “Doing What Matters for Alabama’s Children” Conference
Protector – $2,500
- Benefits of all other levels
- Reserved table at the conference for up to 10 people (includes lunch)
Exhibitor Opportunities
Exhibitor Opportunities are SOLD OUT!
Continuing Education Units (CEUs)
This conference has been approved by the following professional associations for a total of 5.5 contact hours. CEU certificates will be emailed after the program.
CEU certificates include the following professional association approvals:
- Alabama State Board of Social Work Examiners
- Alabama Board of Nursing
- National Board for Certified Counselors
Links of Interest
Questions about the event?
Contact Amanda Bergeron for more information.
