Continuing Education Lifelong Learning Doing What Matters for Alabama’s Children

Doing What Matters for Alabama’s Children

Three children playing

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.

DateFebruary 4, 2026
Time8:30 am – 3:30 pm
LocationBryant Conference Center
240 Paul W. Bryant Drive
Tuscaloosa, AL 35487

Agenda

2026 agenda coming soon! Below reflects last year's agenda.

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

2025 Agenda
TimeSessionSpeaker(s)
7:45 – 8:30 amRegistration, Breakfast, and Exhibits
8:30 – 8:35 amWelcomeDr. Kevin D. Besnoy, Executive Director, Tuscaloosa’s One Place, A Family Resource Center

Invocation
InvocationReverend Caroline Kelly, Pastor, Grace Presbyterian Church
Presentation of ColorsTuscaloosa County High School JROTC
8:35 – 8:45 amOpening RemarksMayor Walt Maddox, City of Tuscaloosa
8:45 – 9:00 amAmerica’s PromisesDr. Charles Nash, Chairman, Challenge 21 – Tuscaloosa’s Promise
9:00 – 9:25 amData-Driven Approaches to Enhancing the Wellbeing of Alabama’s ChildrenApriell Hartsfield, Policy/Data Analyst, VOICES for Alabama’s Children
9:25 – 9:55 amEmpowering Fathers and FamiliesChurmell Mitchell and Jonathan Hornsby, Alabama Parent Advisory Council, Alabama Department of Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention (Children’s Trust Fund)
9:55 – 10:40 amYouth 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 Schoo
10:40 – 10:55 amExhibits and Networking
11:00 am – 12:00 pmConcurrent Morning Breakout Sessions (Choose One)
Safe Places and Out-of-School Programs for ChildrenLindsey 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 CrisisBrittany Davis, Tuscaloosa Campus Coordinator, R.O.S.S. (Recovery Organization of Support Specialists)

KaKeisha Keeby, Birmingham Assistant Administrator, R.O.S.S. (Recovery Organization of Support Specialists)
Supporting Immigrant Children and FamiliesLeigh 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 EmploymentHolly 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 ChildrenCathy 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 pmLunch

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
1:00 – 2:00 pmConcurrent Afternoon Breakout Sessions (Choose One) 
How Children’s Policy Councils are Making a Difference for Children and FamiliesHon. 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 ModelJoan Witherspoon-Norris, Alabama Network of Family Resource Centers

LaKesha Ross, Deputy Executive Director, Mercy House
Statewide Resources to Support Alabama FamiliesMatt 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 MindsJeff Davis, Co-Founder, Fowler Davis 4 Change, LLC
Future-Proofing Alabama’s Youth: Bridging STEM Education and Workforce ReadinessRene McNeal, Ecosystems Coordinator, Alabama STEM Council

Taylor Lamon, Education Team Member, Saban Center

Brian Rose, Education Team Member, Saban Center 
2:10 – 2:50 pmShifting 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 pmFatherhood Programs Across AlabamaJori Jordan, Program Manager, Alabama Department of Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention
3:20 – 3:50 pmDeveloping Pathways & Intersections to Address Child & Adolescent Mental HealthKaren Jones, Chief Executive Officer, Indian Rivers Behavioral Health 
3:50 – 4:00 pmClosing RemarksDr. 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 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.

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 or less
  • 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 and up
  • Benefits of all other levels
  • Reserved table at the conference for up to 10 people (includes lunch)

Exhibitor Opportunities

A limited number of exhibit tables are available on a first-come basis.

The exhibit registration fee is $100 with a discounted rate of $50 for non-profits.

Register by Phone

Our Registration Services Office is open Monday-Friday 8:00 am – 5:00 pm.  To register by phone, please call 205-348-3000.

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


Questions about the event?

Contact Amanda Bergeron for more information.