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
2026 agenda coming soon! Below reflects last year's agenda.
19th Annual Conference to Improve the Well-Being of Our Children
2025 Agenda
| Time | Session | Speaker(s) |
|---|---|---|
| 7:45 – 8:30 am | Registration, Breakfast, and Exhibits | |
| 8:30 – 8:35 am | Welcome | Dr. Kevin D. Besnoy, Executive Director, Tuscaloosa’s One Place, A Family Resource Center Invocation |
| Invocation | 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 Schoo |
| 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, Birmingham 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 | ||
| 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 |
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 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
Links of Interest
Questions about the event?
Contact Amanda Bergeron for more information.
