25th Annual Fall Social Work Conference
October 8-9, 2026
Conference Overview
The Annual Fall Social Work Conference provides an opportunity to bring national speakers and the latest research to child welfare practitioners in Alabama. Through the Title IV-E partnership between the Alabama Department of Human Resources and the Alabama Higher Education Consortium on Child Welfare, The University of Alabama School of Social Work hosts the conference each year, focusing on a different aspect of public child welfare.
The many workshops will continue the discussion of issues related to child well-being and workforce well-being. This conference is designed with the public child welfare workforce in mind, but would be beneficial to anyone working with at-risk children and their families—school social workers, therapists, foster parents, and child-placing agencies, to name a few.
| Date | October 8-9, 2026 |
| Fee | Early Bird Price – $175 (until Sept. 18th) Standard Price – $225 |
| Location | Marriott Birmingham |
2026 Agenda Coming Soon!
The Fall Social Work conference is planned to meet the various requirements for professional development. As these continuing education (CE) applications are approved, we will update this page to reflect the number of approved CE hours available.
- Alabama State Board of Social Work Examiners: 9.5 Contact Hours
Thursday, October 8, 2026
| Date/Time | Sessions | Speaker(s) |
|---|---|---|
| 7:30 – 8:30 am | Registration & Breakfast | |
| 8:30 – 8:45 am | Welcome | |
| 8:45 – 10:15 am | Keynote | |
| 10:15 – 10:30 am | Beverage Break | |
| 10:30 – 11:30 am | Concurrent Sessions | |
| 11:30–1:00 pm | Lunch on your own | |
| 1:00 – 2:00 pm | Concurrent Sessions | |
| 2:00 – 2:15 pm | Break | |
| 2:15 – 3:15 pm | Concurrent Sessions | |
| 3:15 – 3:30 pm | Refreshment Break | |
| 3:30 – 5:00 pm | Keynote: | |
| 5:00 – 6:30 pm | Meet and Mingle |
Friday, October 9, 2026
| Date/Time | Sessions | Speaker(s) |
|---|---|---|
| 7:00 – 8:00 am | Breakfast | |
| 8:00 – 9:00 am | Concurrent Sessions | |
| TBD | ||
| 9:00 – 9:15 am | Beverage Break | |
| 9:15 – 10:15 am | Concurrent Sessions | |
| TBD | ||
| 10:15 – 10:30 am | Refreshment Break | |
| 10:30 am – 12:00 pm | Keynote: | |
| 12:15 pm | Closing Remarks | Kristy Holt, MSW |
Conference Location and Lodging
Rooms will be available at the Birmingham Marriott-Link to book coming soon!
Rate: $169.00 per night, plus 17.5% local taxes (subject to change)
Workshop Registration
Early bird registration will open soon! The early bird price to attend the conference is $175.00 until September 18, 2026. After September 18, 2026, the conference participation fee is $225.00.
The University of Alabama Continuing Education and Lifelong Learning has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider (ACEP) No. 7285. The Annual Fall Social Work Conference has been approved for 9.5 Contact hours.
The conference fees include handout materials and a CEU certificate. Treasury regulations may permit an income tax deduction for educational expenses (registration fees, travel, meals, and lodging) undertaken to maintain or improve professional skills.
The University of Alabama is committed to complying with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Please submit your accommodation request at least 30 calendar days in advance of the program date by emailing professionaldevelopment@ua.edu.
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. 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.
Call for Proposals
Submission Deadline is July 18, 2026
Proposal and Policy Guidelines
Submission Details
We will consider no more than two proposals from each speaker. Please complete a separate application for each proposal. We will not consider incomplete submissions.
Length of Presentation
Presentations are in person, 60 minutes, including 10 minutes for questions.
Presenter Contact Information
Provide contact information for each presenter/co-presenter. Please be as accurate as possible, as this will be posted on the conference website, program and app.
Area of Focus
Presentations should fall into one of the following categories:
Workforce Development, Best Practice/Evidence Based Practice, Leadership, Supervision, Mental Health, Ethics, Substance Abuse, Abuse and Neglect, or a Current Hot Topic.
Presentation Description and Learning Outcomes
Presentation Abstract–no more than 300 words
Provide a brief description of the presentation. This will be printed in the conference program exactly as submitted. Maximum length is 60 words.
Use these tips to help create an effective description of your session:
- Highlight how the presentation will help an attendee solve a problem, overcome a challenge or launch a new initiative, and how what they will learn will directly impact their work/life.
- Create action-oriented learning objectives.
- Set accurate expectations. Clearly describe what the session will cover and highlight the learning activities an attendee can expect.
- Use active tense. For example, change “Strategies to improve child welfare will be examined” to “Learn strategies to improve child welfare.”
- Avoid repeating the title in the description and phrases like “In this presentation” or “The presenters will.”
Additionally, please specify up to three expected learning outcomes for attendees using measurable action verbs. These outcomes should be tailored to the audience members. Maximum length is 100 words.
Biographical Information
Offer a brief description of your qualifications that relate to the presentation topic. Maximum length is 150 words. At a minimum, please include:
- Name
- Education
- Current position
- Certifications and designations
This will be posted in the conference app, exactly as provided.
Proposal Acceptance
The conference planning committee has the sole authority and responsibility for selecting the topics and content of all educational programming it delivers.
We will email a notification of acceptance by July 31, 2025.
Honoraria
Our speakers receive a full complimentary conference registration. Travel, lodging and meal expenses are your responsibility.
25th Annual Fall Social Work Conference Sponsors
The University of Alabama School of Social Work and the Alabama Department of Human Resources invite you to exhibit at our 25th Annual Fall Social Work Conference. The conference will be held on October 8-9, 2026. The conference will be held at the Marriott Birmingham in Birmingham, AL.
With an anticipated 350 social workers in attendance, this conference offers an outstanding opportunity to showcase your program and/or organization. Please register no later than September 30, 2026.
Bronze Sponsor – $300
- An exhibit table
- One booth attendant
- Acknowledgment in the printed program
Silver Sponsor – $500
- One exhibit table
- One booth attendant
- A 1/4 page ad in the printed program
Gold Sponsor–$700
- Two exhibit tables
- Two booth attendants
- A 1/2 page ad in the printed program
Questions about the event?
Contact Doreena Mink for more information.
Our Mailing Address:
The University of Alabama
Continuing Education and Lifelong Learning
Box 870388
Tuscaloosa, AL 35487-0398
