
24th Annual Fall Social Work Conference
October 9-10, 2025
Conference Overview
The Annual Fall Social Work Conference affords an opportunity to bring national speakers along with 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 is able to host the conference every 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 9-10, 2025 |
Fee | Early Bird Price – $175 (until Sept. 18th) Standard Price – $225 |
Location | Hyatt Regency Birmingham |
Agenda
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 9, 2025
Date/Time | Sessions | Speaker(s) |
---|---|---|
7:30 – 8:30 am | Registration & Breakfast | |
8:30 – 8:45 am | Welcome | Kristy Holt, MSW, The University of Alabama Schnavia Hatcher, Ph.D., Dean, School of Social Work, The University of Alabama |
8:45 – 10:15 am | Keynote | Mark Anthony Garrett |
10:15 – 10:30 am | Beverage Break | |
10:30 – 11:30 am | Concurrent Sessions | |
Enhancing Protective Factors in Kinship Families | Gentale Hankins, LMSW Meghan Stull | |
Fostering Long-Term Recovery Through the Four Dimensions | Curt Lindsley | |
Crisis Intervention in Children’s Mental Health | Dr. Sweta Engineer, DSW, LCSW | |
Promoting Self-Care & Resilience | LaShaunda Lark-Darien, LICSW-S, PIP | |
11:30–1:00 pm | Lunch on your own | |
1:00 – 2:00 pm | Concurrent Sessions | |
People First: Reimagining Supervision as a Resilience Practice | Dr. Glenda Clare, PhD | |
Empowering Social Work Practice: Integrating Self-Efficacy into Workforce Development | Dr. Kimberly R. Mayes, LCSW | |
From Classroom to Caseload: Equipping Future Social Workers for Licensure and the Real World | Terricka Hardy, LCSW | |
Systems Were Not Designed to Raise Your Children | Dr. Robyn Wright, Dr. Shalunda Allen-Sherrod, Charmaine Mattocks, MSW, LCSW | |
AHECCW Consortium Members Meeting | ||
2:00 – 2:15 pm | Break | |
2:15 – 3:15 pm | Concurrent Sessions | |
Centering the Rare Voice: Best Practices in Advocacy for Medically Complex Families | Sarita Edwards, MHA | |
The Deprived Mind: The Impact of Food Insecurity on Youth | LaWanda VanHorn-Rossell, LICSW-S | |
Bridging Systems: The Impact of School Social Workers in Public Education and Beyond | Cassidy C. Edwards, LMSW Hunter Englebert, MSW Kathryn Washington | |
Shaping the Stigma by Utilizing Social Workers with Law Enforcement Agencies | Lauren Kirksey, MSW; Jessica May, BSW | |
AHECCW Consortium Members Meeting (continued) | ||
3:15 – 3:30 pm | Refreshment Break | |
3:30 – 5:00 pm | Keynote: Healing Bonds: Using the Adult Attachment Interview with Child Welfare Students to Explore and Build Resilience in the Workforce | Tonyalea Elam Corie G Hebert |
5:00 – 6:30 pm | Meet and Mingle |
Friday, October 10, 2025
Date/Time | Sessions | |
---|---|---|
7:00 – 8:00 am | Breakfast | |
8:00 – 9:00 am | Concurrent Sessions | |
TBD | ||
The Inner Work That Sustains the Outer Work: Building Resilience, Accountability, and Humility in Social Work | Julia Vaughan | |
Countertransference 101: How to Identify, Manage, and Prevent Clinician Reactions to Clients | Mary Elizabeth Wilkes Chand, LCSW | |
Ethical Decision Making in the Use of Artificial Intelligence in Social Work Practice | Stacy C. Lee, PhD; Doug Brown, LMSW | |
Student Workshop: Building Resilience: Managing Stress and Fostering Strength-Based Relationships in Social Work (Part A) | George Ashley, Ph.D., LMSW Cameile Henry, BA, MA, RECE | |
9:00 – 9:15 am | Beverage Break | |
9:15 – 10:15 am | Concurrent Sessions | |
TBD | ||
Guiding Values: The NASW Code of Ethics and Its Role in DHR and Child Welfare Practice | Onick Lewis, Ed.D. | |
Unlocking Potential: Integrating Coaching Principles to Strengthen Social Work Practice | Dr. Laurel Hitchcock, PhD; Allison Curington, MSW | |
Safe Screens Sound Minds | Amanda Lightsey Jeff Davis | |
Student Workshop (Part B) | George Ashley, Ph.D., LMSW Cameile Henry, BA, MA, RECE | |
10:15 – 10:30 am | Refreshment Break | |
10:30 am – 12:00 pm | Keynote: Can You See Him? Can You Hear Him? -Understanding Mental Health/ Additive Disease/ Trauma through the Eyes of a Survivor | Dr. Brian Keith Anderson |
12:15 pm | Closing Remarks | Kristy Holt, MSW |

24th Annual Fall Social Work Keynote Speakers
Mark Anthony Garrett

Mark Anthony Garret Bio
Mark Anthony Garrett grew up in Dayton, Ohio, as a foster child before being adopted. Despite facing poverty, neglect, and homelessness, he was inspired by mentors to pursue higher education and success. Today, Mark is a Top-Level Consultant, Master Trainer, and Professional Speaker with over 25 years of experience. He specializes in child welfare, teacher leadership, cultural pedagogy, motivational empowerment, and overcoming adversity. He is the author of Teachers Are Heroes – 7 Success Principles for Transformational Teaching and has been featured on ABC, NBC, CBS & FOX networks, as well as in Forbes Magazine.
Tonyalea Elam
MSW, LCSW-BACS
Tonyalea Elam Bio
Tonyalea Elam, MSW, LCSW-BACS, is a former employee of the Department of Children and Family Services for almost 20 years who currently serves as a Social Work Instructor and Child Welfare Scholar Coordinator at Southeastern Louisiana University. Her passion for foster children and youth, as well as adoption issues, has always extended beyond the 40-hour work week, as she often finds herself supporting former foster youth, adopted persons, and their families on an ongoing basis. She is full of energy and optimism when it comes to all involved in the well-being of Louisiana’s children and foster youth and the families that serve them. As a former Louisiana Foster Adoptive Parent Association Liaison, she remains connected with this population of professional, public servants to understand the dynamics of continued care. Her ongoing involvement leads to illustrious ‘Real World Ready’ experiences for Southeastern Social Work students in pursuit of career opportunities in this fulfilling and challenging field of work.
Dr. Brian Keith Anderson
Beautiful Scars Inc.
Dr. Brian Keith Adnerson Bio
Dr. Anderson is a Certified Peer Specialist, Recovery Educator, Whole Health and Wellness Coach, WRAP Facilitator, Mental Health First Aid Trainer, and founder of Beautiful Scars Inc. He is a three-time author, best-selling co-author, and recipient of the Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award from the Office of the President of the United States (2024). Dr. Anderson has also received the Andrew Young Center’s Dream Keepers Grant Award.
Dr. Corie Hebert
PhD, LMSW
Dr. Corie Hebert Bio
Dr. Corie Hebert is an Associate Professor of Social Work at Southeastern Louisiana University, where she has taught for over 20 years. With more than 25 years of experience in social work education, she currently serves as both a faculty member and the Child Welfare Coordinator within the Department of Health and Human Sciences.
Dr. Hebert is the coordinator of the Title IV-E Child Welfare Scholar Program and the principal investigator for the Louisiana Child Welfare Training Academy (LCWTA), a statewide training initiative developed in partnership with the Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services and the Pelican Center for Children and Families. Through this work, she oversees professional development for child welfare staff, foster caregivers, legal professionals, and community partners across Louisiana.
She holds a B.A. in Psychology from Auburn University, an M.S.W. from the University of Alabama, and a Ph.D. in Social Work from Louisiana State University. Prior to academia, Dr. Hebert spent a decade in healthcare social work practice. Her research publications and presentations focus on child welfare, trauma, human trafficking, domestic violence, foster parent engagement, and effective teaching practices. An active member of the child welfare community, she contributes through training, consultation, and local board service.
Conference Location and Lodging
Rooms will be available at Hyatt Regency Birmingham – The Wynfrey Hotel.
Rate: $150.00 per night, plus 14% local taxes (subject to change)
Workshop Registration
Early bird registration is now open! The early bird price to attend the conference is $175.00 until September 18, 2025. After September 18, 2025, the price to participate in the conference is $225.00.
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.

24th 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 24th Annual Fall Social Work Conference. The conference will be held on October 9-10, 2025. The conference will be held at the Hyatt Wynfrey 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, 2025.
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
Time | Session | Location | Speaker(s) |
---|---|---|---|
7:45am – 8:45am | Registration and Breakfast | Lobby of Birmingham/Central | |
8:45am – 9:00am | Welcome and Announcements | ||
9:00am – 10:00am | Artificial Intelligence: Your Path to the Community of Tomorrow | Birmingham Room | Dawn Horn, Lee Laska, Jason Miller – University of Alabama |
10:00am – 10:30am | Break | (Move to Classes) | |
10:30 am – 12:00pm | Year 1 Classroom Introductions Retail is Community Development for Your City | Birmingham Room | Lacey Bacchus |
12:00 pm – 1:30 pm | Lunch on Your Own | ||
1:30 pm – 3:00 pm | Tourism as Community Development | Birmingham Room | Josh Rivers, Jasmine Rainey |
3:00 pm – 3:15 pm | Break and Class Picture | ||
3:15 pm – 4:30 pm | Multiple Sessions | ||
Newtonia –A Real-World Simulation | Nichols Room | Jamie Dykes Amanda Bergeron | |
Marketing Your Community | Birmingham Room | Jimmy Hart | |
5:00 – 6:00 pm | Social Meetup: Networking at a Legends Bistro | Hotel Capstone |
Gold Sponsor–$700
- Two exhibit tables
- Two booth attendants
- A 1/2 page ad in the printed program
Time | Session | Location | Speaker(s) |
---|---|---|---|
7:45am – 8:45am | Registration and Breakfast | Lobby of Birmingham/Central | |
8:45am – 9:00am | Welcome and Announcements | ||
9:00am – 10:00am | Artificial Intelligence: Your Path to the Community of Tomorrow | Birmingham Room | Dawn Horn, Lee Laska, Jason Miller – University of Alabama |
10:00am – 10:30am | Break | (Move to Classes) | |
10:30 am – 12:00pm | Year 1 Classroom Introductions Retail is Community Development for Your City | Birmingham Room | Lacey Bacchus |
12:00 pm – 1:30 pm | Lunch on Your Own | ||
1:30 pm – 3:00 pm | Tourism as Community Development | Birmingham Room | Josh Rivers, Jasmine Rainey |
3:00 pm – 3:15 pm | Break and Class Picture | ||
3:15 pm – 4:30 pm | Multiple Sessions | ||
Newtonia –A Real-World Simulation | Nichols Room | Jamie Dykes Amanda Bergeron | |
Marketing Your Community | Birmingham Room | Jimmy Hart | |
5:00 – 6:00 pm | Social Meetup: Networking at a Legends Bistro | Hotel Capstone |
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
