Title IV-E Child Welfare Fall Social Work Conference
October 8-9, 2026
Birmingham, AL
Conference Overview
The Annual Title IV-E Child Welfare 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 | Birmingham Marriott |
2026 Agenda Coming Soon!
The Title IV-E Child Welfare Fall Social Work Conference is planned to meet various professional development requirements. 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 | Nicole Ruggiano, Ph.D., Interim Dean, School of Social Work, The University of Alabama |
| 8:45 – 10:15 am | Keynote – From Trials to Triumphs. From Foster Youth to Foster Care Advocacy and Foster Mom | Tori Hope Petersen |
| 10:15 – 10:30 am | Beverage Break | |
| 10:30 – 11:30 am | Concurrent Sessions | Pick Your Session |
| Beyond the Behavior: Creating a Culture of Safety, Trust, and Hope for Children and Families | Antonio Grate B.S., Agricultural Business Economics, Alabama A&M University | |
| Building Brains Under Stress: The Brain Architect Game *(CLINICAL) | George Ashley, Ph.D., LMSW Cameile Henry, MA, RECE | |
| Swipe Right, Think Twice: Ethical Social Work Practice in the Social Media Age: Navigating Digital Boundaries, Confidentiality, and Professional Identity in Modern Practice -*(ETHICS) | Lorice Marie Parker,LCSW-C, LICSW | |
| Vicarious Trauma: The Cost of Caring | Monica Jones, LICSW | |
| 11:30–1:00 pm | Lunch on your own | |
| 1:00 – 2:00 pm | Concurrent Sessions | Pick Your Session |
| Leading Beyond the Title: Practical Strategies for Leading Through Complex Human Service Environments | Sarita Edwards, MHA | |
| Factors Influencing Outcomes for Youth in Care: Service Closure and Medication Prescribing Patterns | Jodi Robeson, MS, BCBA, LBA Anna Kate Edgemon, PhD, BCBA-D | |
| Understanding Crossover Youth to Improve Responses to Dual Involvement | Alexandra Miller, PhD Macon Stewart, MSW | |
| Building Resilience: Managing Stress and Fostering Strength-Based Relationships in Child Welfare Practice | George Ashley, Ph.D., LMSW Cameile Henry, MA, RECE | |
| AHECCW Consortium Members Meeting | ||
| 2:00 – 2:15 pm | Break | |
| 2:15 – 3:15 pm | Concurrent Sessions | Pick Your Session |
| A Relational Bridge Toward Healing: Canine-Assisted Therapy and Attachment in Foster Youth *(CLINICAL) | Gabriele Hoog, MSW, LCSW | |
| What CAN You Do? Reclaiming Control in Child Welfare Work | Maureen Schuster, LICSW-S, LCSW | |
| Strengthening Families Through Fatherhood in Alabama: An Integrated Model for Child Abuse Prevention | Raequon Pinkney, M.S. Jessica Segrest, B.S. | |
| TBD Soon! | TBD Soon! | |
| AHECCW Consortium Members Meeting (Continued) | ||
| 3:15 – 3:30 pm | Refreshment Break | |
| 3:30 – 5:00 pm | Keynote: TBD Soon! | TBD Soon! |
| 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 | Pick Your Session |
| Responding with Confidence: Evidence-Based Strategies for Children with Problematic Sexual Behavior *(CLINICAL) | Philecia Ward, LMSW Raevin Wade, LCSW | |
| Planting a Seed for Success with At-Risk Youth through Community Gardening | Faith Ann Bailey, DSW, LCSW, MBA, MPH, MSW | |
| Bridging the Gap Between Foster Youth Basic Needs and Educational Success | Geraldine Atkins Siddiq, Ed.D. MSW | |
| Are We All Rowing Together? Ethical Social Work Practice with Colleagues & Multidisciplinary Teams | Doug Brown, LMSW Ginifer Fowler, LICSW | |
| Student Workshop: Building Resilience: Managing Stress and Fostering Strength-Based Relationships in Social Work (PART A) All students in attendance are encouraged to attend this student-focused session | George Ashley, Ph.D., LMSW Cameile Henry, MA, RECE | |
| 9:00 – 9:15 am | Beverage Break | |
| 9:15 – 10:15 am | Concurrent Sessions | Pick Your Session |
| Sustaining the Workforce to Protect Children: Trauma-Informed Strategies for Abuse and Neglect Practice *(SUPERVISION) | Geraldine Atkins Siddiq, Ed.D. MSW | |
| Sustaining the Frontline: Practical Mental Health Strategies for the Future of Social Work *(ETHICS) | Miranda O’Neal, LICSW-S, PIP | |
| When the System Hurts: Navigating Therapy in a Time of Structural Change | Krystal Smith, LICSW-S, PIP | |
| TBD Soon! | TBD Soon! | |
| Student Workshop: Building Resilience: Managing Stress and Fostering Strength-Based Relationships in Social Work (Part B) | George Ashley, Ph.D., LMSW Cameile Henry, MA, RECE | |
| 10:15 – 10:30 am | Refreshment Break | |
| 10:30 am – 12:00 pm | Facing the Challenges and Reaping the Awards | Dr. John DeGarmo |
| 12:15 pm | Closing Remarks | Kristy Holt, MSW |
Keynote Speakers
Tori Hope Petersen
Tori Hope Petersen is a bestselling author, sought-after speaker, Bible teacher, and lover of people. Since coming to faith, she has shared her testimony and life as authentically as she can to offer hope to others.
Named by Outreach Magazine as one of “20 Rising Leaders for This Generation and the Next,” Tori is known for her compassionate voice on the topic of healing juxtaposed with her fierce advocacy work for the vulnerable. At home she is a wife and mama who enjoys cooking with her children. With a deep value for family, community, and hospitality, Tori and her family love to make extra food for whoever might stop by.
Dr. John DeGarmo
Dr. John DeGarmo has inspired audiences on stages around the world since 1990. Dr. DeGarmo shares his personal story of heartbreak, joy, and triumph, leaving audiences in tears, laughter, and empowerment.
Dr. John has experienced the death of a child and has seen many children from foster care come to his home who have suffered unimaginable horrors. Dr. John has opened up his heart, his family, and his home to over 60 children, and has even had up to 11 children in his home at the same time.
Dr. DeGarmo inspires and empowers audiences to overcome their own challenges, to help others in need, and to be the best person possible. Your audience and your event will be transformed, empowered, and entertained after hearing Dr. DeGarmo’s presentation.
Conference Location and Lodging
Host Hotel: Marriott Birmingham
3590 Grandview Parkway, Birmingham, AL 35243
Phone: (205) 968-3775
Rate: $165.00 per night, plus 17.5% local taxes (subject to change). The last day to book is September 9, 2026.
Workshop Registration
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.
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
