Social Work Conference

Children smiling

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.

DateOctober 9-10, 2025
FeeEarly Bird Price – $175 (until Sept. 18th)
Standard Price – $225
LocationHyatt 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/TimeSessionsSpeaker(s)
7:30 – 8:30 amRegistration & Breakfast
8:30 – 8:45 amWelcomeKristy Holt, MSW, The University of Alabama

Schnavia Hatcher, Ph.D., Dean, School of Social Work, The University of Alabama
8:45 – 10:15 amKeynoteMark Anthony Garrett
10:15 – 10:30 amBeverage Break
10:30 – 11:30 amConcurrent Sessions
Enhancing Protective Factors in Kinship FamiliesGentale Hankins, LMSW

Meghan Stull
Fostering Long-Term Recovery Through the Four DimensionsCurt Lindsley
Crisis Intervention in Children’s Mental HealthDr. Sweta Engineer, DSW, LCSW
Promoting Self-Care & ResilienceLaShaunda Lark-Darien, LICSW-S, PIP
11:30–1:00 pmLunch on your own
1:00 – 2:00 pmConcurrent Sessions
People First: Reimagining Supervision as a Resilience PracticeDr. Glenda Clare, PhD
Empowering Social Work Practice: Integrating Self-Efficacy into Workforce DevelopmentDr. Kimberly R. Mayes, LCSW
From Classroom to Caseload: Equipping Future Social Workers for Licensure and the Real WorldTerricka 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 pmBreak
2:15 – 3:15 pmConcurrent Sessions
Centering the Rare Voice: Best Practices in Advocacy for Medically Complex FamiliesSarita Edwards, MHA
The Deprived Mind: The Impact of Food Insecurity on YouthLaWanda VanHorn-Rossell, LICSW-S
Bridging Systems: The Impact of School Social Workers in Public Education and BeyondCassidy C. Edwards, LMSW

Hunter Englebert, MSW

Kathryn Washington
Shaping the Stigma by Utilizing Social Workers with Law Enforcement AgenciesLauren Kirksey, MSW; Jessica May, BSW
AHECCW Consortium Members Meeting (continued)
3:15 – 3:30 pmRefreshment Break
3:30 – 5:00 pmKeynote:

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 pmMeet and Mingle
Friday, October 10, 2025
Date/TimeSessions
7:00 – 8:00 amBreakfast
8:00 – 9:00 amConcurrent Sessions
TBD
The Inner Work That Sustains the Outer Work: Building Resilience, Accountability, and Humility in Social WorkJulia Vaughan
Countertransference 101: How to Identify, Manage, and Prevent Clinician Reactions to ClientsMary Elizabeth Wilkes Chand, LCSW
Ethical Decision Making in the Use of Artificial Intelligence in Social Work PracticeStacy 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 amBeverage Break
9:15 – 10:15 amConcurrent Sessions
TBD
Guiding Values: The NASW Code of Ethics and Its Role in DHR and Child Welfare PracticeOnick Lewis, Ed.D.
Unlocking Potential: Integrating Coaching Principles to Strengthen Social Work Practice Dr. Laurel Hitchcock, PhD; Allison Curington, MSW
Safe Screens Sound MindsAmanda Lightsey

Jeff Davis
Student Workshop (Part B)George Ashley, Ph.D., LMSW

Cameile Henry, BA, MA, RECE
10:15 – 10:30 amRefreshment Break
10:30 am – 12:00 pmKeynote:

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 pmClosing RemarksKristy Holt, MSW

24th Annual Fall Social Work Keynote Speakers

Mark Anthony Garrett

Mark Anthony Garret
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
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.

Learn more about Beautiful Scars Inc.

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.

Proposal and Policy Guidelines

We invite those interested in presenting at the 2025 Fall Social Work Conference to submit a proposal for review by our Conference Planning Committee. Speaker proposals are evaluated objectively with emphasis on the following criteria (listed in order of significance):

  • Degree to which the proposed session meets the conference/program objectives
  • Desirability of the topic
  • Speaker’s presentation skills and experience

Proposals must contain and convey sufficient detail to allow our Conference Planning Committee to understand how the proposed session will support the conference objectives. Selection is competitive, so you must submit a compelling and complete proposal.

Submission Details

Submission Deadline is July 18, 2025

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.

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
TimeSessionLocationSpeaker(s)
7:45am – 8:45amRegistration and BreakfastLobby of Birmingham/Central
8:45am – 9:00amWelcome and Announcements
9:00am – 10:00amArtificial Intelligence:  Your Path to the Community of TomorrowBirmingham RoomDawn Horn, Lee Laska, Jason Miller – University of Alabama
10:00am – 10:30amBreak(Move to Classes)
10:30 am – 12:00pmYear 1

Classroom Introductions

Retail is Community Development for Your City
Birmingham RoomLacey Bacchus
12:00 pm – 1:30 pmLunch on Your Own
1:30 pm – 3:00 pmTourism as Community DevelopmentBirmingham RoomJosh Rivers, Jasmine Rainey
3:00 pm – 3:15 pmBreak and Class Picture
3:15 pm – 4:30 pmMultiple Sessions
Newtonia –A Real-World SimulationNichols RoomJamie Dykes

Amanda Bergeron
Marketing Your CommunityBirmingham RoomJimmy Hart
5:00 – 6:00 pmSocial 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
TimeSessionLocationSpeaker(s)
7:45am – 8:45amRegistration and BreakfastLobby of Birmingham/Central
8:45am – 9:00amWelcome and Announcements
9:00am – 10:00amArtificial Intelligence:  Your Path to the Community of TomorrowBirmingham RoomDawn Horn, Lee Laska, Jason Miller – University of Alabama
10:00am – 10:30amBreak(Move to Classes)
10:30 am – 12:00pmYear 1

Classroom Introductions

Retail is Community Development for Your City
Birmingham RoomLacey Bacchus
12:00 pm – 1:30 pmLunch on Your Own
1:30 pm – 3:00 pmTourism as Community DevelopmentBirmingham RoomJosh Rivers, Jasmine Rainey
3:00 pm – 3:15 pmBreak and Class Picture
3:15 pm – 4:30 pmMultiple Sessions
Newtonia –A Real-World SimulationNichols RoomJamie Dykes

Amanda Bergeron
Marketing Your CommunityBirmingham RoomJimmy Hart
5:00 – 6:00 pmSocial 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