Focus 2020 Session Information

Affinity Group Discussions – Responding to Trauma from My Point of View

Affinity group discussions are your opportunity to connect with your colleagues in the field to discuss the impact the pandemic and other unexpected crises have had on your ability to do what you do with youth and families. The facilitated discussions will focus on personal and professional responses and the ways you have adapted your efforts to best meet ever changing needs. Select one of the following groups which most align with your role and/or interest for the discussion and how you spend the majority of your work time. All of us wear different hats, choose one for this session and share your important insights with others.

Affinity Group Discussion Selections Include:

• Direct care with youth and families (residential, clinical/therapeutic support, substance abuse interventions, case management, youth supervision, etc.)
• Supervisors and Directors (min-management, program leads, those responsible for supervision of other staff)
• Executives (C level, executive staff of organizations)
• Safe Place (staff directly involved with the Safe Place program at all levels)

Workshops

Virtual Workshop Selections Include:

"Building Trauma Resilient Organizations"

Presented by: Laurie Jackson, President and CEO, National Safe Place Network
                       Tammy L. Hopper, Chief Strategic Initiatives Officer, National Safe Place Network

If a team is only as strong as its weakest member, it may follow that investment in a culture supportive of the resilience of all individuals is best practice for organizational safety and sustainability. The devastating impact of the pandemic, civil unrest, divisive political agendas, and anxiety regarding systemic stability requires resilience from our staff to maintain day-to-day commitments to youth, families, and communities. Staff of organizations do not exist in isolation from world events; yet there is often a communicated expectation staff should compartmentalize their anxiety and fear in order to ensure the availability of critical services. Trauma resilient organizations endure with ongoing, proactive recognition and activity toward preparation, response, and recovery when the worst imaginings becoming reality. How do you assess your organization’s level of trauma resiliency? What have you discovered in recent months that will impact the way you support your team moving forward? How do you prepare for what is next? This session, facilitated by a trauma-informed therapist and a chief executive officer, is an opportunity for you to review some fundamentals regarding trauma resilient organizations, as well as to share your concerns and your hopes for the future with others who are on their own, similar journeys.

Participants will:
Review the seven commitments of individuals in trauma resilient organizations.
Discuss the seven commitments of trauma resilient organizations.
Learn how to utilize the community meeting to build support and enhance communication.
Access the NSPN trauma-informed capacity scale for use and review at the local level.
Share innovative solutions to build resiliency in programs serving youth and families.

"Safe Place® Partnerships: Grow, Strengthen, Maintain"

Presented by: Michelle Hurley, Program Advocate, National Safe Place Network

Safe Place ® partners serve as a critical connection between young people in need of help and the licensed Safe Place agency.  Fostering new and nurturing existing relationships with businesses, non-profit organizations, and schools will help reinforce your agency’s efforts to support youth and families. During times of crisis, local partners can help provide essential assistance to continue meeting the needs of those you serve through fundraising, outreach, and in-kind donations. In addition, it is vital to maintain effective communication with partners in order to convey significant information, especially when programmatic procedures change due to a crisis. This session will provide an opportunity to discuss innovative strategies to grow, strengthen, and maintain Safe Place® partnerships, as well as network with other staff from licensed Safe Place® agencies across the country to exchange new ideas.

Participants will:
Discuss innovative strategies to developing and strengthening partnerships.
Identify opportunities for partners to enhance the Safe Place® program.
Utilize a solutions-focused approach to overcome current challenges.
Share creative ideas to bolster community awareness and advocacy efforts.
Build relationships with fellow Safe Place® staff from other agencies.

Post-Conference Sessions

Optional post-conference sessions are available on Thursday, August 20, 2020 at 12:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. EDT. Post-conference sessions are $50 ($25 for NSPN members and licensed Safe Place agency staff.)

Post-Conference Session Selections Include: