Dr. Tobi DeLong Hamilton
UNK assistant professor of social work, 308.865.8748
UNK– “Child Maltreatment and Cultural Practices” and “Best Practices with Immigrant Children” are among the topics that will be covered at the second annual University of Nebraska at Kearney Child Welfare Conference on Friday, April 16.
“The conference is designed to enhance the education of our students, and offer professionals in the community and surrounding areas the opportunity to get their Continuing Education Unit credits locally,” said Dr. Tobi DeLong Hamilton, UNK assistant professor of social work. “This is a great chance for students to hear and see other professionals and professors, and expand their knowledge.”
The event, which will take place in the UNK Nebraskan Student Union, will begin with registration at 8 a.m. The theme of the conference is “Culturally Sensitive Child Welfare Practice: Putting Children and Families First.”
The registration deadline is at 5 p.m. on Thursday, April 15. Individuals can register in advance by contacting Dr. DeLong Hamilton at 308.865.8748. The registration fee is $75 for a professional in the community, $65 per person in a group of six or more, and free to UNK students and UNK field supervisors or social work department advisory committee members. The conference offers continuing education unit (CEU) credits for licensed mental health providers who attend.
The conference will open at 8:30 a.m. with “Child Maltreatment and Cultural Practices” presented by Dr. Suzanne Haney. Dr. Haney is the medical director at Project Harmony, a child protection center in Omaha.
Dr. Maria Puig, an associate professor and assistant director of the School of Social Work at Colorado State University, will present “Best Practices with Immigrant Children.” “Maltreatment Experiences of LGBT Youth” will be presented by Dr. Adam McCormick. Dr. McCormick is an assistant professor of social work at St. Ambrose University in Davenport, Iowa.
In the afternoon, Sarah Helvey, staff attorney and director of the Child Welfare System Accountability Program at the Nebraska Appleseed Center for Law in the Public Interest, will present “Indian Child Welfare Act.”
At 2:15, Dr. Michael Paulus and Dr. Steven Granich, faculty members in the social work department at Lock Haven university of Pennsylvania, will present “Creating Experiences in Our Lives: Leading to a More Culturally Competent Approach to Our Practice with Children and Families.
A break-out session with Dr. Debra Anderson, Project Harmony Training and Education director, will also begin at 2:15 p.m. Session participants will learn about “Responding to Child Abuse and Neglect: An Ethical, Legal and Collaborative Approach.
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For planning coverage purposes, the full schedule is listed below:
8-8:15 a.m. – Registration and exhibit booths open.
8:15-8:30 a.m. – Conference opening.
8:30-9:30 a.m. – Dr. Suzanne Haney. “Child Maltreatment and Cultural Practices.”
9:30-9:45 a.m. – Break
9:45-10:45 a.m.– Dr. Maria Puig. “Best Practices with Immigrant Children.”
10:45-11:45 a.m.– Dr. Adam McCormick- Maltreatment Experiences of LGBT Youth.”
11:45 a.m.-1 p.m.– Lunch on your own.
1-2 p.m.– Sarah Helvey. “Indian Child Welfare Act.”
2-2:15 p.m.– Break
2:15-4:15 p.m. – Dr. Michael Paulus and Dr. Steven Granich. “Creating Experiences in Our Lives: Leading to a More Culturally Competent Approach to Our Practice with Children and Families.”
2:15-4:15 p.m.- Break-out session with Dr. Debra Anderson. “Responding to Child Abuse and Neglect: An Ethical, Legal and Collaborative Approach.”
