Celebrate Hope: The 47th Annual Governor’s Conference

Kansas Children’s Service League (KCSL), in collaboration with more than 20 other sponsoring agencies, presented the most comprehensive conference in Kansas regarding child abuse and neglect issues. KCSL hosted the 47th Annual Governor’s Conference for the Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect on Oct. 18-20 at the Hyatt Regency in Wichita. Under the theme of Celebrate Hope, the conference provided a fresh perspective for social service professionals to ensure children have positive experiences and help families have the resources they require when they need them. This marked the first in-person Governor’s Conference since 2019.

“We’re proud to host this annual conference emphasizing professional training in child abuse and neglect prevention,” said KCSL CEO Gail Cozadd. “This year’s return to an in-person event highlights the value of positive childhood experiences and direct interactions. We unite national and state experts with local professionals to share cutting-edge research and best practices.”

The conference included five all-day sessions, 27 workshops and two keynote presentations. Keynote speakers included Angelique Kedem, Cory France and Tracy Benson from The W. Haywood Burns Institute, and author, therapist and foster/adoptive parent Amber Jewell. Over 500 attendees from around the state participated in sessions on a range of topics that affect the field of child abuse and neglect. Some areas of interest this year included race/equity; domestic violence; mandated reporting; and resilience/self-care.

Over 40 years ago, child abuse prevention leaders in Kansas established Prevent Child Abuse Kansas (PCAK) and held the first state conference on child abuse prevention. Kansas was chosen as the first chapter location of Prevent Child Abuse America, with the inaugural Governor’s Conference taking place in 1976. KCSL became the Prevent Child Abuse of Kansas chapter in 1993, thus overseeing the Governor’s Conference since.

The conference began with five pre-conference institutes. All-day sessions included “Relational Health: A Paradigm Shift for all Family Serving Systems.” Guest speakers David Willis and Cailin O’Connor from the Center for the Study of Social Policy expand on the concept of Relational health (ERH) for system change and advance the growing knowledge of best practices for promotion, prevention and healing.

A welcome message to the attendees of the 47th annual conference was followed by the keynote address. Amber Jewell presented “Child Welfare Helped Me Find Hope,” which shared her story and three prong-perspective in a way that brought light to the true impacts of those in child welfare play to help children and families find hope. Additionally, attendees participated in their choice of 27 workshops throughout the course of the day.

The ceremony and luncheon recognized sponsors and various 2023 agency service awards including KCSL presenting the Parent Achievement Award to Andrea Robinson, a parent who has overcome her addiction, become a strong and loving mother to her children and active parent advocate.

The 2023 Exemplary Service to Children and Families Award-Individual was presented to Pamela Cornwell, retired clinical director at Saint Francis Ministries, for her years of service to children and families and for collaborating on strategies related to chronic stress and trauma. The 2023 Exemplary Service to Children and Families Award-Organization was presented to the Kansas Department of Health and Environment BRFSS committee for undertaking data collection on Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and leveraging this information to drive positive change.

The W. Haywood Burns Institute presented “Introduction to Radical Imagination: How We Can Partner with Families and Children to Materialize the Realities They Deserve.” This interactive session allowed attendees to identify harmful structures that need to be dismantled and provided space to consider the types of alternative structures we need to support our collective well-being.