2024 Administrative Professionals Conference Agenda

We are excited to host this year’s event at Silver Cloud Point Ruston in Tacoma!

AGENDA

Day One, Nov. 5

8-9 a.m.: Breakfast
   Sterling 1 & 2

9-9:30 a.m.: Introductions and Welcomes
   Sterling 1 & 2

9:30-10:30 a.m. A Recipe for … SUCCESS!
Punching a time clock, muddling through a chaotic day, and leaving at the end of the day only to return to do it all again tomorrow sounds like a disaster for some of us. Most employees want to be successful in our jobs, and even be proud of the work we do. In this interactive keynote address, the three essential ingredients for success will be revealed with an opportunity to consider whether or not you have these now in your role. If you don’t think you have these now, we’ll discuss strategies to get these so that you can be successful with DCYF.
     Facilitated by Peter Dahlin
     Sterling 1 & 2

10:30-11 a.m. Break

11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Breakout Sessions:

Government-to-Government Relations: Learn about 10.03 policy and get a better perspective of tribal sovereignty and tribal relations. This session will cover foundational components of tribal sovereignty, government-to-government relationships, and effective engagement with American Indian and Alaska Native Tribes. You will have the opportunity to ask questions and learn how to further relationships with Washington State’s 29 federally recognized tribes.
     Presented by DCYF Office of Tribal Relations
     Sterling 3

De-Escalation 101: DCYF administrative professionals encounter a lot of folks with big feelings. Based on principles covered in RIGHT RESPONSE training, this highly interactive session will cover techniques for managing your own response, interacting with folks who are escalated, and setting your environment up for success. Be ready to share your own stories and techniques as we tap into the group wisdom around this topic. Even if you have taken RIGHT RESPONSE training, this will offer a great review and refresher on non-physical de-escalation skills.
     Presented by Deb Ausema, Alliance Excellence in Facilitation Lead
     
Onyx

IT trouble? Who ya gonna call?! TechTraining!!: Join us as we learn about the technology tools that you have at your fingertips! Plus we’ll be sharing some tips and tricks for some of the most used applications like Outlook, Teams and OneNote.
     Presented by Sara Games, DCYF IT Training Manager
     
Sterling 1 & 2

12:30-1:30 p.m. Lunch
       Sterling 1 & 2

1:30 p.m. Silo Demo!
We can all get focused on what’s happening in our own offices or teams, making it hard to know what’s happening with your colleagues across DCYF. So let’s talk about it! Join us for a “speed dating”-style session where you’ll get a chance to talk with other attendees about their work. Leave with some new collaboration partners … or even friends! 
        Facilitated by Alliance Development and Facilitation Specialists
        Sterling 1 & 2, Sterling 3, Onyx

2:30-3 p.m. Break

3-4 p.m. Flip the Script on Change: Unlock Your Resilience Superpower
Get ready for an interactive, energizing experience that will give you fresh, practical tools to navigate life’s inevitable twists and turns—both at work and at home. We won’t just talk about resilience; we’ll show you how to build it. You’ll leave with simple, yet powerful strategies to help you stay strong, celebrate your wins, and learn from every challenge. Want to know how a simple list can change your perspective and empower your growth? Bring your journal and join us to discover the secrets of thriving through change—without giving up your sanity. 
     Presented by Donna Brighton, author, leadership coach and culture change strategist
     
Sterling 1 & 2

Day Two, Nov. 6

8-9 a.m.: Breakfast
   Sterling 1 & 2

9-10 a.m.: Perfectly Imperfect: In today’s world we are bound to make mistakes working with people. Everyone comes to the table with their own perception of how to do things. In your job, you can sometimes feel undervalued and misunderstood or you might be too hard on yourself. This session aims to help your understanding of bias and how people might mistake your meaning.  We will talk about respect, impact v. intent, bias and micro-aggressions, along with defensiveness. And come learn how to identify when it is happening to you as well. How do you have the difficult conversation to let people know how their behavior impacts you?
     Presented by Renee Siers and Kristina Olave, RESJ Administrators
     Sterling 1 & 2

10-10:30 a.m. Break

10:30 a.m.-12 p.m. Breakout Sessions:

A Framework for Difficult Conversations: Difficult conversations are a necessary and natural part of working in complex systems. DCYF staff, including administrative professionals, have opportunities to engage in difficult conversations both within the agency and also with the public. In this session, participants will discuss the ways difficult conversations appear in their various roles and learn a framework that supports being on both the giving and receiving ends of difficult conversations. We will then practice working through this framework during the session.
     Presented by Micah Kurtz, Alliance Regional Development and Facilitation Supervisor
     Sterling 3

Family Practice Model
Join us as we explore the creation and implementation of the Family Practice Model. This has been a 3.5 year process to organize our division, improve practice and equip our workforce to serve families through our values. 
        Presented by Annie Weare, Family Practice Model Coordinator
        Onyx

Travel Office Update
Join us to discuss important information related to your jobs and travel policies at DCYF. 
        Presented by DCYF Finance and Travel Services Division
        Sterling 3

12-1 p.m. Lunch
       Sterling 1 & 2

1-1:45 p.m. Breakout Sessions:

Dependency Courts
In this session we’ll talk about processes related to Dependency Court cases, including how having timely and accurate entries into their Famlink system is important and will assist cases.
        Presented by DCYF IT and Alliance Foundational Learning Administrator Lisa Sinnett
        Sterling 3

Benefits and Open Enrollment
Join us for an overview of your benefits options, just in time for open enrollment! We will cover FSAs, FMLA & PFMLA and the new vision plan, and have an opportunity for Q-and-A. 
        Presented by DCYF HR and Payroll
        Sterling 1 & 2

Sound Bath
In this session we will focus on mindfulness, offering the opportunity to experience a sound bath. The goal of reuniting people with their own internal rhythms as well as the natural rhythms of the earth empowers participants to live with balance, vibrancy and ease. Feel free to bring a yoga mat or blanket. 
        Presented by Deborah Ourah of Ourah Arts
        Onyx

1:45-2 p.m. Break

2-2:45 p.m. Breakout Sessions:

Torts
Join us for a Torts Overview. More information to come.
        Presented by the Washington AAG’s Office
        Sterling 3

Benefits and Open Enrollment
Join us for an overview of your benefits options, just in time for open enrollment! We will cover FSAs, FMLA & PFMLA and the new vision plan, and have an opportunity for Q-and-A. 
        Presented by DCYF HR and Payroll
        Sterling 1 & 2

Sound Bath
In this session we will focus on mindfulness, offering the opportunity to experience a sound bath. The goal of reuniting people with their own internal rhythms as well as the natural rhythms of the earth empowers participants to live with balance, vibrancy and ease. Feel free to bring a yoga mat or blanket. 
        Presented by Deborah Ourah of Ourah Arts
        Onyx

2:45-3 p.m. Break

3 p.m. A Little Help From My Friends Admins all have secret superpowers, but we probably don’t talk about them! In the “Offers and Needs Market,” you can share your secret powers with co-workers and learn about theirs.

In this session you will get a chance to connect and “offer” the superpowers you have picked up in your career, and ask for help with “Needs” that have come up in your own work. Are you a super wiz when it comes to spreadsheets? Maybe you have mastered the art of super scheduling? Bring some of your amazing skills as offers to fellow co-workers. Do you need help with a certain department’s forms? Is the art of Microsoft Teams escaping you? Bring your needs to the table and see who might be able to offer some assistance. You will walk away from this session with a renewed sense of your superpowers as well as those of your fellow admins!
     Sterling 1 and 2