Program Managers Conference 2024 Agenda

We’re excited to host this year’s event at the Centennial by Davenport in Spokane. Meals provided include a continental breakfast and a plated lunch.

AGENDA

TUESDAY, MAY 21

8-9 a.m.: Breakfast
        Skyline Ballroom

9 a.m.: Welcome and Introductions
        Skyline Ballroom

9:30-10 a.m.: Focusing on Today While Preparing for Tomorrow: IT at DCYF
Hear about current IT initiatives and learn how to engage with the IT team at its IT TechTrainer Quick Service Station, a booth at this year’s event that will be providing just-in-time training and support for real-life work.
        Presenter: Sara Games, DCYF IT Training Manager
        Skyline Ballroom

10-10:30 a.m. Break

10:30 a.m.-12 p.m. Breakouts:

Implementation Science: Closing the gap between what We KNOW and what We DO
In this interactive breakout session, you’ll get a hands-on, crash course in Implementation Science – the scientific study of methods and strategies that facilitate the uptake of programs into regular use by practitioners and policymakers. You’ll hear from the Families First team as they share their experiences implementing motivational interviewing and bringing this program to scale statewide. Participants will work together in small groups to apply their knowledge to their own programming. There will be opportunities for questions and to hear about DCYF’s Implementation School.
        Presenters: FFPSA program managers        
        Corbin Room

Navigating Gender Affirming Care: Ensuring Support and Safety for Transgender and Gender Expansive Youth
Join us in this vital breakout session as we explore the critical landscape of gender affirming care for transgender and gender expansive youth. Discover how to identify affirming healthcare providers, understand the importance of affirming care, and recognize the tangible benefits it offers compared to non-affirming approaches. Gain insight into the specific expertise required of competent providers and learn practical strategies for supporting youth in areas where access to affirming care may be limited.
        Presenter: Mackenzie Dunham, LICSW, CMHS, CDWF-Clinician
        Grant Room

Legislative Affairs
This session will provide updates about the recently concluded 2024 Legislative Session. There were many investments made that expand and affect our operations. 
        Presenter: Jarel Sanders, DCYF Government Affairs
        Finch Room

12-1 p.m. Lunch
        Skyline Ballroom

1 p.m. Supporting LGBTQIA+ Youth and Families
In this session, join Wild Heart Society’s Mackenzie Duncan to dive into allyship and how to make your programs more affirming and supportive of the unique service needs of LGBTQIA+ communities.
        Presenter: Mackenzie Dunham, LICSW, CMHS, CDWF-Clinician
        Skyline Ballroom

2 p.m. Break

2:30 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! 
        Facilitator: Vanessa Matthews, Alliance Development and Facilitation Specialist
        Skyline Ballroom

4 p.m. Networking Reception
Join us for light bites and no-host beverages. Catch up with friends and meet new ones!
        Skyline Ballroom

WEDNESDAY, MAY 22

8-9 a.m.: Breakfast 
        Skyline Ballroom

9 a.m.: Welcome
        Skyline Ballroom

9:15 a.m.: Think of Us
Join Sixto Cancel, a nationally recognized leader driving systems change in child welfare, for an inspiring session that will connect you back to the core of why you do this work. Sixto is founder and CEO of Think of Us and is a former youth experiencing foster care.
        Presenter: Sixto Cancel, founder and CEO of Think of Us
        Skyline Ballroom

10:15 a.m. Break

10:30 a.m.-12 p.m. Breakouts:

Caregiver Voices Panel
Hear directly from caregivers associated with different areas of the foster care system about their lived experiences. This will be a dialogue-type session, with ample opportunity for question-and-answer.
        Moderator: April Burrer, CaRES Mentor
        Panelists: Lisa Konick, CaRES Mentor; MonRa Muse, Kinship (formerly licensed); Shalya Scott, Kinship (unlicensed kinship, licensed kinship, licensed foster parent); Hope Mayer, Licensed foster parent
        Finch Room

Powered by Change: Strategies for Accelerating Growth During Change
Change doesn’t ever go away. We live in a state of constant, unrelenting change. For each of us to thrive, we must see change as an ongoing way of being. By being change-ready, or agile, we can more quickly solve the fast-appearing problems of change, so we can move confidently ahead. What’s more, by being change-ready we are better able to capitalize on new opportunities and safeguard ourselves and our organization against stagnation and obsolescence. In this dynamic and fast-paced environment, you will succeed by using change as a competitive advantage. If you want to know how, join us at this change powered workshop.
        Presenter: Donna Brighton, president, Brighton Leadership
        Grant Room

Family Practice Model: Where Organization, Practice and Functionality Meet
Join us as we explore the creation and implementation of Family Practice Model to Child Welfare. This has been a 3.5 year process to organize our division, improve practice and equip our workforce to serve families through our values.   We are so excited to walk you through our process and outcome! 
        Presenter: Chris Rhodes, Family Practice Model Implementation Change Manager
        Corbin Room

12-1 p.m. Lunch
        Skyline Ballroom

1-2:30 p.m. Breakouts:
Technology Transformation
Join DCYF IT to talk about empowering teams to create positive change utilizing sustainable technology solutions.
        Presenter: Sara Games, DCYF IT Training Manager
        Grant Room

What’s in a SOW
Learn how to better understand what goes into a scope of work and best practices around drafting one.
        Presenter: Stephen Cotter, DCYF Contracts, Procurement and Purchasing
        Finch Room

2:30 p.m. Break

2:45 p.m. Community Building Is a Journey of Constant Learning
Join Stevey Seymour, community activist and enrolled member of the Arrow Lakes tribe of the Colville Confederated Tribes, for a discussion about the importance of community building and how it is an ongoing journey. Stevey works to provide space and tools for others to step into their own rebellious leadership, enabling positive transformation through working together.
       Presenter: Stevey Seymour, community activist/entrepreneur/poet/business leader
       Skyline Ballroom