MCC Conference and Training

A1. TIPS for Increasing Stability in Foster & Kinship Care (Hint: Training, Inspiration, & Peer Support)

Presenter: Jamie Kelsey & Kathryn Haddock, KVC Missouri

It is a well-known fact that about half of new foster homes close within their first year of fostering. This likely adds to the statistic that over half of children in care will experience 3 or more moves in their average 20 months in care. Unfortunately, many caregivers avoid disclosing their struggles for fear of judgement or negative action. This training will equip workers to recognize the stages of disruption and other warning signs for early intervention. It will also show how to connect caregivers to meaningful, ongoing support such as trauma-informed training based on Trust-Based Relational Intervention, and peer support groups.

A2. Healing the Whole Person and Family: An Integrative Approach to Outpatient Trauma Treatment

Presenter: Sara Loftis, Midwest Behavioral Health and Wellness

Explore an innovative outpatient trauma treatment model that integrates DBT, EMDR, IFS, and somatic interventions while actively engaging caregivers through education, coaching, and consultation. Learn practical strategies to strengthen family functioning, improve emotional regulation, and promote lasting recovery for high-risk youth.

A3. Collaborative Connections: Working with CASA to Enhance the Family Support Team

Presenter: Alana Hickman, Missouri CASA Association

Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) volunteers can be an integral addition to the Family Support Team. Come learn more about the ways they can be a helpful resource to the FST while providing best-interest advocacy for children in foster care.

A4. Prospering as a Platinum Level Leader: Building a Sustainable Leadership Development Program

Presenter: Rachelle Roosevelt, Tabitha Gibson, and Pam Richardson, TFI Family Services, Inc.

From four leaders sharing books to a leadership program serving over 200 participants, discover how TFI built a culture of leadership growth through mentoring, self-discovery, and intentional development—and learn how you can do the same.

A5. Introduction to Ethics Part I: A Basic Framework

Presenter: Michael P. Meehan, Ph.D., Society of St. Vincent de Paul St. Louis Archdiocesan Council

In this lively, two-part workshop, Dr. Meehan will begin by walking attendees through Beauchamp and Childress’ framework for ethical practice, with an emphasis on clinical work with children and families. Part II will focus on applying these concepts to contemporary challenges, including teletherapy, social media, and AI.

B1. Seeing Faces, Not Cases: Office of Child Advocate Reviews

Presenter: Brittany Clingman, Office of Child Advocate

This workshop provides an overview of an independent state agency, Office of the Child Advocate (OCA), which is responsible for reviewing case concerns within the child welfare system. The session will highlight how OCA collaborates with stakeholders, promotes accountability, and works to improve outcomes for children and families.

B2. Be Your Own HERO: Bold Action for the Children the System Almost Lost

Presenter: Schwartzen Précil, Hero Leadership Group

Led by a former foster youth turned national author and speaker, this interactive workshop introduces the HERO Framework- Honesty, Empathy, Resilience, Opportunity- giving child- and family-serving professionals practical, lived-experience-informed tools to build resilience and purpose in the system-involved youth they serve.

B3. Courtroom Procedure and Etiquette In Missouri Juvenile Courts

Presenter: Jay Harms, Missouri Alliance for Children and Families

An in-depth presentation on courtroom procedure and etiquette for front-line case managers and supervisors, designed to prepare them for court appearances.

B4. Advocacy 101

Presenter: Sarah Owsley, Empower Missouri

Advocacy 101 will teach advocates, impacted people, and not-for-profit staff how to share their experience with elected officials. Geared towards the Missouri state legislature, these skills can help you advocate for systems change at many levels.

B5. Introduction to Ethics Part II: Contemporary Topics

Presenter: Michael P. Meehan, Ph.D., Society of St. Vincent de Paul St. Louis Archdiocesan Council

In this lively, two-part workshop, Dr. Meehan will begin by walking attendees through Beauchamp and Childress’ framework for ethical practice, with an emphasis on clinical work with children and families. Part II will focus on applying these concepts to contemporary challenges, including teletherapy, social media, and AI.

C1. Advocacy and the Missouri State Budget

Presenter: Lindsey Baker, Missouri Budget Project

This session will provide an overview of the Missouri state budget process and information on how to advocate for budget priorities, with a special emphasis on advocacy for children and families. It will also provide a preview of key priorities in the upcoming legislative session as well as federal updates.

C2. Every Child Has a Story: EMPOWER to RISE — Advancing Child and Family Empowerment Through Trust, Voice, and Shared Leadership

Presenter: Kathleen Johnson, Engage 4 Success Empowered Education Solutions LLC

Every child has a story shaped by strengths, lived experience, social determinants, unrecognized trauma, and the systems encountered along the way. Through the EMPOWER and RISE frameworks, participants will examine how trust, voice, accountability, and shared leadership can move children and families beyond participation toward agency, influence, and lasting change.

C3. Behind the Run: Supporting Youth Who Run from Care

Presenter: Tobey Wilkerson, KVC Missouri

This training equips caregivers and caseworkers with practical tools and trauma-informed strategies to respond effectively when a youth runs away, and to help prevent future incidents.

C4. Building and Retaining Courageous Teams: Creating a Culture of Psychological Safety

Presenter: Jeanine Watson, Presbyterian Children’s Homes and Services

Psychological safety is the foundation of high-performing teams. This workshop equips leaders to understand what psychological safety is, dispel common myths, recognize leadership behaviors that build or erode trust, and develop practical strategies to foster open communication, accountability, collaboration, and a workplace where employees feel safe to contribute, learn, and grow.

C5. Regulation Before Insight: Rethinking Trauma Treatment for Youth with ASD and IDD

Presenter: Hallie Hilsabeck, Everwell Neurodevelopmental Institute

Learn practical strategies for adapting trauma treatment to the unique neurodevelopmental needs of youth with ASD and IDD. This workshop explores how regulation, sensory processing, communication, and adaptive functioning influence readiness for trauma-focused care.

D1. Keeping Families Together: Legal Solutions to Prevent Foster Care Entry for Kinship Families

Presenter: Angie Nickell & Joanna San Paolo, University of Missouri ParentLink

Kinship caregivers—relatives or close family friends—often step in during crises to care for children, yet 200,000 Missouri children in informal arrangements lack legal authority and support. This session highlights the KinSafe Alliance, providing free legal services to secure guardianship, stabilize families, and reduce foster care entry through partnerships and policy.

D2. Somatic and Sensory Interventions

Presenter: Andrew Farmer, KVC Missouri

Participants will be introduced to sensory and somatic experiences and how to define and communicate them with their clients. Participants will also talk about practical ways to integrate sensory and somatic knowledge and understanding with their clients. Approaches discussed include learning interventions to help regulate and teach individuals about their sensory and somatic experiences. Individuals will also be provided resources that they can use to help educate their clients in sensory and somatic knowledge.

D3. Building Better Outcomes: The Power of Positive Childhood Experiences

Presenter: Jeannie Thurston & LeAnn Keck, Trauma Smart-Crittenton Children’s Center, BJC Saint Luke’s Hospital of KC

For decades, the focus has been on Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs). This session shifts the lens to what helps children thrive: Positive Childhood Experiences (PCEs). Participants will explore the science behind how connection, safety, and belonging support brain development, regulation, and long-term outcomes. Through interactive reflection and practical application, attendees will leave with simple, actionable strategies to intentionally create PCEs across systems, programs, and everyday interactions.

D4. Beyond Hiring: Using Strengths-Based Coaching to Develop and Retain Direct-Service Staff

Presenter: Jeff Bryant, I Pour Life

Direct-service organizations cannot retain staff through hiring alone. This workshop explores how strengths-based coaching, intentional supervision, and practical team rhythms can help leaders develop staff, reduce burnout, improve retention, and build healthier teams that better serve children, youth, and families.

D5. Connecting Through Crisis: Practical Skills for Suicide Intervention

Presenter: Amanda Davis, BJC

Crisis situations are challenging to manage even for the most skills.  This training will focus on recognizing a crisis through assessment, observation, and listening.  The focus is on practical learning and building skills for the next situation faced.

E1. Bridging Systems: How Health Plans, Child Welfare, and Community Partners Can Work as One Team

Presenter: Christine Hoover, Show Me Healthy Kids by Home State Health

Learn how Show Me Healthy Kids (SMHK), child welfare agencies, schools, providers, and community organizations can work as one team to improve outcomes for children in foster care. This session shares the SMHK collaboration model and practical strategies for strengthening partnerships, communication, and shared accountability.

E2. What a Difference a Brain Makes! FASCETS Neurobehavioral Approach for Individuals with Brain-Based Differences

Presenter: Kathryn Haddock, KVC Missouri

The FASCETS Neurobehavioral Approach connects brain function with behavior in individuals with brain-based differences, including FASD. This leads to creative, effective supports built on strengths. Instead of frustration, discover a fresh perspective that strengthens relationships and well-being. This session is an overview of the extensive FASCETS training available from Missouri KVC in 2027.

E3. The Power of Partnership: Engaging Faith Communities to Meet Local Needs

Presenter: Jason Myers, The Power of Partnership: Engaging Faith Communities to Meet Local Needs

Faith communities are among the most powerful yet underutilized partners available to nonprofits. This session explores why church engagement matters and provides practical strategies for building meaningful partnerships that expand volunteers, strengthen community impact, and create lasting support systems for children, families, and communities.

E4. Hiring for Success: The Interview Process

Presenter: Shelia Rancatore, Cornerstones of Care

Learn practical strategies for interviewing entry-level social workers through behavioral-based questions, realistic scenarios, and writing assessments. This interactive workshop helps participants identify key candidate competencies, evaluate critical thinking and communication skills, and strengthen hiring decisions to select applicants most likely to succeed.

E5. Before They Disconnect: Building Youth Pathways That Keep Families and Communities Strong

Presenter: Sophia Downs, North County Youth Development & Training Center

This interactive workshop explores how youth development, workforce readiness, and community partnerships can help prevent youth disconnection. Participants will learn practical strategies for building pathways that connect young people to purpose, skill-building, mentorship, career exposure, family stability, and long-term community strength.