Click on the blue text for more details on specific sessions.
Wednesday, November 19
9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Families as Strategic Leaders for Transformation Change
Thursday, November 20
7:00 a.m. - 12:00 pm / 4:00 pm - 9:00 pm
~ Early Conference Registration ~
7:30 am - 8:15 am
Join Nadia Cayce for a yoga class that is youth- and family-friendly. You will gently stretch and release the tensions of the day in a fun way. Beginners welcome. What a great way to start the day!
9:00 am – 4:00 pm
~ Policy Day! ~
5:00 pm – 6:00 pm
This is an opportunity for Executive Directors of Federation chapters to meet with the National Executive Director to get updates on what’s happening on the national level. This is also a chance to exchange ideas and help shape the National Federation’s Action Agenda.
Friday, November 21
7:00 am - 7:00 pm
~ Registration & Information Fair open ~
7:30 am - 8:15 am
Join Nadia Cayce for a yoga class that is youth- and family-friendly. You will gently stretch and release the tensions of the day in a fun way. Beginners welcome. What a great way to start the day!
8:00 am - 8:30 am
~ Youth Orientation to the Conference ~
First time attending the conference? This is a great way for youth to learn about what is available at the Federation conference this year!
8:30 am - 11:30 am
12:30 pm – 2:30 pm
~ Welcome Luncheon, Awards Ceremony ~
After a great luncheon, Consuelo Kickbusch shares her message for inspiring young “diamonds in the rough” by encouraging them to believe that “we can all make our dreams come true” - a message delivered to over 1 million children and families throughout the nation.
Then, hear from three national youth leaders - Johanna Bergan, Tricia Gurley and Ray Yazzi, all Board members of Youth MOVE National as they share their stories of inspiration and hope for young people involved in the mental health service delivery system.
Wrapping the luncheon session up is Gary M. Blau, Chief, Child, Adolescent and Family Branch, Center for Mental Health Services. Dr. Blau will focus his remarks on promoting positive mental health through a public health approach of promotion and prevention.
But wait, not quite done yet. Hang on to your seats as Spoken Word Master Ritalln a.k.a. Greg Frankson delivers an on-the-spot poetry slam that encompasses all that has gone on so far. Greg will be doing Spoken Word with the audience throughout the conference. He is simply amazing!
What a lineup!
3:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Concurrent Workshops
5:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.
Poster Session ~ Over 40 Poster Presentations!
6:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Board meet and greet
7:30 pm – 9:00 pm
Need a place to get together with colleagues? Want to hold a mini-training session? We will have tables in the ballroom set up for your use with plenty of space so you can meet in a comfortable environment. Tables are on a first come, first serve basis. Enjoy!
Dinner on Your Own
Saturday, November 22
6:15 a.m. - 7:00 a.m.
Join Nadia Cayce for a yoga class that is youth- and family-friendly. You will gently stretch and release the tensions of the day in a fun way. Beginners welcome. What a great way to start the day!
7:00 am - 5:00 pm
~ Registration & Information Fair~
7:15 a.m. - 8:00 a.m.
FFCMH Business meeting
8:30 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.
Over 25 years ago Jane Knitzer wrote a book that shook up the children's mental health field in America. Unclaimed Children laid the gauntlet down, saying that the system that was in place was broken and needed to be fixed. This year, Jane Knitzer and Janice Cooper from the National Center for Children in Poverty are unveiling Unclaimed Children Revisited - a study that highlights best state policy practice, placing special emphasis on identifying policies that promote developmentally and culturally appropriate services, family and youth engagement, and the effective use of evidence-based services.
Don't miss this opportunity to hear from Janice Cooper of the National Center for Children in Poverty and an esteemed panel of family members and youth who will speak to both the positive and challenging changes that have taken place in the children's mental health field over the past 20 years. Most important, panelists will share their vision of what needs to happen next to continue implementing a family-driven, youth guided approach to meeting the needs of children and youth with emotional challenges and their families.
Janice Cooper, National Center for Children in Poverty, Columbia University
Sue Smith, Executive Director, Georgia Parent Support Network
Cynthia Wainscott, NMHA Board of Directors
Angela Nelson, Georgia Parent Support Network, Pioneering National Youth Presenter at early CASSP meeting in the 1990's.
10:30 am - 12:00 p.m.
Concurrent Workshops
12:30 p.m. - 1:45 p.m.
Get ready for some good old Federation fun!
While enjoying a great luncheon, sit back and prepare to laugh as we journey through 20 years of national conferences. Meet the National Federation staff and the new officers of the Board, including the new Board President. Cheer on as new chapters are introduced and join us in paying tribute to outgoing Board members.
Executive Director Sandra Spencer will share some of the many great things that have happened as a result of past Federation conferences ~ and then it is time for awards!
Winners of the Federation's national awards (Claiming Children, Making a Difference, Celebrating Youth and Karl Dennis Unconditional Care) will be announced. But it doesn't end there. The winners of the Dare to Dream grant contest will be announced and the finalists for the Federation Poster Contest will be unveiled.
Whew! Don't miss it!
2:15 p.m. - 3:45 p.m.
Concurrent Workshops
4:00 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Highlight Workshops
Dinner on your own
6:30 p.m. - 7:00 pm
Silent Auction ends at 6:30 pm
7:00 pm - 8:00 pm – Get ready to laugh till you cry!
Nancy Parker in "IT'S ALL RELATIVE"
Direct from the Comedy Club in New York City, Nancy Parker, Comedienne and Parent who has 'been there!'
8:00 pm - 10:00 pm – You choose what’s right for you!
Dance Party!
You bring the moves, we will bring the music. This is a family event, so bring your entire crew and join the fun! Be sure not to miss the 50/50 drawing at 9:00 p.m.!
Movie Night Double Feature!!
A great relaxing way to enjoy a Saturday evening. Movie picks posted soon!
Sunday, November 23
7:30 am - 8:15 am
Join Nadia Cayce for a yoga class that is youth- and family-friendly. You will gently stretch and release the tensions of the day in a fun way. Beginners welcome. What a great way to start the day!
8:30 am - 11:30 am
Get ready for an inspirational morning of music, art, poetry and passion. Sandra Spencer will deliver a charge to the membership as we move in to 2009. You will also hear words of inspiration from the newly elected Federation Board Chair. Then, Lorrin Gehring will facilitate a youth leadership presentation. Closing the conference this year will be a most amazing performance by youth who have been participating all weekend in the Viva Vox Youth Track. They will astound you with their many and varied talents, sharing their inspiration from a weekend of working together. This has become one of the most popular sessions of any Federation conference. Be sure to set your alarm - you won't want to miss a minute of this moving presentation.
11:30 am
Conference Adjourns