Birley Wright, the prevention training manager at Children’s Trust, organized the Prevention Conference, a biennial event that engages, empowers and equips those in attendance with the knowledge necessary for their important work of keeping South Carolina’s children protected from abuse, neglect and unintentional injuries.
The reviews on the 2015 Prevention Conference hosted by Children’s Trust are in.
There were many thumbs up from the more than 600 participants, something their comments emphatically show.
Attendees have passed along their thoughts on the how compelling the 40 sessions and 50 speakers were throughout the two-day event in September at the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center. The sessions provided training for child-serving professionals at the Prevention Conference and first responders and volunteers at the Child Passenger Safety Summit.
Attendees gathered at the Children’s Trust information tables to ask questions and pick up literature.
Here’s a sampling:
“Children’s Trust has so much to offer to anyone working with young children through early teens. I will be supportive of their mission and will encourage other professionals to use these valuable resources and opportunities.”
“I thoroughly enjoyed their keynote speakers (Dr. Larry Brendtro, Gregg and Peggy Nibert, Elizabeth Smart) on both days! And the breakout sessions were relevant and informative.”
“I really enjoyed the session on the adolescent brain. It helped me to understand why my clients make some of the decisions they do.”
“I learned never to underestimate the positive impact you can have on young children and their families. Conferences like this make such a difference for those searching to learn.”
Gregg and Peggy Nibert tell their amazing story about the journey that led them to foster 38 children over the last nine years.
“The information shared reinforced my strong belief in the importance of attachment and building positive relationships to promote positive development and lifelong success for children.”
“I learned to provide the following to our participants: Connect with caring adults, connect to positive peers, teach respect, allow them to practice responsibility and provide ways to contribute to the community. Big fan of Dr. Brendtro!”
“My husband and I were licensed foster parents for many years, and because of what was said regarding fostering (by the Niberts), we will begin the process to become re-licensed.”
“I learned about the Circle of Courage and how to really engage clients at risk. I also was reminded of the power of relationships and the connections between people that can make a huge impact.”
Dr. Larry Brendtro explains how deep brain learning is transforming lives and how participants can incorporate that knowledge into their work.
“I found the information regarding the work within the state to prevent child sex trafficking to be very informative and would like to see if using the documentary “Playground” (by director and session speaker Libby Spears) would be possible in my setting.”
“I learned how ACEs (adverse childhood experiences) affect the developing brain of a child. The importance of an adult coming into (children’s) lives can bring hope and help reverse the damage.”
“Everything I learned from this conference will be used in my everyday case work.”
“It has been a long time since I was in a classroom so refreshers and updates on brain development and learning were wonderful. Just hearing the experts and how they talk about these things will help me feel more confident in how I talk about these things.”
A packed house at the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center enjoys lunch.
“I enjoyed the talk about fostering and the couple’s (Gregg and Peggy Nibert) individual experiences. I also thought the talk about adolescent brain development was very informative and helpful to hear. It helps put issues we see in treatment services in perspective.”
“ACEs information was awesome!”
“I learned brain research outcomes are becoming more applicable to our daily work with families who are under severe stress.”
“I would like to create a sense of belonging with the pregnant/parenting teens that I work with and help them to see that they can accomplish things and build a sense of mastery. This in turn will impact their lives in such a way to break the cycle they are in. Larry Brendtro’s Circle of Courage really outlined it in such a way that I know I can go back to my students and put this into practice. Excellent information and takeaways that are so impactful!”
DJ Coles of Leading To Change guides an entertaining session on fatherhood engagement.
“ACEs training will be coming to our area! I had small exposure to the topic, but now I know it’s what our program needs.”
“Children should be valued and respected. I loved learning about the Circle of Courage and how we should apply it in our interactions with children. It makes so much sense. I will use it as a professional and also as a parent!”
“Parents sometimes need a forum to talk and share things without getting judgment back. Sometimes they just need another adult to converse with and understand they aren’t alone, (which I learned) from Parent Café.”
“I did not have previous experience with ACEs, and I found that it will be very relevant and useful in making assessments.”
“I learned personally and professionally that what matters most in a child’s life is that we are able to show them our unconditional love and that they have a strong sense of belonging. These two things will allow their development to reach the highest potential.”
Attendees at Photo Booth
Child-serving professionals share knowledge, gain skills, network with colleagues and have fun, too.
“I learned one of the key factors in preventing exploitation of children is to combine efforts of professionals, law enforcement and the community in educating the public.”
“I really enjoyed the breakout session that I attended regarding drugs and endangered children.”
“The information that Janet Rosenzweig shared was absolutely phenomenal! I bought her book (The Sex-Wise Parent) there and have ordered several more copies to use with parents. I might even start a group! I remembered how important it is that we need to be advocates all the time, not just when it is convenient or we have time. We all have to work to change our little corner of the world ALL the time because if we don’t, then who will?”
“The impact of ACEs was not understood by me previously, but I now have an understanding of how relevant and useful that information is.”
“A powerful presentation by Elizabeth Smart. A great illustration of how strong family foundation and faith enabled her to endure the horror she experienced.”
Dara Griffin of Be Strong Families discusses the Parent Cafe model that builds the protective factors and promotes peer-to-peer learning.
“’Why Poverty Matters’ was the most interesting and relevant session of the conference! I literally brought eight objectives home with me to incorporate in our program!”
“The story of Elizabeth Smart was inspiring and provided hope in knowing that one can overcome such traumatic events in one’s life.”
“Your organization puts on one of the best conferences around!”
“I loved breakout session on sentinel injuries in young babies. The information is practical and has made me more aware of bruises that I see on children and whether they are normal or not. Great info for professionals and parents!”
“I learned how resilient and unbelievably strong some survivors are.”
“I will try to make a bigger impact on policies and place more emphasis on prevention.”
Elizabeth Smart, who was abducted as a teen for nine months, shares her story of perseverance and resilience in the face of unimaginable adversity before a rapt audience.
“All agencies need to be working better together to help prevent child abuse in all forms.”
“Elizabeth Smart’s resilience was amazing. She inspired me.”
“Wonderfully enlightening and enjoyable!”
“I will put into use Dr. (Janet) Rosenzweig’s information about the importance of giving children clear, accurate information regarding sexual development to reduce instances and under-reporting of child sexual abuse.”
“Hundreds of children fall prey to kidnapping, rape and other violent acts. It is imperative that we develop strategic plans to protect our most precious commodity.”
“I really appreciated the discussion and statistics provided in ACEs in the youth setting. (Kelli Scurry) presented information on how she uses it at the Department of Juvenile Justice and the differences that it has made.”
