2022 Conference Presentations

Overview

2022 CWDA Annual Conference

This year, CWDA welcomed over 1,100 attendees to our annual conference in October. We had phenomenal keynote speakers who are noted below and a wide-array of fantastic breakout sessions.

Below are PDF versions of breakout presentations from those presenters who shared visual presentations with CWDA. 

Keynote speakers:

  • Michael Tubbs – Founder of End Poverty in California (EPIC)

  •  Brenda Peyser – Co-Author of The No Club: Putting a Stop to Women’s Dead-End Work

  • Bill Walton – Basketball Legend and Author of “Back from the Dead”

  • Alex Smith – Founder of the Alex Smith Foundation for Foster Teens and Retired National Football League (NFL) Quarterback & Frank Mecca, Retired CWDA Executive Director

Below are the breakout session presentations:

Presentation

All Together Now: Cross-Sector Alignment and Integration

Ventura County’s Integrated Leadership Team and Wellness System overall is focused on the full continuum, from primary to tertiary prevention, across child and family serving systems in our county. The Panel will discuss internal alignment and cross-sector shared responsibility for design, implementation and leadership of Comprehensive Prevention Planning; FFPS milestones; the County System Improvement process; Juvenile Justice Realignment; CalAIM; Aces Aware; School-based Mental Health Wellness Centers; and Neighborhoods for Learning and Wellness (FRCs).

Presentation

ICWA Implementation and County and Tribal Relationships

Introduction of the ICWA Statewide Plan, which connects with tribes and counties to reduce disproportionality of Indian children in California’s child welfare system and enhance outcomes for Indian children, families and tribes throughout the state. Will provide information to attendees from both a County and Tribal perspective on how to build a positive relationship and be inclusive of Tribes in all Social Services programs, especially child welfare and adult services.

Presentation

Filling a Gap in the Safety Net: How California Counties Are Addressing Diaper Need

Why diapers? Every baby needs diapers, yet not all families can afford them. Costing roughly $100/month per child, diapers are not covered by WIC or SNAP. Panelists will discuss why they invested in diaper supports and how diaper programs can complement and support county administered programs, including CalWORKs, CalFresh, Medi-Cal, and CPS interventions. Attendees will learn about various program models that can be implemented locally. The presentation will include findings from a comprehensive evaluation of diaper supports in Alameda and San Francisco Counties.

Presentation

Rapid Response Team

Nevada County has implemented a Path 2 Rapid Response Team (RRT) where social workers collaborate with Victor Community Services RRT in joint responses during investigations. Overall goal of RRT is to reduce the likelihood of involvement with CWS or Probation. It’s a team approach that quickly wraps the family with support and services in order to assist them in achieving stability and success.

Presentation

Career Pathways: A New Approach for Retaining and Recruiting In-Home Supportive Service (IHSS) Providers

One of the greatest concerns about the future of the In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) program is a shortage of providers available to care for the growing number of IHSS recipients. The Career Pathways initiative is an exciting workforce development program meant to retain and recruit providers by providing training opportunities meant to build skills, increase quality of care, and provide career growth for IHSS providers.

Presentation

It’s Not All About the Money!

Provide a retention framework and identify key levers to effectively engage employees and improve employee satisfaction level. 

  • Jennifer Claar – Riverside County DPSS DPSS Managing Director

  • Sayori Baldwin – Riverside County Asst. CEO-Human Services/Director Department of Public Social Services

  • Dr. Thomas Sy – University of California, Riverside Assistant Professor

Presentation

Disability Advocacy as an Essential Strategy for Ending Homelessness

Individuals with disabilities are the most likely population to experience homelessness. Many of these individuals lack access to Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or the Cash Assistance Program for Immigrants (CAPI). Despite the high need for SSI/SSDI benefits, numerous barriers exist for clients attempting to apply for SSI or SSDI on their own. County-administered Housing and Disability Advocacy Programs have been stepping in to fill this gap in needed services.

Presentation

California Youth Connection

  • Jordan Sosa

  • Courtney Sallam – Tulare County Health & Human Services

  • Christopher Hernandez