Submit Proposals to Present at SPARK 2023

Social Current is seeking workshop presentations for its SPARK 2023 conference, to be held Oct. 16-17 in Bethesda, Maryland. This event will activate our collective power to spark and elevate bold thinking and new conversations around some of our sector’s most vexing challenges. We will provide participants with an innovative forum to connect, learn, refuel, and be inspired.

The deadline to submit presentations has now passed.

Social Current’s mission is to advocate for and implement equitable solutions through collaboration, innovation, federal public policy, and practice excellence. This conference will convene and unite a diverse community from across our network and sector to share their expertise and drive toward an equitable society where all people can thrive.

We welcome all presentations that will engage, challenge, educate, and inspire participants to act. While emphasis will be placed on the core areas below, we welcome submissions that address other current issues affecting and important to our sector. Social Current will not accept proposal submissions intended to market or sell a product, consultant, or program.

Core Areas of Focus

Brain Science
Sessions should emphasize the integration of brain science-aligned, healing-centered, and trauma-informed knowledge, skills, and strategies into organizational and systems practices and policies. Consider how the application of brain science can be used to prevent and mitigate toxic stress and build child, family, and community health and well-being.

COA Accreditation
Sessions should discuss keys to achieving COA Accreditation and explore the immediate and ongoing benefits of accreditation on organizations, the workforce, and persons served. Consider topics such as the return on investment in accreditation, the importance of using data to impact service delivery, engaging your board and/or staff in the accreditation process, leveraging your accreditation, and “best in class” examples of standard implementation.

EDI, Belonging, and Justice
Sessions should address how organizations can create just, fair, and inclusive organizational cultures and communities through policies and practices, organizational leadership, and programs and services. Consider inequities experienced in health, education, economic, systems involvement, the workplace, based on race, sexual orientation, age, gender, socio-economic status, and ability.

Innovative Programs and Services
Sessions should discuss innovative programs and solutions that contribute to organizational excellence and/or help all individuals and communities thrive. Consider examples of cross-sector collaboration, practices that advance financial sustainability, programs that support integrated care or address the social determinants of health, and more.

Workforce Resilience and Leadership
Sessions should address how to recruit, retain, and support a workforce so that individuals can stay healthy and well amid ongoing change and uncertainty. Consider approaches that promote brain science awareness; equity and hiring from the community; building positive organizational culture; supporting healthy workplace relationships; and mitigating the effects of vicarious trauma, moral injury, and other workforce concerns.