Social Current

COA Accreditation and Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics (CCBHCs)
2024-06-12 13:00 - 14:00 (America/New_York)
Register

Participants will learn about COA Accreditation, a service of Social Current, as it relates to Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics (CCBHCs). This webinar will provide an overview of accreditation for CCBHCs and feature BestSelf Behavioral Health, a COA-accredited organization operating a CCBHC program.
Staff from BestSelf will speak about their experiences with COA Accreditation, how accreditation has been an asset, and the learning curve for CCBHCs. Following their presentation, participants will hear from Social Current staff about the COA Accreditation process and receive an update on our mental health and/or substance use services (MHSU) standards and their alignment with the CCBHC criteria. The session will end with time for Q&A.
Takeaways

What an organization operating a CCBHC should know when considering COA Accreditation
How COA Accreditation works for an organization operating a CCBHC
Next steps for an organization operating a CCBHC to become accredited

Who Should Participate

CCBHC program directors, quality improvement staff, and behavioral health directors
State representatives from Division of Behavioral Health/DHHSS

Presenters

Joe Perrow

Network Growth Manager
Social Current

Kelly Barkley Mane

Manager of Government Relations and Recognitions
Social Current

Melissa Dury

Director of Standards
Social Current

Rebecca S. Steffen

Vice President of Quality Improvement & Accreditation
BestSelf Behavioral Health

Sarah Weirzbowski

Vice President of Clinic Services
BestSelf Behavioral Health

Advocacy Amplified Training and Hill Day
2024-06-11 08:00 - 2024-06-13 18:00 (America/New_York) | U.S. Capitol, Washington, DC, 20004, United States
Registration for this event has closed.
Impact Partners (Formerly Engagement Packages) and/or Organizations that Have Achieved COA Accreditation
Registration Price: $400
Non-Network Organizations
Registration Price: $475

About

Agenda

Location and Lodging

About

The Advocacy Amplified Training and Hill Day is a comprehensive and interactive three-day event in Washington, D.C., designed to empower individuals in the social sector with fundamental and advanced advocacy skills. Held at Social Current Headquarters and Capitol Hill, the event will focus on transforming expertise into impactful strategies, fostering relationships, and mobilizing support around the Streamlining Federal Grants Act and other policy topics important to the sector.
About the Event
The two-day training will equip attendees with the information and skills to effectively participate in Hill Day. Social Current facilitators and guest speakers will drive engagement throughout the event.
On day one, attendees will learn fundamental aspects of effective advocacy and develop a strong foundation for future advocacy efforts. The session will cover the following topics:

Introduction to Advocacy
Navigating the Advocacy Landscape
Crafting Powerful Advocacy Messages
Building Relationships
Mobilizing Support

On day two, attendees will focus on advanced advocacy strategies, equipping them with the skills to navigate policymaking and advocate for their causes. The session will cover the following topics:

Policy Analysis and Research
Influencing Legislation
Media and Communications
Advocacy Day Preparation
Ethical Considerations and Compliance

On day three, attendees will gain real-world experience through Capitol Hill visits. You will meet with legislators and staff to advocate for critical issues and deliver persuasive messages based on the training received the previous days.
Social Current will arrange these meetings with members of Congress on your behalf. Using the addresses you provide during registration, we will schedule meetings with your respective legislators, ensuring that you have meaningful interactions with key decisionmakers.
All attendees must attend both days of training and Hill Day. You cannot attend just one part of the event.
Takeaways

Empower attendees to transform their expertise, lived experience, and passions into impactful advocacy.
Equip attendees with fundamental advocacy skills and advanced advocacy strategies required for successful campaigns.
Gain hands-on experience meeting with legislators around a shared goal.
Foster a network of engaged and informed advocates from around the country.
Build relationships with Social Current’s Policy team and social sector colleagues.

Who Should Participate
Any staff or volunteer at a community-based organizations. No prior experience or skills are required.

Agenda

Day 1: June 11 – Fundamental Advocacy Skills & Advanced Strategies
8-9 a.m. | Registration and Welcome Breakfast
9-9:30 a.m. | Opening Remarks and Conference Overview
9:30-10:30 a.m. | Session 1: Introduction to Advocacy
An overview of advocacy, its importance, and its role in societal change at various governmental levels.
10:45 a.m.-Noon | Session 2: Navigating the Advocacy Landscape
Understanding the political landscape, identifying key stakeholders, and engaging with policymakers and advocacy organizations.
Noon-1 p.m. | Networking Lunch
1-2:15 p.m. | Session 3: Crafting Powerful Advocacy Messages
Developing skills to create persuasive messages, framing issues, using stories and data, and tailoring messages to different audiences.
2:30-3:45 p.m. | Session 4: Building Relationships
Strategies for engaging with elected officials and their staff, fostering connections, and building long-term advocacy partnerships.
4-5 p.m. | Session 5: Mobilizing Support
Rallying support and building coalitions for advocacy goals, engaging community members, organizations, and allies.
5-6 p.m. | Reflection and Group Discussion
6 p.m. | Networking Dinner and Social Hour
Day 2: June 12 – Skill Application and Preparation
8-9 a.m. | Breakfast and Day 1 Recap
9-10:15 a.m. | Session 6: Policy Analysis and Research
Techniques for analyzing policies, conducting research, gathering evidence, evaluating policy impact, and presenting data.
10:30-11:45 a.m. | Session 7: Influencing Legislation
Insight into the legislative process, effective policymaker engagement, opportunities for input, and shaping policy outcomes.
Noon-1 p.m. | Networking Lunch
1-2:15 p.m. | Session 8: Media and Communications
The importance of media in advocacy, using traditional and digital platforms to raise awareness, shape public opinion, and gain campaign visibility.
2:30-4 p.m. | Session 9: Advocacy Day Preparation
Preparing for Capitol Hill visits, including logistics, scheduling meetings, and conveying messages effectively in a limited time frame.
4-5 p.m. | Panel Discussion: Ethical Considerations and Compliance in Advocacy
Addressing ethical considerations, legal compliance, transparency, disclosure, and adherence to ethical standards in advocacy.
5-6 p.m. | Group Work: Strategy Development and Role-Playing Exercises
6 p.m. | Closing Remarks and Preparation for Capitol Hill Visits

Location and Lodging

Location
Day 1 and 2 (Advocacy Training)
Social Current Headquarters
1200 First St. NE 2nd Floor
Washington, DC 20002
Day 3 (Hill Day)
Capitol Hill
1 First St NE
Washington, DC 20543
All attendees should meet at the Capitol Hill address provided. For anyone wanting to travel as a group, we will meet at Social Current Headquarters in the morning and take the Metro together to Capitol Hill.
Lodging
Please secure your own lodging for this event.
The Morrow Hotel
222 M Street NE
Washington, DC 20002
Social Current has arranged a special room rate discount of 15% off the best available rate at The Morrow Hotel. Reserve your room online or call the hotel at 202-280-2288 and mention corporate ID 3222197.

Presenters

Blair Abelle-Kiser

Senior Director of Government Affairs
Social Current

David L. Thompson

Vice President of Public Policy
National Council of Nonprofits

Ben Kershaw

Director of Public Policy and Government Relations
Independent Sector

On the Road: APHSA National Human Services Summit
2024-06-10 00:00 - 23:59 (America/New_York)
Shared Vision, Collective Impact: Shaping Our Future Together

Join us in Arlington, Virginia at the American Public Human Services Association (APHSA) National Human Services Summit on June 9-12.
Are you attending this event? Join Jody Levison-Johnson, president and CEO of Social Current, for her Leading Through Constraint: Successful Strategies for Thriving session during the summit and be sure to stop by our exhibit table to meet Turaia Ahsan, COA accreditation coordinator, to learn more about our complete range of solutions. Hope to see you there!

About the Event
The American Public Human Services Association (APHSA) National Human Services Summit offers unparalleled access to learning, peer networking, and connecting with a wide array of committed partners and organizations. Click here to learn more about the event.

Introduction to COA Accreditation
2024-06-04 15:00 - 15:30, 2024-04-03 12:00 - 12:30, 2024-02-01 13:00 - 13:30, 2023-12-14 15:00 - 15:30 (America/New_York)
Register

This free 30-minute webinar provides an introduction to Social Current and COA Accreditation. It is perfect for anyone seeking accreditation for the first time, interested in what is required to become accredited, or mandated to become accredited by state or federal legislation. Participants will gain an understanding of the key concepts that define COA Accreditation, the steps toward becoming accredited, and the benefits of accreditation. There will also be a Q&A portion for us to answer any questions you might have.
Takeaways

What is the value of accreditation
What is the accreditation process
How to become accredited

Who Should Participate
Anyone who is interested in learning more about accreditation for their organization, whether it be first-time accreditation or reaccreditation.

Joe Perrow

Network Growth Manager
Social Current

Biography

Joe Perrow
Network Growth Manager
Social Current

Joe Perrow is the network growth manager for accreditation services at Social Current. His role allows him to work closely with organizations that are seeking accreditation for the first time by helping them to navigate standards, establish a timeline, and proactively prepare for the process. Perrow has a master’s in business administration from Campbell University and more than eight years’ experience in business development, marketing, and partner management.

On the Road: AATOD Conference
2024-05-20 00:00 - 23:59 (America/New_York)
Treating Opioid Use Disorder: So Much More Than Medication

Join us in Las Vegas at the American Association for the Treatment of Opioid Dependence (AATOD) annual conference on May 18-22.
Are you attending this event? Be sure to stop by our exhibit booth #229 to meet Izzy Hodnett, manager of accreditation, and learn more about our complete range of solutions. COA accredited and Impact Partners be sure to pick-up your badge ribbons along with some cool swag to show your Social Current pride. Hope to see you there!

About the Event
The AATOD Conference is the largest gathering of the opioid treatment community. This conference brings innovative people together in a diverse array of forums and workshops. Hot Topic Roundtable discussions, inspirational plenary sessions, tours of programs, and exhibit booths with the latest technologies, science, and products that support our work are just a few of the activities that surely stimulated participant discussion, debate, and innovative ideas to share with our respective areas of work, our communities, and our treatment programs nationwide. Click here to learn more about the event.

2024 Executive Leadership Institute Alumni Connect
2024-05-16 08:00 - 2024-05-17 17:00 (America/New_York)
This fee includes breakfast, lunch, and dinner on May 16, as well as breakfast on May 17.

Register

About

Registration and Pricing

Location and Lodging

About

Executive Leadership Institute (ELI) alumni are invited to the 2024 institute to reconnect with each other, meet the newest group of students, and engage around the future of the program. This is an opportunity to make connections, share stories, and nurture meaningful relationships with fellow alumni.
On Thursday, May 16, alumni will join current students and audit that day’s sessions. In addition, they are invited to join the graduation ceremony and celebration in the evening.
On, Friday, May 17, the institute will host a town hall for alumni. It will provide a space for networking and sharing ideas for maintaining strong alumni connections. We’re also interested in recommendations for effectively recruiting future students.
This is an exciting opportunity to build community around the shared ELI experience and welcome new students and graduates to the alumni network. Join Social Current and Loyola University Chicago’s Quinlan School of Business to continue the networking and learning beyond the institute.
Who Should Attend

Graduates of the Executive Leadership Institute

Schedule
Thursday, May 16
8 a.m.-5 p.m.
Connect with current students and participate in session workshops.
6-8 p.m.
Celebrate the new graduates with a special dinner and ceremony.
Friday, May 17

9-11 a.m.
Engage in a facilitated discussion on building alumni connections, recruiting students, and equipping the next generation of leaders.

Registration and Pricing

Pricing

$250

This fee includes breakfast, lunch, and dinner on May 16, as well as breakfast on May 17.
Cancellation Policy
Cancellation by Participant: All cancellation requests must be made in writing. Conference cancellations are subject to a $50 processing fee. Cancellation requests received after April 29 will not be refunded. Credit toward future Social Current events is not currently possible. Participants unable to attend the Institute may send an alternate participant. Exceptions to this cancellation policy may be made for those who have or suspect they have COVID-19. Notice of written cancellation or alternate participant requests must be emailed directly to Social Current.
Cancellation by Social Current: If Social Current cancels this conference, all registration fees will be refunded in full.
Registration Form

Location and Lodging

Quinlan School of Business
Loyola University Chicago
820 N Michigan Ave.
Chicago IL, 60611
The Executive Leadership Institute takes place on Loyola’s Water Tower Campus.
Lodging
Hotel Felix
111 W. Huron St
Chicago IL, 60654
The Drake Hotel
140 East Walton Place
Chicago, IL 60611
Learn more about our special discounted rates.

Loyola University Chicago Water Tower Campus

Advancing Equity in Adoption Through Innovative Provider Payments and Data-Driven Policy Changes
2024-05-15 13:00 - 14:00 (America/New_York)
Register

During this presentation, Social Current Strategic Industry Partner Public Consulting Group (PCG) will provide an overview of its work on two initiatives in Michigan to tackle systemic inequities in adoption.
One initiative is to develop an innovative provider reimbursement model that incentivizes timely adoptions based on rates that are customized to average time in care for eight populations, including BIPOC children. This model empowers Michigan to tackle inequities by better aligning provider compensation with expected case workload and duration.
The second initiative is an in-depth equity assessment of policies and practices to identify areas for improvement within the current system using a nationally recognized equity audit framework.
PCG will discuss factors instrumental this work’s success, which include effective collaboration, merging stakeholder feedback with quantitative analysis, a willingness to pilot novel rates, and the boldness to recommend concrete action to address systemic inequities. Participants will be able to apply the principles of this rate model to their states’ timeline-based incentives, learn about index scoring, and be introduced to a framework approach for evaluating equity.
Takeaways

Whether their current provider payment systems advance equality and/or equity and/or perpetuate any unintended consequences that may reinforce systemic bias
How payment strategies can be used to intentionally allocate additional resources to groups that need it most to promote equity
How index scores can be used to identify trends and priorities in human services data
How to utilize qualitative data from affected populations to help explain and/or confirm quantitative trends
How affected populations can and should be central to decisions that affect their lives
Short-term and long-term approaches to building systemic equity, such as pairing a financial solution with an assessment of policies and practices
One approach for evaluating for equity within a policy or practice

Who Should Participate

Executives
Directors
Supervisors
Child welfare agency directors, commissioners

Presenter

Samantha Bone

Senior Consultant
Public Consulting Group (PCG)

Biography

Samantha Bone
Senior Consultant
Public Consulting Group (PCG)

Samantha Bone is a senior consultant at Public Consulting Group (PCG) with over 15 years of experience in the public and private sectors. She works closely with public health agencies and affected communities nationwide to improve population health by evaluating systems and programs, creating and implementing strategic plans, and targeting financial investments.
She has presented work nationally at NPN, NAWRS, and APHA. Samantha earned her master’s from Tufts University and bachelor’s from Columbia University.

Sarah Goad

State Administrative Manager for Foster Care, Guardianship, and Adoption Programs
Michigan Department of Health and Human Services

Biography

Sarah Goad
State Administrative Manager for Foster Care, Guardianship, and Adoption Programs
Michigan Department of Health and Human Services

Sarah Goad is the state administrative manager for foster care, guardianship, and adoption programs at the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. Sarah has worked in the child welfare field for over 20 years through direct service provision and supervision, advocacy, training, consultation, and administration; both in the public and private sector. She received her bachelor’s in social work from Saginaw Valley State University and her master’s in social work from the University of Michigan. Sarah has presented nationally and internationally on various child welfare topics.

2024 Executive Leadership Institute
2024-05-13 08:00 - 2024-05-17 17:00 (America/Chicago) | Loyola University Chicago Quinlan School of Business, 16 E. Pearson St., Chicago, IL, 60611, United States
About ELI

Schedule

Lead Faculty

Location

Registration and Pricing

About ELI

The Executive Leadership Institute (ELI), offered in partnership with Loyola University Chicago’s Quinlan School of Business, equips senior-level managers and executives with the knowledge and skills to oversee day-to-day operations, and prepare for the future and greater systems change. Transactional meets transformational for this influential experience.
ELI assembles a wide variety of faculty from the nonprofit and for-profit sectors, as well as academia. Social Current’s partnership with Quinlan means access to first-class faculty and specialized expertise, as well as the flexibility to create a program to transform students’ leadership skills. The curriculum will not only challenge, but offers a rare opportunity to focus on excellence, impact, and systems change.
ELI features 70 hours of content delivered over two concentrated sessions in consecutive years. The second half of the program culminates in the presentation of projects completed between the first and second sessions. The presentations are given before the assembly of participants and faculty.
Who Should Attend

Executives
Managers
Directors

We also hope the ELI alumni will join the 2024 institute to reconnect with each other, meet the newest group of students, and engage around the future of the program. Learn more about the Alumni Connect opportunity May 16-17.
Hear from Alumni
In this video, Dr. Cha-Tanya Lankford, director of Delaware programs at Pressley Ridge shares how the ELI curriculum continues to shape her as a professional and leader.

Watch the full LinkedIn Live for more.

Schedule

Monday, May 13
Welcome
Undraye Howard, PhD, Social Current
Vice President of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion and Engagement
Amy Kyhos, Loyola University Chicago
Director of Executive and Professional Education Center
Crafting Organizational Excellence with Emotional Intelligence
Jody Levison-Johnson, PhD, LCSW, Social Current
President and CEO
In this session, Social Current President and CEO Jody Levison-Johnson will share her expertise on strategic leadership, change management, and fostering a culture of continuous improvement, particularly during times of constraint. Students will gain insights into how to navigate complexities, drive transformation, and lead with purpose to achieve sustainable success.
Discussion of DISC Assessments
Darrell Katz, Loyola University Chicago Quinlan School of Business
Adjunct Professor
ELI Second Year Student Project Presentations
Facilitator: Undraye Howard, Social Current
Leading in new and innovative ways is part of the social sector’s DNA. Being mission-responsive, using reflexive thought, and building emotional intelligence are core leadership development skills. How does one identify what leading from their inner core looks like? How do our innate qualities determine our leadership style? And once we understand our core motivations and leadership style, how do we inspire others within our organizations, communities, and sectors to lead and collaborate across networks and systems? It requires a new way of thinking and behaving. This session will explore new ways of framing leadership development by focusing on:

Identifying intrinsic and extrinsic motivations
Rethinking leadership from a core development mindset
Highlighting leader behaviors that inspire, motivate, and empower others through collaboration

Dinner/Networking
Tuesday, May 14

Morning Motivations
Equip the Flip for Human Services Leaders
Robena Spangler, MS, Social Current
Senior Director of Leadership Development/Organizational Excellence
Trinka Landry-Bourne, DPA, American Public Human Services Association
Organizational Effectiveness Consultant Leadership Development
Break
Equip the Flip: Voices from the Field ELI Focus Groups
Robena Spangler, Social Current
Trinka Landry-Bourne, American Public Human Services Association
Social Current and the American Public Human Services Association have joined together to create a new leadership framework for human services. The framework’s competencies will be infused throughout human services organizations to instill patterns of behavior that will make the flip to shift power to the community. This session includes a “Voices from the Field” focus group activity designed especially for Executive Leadership Institute students.
Chat & Chew
Lunch and video call with ELI Alumni Board and other graduates
The Social Sector Workforce’s Resilience in a Post-Pandemic Environment
Session led by Loyola University Chicago
Social Sector leaders consistently face adversity, as core needs and resources evolve to reflect broader changes in society. Growing personal and organizational resilience is paramount in developing sustainable pathways for social impact. This session will emphasize leadership and management practices and approaches for building resilience and ensuring persistence.
Dine-Around Networking Dinners
Students form networking groups of 6-8 peers for deeper conversations; reservations and sign-up sheets will be provided

Wednesday, May 15
Morning Motivations
Facilitator: Robena Spangler, Social Current
Reconvene to debrief on the previous night’s networking dinner discussions.
Strategic Partnering: Is There an Alternative to Mergers and Acquisitions?
Mike Bertrand, Lutheran Child and Family Services of Illinois
President and CEO
Carl Clark, Devereux Advanced Behavioral Health in Villanova, Pennsylvania
President/CEO
Social sector CEOs are leading in new and innovative ways. Strategic partnerships can be arrangements between two or more organizations with like-minded visions and missions that agree to support each other in an effort to help all parties succeed. In this session, students will get an answer to this question and more from chief executives who are addressing today’s social sector challenges.
Lunch
Depart for Study Tour
Roundtrip travel via coach bus
Study Tour: UCAN
UCAN – The Power of Potential – strives to build strong youth and families through compassionate healing, education, and empowerment. UCAN changes lives through impactful programs, consistent presence and unrivaled diversity and inclusion. UCAN serves and impacts over 9100 historically underrepresented children, youth, and families across Illinois.
Afternoon and Dinner on Your Own
Thursday, May 16
All Alumni are invited to join for the day to audit lectures and participate in graduation.
Morning Motivations
Understanding Artificial Intelligence and How We Can Use It in the Social Sector
Andy Kaufman, Loyola University Chicago Quinlan School of Business
Adjunct Instructor
As artificial intelligence (AI) continues to evolve and develop, social sector leaders must grapple with its usages, impacts, and challenges. During this discussion, you will consider AI’s potential to accelerate and streamline social impact, while being introduced to practical tools for immediate use on projects, workflows, and deliverables.
Lunch
The Social Enterprise and A Financial Model for Us
Mary Hollie, Glenwood Academy
President and CEO
How does the social sector continue to meet its mission and foster fiscal sustainability? Governmental contracts, traditional fundraising, and resource development can only go so far on sustainability. Join sector thought leader Mary Hollie as she discusses and presents various sustainable funding models, including the role of philanthropy and the development of private/public partnerships and performance-based funding models as a viable approach to sector sustainability.
Graduation and Dinner Reception
Friday, May 17
Morning Motivations
Brandon Pendleton, Loyola University Chicago Quinlan School of Business
Adjunct Professor
Wellness for Leaders and Teams
Brandon Pendleton – Loyola University Chicago
Adjunct Professor, Quinlan School of Business
As the 2024 Executive Leadership Institute wraps up, students will take a moment to pause and reflect on the foundation of their impact—their own well-being. During this motivational session, participants will learn the importance of implementing wellness practices in their lives, as well as ideas and resources for providing safe spaces that cultivate connection and allow all team members to thrive.
Break
Tying It All Together: What Did We Learn this Week?
For Alumni
Alumni Town Hall
The goal of the town hall is to provide a space for networking and an exchange of ideas for maintaining strong alumni connections. We are particularly interested in hearing from you about ways to effectively recruit and retain candidates for a successful future of the Executive Leadership Institute.

Lead Faculty

Undraye Howard, PhD
Vice President of Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Engagement

Undraye Howard currently serves as vice president of equity, diversity, and inclusion at Social Current. In his roles over the years, he has provided invaluable consultation to community-based organizations. In his current role, he leads Social Current’s efforts in providing strategy, solutions, and support for the development of leaders in the social sector, with an emphasis on equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI). Through his strategic leadership and direction, he and a team of network leaders have co-created helpful resources, consultation, and workshops that uplift and disseminate best practices to help community-based organizations advance their EDI journeys.
In addition, Dr. Howard was instrumental in developing Social Current’s leadership development model, the rEvolutionary Model, which helps develop the skills of change leaders to drive toward system and population-level results. Dr. Howard also leads the annual Executive Leadership Institute, which is held in partnership with Loyola University’s Quinlan School of Business. This transformational experience equips leaders with the knowledge and skills to create greater systems change.
Dr. Howard also has a deep appreciation and connection to the greater Milwaukee community. He sits on the board of AD2LUV Senior Housing (2006-present), Father Hood Initiative (2012-present), and the board of Holy Cathedral (1999-present), where he also led as youth director and deacon. He also served as a member on the State of Wisconsin Strengthening Families and Children.
Dr. Howard holds a doctorate in business from Bellevue University. He received his master’s in communication and bachelor’s in business administration from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.

Robena Spangler
Senior Director of Leadership Development and Organizational Excellence

Robena Spangler is an innovative senior executive with over 30 years of experience in behavioral health, human services, and advancing equity and inclusion work. The majority of her career has been dedicated to systems improvement within the child welfare and juvenile justice systems. Spangler held several leadership roles in the public and private sectors. She has provided professional coaching and leadership development for teams and individuals on a national level. In addition to her public and private sector work, she is an adjunct instructor at Elizabethtown College in Pennsylvania in the School of Continuing and Professional Studies (SCPS), responsible for facilitating accelerated programs in human services for adult learners. Her current role, as an EDI and leadership strategist, is to design and manage all aspects of Social Current’s leadership and organizational excellence portfolio. Spangler holds a bachelor’s in sociology and human services along with a master’s in leadership and professional advancement.

Location

Quinlan School of Business
Loyola University Chicago
820 N Michigan Ave.
Chicago IL, 60611
The Executive Leadership Institute takes place on Loyola’s Water Tower Campus.
Lodging
Hotel Felix
111 W. Huron St
Chicago IL, 60654
The Drake Hotel
140 East Walton Place
Chicago, IL 60611
Learn more about our special discounted rates.

Loyola University Chicago Water Tower Campus

On the Road: Oregon Alliance and the Oregon Child & Family Center for Excellence’s Annual Summit
2024-05-08 00:00 - 23:59 (America/New_York)
Meeting the Moment: Addressing the Youth Mental Health

Join us in Redmond at the Oregon Alliance and the Oregon Child & Family Center for Excellence’s Annual Summit on May 8-10.
Are you attending this event? Our president and CEO, Jody Levison-Johnson will be delivering the opening keynote, Meeting the Moment: The Youth Mental Health Crisis and the Role of Community-Based Organizations on Thursday, May 9. Jody will also be leading the work session track The State of Nonprofits and Reimagining Funding Models on May 9.

About the Event
The Oregon Alliance and the Oregon Child & Family Center for Excellence’s Annual Summit draws leaders from our diverse group of member organizations serving Oregon’s children, youth and families at home, in school, in residential settings, and within their community. They’ll gather with state, health care, and community leaders, as well as providers of direct care services and those with lived experience, to find new ways to achieve the best possible outcomes for children, adolescents, young adults, and families across the state. Click here to learn more.

On the Road: ACRC Annual Conference
2024-05-06 00:00 - 23:59 (America/New_York)
Right Care, Right Place, Right Time: Revolutionizing the Children’s Continuum of Care

Join us in Phoenix at the Association of Children’s Residential & Community Services (ACRC) annual conference on May 6-9.
Are you attending this event? Be sure to stop by our exhibit booth to meet Rachael Rucker, network engagement specialist, to learn more about our complete range of solutions. COA accredited and Impact Partners be sure to pick-up your badge ribbons along with some cool swag to show your Social Current pride. Hope to see you there!

About the Event
ACRC’s 68th Annual Conference, Right Care, Right Place, Right Time: Revolutionizing the Children’s Continuum of Care, will be held May 6-9, 2024. With global attention focused on the urgent, often unmet, behavioral and mental health needs of children, we seek to elevate what is working and re-envision how children and families access care. Click here to learn more about the event.

On the Road: NJHSA PowerNET
2024-05-05 00:00 - 23:59 (America/New_York)
PowerNET 2024: Amplifying Our Impact Together

Join us in Pittsburgh at the Network of Jewish Human Services PowerNET conference on May 5-8.
Are you attending this event? Stop by the Social Current booth to pick up some cool swag and visit with Marisa Collins, director of strategic partnerships and partner communications, to learn more about our wide-range of solutions including COA Accreditation, Impact Partnerships, consulting, and more!

About the Event
PowerNET is The Network’s annual signature event. Over 2.5 days, professional leadership, including board members, and staff from
member agencies at all levels, participate in educational workshops and networking opportunities.

Nonprofit Sector Fraud Trends and Anti-Fraud Tips
2024-05-02 13:00 - 14:15 (America/New_York)
Register

During this webinar, Social Current Strategic Industry Partner Your Part-Time Controller (YPTC) will share the year’s more prevalent fraud trends. YPTC will also discuss anti-fraud tips and examine ways that nonprofit leaders can protect their organizations.
Takeaways

Why nonprofit organizations are susceptible to fraud
The latest fraud trends affecting nonprofits
Anti-fraud steps to take to protect yourself and your organization

Who Should Participate

Finance staff
Managers and leaders
Board members

Presenter

Sandra Magri

Manager, New England Market
Your Part-Time Controller

Biography

Sandra Magri
Manager, New England Market
Your Part-Time Controller

Sandra Magri, CPA, has worked with YPTC since 2021 and is a manager in the New England market. Prior to YPTC, she spent many years in public accounting, often auditing human and social services organizations, and has worked as a controller in small local nonprofit organizations. She has served as treasurer of her local PTO and in other capacities on various boards of directors. Sandra graduated from Merrimack College with a bachelor’s in business administration with a concentration in accounting.

Information Session: Impact Partnerships
2024-05-01 14:00 - 15:00, 2024-04-17 14:00 - 15:00 (America/New_York)
Register

Social Current has launched an updated solution—Impact Partnerships, formerly known as Engagement Packages. Impact Partnerships offer resources to support organizational excellence, including new convenings and networking opportunities, participation in our workforce resilience virtual learning series, continued access to the online resource library, and more.
This new name, revised benefits, and updated fee schedule are based largely on the feedback from our network organizations. Impact Partnerships are a great opportunity to equip you and your staff with the resources needed for continued excellence and impact.
Takeaways

About Impact Partnerships
Included benefits

Who Should Participate

Executives and directors who are interested in gaining additional resources and tools for their organizations

Rachael Rucker

Network Engagement & Growth Specialist
Social Current

Convening for Chief Executives
2024-05-01 08:00 - 2024-05-03 17:00 (America/New_York)
About

Registration and Pricing

Sessions & Speakers

Location

Planning Team

About

Register Now

This convening will offer learning and networking tailored to chief executives of human services organizations. By bringing together sector leaders who truly understand each other’s day to day, it will offer a safe space to develop relationships, share challenges, find solutions, and build community.
With facilitated sessions, the event’s programming will emphasize dialogue and collaboration to identify solutions. Chief executives are invited to make new connections, deepen relationships, and grow their network of go-to colleagues. This event will be held at a community-based organization in the Social Current network and feature an optional networking event.
Who Should Participate

Chief executives of human and social sector organizations

Schedule
Wednesday, May 1
5:30-7 p.m. Welcome Reception at BasBlue
BasBlue is approximately 2.5 miles for the Westin Book Cadillac Hotel. Participants are on their own for transportation to and from this reception.
Thank you to The Children’s Center for sponsoring this reception.
Thursday, May 2 at The Children’s Center
7:30 a.m. First Bus to The Children’s Center Departs
8:05 a.m. Second Bus to The Children’s Center Departs
7:45-9 a.m. Networking Breakfast
9-10 a.m. Welcome and Introductions
10-10:15 a.m. Break
10:15-11:45 a.m. The New Narrative Campaign
11:45 a.m.-1 p.m. Networking Lunch
1-2:30 p.m. Effective Board Governance, Strategic Clarity, and Long-Term Mission Success
2:30-3:15 p.m. The Children’s Center Tour
3:15-5:30 p.m. Networking Activity: Motown Museum (sold out)
Transportation to the Motown Museum and back to the Westin Book Cadillac Detroit will be provided.
Those not participating in the networking activity are on their own for transportation back to the hotel. The Children’s Center is approximately 1.5 miles from hotel.
Dine with Your Peers or Evening on Your Own
Friday, May 3 at Judson Center
7 a.m. First Bus to Judson Center Departs
8 a.m. Second Bus to Judson Center Departs
7:30-8:45 a.m. Breakfast
Thank you to Judson Center for sponsoring this breakfast.
8:30-9:15 a.m. Judson Center Tour
9:15-9:30 a.m. Break
9:30-11 a.m. AI in Human Services: Opportunities and Considerations
11-11:45 a.m. Discussion: What’s Keeping You Up at Night?
11:45 a.m.-12 p.m. Closing and Evaluation
Participants are on their own for transportation after the closing session. Judson Center is approximately 26 miles (35 minutes) from the Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport.

Registration and Pricing

Registration
Registration must be received on or before April 3 to receive the early bird rate. After that date, regular rates apply.

Register Now

Pricing
Impact Partners (Formerly Engagement Packages) and/or Organizations that Have Achieved COA Accreditation

Early Bird Registration $595
Regular Registration $745

Other Organizations

Early Bird Registration $695
Regular Registration $845

Networking Activity (sold out) $60

Cancellation by Participant
All cancellation requests must be made in writing. Conference cancellations are subject to a $100 processing fee. Cancellation requests received after April 12 will not be refunded, including the optional tour. Credit toward future Social Current events is not currently possible. Notice of written cancellation must be emailed directly to Social Current.
Cancellation by Social Current
If Social Current cancels this conference, all registration fees will be refunded in full.

Sessions & Speakers

Sessions
Welcome Reception at BasBlue
Reconnect with longtime colleagues and make new connections with fellow chief executives during the Welcome Reception. Participants will enjoy appetizers, beverages, and informal networking at BasBlue. The reception will include special guests, Michigan Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist II, who will provide remarks, and Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Director Elizabeth Hertel.
BasBlue works to create pathways and open doors for women and non-binary individuals by fostering connection and discovery through a diverse and inclusive community, educational opportunities, and culturally enriching experiences. BasBlue takes pride in supporting farms and bakeries that are owned and led by women.
Thank you to The Children’s Center for sponsoring this reception.
The New Narrative Campaign
For our New Narrative campaign, Social Current looks to use the film Uncharitable as a catalyst for action. We have partnered with the film’s social impact campaign and are working to bring social sector organizations together to help change the current (mis)perceptions and lack of true understanding of nonprofits. This session will provide an opportunity for discussion about being intentional and thoughtful in leading narrative change for the social sector.
Presenters:

Jody Levison-Johnson, president & CEO, Social Current
Stephanie Pacinella, senior director of strategy and growth, Social Current

Effective Board Governance, Strategic Clarity, and Long-Term Mission Success
The role of nonprofit executives has become increasingly complex. Best-in-class leaders increasingly realize that their governance model, organizational culture, and strategic plan are intertwined, and that effective governance leads to long-term mission success. Based on research detailed in his critically acclaimed book, The CEO and the Board: The Art of Nonprofit Governance as a Competitive Advantage, Dr. Senske will lead an interactive dialogue on key topics. Participants will discuss how to chart their organizations’ desired destination with their own unique roadmap, the changing role of the board given post-COVID shifts, effective strategic planning in a rapidly changing external environment, and a scorecard to determine if their governance model is indeed a mission advantage.
Presenter: Kurt Senske, founder and principal, CEO-Board Services
Networking Activity: Motown Museum
Motown Museum is the heartbeat of the Motown legacy—a destination for music and history fans. It celebrates the authentic story of Motown, from its humble beginnings to its emergence as the “Sound of Young America” and beyond. The museum brings together fans, people, and ideas from different generations and it captures the imagination to fuel dreams and inspire accomplishments.
Transportation will be provided to the museum from The Children’s Center and back to The Westin Book Cadillac after the tour.
This tour has reached capacity and is sold out.
AI in Human Services: Opportunities and Considerations
This dynamic and interactive session is designed to help nonprofit leaders assess the opportunities and challenges of using artificial intelligence (AI) in their organizations. In the rapidly evolving landscape of digital technologies, strategically implementing AI can significantly enhance the efficiency, effectiveness, and impact of nonprofit initiatives. Participants will be introduced to the three main applications of generative AI, learn how to conduct an organizational assessment of AI readiness, and consider the elements of an AI policy for their organization.
Participants will:

Understand the types of artificial intelligence and map them to organizational functions
Identify opportunities for integrating artificial intelligence in day-to-day workflows
Explore elements of an artificial intelligence policy for organizations
Collaborate and brainstorm ideas for implementing artificial intelligence

Presenter: Lauri Goldkind, associate professor, Graduate School of Social Service, Fordham University
Discussion: What’s Keeping You Up at Night?
Participants will be encouraged to share the challenges and concerns that keep them up at night while reflecting on the discussions of the past two days and impart new perspectives, understanding, or ideas they have gathered from their peers.
Facilitator: Jody Levison-Johnson, president & CEO, Social Current
Speakers
Lauri Goldkind, PhD, LMSW
Associate Professor
Fordham University
Dr. Lauri Goldkind, PhD, LMSW is an associate professor at Fordham University and the editor of the Journal of Technology in Human Services. Her current research focuses on artificial intelligence in social work practice and data ecosystems in nonprofit organizations. She is a network co-lead for the Grand Challenges in Social Work Harnessing Technology for the Social Good. She can be reached via email.
Jody Levison-Johnson, PhD, LCSW
President and CEO
Social Current
Jody Levison-Johnson is a licensed clinical social worker with over 30 years of experience in the field of human services. She currently serves as the president and CEO of Social Current. Jody is a longstanding champion for systems change which results in the ability for individuals and communities to thrive. Over several decades, her career has crossed a variety of settings including private providers, state and local governments, and national associations. Much of her work has focused on cross-sector alignment to benefit children, youth, and families. Jody’s experience leading system reform efforts across the country has prompted her interest in the environmental contexts that surround leadership of deep change in social and public systems. Jody holds a master’s in social work from Syracuse University and a master’s and doctorate in leadership and change from Antioch University.
Stephanie Pacinella, MA
Senior Director of Strategy and Growth
Social Current
Stephanie Pacinella is the senior director of strategy and growth at Social Current. She is responsible for overseeing Social Current’s fund development strategy and special strategic initiatives that require enterprise-wide collaboration. She previously led the Standards Research and Development Department for COA Accreditation, researching and developing best practice standards for nonprofit organization administration, management, and social service programs. Stephanie has a background in research, grant writing, and behavioral health services. She earned a master’s in community psychology from Marist College.

Location

Location
Wednesday, May 1
BasBlue
110 E Ferry St.
Detroit, MI 48202
Thursday, May 2
The Children’s Center
79 Alexandrine West
Detroit, MI 48201
Friday, May 3
Judson Center
4410 W. 13 Mile Road
Royal Oak, MI 48073
Lodging
The Westin Book Cadillac Detroit
1114 Washington Boulevard
Detroit, MI 48226
Social Current has arranged a special room rate of $245 for single or double occupancy, plus applicable taxes. Reserve your room online or by calling the Marriott Reservations line at 888-627-7150 by April 3 and mentioning the group name Social Current May 2024 to receive the discounted rate.

Planning Team

Planning Team
Mike Bertrand
President & CEO
Lutheran Child and Family Services of Illinois
Karen Coleman
President & CEO
Tabor Services, Inc.
Joe Everett
President & CEO
The Opportunity Alliance
Julio Galan
President & CEO
Family & Youth Counseling Agency
Mary Garr
President & CEO
Family Service Association of San Antonio, Inc.
Andrea Hall
President/CEO
MYSI Corporation
Christa Hamilton
President & CEO
UCAN
Lenora Hardy-Foster
President & CEO
Judson Center, Inc.
Jenny Livelli
President & CEO
The Children’s Guild
Sandra Mintz
Chief Executive Officer
Lethbridge Family Services
Michelle Murray
President & CEO
Nexus Family Healing
Jill Oldham
Chief Executive Officer
Greenleaf Family Center
Kirsten Olson
Chief Executive Officer
Children & Families First
Anita Paukovits
Executive Director/President
The Children’s Home of Easton, Inc.
Nickaila Sandate
President & CEO
EmberHope Youthville
Eric Schindler
Chief Executive Officer
Child & Family Resources, Inc.
Michael Sexauer
President
Holy Family Institute
Martine Singer
Chief Executive Officer
Children’s Institute, Inc.
Richard Stagliano
Chief Executive Officer
Center For Family Services, Inc.
Nicole Wells Stallworth
President & CEO
The Children’s Center of Wayne County, Inc.

Building a Resilient Workforce Learning Series
2024-04-23 14:00 - 15:15 (America/New_York)
Four-part virtual learning series: April 23, May 21, June 17, and July 23 from 2-3:15 p.m.
Pricing:

Impact Partners (Formerly Engagement Packages):

Up to two staff members are eligible for free registration
$200 for additional staff members

Organizations that Have Achieved COA Accreditation and Other Organizations:

Early Bird: $200
After March 27: $235

Social Current Impact Partners can contact us for the free registration code. Learn more about Impact Partnerships online.

Register

As workforce challenges continue to challenge human services organizations, leaders are searching for concrete action steps to support staff who are emotionally and physically exhausted. Though staff often enter the field excited to make a difference, it can be difficult to keep them connected to the vision and mission of the organization.
This four-part webinar series will delve into core strategies and tactics for supporting staff, such as increasing accountability, managing conflict, nurturing relationships, embracing equity, and achieving excellence.
Sessions in this Series

Create Brain-Friendly Environments

April 23, 2024, 2-3:15 p.m. ET
The human services field has made strides in raising awareness around the urgency of building healthy brains in new babies and young children. However, the field has been slow to translate emerging brain science into learnings and practices with adults and our workforce.
To be well at work, especially in complex and stressful settings, we need to understand basic brain concepts and embrace practices and behaviors that support optimal brain functioning. Stress, distress, and trauma interrupt our ability to access our “thinking brain” and, without intervention, keep us in our survival or lower brain, where we struggle to think, problem solve, focus, or manage conflict.
The first session in this series, focuses on the importance of embracing brain science awareness in our work settings. We explore the neurobiology of stress, distress and trauma, the arousal continuum, and strategies for practicing daily regulation activities at work and building a brain friendly culture that leads to resilience and success.
Learning Objectives

Brain science concepts and strategies to increase resilience in the workplace
State dependent functioning and the arousal continuum, and their application to daily work
Practical tools and strategies for increasing regulation
Strategies for building a brain friendly culture that enhances our optimal functioning at work

Build Psychological Safety

May 21, 2024, 2-3:15 p.m. ET
Direct service staff face pressure from many different people and are often afraid of making a mistake that might harm those they serve, negatively impact others’ perception of them, or disappoint their supervisors or colleagues.
To alleviate this worry and ensure our staff can speak and act freely, it is critical to prioritize psychological safety. Popularized by Amy Edmondson, psychological safety is the belief that the work environment is safe for interpersonal risk taking and employees can speak candidly without the fear of retribution. It leads to authentic conversations critical to building equity, diversity, and inclusion practices; problem solving; innovation; connection; trust; and growth.
The second session in this series explores courage and vulnerability in the workplace and the critical skills involved in building a psychologically safe staff culture. It will discuss strategies for leaders to respond to staff challenges by modeling authenticity, accountability, and compassion, all which promote safe risk taking at work and strengthen our resilience.
Learning Objectives

Components of psychological safety and the critical need to build it at work
The impact of courage and vulnerability in the workplace
Leadership strategies for increasing psychological safety in the workplace

Prioritize Positive Staff Culture

June 17, 2024, 2-3:15 p.m. ET
You’ve heard the adage, “Culture eats strategy for breakfast.” It’s true. If our organizational culture is unhealthy, we will struggle to get our work done. So, we must intentionally build a positive staff culture that reflects our organization’s stated values and beliefs and aligns with our strategy.
The third session in this series explores the ingredients of a positive staff culture, and the steps needed to achieve it. Learn strategies for bringing our organizational values into daily interactions, achieving clear and realistic boundaries and expectations, and aligning our culture and strategy to build resilience and success.
Learning Objectives

Define organizational culture
How to realize organizational values in daily interactions
How to promote boundaries and expectations that support attitudes and behaviors critical to the agency mission and staff well-being
Steps for aligning organizational culture and strategy

Integrate Connection and Community

July 23, 2024, 2-3:15 p.m. ET
Research from O.C. Tanner Institute notes that, now more than ever, employees are looking for a sense of community at work. People are social animals—we crave a sense of belonging, and to be seen, heard, and valued. An organization is 12 times more likely to thrive when employees feel connected. In essence, a strong work community holds an organization together, especially during challenging times. Our brains are hardwired for connection. When we build healthy connections with people at work, we are more equipped to tolerate uncomfortable feelings, actively listen, demonstrate empathy, have difficult conversations, and thrive while facing complex work tasks and constant change.
The third session in this series, explores the components of healthy connections in the work setting, and strategies for intentionally integrating connection and community across the range of experiences of our employees.
Learning Objectives

How connection is critical to feeling calm and regulated
Strategies for increasing connection in the virtual and hybrid workplace
Strategies for building community among employees with a range of experiences and preferences for ways to connect

Instruction Methods
These webinars will be a blend of short lectures, facilitated discussions, brief videos, peer-to-peer sharing in small groups, and optional reading/viewing assignments in between sessions.
Who Should Participate

Executive and senior leaders
Middle managers
Human resource staff
Staff with responsibility for equity, diversity, and inclusion

Individuals who are champions for strengthening the workforce culture, regardless of their title, will also benefit. This guidance is relevant for all workforces across the human services ecosystem, including at the community, systems, government, and policy levels.

Presenters

Karen Johnson

Senior Director, Change in Mind Institute
Social Current

Biography

Karen Johnson
Senior Director, Change in Mind Institute
Social Current

Karen Johnson brings knowledge of the advancing science around resilience, brain development, adversity, toxic stress, equity, and trauma-informed approaches to the complex challenges we face. This expertise, coupled with her 28 years of experience in child welfare, behavioral health, and community services, enables her to successfully partner with leaders, staff, community members, and participants across numerous settings to promote individual and organizational resilience.
Johnson leads the development of Social Current’s Change in Mind Institute, leveraging the latest advances in neurosciences and trauma-informed approaches across sectors and at the practice, policy, and systems levels. She oversees the Texas Change in Mind Learning Collaborative, through which 10 organizations from multiple sectors across Southeast Texas are working to embed brain science and equity principles with the goal of improving outcomes for children and families, as well as their organizational cultures and ability to collaborate with partners.
During her five-and-a-half years on the National Council for Mental Wellbeing’s trauma-informed services team, and year-and-a-half as an independent consultant, Johnson trained and consulted with organizations, systems, and communities striving to strengthen their workforce and advance trauma-informed, resilience-oriented approaches. She worked in various roles in the treatment foster care department and led and developed community-based programs during her 19 years at Wellpoint Care Network in Milwaukee. Johnson combines the newest advances around adversity, relational health, and resilience to infuse hope and connection into our work.

Kelly Martin

Director, Practice Excellence
Social Current

Biography

Kelly Martin
Director, Practice Excellence
Social Current

Kelly Martin is the director of practice excellence at Social Current, with an emphasis on applied developmental psychology, healing-centered approaches, educational success, antiracism, workforce well-being, policy, and advocacy. In this role, she collaborates with stakeholders across the network to advance systems change through policy and advocacy efforts, and to build the capacities of leaders through networking, knowledge, and solutions. She has experience facilitating design sessions and learning opportunities with a wide variety of human service and education stakeholders which includes classroom teachers to frontline staff to executive leaders.
Prior to this role, Kelly was with the Alliance for Strong Families and Communities (Alliance), supporting internal and external efforts to advance equity, leading evaluation and research projects, and working closely with educational success stakeholders. Before joining the Alliance in 2016, Kelly was a researcher in the Developmental and Educational Psychology Departments at the University of Pittsburgh. She spent her time connecting with young people, families, and educators across the city of Pittsburgh, as well as collaborating with multi-sector leaders to infuse developmental theory, research, and best practices into local and state initiatives.  She was an adjunct instructor during her years at Pitt, teaching a graduate course in developmental psychology.
Kelly holds a master’s in applied developmental psychology, and a bachelor’s in psychology and sociology from the University of Pittsburgh. She is currently working toward the completion of Yoga Roots on Location® Certified Yoga Teacher Training, an anti-racist and social justice Raja Yoga teacher training offered through the Yoga Alliance’s 200-hour Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT) Certification.

On the Road: CWLA 2024 National Conference
2024-04-17 00:00 - 23:59 (America/New_York)
Creating Meaningful Change

Join us in Washington, D.C. at the Child Welfare League of America’s (CWLA) 2024 National Conference on April 17-19.
Are you attending this event? Come say hello to Amy Templeman, senior director of child, family, and community well-being and Romero Davis, director of practice excellence at the Social Current booth in the exhibit hall. Amy and Romero will also be presenting with Angela Pharris from the Hope Research Center in session F12 – The Science of Hope and Barriers to Belongingness on Friday, April 19 at 9:15 am – 10:30 am.

About the Event
CWLA’s conference will bring together solutions from all sectors of child welfare and its related systems, furthering the shift toward an integrated, accessible, culturally responsive services continuum that advances family and community well-being. Learn more about the conference and register today!

On the Road: NatCon24
2024-04-15 00:00 - 23:59 (America/New_York)
Meet Us in St. Louis.

Join us in St. Louis at the National Council for Mental Wellbeing NatCon24 on April 15-17.
Are you attending this event? Be sure to stop by Booth 1321 in the exhibit hall at the America’s Center Convention Complex (ACCC) and say hello to Joe Perrow, network growth manager, along with other members of the Social Current team. Karen Johnson, senior director of Change in Mind and Kelly Martin, director of practice excellence, will be presenting workshop B14 – Transformational Change in Texas: Impacts of the Texas Change in Mind Learning Collaborative in Room 104/105, Level 1 of the ACCC at 4:15-5:15 p.m. on Monday, April 15. On Tuesday, April 16, Joe Perrow will be on the panel for C4 – What Makes Accreditation Worth the Effort? in Room 276, Level 2 of the ACCC at 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. We hope to see you there!

About the Event
The largest conference in mental health and substance use treatment is renowned for its sought-after speakers and best-in-class curriculum, NatCon24 offers three days of learning, networking and access to experts. Learn more about the conference and register today!

Insurance Carrier Expectations Concerning Abuse Prevention Programs
2024-04-02 14:00 - 15:00 (America/New_York)
Register

Abuse allegations are on the rise for public human service agencies and community-based organizations due to reviver legislation across the country. Settlements are staggering. The damage to an organization’s reputation can be irreparable. Many insurers and reinsurers are beginning to withdrawal from the abuse insurance market completely, while others are taking a closer look at their insureds’ abuse prevention methods.
This presentation will provide a comprehensive overview of the abuse market conditions and what to expect at the next renewal. Social Current’s Strategic Industry Partner Brown & Brown Insurance will share the knowledge needed to avoid a non-renewal situation by walking participants through the required abuse prevention program elements.
Takeaways

Reviver legislation, nuclear verdicts, sympathetic juries, and the rising number of abuse allegations are driving carriers to legislate their own changes in the form of non-renewals, premium or retention increases, and reduced limits.
Before carriers extend abuse coverage to organizations, they want to know the organization has taken appropriate actions to protect their vulnerable population.
Most carriers request information about an organization’s written abuse prevention procedures, screening and selection process, training, and reporting procedures.
Abuse is preventable. Organizations should audit their current abuse prevention program to ensure it contains all the required elements.

Who Should Participate

CEOs, Executive Directors, COOs, and CFOs at agencies and organizations serving children, vulnerable adults, or seniors (children’s homes, addiction treatment/recovery centers, behavioral counseling clinics, senior or assisted living, residential group homes, camps, religious institutions, schools, day care centers, after school care programs, YMCA/YWCA, etc.).

Presenter

Tiffany Vrabel, MBA, CIC, ARM

Senior Vice President
Brown & Brown

Biography

Tiffany Vrabel, MBA, CIC, ARM
Senior Vice President
Brown & Brown

Tiffany is a Vice President for Brown & Brown of Lehigh Valley. Tiffany joined Brown & Brown in 2009 and creates and adapts insurance programs for organizations across the country. Her responsibilities include strategic direction on insurance coverage design, negotiation, placement, and implementation, with a focus on the highest quality protection at the lowest possible cost. She makes it a priority to help her clients understand all new and existing risks their organizations face and what they can do to protect themselves.
Tiffany holds a Bachelor of Science degree from East Stroudsburg University in business management, finance. In 2011, she earned her associate in risk management (ARM) designation and her Certified Insurance Counselor designation in 2014. She also received her master’s in business administration from Moravian University in 2013.
Tiffany resides with her husband and three children in Easton, Pennsylvania. She enjoys spending time with her family, as well as staying active and participating in fundraising events with her clients.

Lisa A. Bellis, MBA, ARM, CSM, CPG, AIS, CIC, CRIS

Senior Vice President, Risk Management & Loss Control
Brown & Brown

Biography

Lisa A. Bellis, MBA, ARM, CSM, CPG, AIS, CIC, CRIS
Senior Vice President, Risk Management & Loss Control
Brown & Brown

Lisa comes to Brown & Brown with over 35 years’ experience in commercial property/casualty insurance. She maintains a deep commitment to reducing the effects of loss and increasing an organization’s overall profitability through effectively analyzing exposures and implementing sound risk management practices. Her enthusiasm to confront challenges with a positive and constructive attitude helps her to succeed in resolving difficult issues. She provides a multitude of resources to facilitate and implement effective best practices in organizations.
Her extensive knowledge in reviewing and modifying hold harmless & indemnification agreements, as well as insurance contracts, has helped to improve the financial and legal position of her clients. Lisa has a proven track record for effectively and aggressively negotiating the reduction/closing of claims. She is uncompromising when it comes to attacking fraudulent claims. Lisa has extensive experience in working with insurance captives, regional purchasing groups, and self-insured organizations.
Lisa was awarded a master’s in business administration from Moravian University and a bachelor’s degree of science in Business Administration through Albright College, where she achieved “highest honors.” In 2000, she earned the designation of Certified Insurance Counselor and went on to achieve the associate in risk management designation from the Insurance Institute of America in 2003. She is certified by the State of New York to conduct Workplace Safety Certifications under ICR 59 and ICR 60. Lisa was also inducted as a Certified Praesidium Guardian for Abuse Prevention in 2021, and has since founded, RAAMP It Up!™ which is an assessment for abuse prevention programs.
Lisa serves on the Board of Directors at The Children’s Home of Easton. She resides in Bethlehem with her daughter and enjoys participating in various client fundraising events.

Performance and Quality Improvement (PQI)
2024-04-01 13:30 - 16:30 (America/New_York)
Register

This performance and quality improvement (PQI) training is designed to help organizations pursuing COA Accreditation develop a comprehensive approach to a quality improvement process that will advance an efficient and effective service delivery system and enhance organizational capacity to deliver quality services. This training will demonstrate how quality improvement is a catalyst for successful achievement of strategic goals and program outcomes.
COA Accreditation is offered as a service of Social Current. Learn more about COA Accreditation and how to get started online.
Takeaways

What it means to be outcomes focused
How to develop strong outcome statements
How to use logic models to outline program goals and client outcomes
Main components of a PQI process

Who Should Participate

Organization primary contacts
Senior leaders at organizations seeking COA Accreditation
Other staff involved in an organization’s accreditation process

Darrell Woodliff

Director of Volunteer Engagement
Social Current

Additional 2023 COA Accreditation Trainings

Oct

5

9:00 am – 12:00 pm EDT

Intensive Accreditation Training (IAT)

Oct

5

1:00 pm – 4:00 pm EDT

Performance and Quality Improvement (PQI)

Dec

1

10:00 am – 1:00 pm EST

Intensive Accreditation Training (IAT)

Dec

1

1:30 pm – 4:30 pm EST

Performance and Quality Improvement (PQI)

View Calendar

Intensive Accreditation Training (IAT) -- SOLD-OUT
2024-04-01 10:00 - 13:00 (America/New_York)
This session has sold-out. Please visit our COA Accreditation Trainings page to view and register for future sessions.
The Intensive Accreditation Training (IAT) is designed to prepare organizations to get the most out of their COA Accreditation experience. Topics discussed in this training include:

An in-depth overview of the COA Accreditation process, including key milestones
An overview of accreditation standards and the relationship between standards, evidence,
and the rating indicators
How ratings are assigned by the volunteer review team and insight on the accreditation decision-making process
Tips on how to get organized and manage the work
How to prepare for the site visit

COA Accreditation is offered as a service of Social Current. Learn more about COA Accreditation and how to get started online.
Who Should Participate

Organization primary contacts
Senior leaders at organizations seeking COA Accreditation
Other staff involved in an organization’s accreditation process

Darrell Woodliff

Director of Volunteer Engagement
Social Current

Additional 2023 COA Accreditation Trainings

Oct

5

9:00 am – 12:00 pm EDT

Intensive Accreditation Training (IAT)

Oct

5

1:00 pm – 4:00 pm EDT

Performance and Quality Improvement (PQI)

Dec

1

10:00 am – 1:00 pm EST

Intensive Accreditation Training (IAT)

Dec

1

1:30 pm – 4:30 pm EST

Performance and Quality Improvement (PQI)

View Calendar

Hardwired for Fear and Connection: The Intersection of Brain Science and Equity
2024-03-19 13:00 - 16:00 (America/New_York)
Three-part virtual learning opportunity: March 19, April 16, and May 7 from 1-4 p.m. ET.
Pricing:

Impact Partners (Formerly Engagement Packages) and/or Organizations that Have Achieved COA Accreditation: $600
Other Organizations: $700

Register

Our brains are designed to keep us safe, constantly monitoring our surroundings and putting up “fight or flight” barriers when we experience things that are new or different. Yet, we are also social beings, craving connection and belonging. What happens in our brains and in our bodies when we experience diversity, bias, and racism? And how do we apply brain-based strategies to ensure we don’t let fear and discomfort hinder our ability to build relationships?
This learning series will explore these key concepts, which are often overlooked in our efforts to advance equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI). It will focus on the intersection of brain science and EDI and how we can apply this knowledge to our daily work to foster stronger connections, increased healing, and greater impact.
We’ll begin with foundational brain science and EDI concepts, including the history of racial trauma in the U.S. Building on this knowledge, we’ll explore how brain functions, many of which are outside our consciousness, interrupt our efforts to overcome bias. By understanding the neurobiology, as well as how our white, dominant culture is rooted in centuries of racial trauma, we can begin to heal individually and collectively.
Participants will also begin to translate knowledge into action. We’ll discuss how to truly integrate EDI and trauma-informed efforts, as well as how to build workplaces where everyone feels well and a sense of belonging. This learning series will offer concrete strategies for:

Understanding the impact of racial trauma
Increasing self-awareness
Quieting our lower brains
Having difficult conversations
Understanding power differentials
Increasing felt safety in work settings

Understanding the relationship between brain science and EDI will help all participants advance their personal equity journeys and build stronger, more impactful organizations.
Instruction Methods
Participants will learn through short lectures, thought-provoking discussions, and small group work.
Takeaways

Foundational concepts of EDI and brain science
About the neurobiological activity when experiencing or perpetrating bias and racism
How to apply concepts to improve daily interactions, difficult conversations, and power dynamics
How to integrate EDI and trauma-informed efforts
How to apply concepts to the workplace to increase felt safety and staff wellness and belonging

Who Should Participate

Executives
Managers and directors
Equity, diversity, and inclusion staff
Human resources staff

Presenters

Undraye Howard

Vice President of Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Engagement
Social Current

Biography

Undraye Howard
Vice President of Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Engagement
Social Current

Undraye Howard leads Social Current’s efforts in providing strategy, solutions, and support to develop leaders in the social sector, with an emphasis on equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI). Through his strategic leadership and direction, he and a team of network leaders have co-created helpful resources, consultation, and practices that uplift and disseminate best practices to help community-based organizations advance their EDI Journeys.
In addition, Howard was instrumental in developing Social Current’s leadership model, rEvolutionary Leadership, enabling the development of change leaders driving for system and population-level results. Other endeavors he has led include the annual Executive Leadership Institute. This transformational experience equips leaders with the knowledge and skills of adaptive leadership, so they are equipped through times of uncertainty.
Howard has served on the board of AD2LUV Senior Housing (2006-present), Father Hood Initiative (2012-present), and the board of Holy Cathedral (1999-present), where he also led as youth director and deacon. He also served as a member on the State of Wisconsin Strengthening Families and Children.
Howard holds a doctorate in business from Bellevue University. He received his master’s in communication and bachelor’s in business administration from the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee.

Romero Davis

Senior Program Manager
Social Current

Biography

Romero Davis
Senior Program Manager
Social Current

Romero Davis brings more than 20 years of experience in the social sector to his work at Social Current.
He is recognized as a bold leader in his community and has had the opportunity to speak nationally in areas such as juvenile justice, youth violence and trauma, polyvictimization, domestic/family violence, and sexual assault and human trafficking.
Prior to his current position at Social Current, Davis taught high school youth in need of mentorship and college and career readiness opportunities at Pacific University. Davis also served as program director of family violence intervention for the San Joaquin, Contra Costa, and Stanislaus counties in Northern California. There, he served adult and youth victims of family violence along with ones that caused harm. Davis also created a youth and adult development program that focuses on building skills and teaching core concepts such as service, health, aptitude, resolution, purpose, and excellence.
In addition, Davis served as program manager of Sow A Seed Community Foundation within the San Joaquin County School District for over six years. In this role, he coordinated opportunities in lieu of suspension and expulsion for at-risk youth. He also facilitated groups and trainings and provided case management and access to mental health services for youth and young adults most at-risk for trauma, violence, and poor outcomes.
Davis has used his unique lens, including professional work, and lived experience, to share with educators, law enforcement, probations and corrections, students, and agencies throughout the U.S.

Karen Johnson

Senior Director, Change in Mind Institute
Social Current

Biography

Karen Johnson
Senior Director, Change in Mind Institute
Social Current

Karen Johnson brings knowledge of the advancing science around resilience, brain development, adversity, toxic stress, equity, and trauma-informed approaches to the complex challenges we face. This expertise, coupled with her 28 years of experience in child welfare, behavioral health, and community services, enables her to successfully partner with leaders, staff, community members, and participants across numerous settings to promote individual and organizational resilience.
Johnson leads the development of Social Current’s Change in Mind Institute, leveraging the latest advances in neurosciences and trauma-informed approaches across sectors and at the practice, policy, and systems levels. She oversees the Texas Change in Mind Learning Collaborative, through which 10 organizations from multiple sectors across Southeast Texas are working to embed brain science and equity principles with the goal of improving outcomes for children and families, as well as their organizational cultures and ability to collaborate with partners.
During her five-and-a-half years on the National Council for Mental Wellbeing’s trauma-informed services team, and year-and-a-half as an independent consultant, Johnson trained and consulted with organizations, systems, and communities striving to strengthen their workforce and advance trauma-informed, resilience-oriented approaches. She worked in various roles in the treatment foster care department and led and developed community-based programs during her 19 years at Wellpoint Care Network in Milwaukee. Johnson combines the newest advances around adversity, relational health, and resilience to infuse hope and connection into our work.

Kelly Martin

Director, Practice Excellence
Social Current

Biography

Kelly Martin
Director, Practice Excellence
Social Current

Kelly Martin is the director of practice excellence at Social Current, with an emphasis on applied developmental psychology, healing-centered approaches, educational success, antiracism, workforce well-being, policy, and advocacy. In this role, she collaborates with stakeholders across the network to advance systems change through policy and advocacy efforts, and to build the capacities of leaders through networking, knowledge, and solutions. She has experience facilitating design sessions and learning opportunities with a wide variety of human service and education stakeholders which includes classroom teachers to frontline staff to executive leaders.
Prior to this role, Kelly was with the Alliance for Strong Families and Communities (Alliance), supporting internal and external efforts to advance equity, leading evaluation and research projects, and working closely with educational success stakeholders. Before joining the Alliance in 2016, Kelly was a researcher in the Developmental and Educational Psychology Departments at the University of Pittsburgh. She spent her time connecting with young people, families, and educators across the city of Pittsburgh, as well as collaborating with multi-sector leaders to infuse developmental theory, research, and best practices into local and state initiatives.  She was an adjunct instructor during her years at Pitt, teaching a graduate course in developmental psychology.
Kelly holds a master’s in applied developmental psychology, and a bachelor’s in psychology and sociology from the University of Pittsburgh. She is currently working toward the completion of Yoga Roots on Location® Certified Yoga Teacher Training, an anti-racist and social justice Raja Yoga teacher training offered through the Yoga Alliance’s 200-hour Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT) Certification.

On the Road: National Afterschool Association
2024-03-18 00:00 - 23:59 (America/New_York)
See You in Dallas.

Join us in Dallas on March 17-20 at the National Afterschool Association 2024 (NAA24) convention. Learn more and register for the event here.
Are you attending this event? Come say hello to Turaia Ahsan, COA accreditation coordinator, and learn more about Social Current’s solutions at Booth #2 in the Learning Expo. We hope to see you there!

About the Event
Afterschool professionals will be recharged in their work and gain practical tips, proven strategies, and new ideas at NAA24. Every learning session powers human connection and inspired learning.

Closing the Gap: Addressing Racial Disparity in Licensure Exam Rates
2024-03-14 13:00 - 14:00 (America/New_York)
Register

Every year, the human services sector experiences a staggering loss of licensure-track therapists from its workforce due to candidates struggling to pass licensure exams. In addition, there is a large racial disparity in outcomes. Pass rates for Black-identifying test takers are more than 30% lower than for white-identifying test takers.
In addition to discussing this critical issue that negatively impacts therapists, organizations, and communities, this session will provide strategies for increasing pass rates and ensuring an even distribution of educational and exam preparation resources to promote equity in standardized exams. Join this webinar with Social Current’s Strategic Industry Partner Triad to gain insights to help your staff and close the achievement gap.
Takeaways

Overview of Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) pass rate data
A discussion about the ASWB response to this critical issue
Insights and strategies employers can use to actively support their pre-licensed therapists to improve retention rates and promote more equitable outcomes

Who Should Participate

Licensure track therapists
Mental health supervisors
Training and professional development staff
Equity, diversity, and inclusion staff

Presenter

Brandon Jones

CEO
Triad

Biography

Brandon Jones
CEO
Triad

Brandon Jones has over 20 years of experience in education/edtech, business leadership, and people development. He spent nearly two decades at Kaplan Test Prep He started his career as an SAT instructor and then advanced through a series of roles in academics, operations, sales management, and executive management, with the last several spent as the president of the largest business unit at Kaplan. Jones is passionate about the transformative power of education, and as an advocate of grit and growth mindset, he believes that just about anyone can do just about anything. Jones has a bachelor’s in English and American Literature and Language from Harvard University, and lives in New York City with his wife and daughterBrandon Jones has over 20 years of experience in education/edtech, business leadership, and people development. He spent nearly two decades at Kaplan Test Prep He started his career as an SAT instructor and then advanced through a series of roles in academics, operations, sales management, and executive management, with the last several spent as the president of the largest business unit at Kaplan. Jones is passionate about the transformative power of education, and as an advocate of grit and growth mindset, he believes that just about anyone can do just about anything. Jones has a bachelor’s in English and American Literature and Language from Harvard University, and lives in New York City with his wife and daughter.

An Executive Leadership Institute for a Stronger Nonprofit Sector
2024-02-07 13:00 - 14:00 (America/New_York)
View on LinkedIn

To be successful, nonprofit leaders must oversee day-to-day operations, leverage community and staff strengths, anticipate trends, and drive systems change. So, how do you equip yourself to have transformative impact in your organization and community?
Attend a live dialogue with alumni of Social Current’s Executive Leadership Institute, who will share their experiences and the many benefits of the institute. You’ll hear from:

Dr. Cha-Tanya Lankford, director of Delaware programs at Pressley Ridge
Greg Ryan, chief strategy officer at Heartland Family Service
Kevin Walsh, retired

Social Current Senior Director of Leadership Development and Organizational Excellence Robena Spangler will also engage the alumni in a discussion about 2024 leadership trends that should be embraced by seasoned and up-and-coming leaders. Join us for this LinkedIn Live to learn more!
Learn more about the 2024 Executive Leadership Institute and Alumni Connect today.

Robena Spangler

Senior Director of Leadership Development and Organizational Excellence
Social Current

Greg Ryan

Chief Strategy Officer
Heartland Family Service

Dr. Cha-Tanya Lankford

Director of Delaware Programs
Pressley Ridge

Kevin Walsh

Retired after 43 years working in child welfare, mental health, and juvenile justice in New York State

Performance and Quality Improvement (PQI) -- SOLD-OUT
2024-02-05 13:30 - 16:30 (America/New_York)
This session has sold-out. Please visit our COA Accreditation Trainings page to view and register for future sessions.
This performance and quality improvement (PQI) training is designed to help organizations pursuing COA Accreditation develop a comprehensive approach to a quality improvement process that will advance an efficient and effective service delivery system and enhance organizational capacity to deliver quality services. This training will demonstrate how quality improvement is a catalyst for successful achievement of strategic goals and program outcomes.
COA Accreditation is offered as a service of Social Current. Learn more about COA Accreditation and how to get started online.
Takeaways

What it means to be outcomes focused
How to develop strong outcome statements
How to use logic models to outline program goals and client outcomes
Main components of a PQI process

Who Should Participate

Organization primary contacts
Senior leaders at organizations seeking COA Accreditation
Other staff involved in an organization’s accreditation process

Additional 2023 COA Accreditation Trainings

Oct

5

9:00 am – 12:00 pm EDT

Intensive Accreditation Training (IAT)

Oct

5

1:00 pm – 4:00 pm EDT

Performance and Quality Improvement (PQI)

Dec

1

10:00 am – 1:00 pm EST

Intensive Accreditation Training (IAT)

Dec

1

1:30 pm – 4:30 pm EST

Performance and Quality Improvement (PQI)

View Calendar

Intensive Accreditation Training (IAT) -- SOLD OUT
2024-02-05 10:00 - 13:00 (America/New_York)
This session has sold-out. Please visit our COA Accreditation Trainings page to view and register for future sessions.
The Intensive Accreditation Training (IAT) is designed to prepare organizations to get the most out of their COA Accreditation experience. Topics discussed in this training include:

An in-depth overview of the COA Accreditation process, including key milestones
An overview of accreditation standards and the relationship between standards, evidence, and the rating indicators
How ratings are assigned by the volunteer review team and insight on the accreditation decision-making process
Tips on how to get organized and manage the work
How to prepare for the site visit

Learn more about COA Accreditation, a service of Social Current, and how to get started online.
Takeaways

An in-depth overview of the COA Accreditation process, including key milestones
An overview of accreditation standards and the relationship between standards, evidence, and the rating indicators
How ratings are assigned by the volunteer review team and insight on the accreditation decision-making process
Tips on how to get organized and manage the work
How to prepare for the site visit

Who Should Participate

Organization primary contacts
Senior leaders at organizations seeking COA Accreditation
Other staff involved in an organization’s accreditation process

Darrell Woodliff

Director of Volunteer Engagement
Social Current

Additional 2023 COA Accreditation Trainings

Oct

5

9:00 am – 12:00 pm EDT

Intensive Accreditation Training (IAT)

Oct

5

1:00 pm – 4:00 pm EDT

Performance and Quality Improvement (PQI)

Dec

1

10:00 am – 1:00 pm EST

Intensive Accreditation Training (IAT)

Dec

1

1:30 pm – 4:30 pm EST

Performance and Quality Improvement (PQI)

View Calendar
