Social Current

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

Introduction to COA Accreditation
2024-04-03 12:00 - 12:30, 2024-02-01 13:00 - 13:30, 2023-12-14 15:00 - 15:30, 2023-11-14 12:00 - 12:30
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.

Insurance Carrier Expectations Concerning Abuse Prevention Programs
2024-04-02 14:00 - 15:00
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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

Building a Resilient Workforce: Integrate Connection and Community
2023-12-12 14:00 - 15:00
Register for an individual webinar or full series by Aug. 14 to save. No coupon code is needed. Discounts will be applied directly to your cart at checkout.
Early bird rates:

$50 for one webinar (additional webinars are $65)
$200 for four-part series

Regular rates:

$65 for individual webinars
$235 for four-part series

Register

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.
This webinar, the fourth session in our Workforce Well-Being and Resilience learning 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.
About the Webinar Series
As workforce challenges continue to hinder 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:

Embed Brain Science: Sept. 19 from 2-3 p.m. ET
Foster Candidness through Psychological Safety: Oct. 5 from 2-3 p.m. ET
Create Culture around Shared Values: Nov. 9 from 2-3 p.m. ET
Integrate Connection and Community: Dec. 12 from 2-3 p.m. ET

Takeaways

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

Who Should Participate

Executive and senior leaders
Middle managers
Human resource staff
Staff with responsibility for EDI

Individuals who are champions for strengthening the workforce culture, regardless of their title, will 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

Kelly Martin

Director, Practice Excellence
Social Current

Exploring the Benefits of a Social Current Engagement Package: Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion
2023-12-07 14:00 - 14:45
Register

It is clear that advancing equity, diversity, and inclusion is important for the social sector. However, it can be difficult to know where to start. It also can be daunting as to how to ensure the changes gain momentum and have lasting impact for the organization and community. Social Current’s approach to EDI positions organizations for success by focusing on organizational culture and addressing equity at multiple levels. Join this session to learn more about Social Current’s approach to EDI, which is based on year of experience in partnering with community-based organizations to help them set and reach their equity goals. Participant will also gain tips for how to be successful in advancing equity at your organization.
2023 Exploring the Benefits of a Social Current Engagement Package Webinar Series
Join us to learn how your organization’s team can benefit from a Social Current engagement package and the exciting opportunities that connect you with colleagues across the network. All staff at any organization interested in learning more about the benefits of a Social Current engagement package are encouraged to participate in this webinar.
In addition to delving into the month’s featured topic, we will preview any new or soon-to-be-released products, services, tools, and engagement opportunities. This webinar will include ample time for Q&A, as you explore ways to maximize the engagement experience for your organization and colleagues.
Register for upcoming webinars.

May 16 at noon ET – Knowledge and Insights Center
Jun. 14 at 11 a.m. ET –Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion
July 12 at 1 p.m. ET – SPARK Exchanges
Aug. 9 at noon ET – Workforce Resilience Consulting
Sept. 13 at 2 p.m. ET – Knowledge and Insights Center
Oct. 25 at 11 a.m. ET – Workforce Resilience Consulting
Dec. 7 at 2 p.m. ET – Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion

Takeaways

About Social Current’s approach to embedding equity at the person, organizational, and systems levels
Essential element for success in advancing EDI
Social Current resources for advancing EDI

Who Should Participate

Current engagement package holders looking to maximize their engagement package benefits and all staff at any organization interested in learning more about the benefits of a Social Current engagement package.

Presenters

Romero Davis

Senior Program Manager
Social Current

Linda Freeman

Director of Network Engagement
Social Current

Katy Lederer

Network Growth Manager
Social Current

Performance and Quality Improvement (PQI) -- SOLD-OUT
2023-12-04 13:30 - 16:30
This session has sold-out. We will be announcing future sessions soon.
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
2023-12-04 10:00 - 13:00
This session has sold-out. We will be announcing future sessions soon.
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

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

Building a Resilient Workforce: Create Culture Around Shared Values
2023-11-09 14:00 - 15:00
Register for an individual webinar or full series by Aug. 14 to save. No coupon code is needed. Discounts will be applied directly to your cart at checkout.
Early bird rates:

$50 for one webinar (additional webinars are $65)
$200 for four-part series

Regular rates:

$65 for individual webinars
$235 for four-part series

Register

You’ve heard the adage, “Culture eats strategy for breakfast.” It’s true. We need to acknowledge that if our organizational culture is unhealthy, we will struggle to get our work done. Intentionally building a positive staff culture that reflects the organization’s stated values and beliefs, and is aligned with our strategy, is the pathway to building a resilient and thriving organization.
Organizational culture is the shared values, beliefs, customs, and practices that are part of everyday life in an organization. It effects all operations within an organization. A resilient organization has a shared agreement with the employee that we work together to bring to life our stated values by realizing them in our norms, behaviors, customs, and practices.
This webinar, the third session in the Workforce Well-Being and Resilience learning 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.
About the Webinar Series
As workforce challenges continue to hinder 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:

Embed Brain Science: Sept. 19 from 2-3 p.m. ET
Foster Candidness through Psychological Safety: Oct. 5 from 2-3 p.m. ET
Create Culture around Shared Values: Nov. 9 from 2-3 p.m. ET
Integrate Connection and Community: Dec. 12 from 2-3 p.m. ET

Takeaways

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

Who Should Participate

Executive and senior leaders
Middle managers
Human resource staff
Staff with responsibility for EDI

Individuals who are champions for strengthening the workforce culture, regardless of their title, will 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

Kelly Martin

Director, Practice Excellence
Social Current

Advancing Equity Workshop: Fundamentals to Support Your Journey
2023-11-01 12:00 - 16:00
Impact Partners and/or COA Accredited Organizations: $800
Other Organizations: $1,000

Register

Session Dates: July 9, 16, and 25 from noon – 3 p.m. ET.
Understanding how to build an inclusive and equitable culture is the job of every leader within an organization. Creating an inclusive culture connected to the meeting mission in co-creating with communities across the country is essential in building a perfect union.
As some voices push against a ‘woke culture,’ there is an ever-increasing need to continue to raise the banner for social justice on every front and building organizational capacity for advancing equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI). The need for leaders, especially within social sector organizations, to engage in building an equitable society for all.
During this three-part virtual workshop, participants will learn and engage in a safe environment, where they can ask questions and share reflections with their peers. Using Social Current’s three-prong approach to EDI (Person, Organization and Systems), the presenters will encourage participants to develop a deeper personal EDI journey, to build an inclusive work culture, and to become more aware of the systems that impact us all.
Session Objectives
Session One: Connecting Our Past to the Present (July 9 from noon – 3 p.m. ET)

Connecting the past to the present; the history of systemic racism and its current impact
Learning the steps for personal EDI growth

Session Two: Moving Towards a More Perfect Union (July 16 from noon – 3 p.m. ET)

Cultural humility
Psychological safety

Session Three: Supporting Your Organization’s EDI Journey (July 25 from noon – 3 p.m. ET)

Learn the phases of organizational growth in EDI
Discuss the essential components of an effective EDI plan
Discuss the challenges and opportunities for organizations as they implement EDI plans

Workshop Goals

Explore relationships with EDI in a safe environment
Increase understanding of how to build an equitable and inclusive workplace culture
Why and how to build psychological safety among teams, identify individual biases, and understand the role of inequitable systems
Phases of organizational growth in EDI and the essential components of a successful EDI plan

Who Should Participate

Senior Leadership
Directors and Managers
EDI Practitioners

Instruction Methods
The workshop will include webinar presentations of core concepts, facilitated discussions, and reflection opportunities. Organizations are encouraged to send multiple employees for collaborative learning and to build agency knowledge.

Presenters

Jerica Broeckling

EDI Consultant
Social Current

Romero Davis

Senior Program Manager
Social Current

Biography

Romero Davis
Senior Program Manager
Social Current

Romero Davis is a director of practice excellence at Social Current. A mentor for professional development and community justice champion, Davis has worked nationally with agencies in areas such as poly-victimization; trauma in families; equity, diversity, and inclusion; juvenile justice; and domestic violence. He is a member of the technical assistance team for Child Safety Forward.

Undraye Howard, PhD

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

Biography

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

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.

Phyllis Richards

Director of EDI and Research
Social Current

Sheryl White, PsyD

Cultural Psychologist, OD Practitioner & Leadership Coach

Biography

Sheryl White, PsyD
Cultural Psychologist, OD Practitioner & Leadership Coach

Dr. Sheryl White, a cultural psychologist and organization development practitioner, brings over 25 years of experience facilitating ethical, strategic, and critical decision-making; inspiring compassionate leadership; advancing equity, inclusion and belonging; and fostering positive culture transformation for optimal performance and impact. Dr. White started her post-college career as a preschool teacher and assistant site supervisor on a military installation, and then transitioned to working as a rehabilitation counselor and consultant in the public and private sector. Prior to spending 20 years as an organization development consultant, she served as area manager of San Diego and El Centro, California for a subsidiary of Liberty Mutual and as an organization effectiveness specialist with the City of San Diego, California’s second largest city government.
Since 1999, Dr. White has served as a leadership coach and small group facilitator with the Center for Creative Leadership and a core adjunct professor at National University. She has provided leadership coaching to mid-level, senior and executive leaders from around the globe and across sectors from nonprofits, municipalities, education, and healthcare organizations to startups and Fortune 100 companies. In 2008, Dr. White joined the executive leadership team of the Neighborhood House Association one of San Diego county’s largest multi-purpose human services agencies, where she currently serves as Senior Vice President of Training and Organization Development and General Manager of InnoVisions, the agency’s social enterprise. Since 2009, Dr. White has been the host of Leadership Matters, an Internet radio show and podcast that airs on Voice America’s Business Channel.
Dr. White holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Grambling State University, a master’s degree in counseling from Louisiana Tech University, and a master’s and Doctor of Psychology degree in culture and human behavior from Alliant International University in San Diego, CA. She is a recognized Board Certified Coach (BCC) with the Center for Credentialing and Education, Inc.
Dr. White is a life member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc public service organization and has received countless honors and awards for her service. She is passionate about inspiring compassion and helping people work better, and better together, for the betterment of humanity.

Advancing EDI for a More Perfect Union (Nov. Session)
2023-11-01 12:00 - 16:00
Register: Nov. Session

Session Dates: Nov. 1, 8, and 15 from Noon-4 p.m. ET
Understanding how to build an inclusive and equitable culture is the task of every leader within an organization and is essential in building a perfect union. With the backdrop of voices pushing against a ‘woke’ culture and an ever-increasing need to raise the banner for justice on every front, advancing organizational equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) is more critical than ever. The need for leaders across sectors, especially the social sector, to understand and engage the current environment is essential in creating an equitable society for all.
This journey begins by ensuring all people feel valued at work. It mandates the co-creation of an inclusive workforce that can foster a healthy, productive, and peaceful society where all people can reach their full potential. The journey continues by establishing a culture that supports equity for long-term, sustainable change by challenging the inequitable systems which marginalize, disconnect, and dismiss individuals from access and full participation in economic mobility and prosperity.
During this three-part virtual workshop presented by Social Current, participants will explore their relationships with EDI in a safe environment and make progress on developing an EDI action plan for their organizations.
Because advancing EDI requires more than just basic knowledge and the will to improve, presenters will help participants acknowledge their biases and the role of historical discrimination, non-inclusive behavioral actions, and culture in creating an unjust society. The workshop will include presentations of valuable information, facilitated discussions, and reflection opportunities.
Workshop Goals

Increase understanding of building an equitable and inclusive culture.
Understand the need to build psychological safety amongst teams, identify individual biases, and understand the role of inequitable systems.
Explore your relationship with EDI in a safe environment.

Who Should Participate

Staff responsible for diversity, equity, and inclusion
Human resources professionals
Organizational development professionals
Executives
Board members
Executive search firms

Presenters

Jerica Broeckling

EDI Consultant
Social Current

Romero Davis

Senior Program Manager
Social Current

Undraye Howard, PhD

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

Phyllis Richards

Director of EDI and Research
Social Current

Deb Smith

Executive Coordinator for the President/CEO
Program Manager, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion
Social Current

Sheryl White, PhD

Vice President of Training and Organizational Development
Neighborhood House Association

Building a “How Might We?” Culture Part 2: How Design-Ready is Your Organization?
2023-10-31 13:00 - 14:30
Register

As a follow up to the popular webinar earlier this year, leaders from Congreso de Latinos Unidos will share how they use human-centered design to drive performance management and quality improvement strategy, and moreover, why design-thinking is an essential foundation to their organizational culture.
This webinar will build on the concepts and tools discussed in Part 1, including a deeper dive into:

How to assess your organization’s capacity for design thinking
Human-centered design’s return on investment
The mindset, strategies, and skills that encourage incremental culture shift

This 90-minute webinar will also offer an opportunity for networking and discussion. Participants will have time to reflect on their organization’s strengths and opportunities related to design thinking and will have the chance to engage in discussion related to current or potential opportunities for incorporating design and innovation culture to improve performance management.
Watch the webinar Building a “How Might We?” Culture Part 1: Using Human-Centered Design to Strengthen Performance and Quality Management on demand.
Takeaways

How Congreso de Latinos Unidos applies key concepts in human-centered design to their performance and quality improvement strategies
Learn about and practice with a tool to better understand where your organization is in its developmental trajectory related to building a culture of design and innovation
Analyze the impact and return on investment of shifting from a compliance culture to a culture of innovation, considering the experience of both staff and individuals served
Consider leadership strategies and practical design skills that can help create buy-in at your organization

Who Should Participate

Executive and senior leaders
Performance and quality improvement professionals
Leaders in program design and innovation
Research and evaluation leaders
Grants management professionals

Presenters

Brendan Conlin

Chief Program Officer
Congreso de Latinos Unidos

Biography

Brendan Conlin
Chief Program Officer
Congreso de Latinos Unidos

Brendan Conlin is chief program officer (CPO) at Congreso. In this capacity, he oversees the agency’s three programmatic divisions; Education and Workforce Services, Healthcare Services, Family and Housing Services, as well as the agency’s new Innovation Manager. Since his start with Congreso in 2009 as an English as second language instructor, Conlin has risen through the various programmatic levels of the organization, including serving as the director of adult education and vice president of education and workforce services.
Conlin’s role as CPO is to drive Congreso’s strategic plan, titled Mission 2 Impact, to carry out Congreso’s mission to move clients towards economic self-sufficiency and wellbeing. Specifically, his work focuses on developing the infrastructure and capacity for using social innovation techniques to enhance Congreso’s services by embedding human-centered design and lean impact methods into the organization’s program design strategy. These methods help Congreso continuously analyze their 40+ programs for optimal effectiveness and client value, empowering teams to use rapid experimentation and innovation techniques to drive measurable impact for families.
In addition to serving as CPO at Congreso, he represents the organization and the needs of Congreso’s community across with city, overseeing its partnerships with Philadelphia Works, Inc., Philadelphia Youth Network, Lenfest Foundation, Eastern State Penitentiary, Penn State Abington, Harcum College, Temple University and other leading institutions throughout the region. He is most excited about how his work can influence systems affecting youth on the cusp of leaving school and gaining access to higher education and the workforce.
Most recently, Conlin launched Congreso’s first homegrown, web-based human-centered design toolkit within the agency and looks forward to continuing to optimize service delivery for Congreso’s clients, employees and community.

Jamie Hughes

Vice President of Programmatic Development
Congreso de Latinos Unidos

Biography

Jamie Hughes
Vice President of Programmatic Development
Congreso de Latinos Unidos

Jamie Hughes is Congreso’s vice president of programmatic development. In this role, she oversees Congreso’s grants team and grantwriting efforts, as well as works closely with agency leadership on mission to impact projects and vision to drive Congreso’s growth strategy. Hughes also works closely with Congreso’s administrative teams to maximize agency operations and systems for efficiency, including budgeting and contract management.
Hughes started at Congreso as an AmeriCorps VISTA member in the education and workforce services division, working with the adult education department to expand GED and English as a second language classes and testing programs. Since that initial role, she has served as education and workforce services division manager and most recently director of programmatic development to support the agency in a variety of programmatic and administrative capacities.
Prior to working at Congreso, Hughes worked for a nonprofit community development organization in the Dominican Republic for several years, working with communities across the country in education, health, and water system projects. She holds a BA in Spanish and Latin American Studies from American University in Washington DC, as well as certificates for Spanish and medical Spanish translation.

Integrating Attachment-Based and Trauma-Informed Care Into Your Electronic Health Record
2023-10-26 14:00 - 15:00
Register

Join Social Current’s Strategic Industry Partner FlexAMS as they provide an overview of a clinical model used to treat clients through attachment-based and trauma-informed care. They will review types of interventions clinical teams can provide and share general information on client outcomes. Presenters will explain how they utilize an electronic health record to tell the client’s story, identify barriers, and demonstrate progress.
Using an electronic health record (EHR) in a residential setting allows for better integration and communication between direct staff and clinical staff, all of whom are striving for better clinical outcomes. Leadership can identify trends on adverse incidents, restraint use, and other important factors. An EHR also improves record keeping, efficiency, and demonstrating clinical outcomes through reporting capabilities.
Takeaways

Insight into the Developmental Trauma and Attachment Program (DTAP) clinical model, developed and used by Chaddock in Quincy, Illinois
Key clinical elements to include in documentation
How to use documentation to demonstrate client progress and improve reporting capabilities

Who Should Participate

Clinicians
Clinical supervisors
Information technology staff
Behavioral health leaders

Presenters

Amanda Becks, MSW, LCSW

Clinical Supervisor,
Chaddock

Biography

Amanda Becks, MSW, LCSW
Clinical Supervisor,
Chaddock

Amanda Becks, MSW, LCSW has worked with children and families at Chaddock for over 21years. Amanda has worked in several roles at Chaddock including direct care staff, clinician, and currently serves at the Clinical Supervisor for Residential Services. She is a Certified Threraplay® Practitioner. Working in the attachment and trauma field within a residential treatment facility has provided numerous opportunities to help children and families connect and heal through the use of Theraplay® Working with families fuels Amanda’s passion and desire to continue to improve upon the use of attachment and trauma focused interventions within her clinical work.

Tim White, MSW, LCSW

Clinical Therapist,
Chaddock

Biography

Tim White, MSW, LCSW
Clinical Therapist,
Chaddock

Tim White is a Clinical Therapist and LCSW that has worked at Chaddock for over 10 years. Prior to becoming a therapist, Tim was employed as a youth counselor and worked directly with clients. Tim studied at Quincy University where he earned a bachelor’s in psychology and earned a master’s in social work from Dominican University. Tim enjoys collaborating with his teammates and working together to aid families in receiving psychoeducation and experiences that will lead to improved family functioning and connectivity.

Exploring the Benefits of a Social Current Engagement Package: Workforce Resilience
2023-10-25 11:00 - 11:45
Register

As workforce challenges continue to hinder human services organizations, leaders are searching for concrete action steps to support staff who are emotionally and physically exhausted. Especially given the added stressors faced by direct service staff, and the shift in workforce needs since the pandemic, organizations require proven approaches to address staff morale, strengthen staff culture, and retain valuable employees.
Social Current’s approach to workforce well-being and resilience is laser focused on partnering with staff and leaders to address these needs. Join this webinar to learn how we partner with organizations to build individual employee insights and skills and organization-wide strategies that shape a compassionate, healthy, and resilient organization. We’ll touch on topics including:

Advancing a brain-science approach with staff
Building psychological safety
Strengthening a positive staff culture
Building connection in the workplace

2023 Exploring the Benefits of a Social Current Engagement Package Webinar Series
Join us to learn how your organization’s team can benefit from a Social Current engagement package and the exciting opportunities that connect you with colleagues across the network. All staff at any organization interested in learning more about the benefits of a Social Current engagement package are encouraged to participate in this webinar.
In addition to delving into the month’s featured topic, we will preview any new or soon-to-be-released products, services, tools, and engagement opportunities. This webinar will include ample time for Q&A, as you explore ways to maximize the engagement experience for your organization and colleagues.
Register for upcoming webinars.

May 16 at noon ET – Knowledge and Insights Center
Jun. 14 at 11 a.m. ET –Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion
July 12 at 1 p.m. ET – SPARK Exchanges
Aug. 9 at noon ET – Workforce Resilience Consulting
Sept. 13 at 2 p.m. ET – Knowledge and Insights Center
Oct. 25 at 11 a.m. ET – Workforce Resilience Consulting
Dec. 7 at 2 p.m. ET – Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion

Takeaways

Why it is important to partner with staff
How understanding brain science is a powerful tool
The importance of advancing equity in the workplace
About Social Current’s approach to helping organizations improve workforce resilience

Who Should Participate

Current engagement package holders looking to maximize their engagement package benefits and all staff at any organization interested in learning more about the benefits of a Social Current engagement package.

Presenters

Linda Freeman

Director of Network Engagement
Social Current

Katy Lederer

Network Growth Manager
Social Current

Kelly Martin

Director of Practice Excellence
Social Current
