BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:-//Social Current - ECPv6.15.20//NONSGML v1.0//EN CALSCALE:GREGORIAN METHOD:PUBLISH X-WR-CALNAME:Social Current X-ORIGINAL-URL:https://www.social-current.org X-WR-CALDESC:Events for Social Current REFRESH-INTERVAL;VALUE=DURATION:PT1H X-Robots-Tag:noindex X-PUBLISHED-TTL:PT1H BEGIN:VTIMEZONE TZID:America/New_York BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0500 TZOFFSETTO:-0400 TZNAME:EDT DTSTART:20240310T070000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0400 TZOFFSETTO:-0500 TZNAME:EST DTSTART:20241103T060000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0500 TZOFFSETTO:-0400 TZNAME:EDT DTSTART:20250309T070000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0400 TZOFFSETTO:-0500 TZNAME:EST DTSTART:20251102T060000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0500 TZOFFSETTO:-0400 TZNAME:EDT DTSTART:20260308T070000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0400 TZOFFSETTO:-0500 TZNAME:EST DTSTART:20261101T060000 END:STANDARD END:VTIMEZONE BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20250708T000000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20250708T235959 DTSTAMP:20260411T103609 CREATED:20250527T211038Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250527T211233Z UID:10000503-1751932800-1752019199@www.social-current.org SUMMARY:On the Road: UCONN 2025 Training Institutes DESCRIPTION:Building a World Where Young People Thrive \n \n See You in New Orleans \nJoin us in National Harbor\, Maryland from July 8-10. \nAre you attending this event? \nMake sure to meet Rachael Rucker\, manager of network engagement and growth\, at our exhibit booth to learn all about Social Current’s complete range of solutions for social sector organizations.  \nSocial Current leaders will be presenting two workshops on Tuesday\, July 8. In the morning\, Jody Levison-Johnson\, president and CEO\, and Robena Spangler\, senior director of leadership and organizational development\, will be leading the session\, “Context and Competencies: A New Approach for Advancing Change.” In the afternoon\, Arabella Perez\, COO\, and Karen Johnson\, senior director of Change In Mind\, will be co-presenting the workshop\, “Next Practices in Trauma-Informed Approaches: Partnering to Create a Well and Resilient Workforce.”  \n\n\n\n\n\n\nAbout the Event\nHosted by the Innovations Institute at UConn School of Social Work\, UCONN Training Institutes brings together experts\, practitioners\, and youth and family leaders to improve systems that serve children and young adults. With over 165 sessions\, Pre-Institute trainings\, and opportunities for connection and collaboration\, the Institutes are a unique opportunity to deepen knowledge\, explore innovations in service delivery\, and strengthen the workforce committed to equitable systems transformation.  URL:https://www.social-current.org/event/on-the-road-uconn-2025-training-institutes/ CATEGORIES:On the Road ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.social-current.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/On-the-Road.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20250708T140000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20250708T150000 DTSTAMP:20260411T103609 CREATED:20250521T184839Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250611T162156Z UID:10000486-1751983200-1751986800@www.social-current.org SUMMARY:Following Advocacy Amplified: Strengthening Your Advocacy DESCRIPTION:Register \n \n Join us as we review 2025 Advocacy Amplified\, Social Current’s annual summer training and Hill Day. We’ll recap the most powerful takeaways and share new tools and templates to inspire and engage key stakeholders as you continue your advocacy journey. This session is designed to help you catch up\, re-center\, and carry forward the momentum into the next phase of summer advocacy. Everyone is welcome\, especially if you couldn’t join us for this year’s event. \nTakeaways\n\nShowcase key takeaways and top tools from the training and Hill Day\nElevate participant stories and feedback\nProvide a summary of new action items\, strategies\, and resources\nRe-engage those who could not attend the full event\nBridge momentum from the conference into the July recess\n\nWho Should Attend\n\nMembers of the Social Current Grassroots Advocacy Network: Join online\nExecutive Directors and Senior Management: Leaders responsible for setting organizational strategy and engaging with policymakers and stakeholders\nAdvocacy and Policy Directors: Individuals who develop and implement advocacy strategies and engage in policy analysis and outreach\nCommunications and Public Relations Managers: Professionals focused on crafting and disseminating the organization’s message to the public and media\nProgram Managers and Coordinators: Staff who oversee program implementation and need to align program goals with advocacy efforts\n\n \n\n \n\n \n \n \n\n\n \n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n Blair Abelle-Kiser\, PhD\n \n Senior Director of Government Affairs\nSocial Current \n \n Biography\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Blair Abelle-Kiser\, PhD\n Senior Director of Government Affairs\nSocial Current \n \n Blair Kiser\, Ph.D.\, joined Social Current in 2022 after working in health policy on Capitol Hill\, the non-profit sector\, and as a biomedical researcher. Most recently\, Blair served as Director of Government Relations & Advocacy for NephCure Kidney International. \nDuring their time in public service\, they served as a Professional Staff Member of the Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Crisis. They led a corporate investigation regarding insider trading and financial improprieties\, conflicts of interest associated with Operation Warp Speed’s leadership\, and scientific information politicization. Prior to joining the Select Subcommittee\, they worked for Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH)\, where they served as a Health Policy Fellow. In Senator Brown’s office\, they led a range of legislative and oversight efforts involving public health and healthcare. During the COVID-19 pandemic\, they worked with several community hospice advocacy organizations and a Republican office to help craft the bipartisan COVID-19 Hospice Respite Care Relief Act of 2020. \nPrior to public service\, Blair spent several years as a medical research scientist on several industry and NIH-funded projects. Their work focused on developing research projects and clinical trials to improve the lives of African Americans with Sickle Cell Disease. They earned a doctorate in Biomedical Science from Morehouse School of Medicine in 2017 and a Bachelor of Science in Biology from the University of Kentucky in 2011. URL:https://www.social-current.org/event/following-advocacy-amplified-strengthening-your-advocacy/ CATEGORIES:Policy ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.social-current.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Policy-Advocacy_1.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20250710T130000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20250710T140000 DTSTAMP:20260411T103609 CREATED:20250707T202830Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250707T202835Z UID:10000512-1752152400-1752156000@www.social-current.org SUMMARY:H.R. 1: Reviewing the Federal Budget and Expected Impact on the Social Sector DESCRIPTION:Register \n \n H.R. 1\, the federal appropriations bill\, is expected to have significant impacts across the social service sector. \nJoin us as we review key provisions of the bill\, including changes to Medicaid\, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program\, and student loan policies. We’ll also discuss opportunities for advocacy. \nTakeaways\n\nHow H.R. 1 will impact our sector\nOpportunities to support your organization through periods of uncertainty\n\nWho Should Attend\n\nMembers of the Social Current Grassroots Advocacy Network: Join online\nExecutive Directors and Senior Management: Leaders responsible for setting organizational strategy and engaging with policymakers and stakeholders\nAdvocacy and Policy Directors: Individuals who develop and implement advocacy strategies and engage in policy analysis and outreach\nCommunications and Public Relations Managers: Professionals focused on crafting and disseminating the organization’s message to the public and media\nProgram Managers and Coordinators: Staff who oversee program implementation and need to align program goals with advocacy efforts\n\n \n\n \n\n \n \n \n\n\n \n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n Blair Abelle-Kiser\, PhD\n \n Senior Director of Government Affairs\nSocial Current \n \n Biography\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Blair Abelle-Kiser\, PhD\n Senior Director of Government Affairs\nSocial Current \n \n Blair Kiser\, Ph.D.\, joined Social Current in 2022 after working in health policy on Capitol Hill\, the non-profit sector\, and as a biomedical researcher. Most recently\, Blair served as Director of Government Relations & Advocacy for NephCure Kidney International. \nDuring their time in public service\, they served as a Professional Staff Member of the Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Crisis. They led a corporate investigation regarding insider trading and financial improprieties\, conflicts of interest associated with Operation Warp Speed’s leadership\, and scientific information politicization. Prior to joining the Select Subcommittee\, they worked for Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH)\, where they served as a Health Policy Fellow. In Senator Brown’s office\, they led a range of legislative and oversight efforts involving public health and healthcare. During the COVID-19 pandemic\, they worked with several community hospice advocacy organizations and a Republican office to help craft the bipartisan COVID-19 Hospice Respite Care Relief Act of 2020. \nPrior to public service\, Blair spent several years as a medical research scientist on several industry and NIH-funded projects. Their work focused on developing research projects and clinical trials to improve the lives of African Americans with Sickle Cell Disease. They earned a doctorate in Biomedical Science from Morehouse School of Medicine in 2017 and a Bachelor of Science in Biology from the University of Kentucky in 2011. URL:https://www.social-current.org/event/h-r-1-reviewing-the-federal-budget-and-expected-impact-on-the-social-sector/ CATEGORIES:Policy ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.social-current.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Policy-Advocacy_1.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20250720T000000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20250720T235959 DTSTAMP:20260411T103609 CREATED:20250523T211433Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250527T175529Z UID:10000501-1752969600-1753055999@www.social-current.org SUMMARY:On the Road: FFTA Annual Conference DESCRIPTION:See You in New Orleans \nJoin us in New Orleans at FFTA25 July 20-23.  \nAre you attending this event? \nMarisa Collins\, director of strategic partnerships and partner communications\, is staffing the Social Current exhibition booth to share all about our solutions\, partnership opportunities\, and hand out Social Current swag. Make sure to stop by and introduce yourself!  \nSocial Current’s Karen Johnson\, senior director of Change in Mind\, will present on strategies for building workforce compassion resilience in their session\, “Next Practices in Trauma-Informed Approaches: Building a Well and Resilient Workforce.”  \nRomero Davis\, director of practice excellence\, and Kimberly Heard\, senior program manager\, will be presenting the session\, “Building the muscles to Shift mindset\, culture\, and behavior inside and out.”  \n\n\n\n\n\n\nAbout the Event\nThe FFTA Annual Conference is happening July 20–23\, 2025\, at the Hyatt Regency New Orleans. Gain new tools\, share your insights\, and build lasting connections with others working to improve the lives of children and families.  URL:https://www.social-current.org/event/on-the-road-ffta/ CATEGORIES:On the Road ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.social-current.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/On-the-Road.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20250727T000000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20250727T235959 DTSTAMP:20260411T103609 CREATED:20250523T212215Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250528T134700Z UID:10000498-1753574400-1753660799@www.social-current.org SUMMARY:On the Road: National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors 2025 Annual Meeting DESCRIPTION:See You in Washington D.C. \nJoin us in Washington D.C. at the NASMHPD 2025 Annual Meeting July 27-29.  \nAre you attending this event? \nVisit Allysen Fang\, commission coordinator for COA Accreditation\, at the Social Current booth to learn about our range of solutions and our upcoming webinars and learning opportunities. Plus\, you can take some Social Current goodies with you!  \n\n\n\n\n\n\nAbout the Event\nJoin leaders across the behavioral health field for two days of learning\, connection\, and skill-building. The National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors (NASMHPD) represents the public mental health service delivery system serving all 50 states\, 6 territories\, and the District of Columbia. NASMHPD is the only national association to represent state mental health commissioners/directors and their agencies. Learn more.   URL:https://www.social-current.org/event/on-the-road-national-association-of-state-mental-health-program-directors-2/ CATEGORIES:On the Road ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.social-current.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/On-the-Road.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20250729T140000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20250729T150000 DTSTAMP:20260411T103609 CREATED:20250521T190946Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250521T190952Z UID:10000487-1753797600-1753801200@www.social-current.org SUMMARY:Crafting a Powerful Story for Impactful Advocacy DESCRIPTION:Register \n \n Your experiences are the foundation for powerful advocacy\, offering lawmakers a blueprint for change. In this interactive webinar\, you’ll learn how to tell your story in ways that are emotionally resonant\, strategically focused\, and aligned with current policy efforts. Through practical frameworks and peer engagement\, we’ll help you build a story that empowers—not just informs—and drives action at every level. \nTakeaways\n\nHow to link personal stories to policy change\nStructure and strategy for ethical storytelling\nHow to elevate voice and experience as tools for systemic influence\nGain confidence in using lived experience to engage lawmakers\n\nWho Should Attend\n\nMembers of the Social Current Grassroots Advocacy Network: Join online\nExecutive Directors and Senior Management: Leaders responsible for setting organizational strategy and engaging with policymakers and stakeholders\nAdvocacy and Policy Directors: Individuals who develop and implement advocacy strategies and engage in policy analysis and outreach\nCommunications and Public Relations Managers: Professionals focused on crafting and disseminating the organization’s message to the public and media\nProgram Managers and Coordinators: Staff who oversee program implementation and need to align program goals with advocacy efforts\n\n \n\n \n\n \n \n \n\n\n \n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n Blair Abelle-Kiser\, PhD\n \n Senior Director of Government Affairs\nSocial Current \n \n Biography\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Blair Abelle-Kiser\, PhD\n Senior Director of Government Affairs\nSocial Current \n \n Blair Kiser\, Ph.D.\, joined Social Current in 2022 after working in health policy on Capitol Hill\, the non-profit sector\, and as a biomedical researcher. Most recently\, Blair served as Director of Government Relations & Advocacy for NephCure Kidney International. \nDuring their time in public service\, they served as a Professional Staff Member of the Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Crisis. They led a corporate investigation regarding insider trading and financial improprieties\, conflicts of interest associated with Operation Warp Speed’s leadership\, and scientific information politicization. Prior to joining the Select Subcommittee\, they worked for Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH)\, where they served as a Health Policy Fellow. In Senator Brown’s office\, they led a range of legislative and oversight efforts involving public health and healthcare. During the COVID-19 pandemic\, they worked with several community hospice advocacy organizations and a Republican office to help craft the bipartisan COVID-19 Hospice Respite Care Relief Act of 2020. \nPrior to public service\, Blair spent several years as a medical research scientist on several industry and NIH-funded projects. Their work focused on developing research projects and clinical trials to improve the lives of African Americans with Sickle Cell Disease. They earned a doctorate in Biomedical Science from Morehouse School of Medicine in 2017 and a Bachelor of Science in Biology from the University of Kentucky in 2011. URL:https://www.social-current.org/event/crafting-a-powerful-story-for-impactful-advocacy/ CATEGORIES:Policy ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.social-current.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Policy-Advocacy_5.png END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR