Upcoming Trainings & Events
Maryland CASA Annual Conference
About the Conference
Child welfare professionals and volunteers face increasingly complex challenges—from evolving laws and technology to mental health, equity, and family stability.
This one-day virtual conference brings together CASA advocates, social workers, judges, magistrates, attorneys, nonprofit leaders, and child welfare partners to explore today’s realities and strengthen advocacy for children and families across Maryland.
Through expert-led sessions, interactive breakouts, and judicial perspectives, participants will leave informed, connected, and empowered to turn advocacy into action.
REGISTER TODAY!
Human Trafficking Awareness & Prevention
This course provides a comprehensive introduction to human trafficking through the lens of the Blue Campaign. Participants will gain a foundational understanding of what human trafficking is, including the core elements of force, fraud, and coercion, while addressing common myths and misconceptions that often prevent identification and reporting.
The course explores key indicators of human trafficking, guidance on how and when to report concerns, and practical strategies for talking with youth about human trafficking in an age-appropriate and trauma-informed way. Special emphasis is placed on the dos and don’ts of conversation helping participants communicate safely, respectfully, and effectively.
Learners will also examine modern recruitment tactics, including social media safety risks and false job promises, and will discuss the role of healthy relationships in prevention. The course encourages participants to take an active role in raising awareness within their communities.
In addition, participants will be introduced to Blue Campaign resources and special initiatives, along with information on how to contact the Blue Campaign for support, training, and materials. The course concludes with a questions and answers segment to reinforce learning and address participant concerns.
By the end of this course, participants will be better equipped to recognize, prevent, and respond to human trafficking while promoting safety, awareness, and resilience in their communities.
About The Presenter
Diego A. Luque: serves as a Partnership and Engagement Specialist at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Blue Campaign, the Department’s national public awareness campaign to combat human trafficking. In this role, he supports the Prevention portfolio of the Blue Campaign, assisting on decreasing victimization within vulnerable communities and deterring criminal activity.
Diego has previous experience for the Department of State - Bureau of Consular Affairs and carries extensive non-profit communications experience, supporting organizations in efficiently communicating their mission to the general public. He is originally from Lima, Peru and holds a bachelor’s degree in International Relations from Florida International University and a master’s degree in Public Policy from George Mason University.
Monthly CASA Supervisors Meeting
The CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) Monthly Supervisors Meeting is a dedicated forum where CASA supervisors come together to discuss and address key aspects of the program. This collaborative gathering provides a space to share updates, explore challenges, identify needs, and align on training and resource priorities to ensure the success of local CASA programs.
*This is a monthly meeting for all local CASA Supervisors only.
Nourishing Families: Understanding WIC-Approved Foods, Essential Nutrients, and Building Balanced Diets
The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) serves as
a vital resource for families involved in the child welfare system. This session will provide
CASA volunteers and advocates with focused knowledge of Maryland WIC's nutritional
benefits, enabling them to better support families in accessing quality foods and building healthy eating habits.
Participants will learn about WIC eligibility and the specific approved foods that provide
essential nutrients and vitamins for pregnant women, new mothers, infants, and children up to age five. The primary focus will be on understanding how WIC-approved foods contribute to a balanced diet, including key vitamins and minerals critical for maternal and child health. The session will also highlight Maryland's WIC Farmers Market Nutrition Program (FMNP), which
provides seasonal coupons to purchase fresh, locally-grown fruits and vegetables, further
supporting nutritional variety and balanced meals.
The workshop will introduce MyPlate.gov resources for meal planning and demonstrate how
CASA advocates can help families maximize WIC benefits as part of holistic support. Interactive
elements will include visual guides to WIC-approved foods, their nutritional benefits, and
practical handouts that participants can use when working with families.
About The Presenter
Janelle Joyce-Pelsey: is an Engagement Specialist with the Maryland Department of Health's
Maternal & Child Health Bureau, where she creates outreach strategies, educational materials,
and digital content for the Maryland WIC program. With direct experience as a former WIC
Certifier, she brings firsthand knowledge of participant needs and program implementation.
Janelle holds a Master of Science in Management and Leadership and bachelor's degree in
Health Studies, and is a Certified Community Health Worker (CHW) and holds Infant Mental
Health Endorsement (IMH-E®). Bilingual in Spanish and English, she specializes in culturally
responsive health communication, particularly for minority populations and non-English
speaking families. Janelle has conducted numerous presentations and trainings for community
partners, healthcare providers, and stakeholders across Maryland. She is trained in traumainformed care, Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), and Mental Health First Aid, and serves
on the Anne Arundel County Commission for Women and the Maryland Perinatal Neonatal
Quality Collaborative's Parent and Baby Advisory Council.
Monthly CASA Supervisors Meeting
The CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) Monthly Supervisors Meeting is a dedicated forum where CASA supervisors come together to discuss and address key aspects of the program. This collaborative gathering provides a space to share updates, explore challenges, identify needs, and align on training and resource priorities to ensure the success of local CASA programs.
*This is a monthly meeting for all local CASA Supervisors only.
CASA Connect – National Supervisors Forum
Join CASA leaders from across the country for CASA Connect: National Supervisors Forum — a 90-minute virtual session hosted by the Maryland CASA Association on Friday, December 12th, from 10:00–11:30 a.m. EST. This collaborative forum offers an opportunity for Supervisors, Directors, and state office leaders to exchange ideas, share best practices, and strengthen CASA programs nationwide.
Together, we’ll explore key topics such as preventing staff and volunteer burnout, enhancing preservice training, and recruiting and retaining dedicated volunteers. Each participating state will also have the chance to present successful strategies and innovations that can inspire and empower peers across the network. There are still a few slots available, and we encourage your participation!
We’re excited to feature presentations from several outstanding CASA leaders who will share their expertise and strategies for success:
Bitty Wiebe, Tri County CASA, and Julie Kingsley, CASA of Johnson & Wyandotte County, will discuss “Volunteer Retention and Volunteer Burnout.”
Jodi Richardson, Kearney/Buffalo County CASA, will discuss “Recruiting and Retaining Dedicated CASA Volunteers.”
*This forum is for CASA Supervisors, Directors, and state office leaders only.
ADHD Through the Life Time-Second Offering
When people think about ADHD, they think of the little hyperactive boys, but ADHD is so much more! This presentation creates a full picture of ADHD as a neurodevelopmental disorder that affect the lives of those diagnosed and their families.
Dr. Lennon will give information about its diagnosis and treatments of ADHD to provide a full understanding. These 4 little letters mean so much more.
About The Presenter
Dr. Chad Lennon, MD is a child and adolescent psychiatrist at Sheppard Pratt’s Baltimore/Washington Campus. He is board certified in neurology and child and adolescent psychiatry. Dr. Lennon received his bachelor’s degree from Franklin & Marshall College, attended a post-baccalaureate program at CUNY City College, and earned his medical degree from Howard University College of Medicine. He completed the University of Maryland/Sheppard Pratt Residency Program where he was a psychiatry chief resident, followed by a child and adolescent psychiatry fellowship program at Mt. Sinai Elmhurst Hospital. He previously worked as the lead psychiatrist on the adolescent unit at Adventist Behavioral Healthcare-Shady Grove Medical Center.
Dr. Lennon has won a number of academic excellence awards including the Adventist Healthcare Shady Grove Medical Center Physician RISES Individual Award and the Franklin & Marshall College Sydney N. Bridgett ’51 Award. He is a member of a number of professional societies including Black Psychiatrists of America, American Psychiatric Association, American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, American Society for Adolescent Psychiatry, and Maryland Psychiatric Society.
His research interests include postpartum depression in African Americans; the stigma of mental illness in the African American community; managing stress, trauma, and anxiety in children and adolescents; bias in medical ethics; suicide; mood disorders; severe mental illness; and more.
Dr. Lennon has also participated in medical mission work. He is widely published, has authored numerous blogs, and participated in many speaking engagements. His presentations have included topics such as suicide, anxiety, and a medical student and resident lecture series. His blogs have included topics such as the stigma of mental illness in the African American community, and managing stress, trauma, and anxiety in children and adolescents.
Packing Party with Comfort Cases
Join Maryland CASA and Comfort Cases for a CASA Packing Party on Saturday, July 26th from 11:00 AM to 12:30 PM! We’ll be gathering at 9300 Gaither Road, Gaithersburg, MD 20877 to pack backpacks filled with comfort and personal care items for youth entering the foster care system.
These backpacks, known as Comfort Cases, offer dignity and hope to children who would otherwise be given a trash bag to carry their belongings when removed from their homes. By joining this event, you will be making a meaningful difference in these children’s lives by providing essentials for their first days in foster care.
Only 10 slots are available, so don't wait to sign up. We can't wait to see you there and make an impact together!
Click here to Register
Monthly CASA Supervisors Meeting
The CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) Monthly Supervisors Meeting is a dedicated forum where CASA supervisors come together to discuss and address key aspects of the program. This collaborative gathering provides a space to share updates, explore challenges, identify needs, and align on training and resource priorities to ensure the success of local CASA programs.
*This is a monthly meeting for all local CASA Supervisors only.
The Blue Ribbon Project: Speak Up Speak Out.
In this program, we will discuss the signs of several types of abuse and what to be on the lookout for, what to do when you suspect abuse, disclosures, supporting the child, as well as mandated reporting in Maryland. We will also speak about foster care and the long-term effects of child abuse and neglect. It should be noted the second half of this program discusses investigations and patterns of injury and is graphic in nature.
Please note this presentation shows the true realities of child abuse and there are graphic images that are included with the presentation.
Life Alchemist: Igniting Passion In The Heart And Stillness In The Mind
Discover the Space Before Thought: Break Free from Trauma, Anxiety, and Limiting Beliefs Join award-winning transformational speaker and spiritual mentor Atousa Raissyan as she guides you to the transformative space before thought-a profound gateway to healing, self-awareness, and lasting personal freedom. Blending timeless wisdom, mindfulness practices, and practical energy healing techniques, Atousa empowers audiences to move beyond anxiety, trauma, and fear-based living, reclaiming their authentic joy and inner peace.
The Blue Ribbon Project: Speak Up Speak Out.
In this program, we will discuss the signs of several types of abuse and what to be on the lookout for, what to do when you suspect abuse, disclosures, supporting the child, as well as mandated reporting in Maryland. We will also speak about foster care and the long-term effects of child abuse and neglect. It should be noted the second half of this program discusses investigations and patterns of injury and is graphic in nature.
Please note this presentation shows the true realities of child abuse and there are graphic images that are included with the presentation.
Monthly CASA Supervisors Meeting
The CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) Monthly Supervisors Meeting is a dedicated forum where CASA supervisors come together to discuss and address key aspects of the program. This collaborative gathering provides a space to share updates, explore challenges, identify needs, and align on training and resource priorities to ensure the success of local CASA programs.
*This is a monthly meeting for all local CASA Supervisors only.
IN-Clued Training Part-2
Welcome to Part 2 of the IN-Clued training! This session gives attendees the opportunity to practice implementing the recommendations through role-plays. Multiple dates are available for participants to sign up and practice the recommended approaches, so don’t wait—seats are limited to 10 participants per session!
This training will be presented using Google Meets and is ONLY open to Maryland CASA at this time.
About The Presenter
Alicia Miller, MPH, CHES, is a Certified Health Education Specialist and Community Health Educator at the Wicomico County Health Department. She specializes in adolescent health and sexual health education.
IN-Clued Training Part-2
Welcome to Part 2 of the IN-Clued training! This session gives attendees the opportunity to practice implementing the recommendations through role-plays. Multiple dates are available for participants to sign up and practice the recommended approaches, so don’t wait—seats are limited to 10 participants per session!
This training will be presented using Google Meets and is ONLY open to Maryland CASA at this time.
About The Presenter
Alicia Miller, MPH, CHES, is a Certified Health Education Specialist and Community Health Educator at the Wicomico County Health Department. She specializes in adolescent health and sexual health education.
IN-Clued Training
IN-clued is a two-part training on the best practices for providing care to LGBTQ young people. Attendees will learn the importance of providing inclusive care to LGBTQ young people and how to be more inclusive and affirming in the services they provide.
Part one provides background information about LGBTQ youth and recommendations for implementing inclusive practices.
Part two gives attendees an opportunity to practice implementing the recommendations through role plays.
This training will be presented using Google Meets and is ONLY open to Maryland CASA at this time.
About The Presenter
Alicia Miller, MPH, CHES, is a Certified Health Education Specialist and Community Health Educator at the Wicomico County Health Department. She specializes in adolescent health and sexual health education.
Monthly CASA Supervisors Meeting
The CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) Monthly Supervisors Meeting is a dedicated forum where CASA supervisors come together to discuss and address key aspects of the program. This collaborative gathering provides a space to share updates, explore challenges, identify needs, and align on training and resource priorities to ensure the success of local CASA programs.
*This is a monthly meeting for all local CASA Supervisors only.
Youth Mental Health First Aid session (2nd Session)
“Youth” Mental Health First Aid is a training program designed to equip adults with the skills to support young people (ages 12–18) experiencing mental health challenges, crises, or substance use issues. It teaches participants to identify signs of mental health struggles, provide initial support, and connect youth with appropriate professional help or resources. The program emphasizes understanding, compassion, and effective communication to promote early intervention and recovery.
Seating is limited to 15 on a first come first serve basis all other will be placed on a wait list.
About The Presenter
Chelsea McGonigle leads school-based partnerships at Change the Conversation, focusing on implementing Turn the Talk and professional development trainings. A Family Life Educator with nearly 15 years of experience, Chelsea has worked with youth and families in program development, case management, crisis intervention, and psychoeducational group facilitation. She founded CDM Education & Prevention Consultants to help schools and community agencies address Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) like child sexual abuse and foster care involvement.
Chelsea is a certified Darkness to Light Group Facilitator and Youth Mental Health First Aid Instructor. With extensive experience in intervention, particularly supporting individuals who have used abusive behaviors, she is passionate about ensuring children understand and experience safety in relationships. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Family Studies and is pursuing a Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction. Chelsea volunteers with organizations such as Johns Hopkins Believe in Tomorrow Children’s Foundation and resides in Baltimore with her husband and daughters.
Youth Mental Health First Aid session
“Youth” Mental Health First Aid is a training program designed to equip adults with the skills to support young people (ages 12–18) experiencing mental health challenges, crises, or substance use issues. It teaches participants to identify signs of mental health struggles, provide initial support, and connect youth with appropriate professional help or resources. The program emphasizes understanding, compassion, and effective communication to promote early intervention and recovery.
Seating is limited to 15
About The Presenter
Chelsea McGonigle leads school-based partnerships at Change the Conversation, focusing on implementing Turn the Talk and professional development trainings. A Family Life Educator with nearly 15 years of experience, Chelsea has worked with youth and families in program development, case management, crisis intervention, and psychoeducational group facilitation. She founded CDM Education & Prevention Consultants to help schools and community agencies address Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) like child sexual abuse and foster care involvement.
Chelsea is a certified Darkness to Light Group Facilitator and Youth Mental Health First Aid Instructor. With extensive experience in intervention, particularly supporting individuals who have used abusive behaviors, she is passionate about ensuring children understand and experience safety in relationships. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Family Studies and is pursuing a Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction. Chelsea volunteers with organizations such as Johns Hopkins Believe in Tomorrow Children’s Foundation and resides in Baltimore with her husband and daughters.
Monthly CASA Supervisors Meeting
The CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) Monthly Supervisors Meeting is a dedicated forum where CASA supervisors come together to discuss and address key aspects of the program. This collaborative gathering provides a space to share updates, explore challenges, identify needs, and align on training and resource priorities to ensure the success of local CASA programs.
*This is a monthly meeting for all local CASA Supervisors only.
Coping & Combating Racial Fatigue
Sometimes safe healing spaces are hard to find and many BIPOC leaders feel this tug-of-war on their humanity when expected to “show up” in white dominant spaces. Contending with microaggressions, cultural erasure, and stereotype threat - this heaviness, the physiological and psychological impact of race-based stress on one’s being, is racial battle fatigue.
Participants are invited to join this 2-hour session that will
(1) Define racial battle fatigue, its social-emotional and physiological implications.
(2) Create a safe healing space for reflection and community-building.
(3) Identify self-care and coping strategies to combat racial battle fatigue.
About The Presenter
Tirrany Thurmond, M.Ed., NCC, LGPC is the Founder and Principal Consultant of Idaltu Counseling & Consulting. Her curiosity about people — who they are, how they evolve, where they hurt — guides her work and led her to found Idaltu. Just as human beings need one another to evolve, we need one another to heal.
Tirrany’s uses a culturally responsive and trauma-informed approach to guide her support for organizations and individuals. She is a skilled clinician with a focus on race-based stress and trauma, healing, and self-authorship. Her tenure spans over a decade in higher education on large and small campuses, specifically student affairs, equity and inclusion, student recruitment, and faculty and staff development.
Tirrany is a Qualified Administrator for the Intercultural Development Inventory and board-certified counselor, TEDx speaker, and sought-after facilitator and advisor. She earned a bachelors in behavior analysis from Savannah State University and masters in counselor education from Georgia Southern University.
Aware and Prepared: Your Role as a Mandated Reporter
The presentation provides a general overview of the function of Child Protective Services in order to prepare mandated reporters for the process of making a referral for suspected child abuse and/or neglect.
At the conclusion, participants will feel prepared and competent to make a CPS referral, they will have an understanding of the criteria for child abuse and neglect in the state of Maryland, as well as the interventions provided by Child Protective Services once a referral is received.
About The Presenter
Erika Fenske, LSCW-C: Is the Child Protective Services Supervisor at the Talbot County Department of Social Services. She has worked for the Department of Social Services for ten years, in both Caroline and Talbot Counties. She currently supervises Child Protective Services intake and Screening for the Services Unit. In addition she is a Certified Forensic Interviewer and regularly conducts forensic interviews as part of the multidisciplinary team approach to child abuse investigations at the Talbot County Child Advocacy Center.
Monthly CASA Supervisors Meeting
The CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) Monthly Supervisors Meeting is a dedicated forum where CASA supervisors come together to discuss and address key aspects of the program. This collaborative gathering provides a space to share updates, explore challenges, identify needs, and align on training and resource priorities to ensure the success of local CASA programs.
*This is a monthly meeting for all local CASA Supervisors only.
Breaking Cultural Barriers: Your Guide to Cultural Understanding Through the IDI
Join us for an introduction to the Intercultural Development Inventory (IDI), a globally recognized cultural competency assessment. The IDI evaluates an individual’s current level of cultural awareness and provides actionable strategies for growth toward greater cultural competence. This assessment is particularly valuable for professionals working with diverse communities, equipping them with tools to navigate cultural differences effectively.
Don’t miss this chance to enhance your cultural competency and make a meaningful impact in your community!
About The Presenter
Janelle Battle (She/ Her) is the DEIAB Program Assistant at Maryland CASA. Janelle is a social justice advocate who has a diverse background working within human resources, higher education, non-profits, and corporate.
Janelle graduated with her master's in communications in 2022 with a focus in human resources and attended the University of South Florida’s online DEI certificate program, DEI in the workplace. Janelle utilizes her background in HR and DEI to help organizations strengthen their development and foster spaces that uplift, celebrate, and equitably serve every unique individual.
Janelle’s approach to this work is to build unity and harmony within communities by listening with an empathetic heart, respecting and understanding each individual’s unique background and experiences, and graciously holding people accountable to their newly gained knowledge and awareness.
Monthly CASA Supervisors Meeting
The CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) Monthly Supervisors Meeting is a dedicated forum where CASA supervisors come together to discuss and address key aspects of the program. This collaborative gathering provides a space to share updates, explore challenges, identify needs, and align on training and resource priorities to ensure the success of local CASA programs.
*This is a monthly meeting for all local CASA Supervisors only.
Prioritizing Self-Care During the Holidays: A DEI Approach
The holiday season can be a joyful yet challenging time for many, with added responsibilities, family dynamics, and the pressure of expectations. This workshop is designed to equip participants with practical tools and inclusive self-care strategies to maintain balance and support mental health through this busy season.
About The Presenter
Janelle Battle (She/ Her) is the DEIAB Program Assistant at Maryland CASA. Janelle is a social justice advocate who has a diverse background working within human resources, higher education, non-profits, and corporate.
Janelle graduated with her master's in communications in 2022 with a focus in human resources and attended the University of South Florida’s online DEI certificate program, DEI in the workplace. Janelle utilizes her background in HR and DEI to help organizations strengthen their development and foster spaces that uplift, celebrate, and equitably serve every unique individual.
Janelle’s approach to this work is to build unity and harmony within communities by listening with an empathetic heart, respecting and understanding each individual’s unique background and experiences, and graciously holding people accountable to their newly gained knowledge and awareness.
Leading an Emotion-Driven Life
Growing up can be hard to do and guiding a growing child through their growth is equally hard. As children go through their life, they will face emotional challenges.
This presentation will give you skills in order to help you handle those emotional challenges. Hopefully, the presentation will help you with some of your own emotional challenges.
About The Presenter
Dr. Chad Lennon, MD is a child and adolescent psychiatrist at Sheppard Pratt’s Baltimore/Washington Campus. He is board certified in neurology and child and adolescent psychiatry. Dr. Lennon received his bachelor’s degree from Franklin & Marshall College, attended a post-baccalaureate program at CUNY City College, and earned his medical degree from Howard University College of Medicine. He completed the University of Maryland/Sheppard Pratt Residency Program where he was a psychiatry chief resident, followed by a child and adolescent psychiatry fellowship program at Mt. Sinai Elmhurst Hospital. He previously worked as the lead psychiatrist on the adolescent unit at Adventist Behavioral Healthcare-Shady Grove Medical Center.
Dr. Lennon has won a number of academic excellence awards including the Adventist Healthcare Shady Grove Medical Center Physician RISES Individual Award and the Franklin & Marshall College Sydney N. Bridgett ’51 Award. He is a member of a number of professional societies including Black Psychiatrists of America, American Psychiatric Association, American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, American Society for Adolescent Psychiatry, and Maryland Psychiatric Society.
His research interests include postpartum depression in African Americans; the stigma of mental illness in the African American community; managing stress, trauma, and anxiety in children and adolescents; bias in medical ethics; suicide; mood disorders; severe mental illness; and more.
Dr. Lennon has also participated in medical mission work. He is widely published, has authored numerous blogs, and participated in many speaking engagements. His presentations have included topics such as suicide, anxiety, and a medical student and resident lecture series. His blogs have included topics such as the stigma of mental illness in the African American community, and managing stress, trauma, and anxiety in children and adolescents.
Promoting Inclusive Holiday Practices
Get ready for the holiday season by joining our interactive, inclusive workshop, where we’ll explore a variety of upcoming cultural holidays and observances. In this session, you'll discover the origins of these culturally significant celebrations, gain insights on how to be mindful of others and develop strategies to foster inclusive holiday practices.
About The Presenter
Janelle Battle (She/ Her) is the DEIAB Program Assistant at Maryland CASA. Janelle is a social justice advocate who has a diverse background working within human resources, higher education, non-profits, and corporate.
Janelle graduated with her master's in communications in 2022 with a focus in human resources and attended the University of South Florida’s online DEI certificate program, DEI in the workplace. Janelle utilizes her background in HR and DEI to help organizations strengthen their development and foster spaces that uplift, celebrate, and equitably serve every unique individual.
Janelle’s approach to this work is to build unity and harmony within communities by listening with an empathetic heart, respecting and understanding each individual’s unique background and experiences, and graciously holding people accountable to their newly gained knowledge and awareness.
Human Trafficking 101
Human Trafficking is a complex problem that requires awareness and collaboration from our non-profit and volunteer communities, law enforcement, medical practitioners, county leaders, social service providers ,schools, and more.
For All Seasons Behavioral Health and Rape Crisis Center and Maryland CASA Association are partnering to offer this free event to the community.
About the Presenter
Susan Ahlstrom is the Human Trafficking Regional Navigator for the Mid-Shore region in Maryland. She has over twenty five years of experience working in nonprofit development, education, and youth advocacy. She holds a Master of Science in Counseling and previously served as the For All Seasons’ T.A.M.A.R. (Trauma, Addiction, Mental Health and Recovery) Coordinator for female detainees at the Dorchester and Caroline County Detention Centers.
ACES (Adverse Childhood Experiences)
Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) are traumatic or stressful experiences, such as abuse or neglect, that occur during childhood or adolescence. Armed with powerful new insights into how toxic stress changes the physiology of early brain development, we can begin to find sustainable solutions to childhood trauma by empowering resilient, self-healing communities. The training is designed to support widespread awareness, promote understanding, and empower communities to improve health and well-being throughout society. Learn about the key positive childhood experiences that help children grow into healthy, resilient adults and how our communities and our systems of care can provide access to them. The Four Building Blocks of HOPE will focus beyond ACEs to deepen our understanding and empathy, foster trust among families, and nurture anti-racist thinking to serve everyone without stigma. The participant will understand how the growing body of research demonstrate how positive childhood experiences drive healthy development and can mitigate the effects of adverse ones.
About The Presenters
Chalarra A. Sessoms, LCSW-C, MSW is a Clinical Social Worker with 25 years of experience in the mental health field. Board Approved Supervisor to support social workers and counselors in training. Mrs. Sessoms works as a Chief of Rural Health and School Based Programs with the Maryland Behavioral Health Administration within the Primary Behavioral Health & Early Intervention Division. She provides behavioral health trainings as a Resilience Master Presenter, ACE Interface Master Presenter, HOPE Champion, and Youth Mental Health First Aid Facilitator. Chalarra is an entrepreneur and proud to serve as a member of a consultative group of behavioral health practitioners, Imagine Living Well. Chalarra is a 2023 Honoree for Commitment to Child Maltreatment Prevention from The Family Tree. Chalarra was an Honoree in 2019 as one of The Daily Record's Maryland Top 100 Women for being a leading woman in leadership, community service, and mentoring. Mrs. Sessoms extends her talents throughout the community as well. Diversity, equity, and inclusion are at the forefront for her work.
D'Lisa Worthy, M.Ed is a Special Educator with 30 years of experience serving young children and their families. D’Lisa Worthy is the Director of Early Childhood Services at the Behavioral Health Administration’s Primary Behavioral Health & Early Intervention Division. D’Lisa is a State Master Trainer in ACES Interface, The Pyramid Model, HOPE Champion, Youth and Adult Mental Health First Aid and Resilience. She is a National Trainer for FAN (Facilitating Attuned Interaction). She is a current Commissioner on the Commission on Trauma Informed Care. Over the last 30 years D’Lisa has also taught at several Universities around the State of Maryland. She is featured on several videos and websites on children’s mental health and early childhood resilience and development. She was the 2017 Award Winner of the Alma Troccoli Award for Excellence in Advocating for the Mental Health Needs of Young Children and Their Families. She develops systems of care, workforce development and policy and practice for young children and their families.
Baltimore County CASA
Kate Bishop, MSSA (she/her), Education Coordinator at the Center for LGBTQ Health Equity of Chase Brexton, is a seasoned professional development trainer with expertise in working with LGBTQ populations, sexual and reproductive health care, intimate partner violence, sexual trauma, and training adult learners. Over the past 8 years as the leader of education at an LGBTQ-focused community health center, she has developed a large catalogue of professional development lectures and workshops designed to support health and human service workers in building the knowledge, skills, and attitudes they need to serve sexual and gender minority populations with integrity. Designated as a Subject Matter Expert by government agencies like SAMHSA, HRSA, and the NIH, she was trained in delivering LGBTQ health education through the National LGBTQ Health Education Center at the Fenway institute, Harvard University, National LGBT Cancer Network, Maryland Department of Health, and is certified as a trainer through GLSEN (Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network) as well as SAGE (Services and Advocacy for GLBT Elders). Kate earned a Certificate in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Healthcare from Healthcare Experience Foundation in 2023. Before joining the Chase Brexton team, she developed the capacity building program at the University of Maryland School of Medicine’s STAR TRACK Adolescent HIV program, providing cultural responsiveness trainings for agencies that serve sexual minority youth of color. Over her 30 years in serving vibrant and vulnerable communities training has been the centerpiece of her career, cultivating an accessible teaching style that emphasizes compassion for all, sincerity, humor, storytelling, and admiration for the courage of learners. Kate holds a Bachelor of Arts in Gender Studies from Hiram College and a Masters in Social Work from Case Western Reserve University.
Interested in presenting for us?
Tell us about your areas of expertise!
MISSED AN EVENT OR TRAINING?
We’ve got you covered. Catch up and watch all of our available recorded past sessions!
GET NOTIFIED WHEN WE HAVE A NEW TRAINING!
Sign up for our training newsletter!
ACCESSIBILITY
We strive to host inclusive, accessible events that enable all individuals, including individuals with disabilities, to engage fully. If you require accommodations to fully participate in our virtual trainings, please email our team here. You will be contacted by someone from our staff to discuss your specific needs.