2022 Texas CASA Conference

Learning From Lived Experiences:
"Nothing About Us Without Us"

The Texas CASA Conference is back July 21-22, 2022 in Denton!

Learning from Lived Experiences: “Nothing About Us Without Us” will focus on centering the voices of youth and families and elevating the advocacy CASA programs provide.

speakers

keynote speaker

sixto cancel

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Day 1: Thursday, July 21
9:30 AM - 10:30 AM

Sixto Cancel is the Founder and CEO of Think of Us. Think of Us (TOU) is an Action Tank driving systematic change in child welfare. Through focused projects and sweeping initiatives, TOU drives structural changes in child welfare policy and practice. Sixto was named as Forbes Top 30 Under 30 Social Entrepreneurs and is on the 2021 Forbes Under30 Lister Board. Sixto has been recognized by the White House as a “White House Champion of Change'', a “Millennial Maker” by BET, and named “Top 24 Changemakers in Government under 24” by the Campaign for a Presidential Youth Council and Sparkaction. Sixto has served as a Young Fellow at Jim Casey Youth Opportunities Initiative since 2010 where he has played a key role in the initiative’s work of extending foster care permanency for older youth. Sixto is a Clinton Global Initiative University Alum, a FastForward Alum, an Ashoka Fellow, a Board Member of Adventr – an interactive SMART video tech company – and most recently on the Advisory Board for Box, Inc. Sixto and the team at Think of Us are working to ensure that every person has the conditions they need to heal, develop and thrive.

Panelist

Brooke Shewmake

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Day 1: Thursday, July 21
10:45 AM - 11:45 AM

Brooke Shewmake was once in the foster care system, and beat all odds. She graduated from Midwestern State University with a bachelor's degree in social work. She is a mother, a wife, and an advocate for children in foster care.

Facilitator

cortney jones

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Day 1: Thursday, July 21
10:45 AM - 11:45 AM

Cortney Jones elevates the voices of children, youth and families who have experienced the Child Welfare system. She has worked in policy development, advocacy, public education, housing, and individual case management for more than 18 years. Her work is guided by her unique experiences: previous DFPS state office employee, foster parent, an adoptive mother of two and also someone who lived through the foster care system herself for 10 years. She is also the Founder and Executive Director of Change 1, a volunteer program that brings together community organizations, nonprofits, churches, and schools to increase volunteerism, mentoring, and fostering to  youth 15-26 years old coming from the foster care system.

Panelist

Ronika Allen

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Day 1: Thursday, July 21
10:45 AM - 11:45 AM

Ronika Allen, “aged out” of the foster care system at age 21. She is originally from Chicago, Illinois, but resides in Kyle, Texas. She obtained a Bachelor of Science from Texas State University San Marcos in 2020. Prior to Texas State, she attended Austin Community College (ACC) where she obtained two Associates degrees in Criminal Justice Corrections and in Criminal Justice Law. Despite many challenge, she is the first of her six siblings to graduate with a college degree. She is currently pursuing a graduate degree in Criminology and Criminal Justice at UTSA. Ronika has decided to commit her life to serving and protecting others by becoming a criminal justice practitioner. She wants to ensure that every individual she encounters in the criminal justice system is indeed treated fairly and with all due respect while providing basic resources to assist those perhaps needing proper rehabilitation.

Panelist

Renellquiana Blackburn

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Day 1: Thursday, July 21
10:45 AM - 11:45 AM

Renellquiana Blackburn received her high school diploma from Eastside Memorial High School in 2013. Shortly after leaving foster care, she joined Lifeworks and started an internship with Partnership with Children. Through her internship she was able to gain a better understanding of what youth go through in the foster care system. Her passion to want to make a difference stemmed from her observations of the lack of support and service provided to youth and families. She recently received her certification in phlebotomy in 2021 from the Central Texas Allied Health Institute. Lastly, she is a songwriter and local Austin artist.

speaker

chad houser

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Day 1: Thursday, July 21
1:45 PM - 2:45 PM

After 17 years as a chef, Chad Houser sold his partnership of Parigi Restaurant to devote his full attention to the role of Executive Director of Café Momentum in 2012. In 2020, Chad co-founded Momentum Advisory Collective, a non-profit organization built to scale Café Momentum and a new model for juvenile justice across the country. In the Dallas community where he resides, Chad is a member of the El Centro College Food and Hospitality Institute “Hall of Fame” and currently serves on the Dallas County Community College District Foundation Board of Directors. In 2017, Chad and Café Momentum were featured in the Starbucks production of Upstanders Season 2, a series created to shine a light on stories of everyday Americans who are doing extraordinarily courageous things.

speaker

Dr. Porshia Haymon

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Day 1: Thursday, July 21
1:45 PM - 2:45 PM

Dr. Porshia Haymon is the Chief Program Officer at Café Momentum in Dallas. As Chief Program Officer, Dr. Haymon oversees the quality and effectiveness of the program, ensuring that it consistently meets the needs of the youth enrolled in the Café Momentum internship program. Prior to this position, Dr. Haymon served as the Senior Director of Programs and Clinical Services. Dr. Haymon was previously employed by The Chicago School of Psychology, Dallas Campus as an adjunct professor. She has also worked as a Mental Health Clinician for Dallas County at Medlock Residential Treatment Facility and a Licensed Specialist in School Psychology for Richardson ISD. Dr. Haymon is originally from Mississippi and completed her degrees at Xavier University of LA and Jackson State University. 

speaker

Evelyn Islas

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Day 1: Thursday, July 21
1:45 PM - 2:45 PM

Evelyn Islas rejoined Café Momentum in October 2021 after giving birth to her son. Evelyn is a mentor to many of the youth in the program and receives accolades for her strong work ethic and the desire to be successful in both the Café Momentum internship program and her high school studies.

Evelyn recently joined the Momentum Ambassador Program, allowing Evelyn to strengthen her self-confidence, uplift her voice and develop the skills needed to attain her career goal of becoming an advocate for survivors of sexual assault. She is currently volunteering with the Young Women’s Advisory Council in addition to her internship with Café Momentum.

speaker

i'Munique Liggens

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Day 1: Thursday, July 21
1:45 PM - 2:45 PM

I’munique is passionate about using her voice to raise awareness and empower underserved communities. Her commitment to advocating for justice-involved youth is evident through her daily efforts and speaking engagements with the Texas Network of Youth Services and the Momentum Advisory Collective Ambassador Program. I’munique graduated from the Café Momentum High School program in 2020 and is currently a sophomore at Tyler Jr. College pursuing her Bachelor’s degree in Business Management. She is also serving as the Vice President of the Black Student Association.

speaker

Brittany K. Barnett

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Day 1: Thursday, July 21
3:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Brittany K. Barnett is an award-winning attorney and entrepreneur focused on social impact investing. She is dedicated to transforming the criminal justice system and has won freedom for numerous people serving fundamental death sentences for federal drug offenses –  including seven clients who received executive clemency from President Barack Obama. Brittany is founder of a series of nonprofits and social enterprises, including the Buried Alive Project, Girls Embracing Mothers,  the Manifest Freedom Fund, and Milena Reign LLC. She has earned many honors, including being named one of America’s most Outstanding Young Lawyers by the American Bar Association.

speaker

matt anderson

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Day 2: Friday, July 22
9:00 AM - 10:00 AM

Matt Anderson is a social worker who believes in family, the importance of listening, and the ability of a story well told to change the world. Matt serves as the Vice President of Programs and Business Development for Children’s Home Society of North Carolina. He earned his master’s in social work at the University of Montana. His career has focused on youth engagement, child welfare practice, organizational leadership, public policy, and media as a catalyst for change. Matt helped to establish the Institute for Family because he sees a clear need for partnering with families to imagine and create a new approach that strengthens families and reduces child maltreatment.

Special Guest

Shrounda Selivanoff

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Day 2: Friday, July 22
9:00 AM - 10:00 AM

Shrounda Selivanoff is the Director of Public Policy at Children's Home Society of Washington. She brings a fierce and passionate voice advocating for systemic change for parents and their children involved with the child welfare system. She was previously involved with the system due to a severe drug and alcohol addiction. Through life challenges, she has preserved. At present, she continues to learn more about the child welfare system from a kinship caregiver's perspective to her grandson. Shrounda's child welfare experience birthed an advocate seeking to destigmatize parents and move towards a system that empowers and values parents as partners. Shrounda's work prioritizes marginalized and disenfranchised families and relentlessly pursues policy change and system reform towards preserving and strengthening families.

special guest

slam anderson

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Day 2: Friday, July 22
9:00 AM - 10:00 AM

Slam Anderson, is the Outreach Director for The Kitchen Table Literary Arts Center, a nonprofit organization that builds awareness, appreciation, and support for women of color and Black women writers. She is a facilitator, spoken word artist and writer. Slam uses her words to inspire positive change, self-love, and resilience. She has competed in both National and Regional Poetry Slam. She is known for her advocacy as an alumnus of the foster care system, and dedicated to improving the system for current and future youth in care. She is a founding member of "UR Unbelievably Resilient" (formally known as "Foster Strong"). Slam was the recipient of the 2019 Florida Coalition for Children (FCC) "Outstanding Youth" Award for her work as a workshop designer and youth facilitator at A Kid's Place (Foster home). She is a graduate of the University of South Florida with a B.A. in Creative Writing. She is a native of Alachua/Gainesville, FL.

Learning From Lived Experiences

Hear from keynote speaker Sixto Cancel and facilitator Cortney Jones on the power and importance of centering the voices of youth with lived experiences.

registration

Open Registration Period

Registration Cost: $400* (flat fee for all)
*All conference expenses are allowable on both CVC and VOCA grants.

Due to ongoing concerns related to the pandemic, capacity will be limited to 300 registrants. 

June 1-July 1, 2022*

Register Now

*or capacity is reached, whichever comes first

Cancellation, Substitution & Refund Policy

Full refunds will be granted if cancelled by July 1, 2022, or when the event reaches capacity, whichever comes first. No refunds will be granted after that.You can however, substitute someone else for your registration. To do so, contact Marketing & Media Manager Lindsey Lee at llee@texascasa.org.

lodging & Logistics

Hotel & Conference Center

Embassy Suites by Hilton Denton Convention Center, $155/night plus tax

After registering for the conference, attendees will receive information on booking their hotel room. You must register for the conference first to receive the code for the hotel room block. Each hotel room reservation must be made with a unique name - duplicate names will not be accepted.

Parking: complimentary

Meals: full breakfast both days is included with conference hotel stay, optional boxed lunch on Day 1 if attending Lunch & Learn, dinner on Day 1

The schedule

Day 1: Thursday, July 21

9:00 AM - 9:30 AM

Welcome Remarks

Featuring Vicki Spriggs, Texas CASA CEO

9:30 AM – 10:30 AM

Keynote Address
Lived Experience Data: The Missing Data that Makes a Difference

Kick off the 2022 Texas CASA Conference with a powerful keynote address from Sixto Cancel on using lived experience to inform and drive case-level and system-level reform. Sixto is the Founder and CEO of Think of Us. Think of Us (TOU) is an Action Tank driving systematic change in child welfare.

Featuring Sixto Cancel, Founder and CEO, Think of Us

10:45 AM – 11:45 AM

We Matter! Youth Voices Panel

What resources do youth in foster care need the most? What support are they needing and looking for from the people involved in their cases? Hear directly from young people on their experiences within the child welfare system in this packed, youth-led panel facilitated by Cortney Jones, Founder and CEO of Change 1. These young professionals will discuss the changes they want to see and inspire the audience to reimagine the current system.

Featuring Ronika Allen, Renellquiana “Quiana” Blackburn, Sixto Cancel and Brooke Shewmake

Facilitated by Cortney Jones, Founder and CEO of Change 1

11:45 AM – 12:15 PM

Big Things Happen When We Act Together

Join us for a powerful pause to reflect on how we can bring to life the strategies and insights our speakers have shared in the critical work we do every day. This short, dynamic session will be an opportunity to make connections with colleagues around the state and hear what others are carrying forward from our time together.

Led by Texas CASA staff

12:15 PM – 1:45 PM

Lunch & Learn: Documentary Screening of Building Momentum*

FREE boxed lunch provided! Join us for lunch and a screening of the incredible documentary Building Momentum which tells the story of Café Momentum founder Chad Houser’s efforts to provide resources, opportunity and wraparound care to justice-involved youth in his hometown of Dallas. In an effort to support the program’s national expansion, the documentary explores the Café Momentum ecosystem of support including employment, education, community and mental health services, as well as the life-changing impact of the Momentum model on Dallas’s most at-risk youth. This is a fantastic optional session to learn more about Café Momentum before we hear from founder Chad Houser at the 1:45 PM session.

*Optional Session

1:45 PM – 2:45 PM

Round Table Talk with Café Momentum
A New Approach to Working with Justice-Involved Youth

A roundtable discussion with Café Momentum Founder, Chad Houser, Chief Program Officer, Dr. Porshia Haymon, and Momentum Ambassadors. This roundtable discussion seeks to broaden horizons and deepen understanding of the Café Momentum program, model, and the impact created within the community. Attendees will walk away with a new perspective on finding solutions by listening to the young people they serve - as well as gain a better understanding of the importance of communicating across all institutions that have a direct impact upon a young person’s life (i.e., school, probation). Café Momentum’s mission is to transform young lives by equipping justice-involved youth with life skills, education and employment opportunities to help them achieve their full potential.

Featuring Chad Houser, Chef and Founder, Café Momentum; Dr. Porshia Haymon, Chief Program Officer, Café Momentum; and two young Ambassadors: Evelyn Islas and I'munique Liggens

3:00 PM – 4:00 PM

Fireside Chat with Brittany K. Barnett and Vicki Spriggs
Amplifying the Voices of Children and Families Impacted by the Criminal Justice System

An intimate conversation with Brittany K. Barnett, Justice Reform Advocate and author of A Knock at Midnight: A Story of Hope, Justice, and Freedom, and Texas CASA CEO Vicki Spriggs. Barnett is an award-winning attorney and entrepreneur focused on transforming the criminal justice system. The conversation will focus on the importance of centering the voices and lived experiences of people directly impacted by the criminal justice system. Often their voices are missing from the conversation of reforming criminal justice, and their diverse stories and perspectives ignored. The session will also identify ways we can help to reduce the carceral footprint in this country and help prevent children from entering the criminal justice system.

Featuring Brittany K. Barnett, Attorney, Author and Founder of the Buried Alive Project, Girls Embracing Mothers, the Manifest Freedom Fund, and Milena Reign LLC

4:00 PM – 4:30 PM

Imagination, Connection and Restoration

A chance for self-reflection to unpack what we’ve heard today and how it can influence our advocacy for children and families in the foster care system.

Led by Texas CASA staff

5:30 PM – 7:00 PM

Cocktail Hour

Mix and mingle with conference attendees at the cocktail hour provided by Embassy Suites.

7:00 PM – 8:30 PM | Universities Grand Ballroom 

Dinner & Dessert

8:30 PM - 10:30 PM | Triangle Ballroom 

After Dinner Party

Day 2: Friday, July 22

9:00 AM – 10:15 AM

My Need for Change: What If We Didn’t Have to Wait for Bad Enough?

This dynamic, multi-media session will engage the audience through spoken word poetry and podcast audio clips, as well as a panel discussion led by Matt Anderson, host of Seen Out Loud. The panelists, Slam Anderson and Shrounda Selivanoff, bring a unique depth of personal and professional expertise with the child welfare system. Clips from the Seen Out Loud podcast will help launch discussion of key topics related to relational well-being and parent engagement with a focus on prioritizing family as a critical element of child safety and well-being. Audience members will walk away with practical tips for how to authentically engage parents so that they are truly heard.

Featuring Matt Anderson, Social Worker and Host of Seen Out Loud; Slam Anderson, Outreach Director, The Kitchen Table Literary Arts Center; and Shrounda Selivanoff, Director of Public Policy, Children's Home Society of Washington

10:30 AM – 11:30 AM

Closing

Help us wrap up the 2022 Texas CASA Conference with a surprise guest performer!              

sponsors

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Jane Quentan Piper

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