FREE!

Having the opportunity to be surrounded by those who understand your family’s journey is a vital experience. There is sometimes a lack of understanding for the intersecting experiences LGBTQ+ families face. Such families require environments that honor those experiences, as well as spaces that provide opportunities to connect with individuals from similar family types.

C.A.S.E. looks forward to providing that space for your family.

Each group will meet virtually via ZOOM on the third Thursday of each month.

Meeting dates: 10/24/24, 11/21/24, 12/19/24, 1/16/25, 2/20/25, 3/20/25, 4/17/25, 5/15/25, 6/19/25, 7/17/25, 8/21/25

The theme of the 24th NCCAN is Doing Things Differently: Believing in Communities, reflecting our belief that communities hold the answers in addressing challenges and promoting family wellbeing. The CB strongly encourages proposals that address work being done in communities and include speakers with lived experience in child welfare.

Call for Papers 24TH NCCAN CALL FOR PROPOSALS | 24th National Conference on Child Abuse and Neglect | Whova

Innovative sessions will focus on developing ideas-to-action strategies that provide opportunities to exchange ideas and learn what works from community members and peers. The conference will also offer plenaries, workshops, posters, and exhibits, that highlight Children’s Bureau priority areas. So, mark your calendars now—additional information is coming soon. We look forward to seeing you there.

FREE!

This presentation is intended to educate healthcare professionals on the effects of dementia on the brain and the five senses, how to apply this knowledge to care provided and how to utilize the positive physical approach to connect with the person prior to providing care.

2 hours, 2 CE available for RN/LPN, SW

Course Details:

• All courses are held through Zoom. You will receive emails with the Zoom link two days before, two hours before and 10 minutes before the course. Please be sure to check your junk and spam folders.
• For the best interactive class experience, we request that your camera be on throughout the duration of the class.
• Due to parameters set by the approving bodies for continuing education, recordings are not available.
• All times are Eastern Time (US).

FREE!

The federal government estimates that nearly 37 million people in the United Stated live below the poverty line, with 9.7 percent of the New Jersey population and 6.6 percent of the Bergen County population among them. These numbers are based on the 2025 Federal Guidelines.

Join Suzanne Scheer and Pamela Mills as we discuss putting together your care team when assisting an older adult to age in place. Presentation will include a review of levels of care, necessary preparation for aging in place, caregiver burden and the financial requirements for caregiving. Open discussion with Pam and Suzanne about the best approaches for putting together a professional care team and how each expert can lead to increased peace of mind for yourself and the older adult you assist.

Fee: $21

Substance abuse in the older adult is a hidden epidemic in the United States. Many factors come into play to render them at risk. Participant will learn how to identify at-risk older adults and what treatment protocols exist to help them.

Aging is a journey we all take, yet many of us face it with uncertainty, fear, and unanswered questions. Out Smart Aging is an open, supportive forum where you can share your thoughts, concerns, and experiences about aging and caregiving.

Join Jodanie Dalien, an experienced Speech-Language Pathologist, as she shares expert insights on the aging process, dementia, Alzheimer’s, and best practices for aging well. This interactive event is designed for adults 40-80+ and caregivers who want to learn, connect, and find real solutions for navigating the challenges of aging.

 What You’ll Gain:
A safe space to talk about fears and challenges of aging
Practical advice on aging, memory, problem-solving, and caregiving
Knowledge on dementia and Alzheimer’s care
Meaningful discussions and solutions to make aging a smoother journey

Whether you’re planning for your own future or caring for a loved one, Out Smart Aging will help you feel more prepared, informed, and empowered. Let’s embrace aging together!

Fee: $110.00

Emotional cutoff, a Bowen family systems theory concept, describes how unresolved emotional issues with parents, siblings, and other family members are managed by reducing or totally cutting off emotional contact with them – moving away and rarely going home or by staying in physical contact but avoiding sensitive issues. Covering cutoff origins and consequences, this workshop also explores how bridging cutoffs provides a path out of recreating the past in the present nuclear family while reducing anxiety and improving personal and relationship functioning.

FREE!

EXPLORING CARE & SUPPORT SERVICES

Caring for someone living with dementia brings an unique set of challenges and rewards. With the right support, you can empower yourself to provide quality care to the person living with dementia while managing your own well-being.

Join us to understand how best to prepare for future care decisions, including:

• respite care
• residential care and
• end of life care

Join us for a live and interactive discussion with one of the leading voices in elder care policy that will provide insights into the complex world of aging services during this period of policy uncertainty. Howard Gleckman, a senior fellow at the Urban Institute and author of Caring for Our Parents will provide a comprehensive analysis drawing on his expertise in tax policy, elder care, and healthcare.

This conference will gather the brightest minds in child welfare and allied fields to share innovative and sustainable solutions that strengthen child and family outcomes.

Do you provide care for a loved one or neighbor?

Learn about services, support, and other helpful information.

Featured speakers include:

– Shavonda E. Sumter, President and CEO of Children’s Aid and Family Services, who will present “Avoiding Social Isolation”

– Tess Tomasi, Information & Assistance Supervisor, Division of Senior Services, who will present “Introduction to Programs and Services for Seniors in Bergen County”

– Anna Navatta Esq., Northeast New Jersey Legal Services who will present “Legal Considerations”

– Kristine Allen, who will present “Coping with Challenging Situations in Dementia Care”

*Registration will begin at 4:30 PM

Bergen County Administration Building

Multi-Purpose Room – 1st Floor

Don’t miss the opportunity to attend our Grief Education Conference on Friday, April 11, 2025, at Imagine Mountainside! A transformative experience designed specifically for leaders, mental health professionals, parents, teachers, and anyone who plays a role in supporting those who are grieving.

Our interactive workshops will:

• Uncover common misconceptions about grief
• Explore cultural factors
• Teach you effective companioning strategies
• and more!

Continuing Education credits available! These sessions are not only informative but also empowering, helping you to become a beacon of support for those in need. Register today!

FREE!

This session explores the unique challenges and disparities faced by Black-disabled mothers within the maternal health system. Participants will learn how intersections of race, gender, and disability impact healthcare inequities. We will also look at Assistive Technology for Maternal Health, examining how it can help overcome barriers related to mental, physical, sensory, cognitive, and communication disabilities, ensuring that disabled mothers receive appropriate care and support.

Sexual violence and stalking are both prevalent, commonly misunderstood, and severely underreported victimizations. In honor of Sexual Assault Awareness Month, this webinar explores what multidisciplinary professionals need to know about the intersection of stalking and sexual violence. Victim support, criminal justice, and allied professionals are invited to learn about similarities, co-occurrence, and strategies to support victims and survivors of sexual violence and stalking.

FREE!

An insightful and informative webinar on Healthcare Directives and discover why they are a crucial component of your healthcare planning.

Join us for an insightful and informative webinar on Healthcare Directives and discover why they are a crucial component of your healthcare planning. Whether you’re planning for the future or seeking to better understand your rights in medical care, this session will provide the knowledge you need to make informed decisions.

In this webinar, we will explore:

• What healthcare directives are and how they work
• The legal and personal importance of setting up healthcare directives
• How they provide clarity in medical decision-making when you can’t speak for yourself
• Steps to take in creating and implementing your own healthcare directives

FREE!

· An introduction to attachment theory

· Recognizing signs of attachment needs in the classroom

· Supporting attachment needs in schools

Back to Basics: Building Strong Foundations for Tomorrow’s Bright Futures!

Join us as we proudly present the
Mary T. Napolitano Memorial Women in Child
Care Empowerment Award & the Kay Gellert
Annual Award to two outstanding providers in
our community.

*Continental breakfast and lunch are included with the $50 registration fee.

Stalking is a prevalent, dangerous, and often misunderstood victimization that affects victims’ physical and mental health. Healthcare settings are critical alternative access points to the criminal justice system for victims to disclose and receive care and referrals. This session explores the dynamics of stalking, focusing on the highly contextual nature of the crime by discussing common tactics used by perpetrators, the health impacts of stalking, and considerations for healthcare professionals.

Objectives: By the end of this presentation, participants will be better able to:

– Identify stalking behaviors, dynamics, and health impacts

– Recognize the intersection of stalking with other victimizations

– Apply strategies for working with victims of stalking

The Children’s Justice Conference hosts 1200+ professionals in service of at-risk and abused children. The conference provides attendees the opportunity to learn about the latest in investigation, treatment and care techniques, as well as to network with professionals across a broad spectrum of disciplines.