43rd Annual Child Abuse Symposium
Schedule
Fri Apr 10 2026 at 07:45 am to 05:00 pm
UTC-07:00Location
San José State University | San Jose, CA
About this Event
The 43rd Annual Child Abuse Symposium welcomes you to a full day of learning and professional development. This year, the Symposium will take place at San Jose State University in the Student Union Main Ballroom.
You'll learn from national experts on Homelessness and Children, the Effects of Corporal Punishment, and the Linkages Between Abuse/Neglect and Child Deaths.
Panelists will discuss the recent Child Death Review Team Report, Fathers and Prevention, Resource Parents, Dually Involved Youth, The HUB, and Trauma Carried By Siblings of Abused Children.
And more!
We will have resource tables near the registration area for you to browse and take home some valuable information. Lastly, as requested in prior years, we will have interactive wellness breaks between sessions to help get us through the day!
2026 Symposium Committee: James Gibbons-Shapiro (Chair), Steve Baron, Dr. Lydia Harris, Cathy Hjelt, Annie Liu, Patty Peña, Margaret Petros, Dorothy Ross, Lina Som, Breenu Sra, Joann Vaars, and Emily Valenzuela.
The annual symposium is organized and presented by the Child Abuse Prevention Council of Santa Clara County.
Information on continuing education units will be forthcoming. Please let us know which type of units you are interested in getting.
Agenda
🕑: 07:45 AM - 08:15 AM
Registration and Continental Breakfast
🕑: 08:15 AM - 08:30 AM
Welcome Remarks
🕑: 08:30 AM - 09:45 AM
Dr. Joseph Bishop, School of Education & Information Studies, UCLA
Info: When Stability Matters Most: Aligning Systems to Support Highly Mobile Youth in Santa Clara County.
🕑: 09:45 AM - 10:05 AM
Stretch Break/Wellness Activity #1
🕑: 10:05 AM - 11:20 AM
Dr. Vincent J. Palusci, MD, MS
Info: Linkages Between Child Abuse and Neglect, and Child Fatalities.
🕑: 11:20 AM - 11:35 AM
Stretch Break/Wellness Activity #2
🕑: 11:35 AM - 12:00 PM
Cathy Hjelt, Victim Advocate & Facility Dog Handler, CAC
Info: Facility Dogs & their Role in Supporting Children Who Experienced Trauma.
🕑: 12:00 PM - 01:00 PM
Lunch Break and Awards Presentation
🕑: 01:00 PM - 02:15 PM
Dr. Stacey P. Patton
Info: From Belief to Biology: How Science Changes the Conversation About Hitting Children.
🕑: 02:15 PM - 02:30 PM
Stretch Break/Wellness Activity #3
🕑: 02:30 PM - 03:30 PM
Workshops A1, A2, A3
Info: Workshop A1: County of Santa Clara Child Death Review Team: Death Trends and what we've learned over the years. Presented by Dr. Michelle Jorden
Workshop A2: Invisible Grief: The Trauma Carried by Siblings of M**der Victims and Other Violence and Loss. Presented by Margaret J. Kerouac and Carrie M. Freitag
Workshop A3: Fathers and the Role of Prevention. Presented by Nayeli Sendano, Somos Mayfair
🕑: 03:30 PM - 03:40 PM
Break
🕑: 03:40 PM - 04:40 PM
Workshops B1, B2, B3
Info: Workshop B1: The HUB: Foster Youth Voices. Presented by Wendy Kinnear-Rauch,
Director, Santa Clara County, Department of Family & Children Services
Workshop B2: Supporting Dually Involved Youth. Presented and organized by Dorothy Ross
Workshop B3: Resource Parent Experience: Hear from the Experts! Presented and organized by Joann Vaars, Ed.D.
🕑: 04:45 PM - 05:00 PM
Closing Sound Bath (optional)
Info: Close out the day with a relaxing sound bath before heading home.
Where is it happening?
San José State University, 1 Washington Square, San Jose, United StatesEvent Location & Nearby Stays:
USD 50.00 to USD 70.00
