Florida Institute for Child Welfare 2024 Symposium

The Florida Institute for Child Welfare at Florida State University will host its 7th Annual Symposium on May 8-9, 2024, at the Augustus B. Turnbull Conference Center in Tallahassee, Florida. This year's theme is Supporting Parents and Caregivers.

Through this free in-person event, participants will have the opportunity to network with a professionally diverse audience. There will be interactive sessions on prevention and intervention strategies for working with our parent and caregiver partners.

For more information about the Symposium, please visit our .

We will kick off the symposium with the Community Action Poverty Simulation. This simulation is a moving experience that allows participants to step into real life situations and prompts them to think about the harsh realities of poverty. Participants will discuss how communities can address the complex and interconnected issues of poverty and identify areas of change that can directly impact the effects of poverty on families and communities. Symposium attendees choose between a simulation that takes place in either a rural or urban community, which will greatly impact the available resources and related challenges faced during the simulation.

Victor Sims, a Senior Associate at the Annie E. Casey Foundation, wears his passion on his sleeves when it comes to ensuring a brighter future for all children and youth in the United States. Growing up in Florida's foster care system for 11 tumultuous years before finding a permanent home through adoption, Sims brings a unique perspective to his work. From tackling the challenges faced by children removed from their parents to shedding light on the significance of social capital for youth in care through his TEDx Talk, Sims is a driving force for positive change in the foster care system. With each endeavor, Sims brings not only professional expertise but also a personal understanding of the challenges faced by those in the foster care system, making his impact all the more profound.

Complimentary reserved parking is available for all attendees at the St. Augustine Parking Garage on FSU campus. The garage is adjacent to the Conference Center. Parking on Level 4 will give you direct access to the main floor of the conference center.

This year's service initiative partner is the Second Harvest of the Big Bend. We are holding a food drive and ask that you bring wish list items to the symposium. We will have a designated collection area at conference check-in. “Super six” wish list items: canned fruits, vegetables, canned meats (tuna, chicken), cereal, hearty soup/stew, peanut butter. Thank you for your generous contributions!

Host or Publisher Florida Institute for Child Welfare