Louisiana Guardian Summit
About this Event
The Guardian Summit is the inaugural statewide convening of Louisiana's child protection network — two days of advanced training, strategic planning, and a keynote luncheon that brings together the professionals, policymakers, and partners who keep Louisiana's children safe.
When a child in Louisiana is a victim of abuse, law enforcement brings them to a Children's Advocacy Center — a safe, child-friendly facility where trained professionals coordinate the investigation, conduct the forensic interview, and provide mental health treatment, so the child only has to tell their story once. Louisiana has 14 of these centers serving every region of the state. Last year, they served 7,529 children.
The Guardian Summit exists to make the people inside those centers better at that work.
- Day 1 — Tuesday, September 22 is a working day for Children's Advocacy Center professionals. Breakout training sessions cover child sex trafficking response, forensic interview peer review, the ACT 960 Toolkit, and community development strategy for CAC leaders. The day closes with tours of LACAC's new Lafayette offices and an evening reception.
- Day 2 — Wednesday, September 23 opens with a morning training led by Jenna Quinn, the nationally recognized child protection advocate and namesake of Jenna's Law, now enacted in all 50 states. The afternoon features the Guardian Summit Luncheon — a gathering of 150–200 attendees including state legislators, law enforcement leaders, prosecutors, and community partners. LACAC Executive Director Kimberly Young delivers the "State of Children's Advocacy" address, followed by Jenna Quinn's keynote.
Sept. 22 (CAC Training)
🕑: 12:30 PM - 01:00 PM
Welcome and Launch for CAC Professionals
🕑: 01:00 PM - 02:30 PM
Breakout 1: Program Council - Annual Planning
Info: Every center's events go on the board. Map the next 12 months, surface strategic priorities, and walk out with a shared statewide calendar.
🕑: 01:00 PM - 02:30 PM
Breakout 1: ACT 960 Toolkit
Info: A hands-on walkthrough of LACAC's ACT 960 Implementation Toolkit — practical resources for translating statutory requirements into daily CAC operations. Covers referrals, MDT notification, forensic interview coordination, TRAK documentation, case review, and policy development. Leave with tools ready to use at your center.
🕑: 01:00 PM - 02:30 PM
Breakout 1: Regional Care Coordinator Roundtable
Info: Regional Care Coordinators meet with DCFS and advocacy partners to strengthen coordination on trafficking and abuse cases across Louisiana's CAC network.
🕑: 02:45 PM - 04:15 PM
Breakout 2: "Would You Flinch?" Making Fearless Asks for Your CAC
Info: Why nonprofit leaders undervalue their work and how to stop. A hands-on session on making bigger, bolder asks — from sponsors, legislators, and community partners — without flinching.
🕑: 02:45 PM - 04:15 PM
Breakout 2: Peer Review for Forensic Interviewers
Info: Louisiana State Police lead a session on recognizing when child abuse investigations evolve into trafficking cases, followed by facilitated peer review of forensic interview and advocacy practices.
🕑: 06:00 PM - 08:00 PM
Open House Reception and Tours - LACAC New Offices
Info: Light hors d'oeuvres and drinks at LACAC's new offices. Community partners, supporters, and local allies welcome. Casual, celebratory, relationship-building.
Sept. 23 - Public
🕑: 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM
(Training) Dare To Tell: Barriers in Child Sexual Abuse Disclosures
Host: Jenna Quinn
Info: Why many child abuse victims don't disclose immediately — and what that means for forensic interviewers, investigators, and advocates. Jenna Quinn draws from research and her own experience as a survivor to help professionals understand disclosure patterns, recognize barriers, and respond effectively when a child's truth comes late.
🕑: 12:00 PM - 02:00 PM
Guardian Summit Luncheon
Host: Jenna Quinn
Info: Join us for lunch as we review changes in Louisiana's network of child advocacy centers, technology innovations powering 21st century child protection, and an inspiring keynote from Jenna Quinn.
Where is it happening?
USD 0.00
