When Care Comes Full Circle: Supporting the People Who Support Others
About this Event
Fall Regional Conference
Supporting the People Who Support Others
Join us for an informative and empowering day created for social service professionals who continually show up for individuals, families, and communities—often while carrying significant emotional and personal responsibilities of their own.
This year’s Fall Regional Conference will explore the realities of caregiving, emotional overload, and healthy coping in social services. Attendees will receive practical strategies, professional insight, and meaningful encouragement to help them protect their well-being while continuing to serve others effectively.
Wednesday, September 16, 2026
Aloft Mount Laurel
558 Fellowship Road
Mount Laurel, NJ 08054
Breakfast and registration begin at 9:00 a.m.
The conference will begin promptly at 10:00 a.m.
Featured Presentations
How Parenting Our Parents Affects Us in Social Work
Presented by Dr. Joy’El Ballard
Widely known as The Menopause Mogul, Dr. Joy’El Ballard is a board-certified obstetrician and gynecologist, midlife and menopause strategist, national speaker, bestselling author, and trusted advocate for women’s health.
With more than 20 years of experience, Dr. Ballard is committed to closing the gaps in menopause education and helping women—particularly Black women—confidently navigate the physical, emotional, and hormonal changes of midlife.
Through relatable storytelling and evidence-based information, she transforms complex medical topics into practical strategies that women can use to advocate for their health and overall well-being.
Dr. Ballard serves as a medical advisor for Black Girl Vitamins and is a member of the National Menopause Foundation’s Medical Advisory Committee. She is also the author of Loving Me, Myself and Her: Through Perimenopause & Beyond and host of the Menopause Moguls™ Podcast.
Her mission is to help women view midlife not as something they must simply survive, but as a powerful season of transformation, purpose, and possibility.
Healthy Coping Skills: Why They Matter in Social Services
Presented by Mrs. Kalisha Smith
Mrs. Kalisha Smith is a licensed clinical social worker, certified clinical supervisor, and licensed minister with more than two decades of compassionate service.
Her work focuses on helping individuals—particularly those within communities of color—embrace healing and purpose emotionally, spiritually, and physically.
Throughout her career, Mrs. Smith has progressed from providing hands-on support to youth to directing clinical teams and grant-funded wellness initiatives. Today, she leads Wise Counsel Services, a faith-integrated practice that provides therapy, clinical supervision, and professional training rooted in cultural humility and radical hope.
Mrs. Smith specializes in suicide prevention, crisis care, and empowerment through educational workshops and healing-centered engagement. Her approach is grounded in love, accountability, and the belief that healing does not happen in isolation—healing is communal.
Recognizing and Managing Emotional Overload in Social Services
Presented by Ms. LaWana Boone
Ms. LaWana Boone’s career has provided her with extensive experience working with people from diverse communities and cultural backgrounds.
Her travels as a flight attendant, along with her international studies in Ghana, Cuba, and Costa Rica, have helped her develop a broad and meaningful understanding of culture and human connection.
Ms. Boone currently works as an adjunct professor and serves as chief executive officer of Cultural Humility Consulting, LLC.
She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in English, a Master of Business Administration in Marketing, and graduate certificates in African American Literature.
Through her professional, educational, and international experiences, Ms. Boone brings a valuable perspective on cultural awareness, humility, communication, emotional well-being, and connection.
Additional Conference Highlights
Attendees will also experience:
- A special visit from a Narcan representative
- Information about the importance and lifesaving use of Narcan
- Community vendors and resources
- Networking opportunities
- Breakfast and refreshments
- Practical tools that can be applied personally and professionally
Social service professionals spend their careers caring for others. This conference is an opportunity to pause, learn, connect, and receive support for the emotional realities of the work.
We look forward to welcoming you!
Where is it happening?
Event Location & Nearby Stays:
USD 0.00
