The 32nd Annual Children’s Network Conference will be Sept. 19 to 20 at the Ontario Convention Center located at 2000 E. Convention Center Way, Ontario. This conference is one of the Inland Empire’s premier training events for professionals in the fields of social work, mental health, juvenile justice, child development, child welfare, medicine and nursing, and is open to the public. The conference will feature a number of sessions for professionals who work with children.
“The 33 workshops at this year’s Children’s Network Conference will highlight topics including early childhood development, child and family welfare, strengthening families and children, culturally sensitive issues, commercial sexual exploitation of children, issues affecting teens, education, father involvement, mental health, and trauma informed care,” said Kathy Turnbull, Network Officer.
The Sept. 19 keynote speaker, Luis Rodriguez, is an acclaimed poet, novelist, children’s book author and journalist who saw his way out of poverty. Rodriguez thought he had put the streets and his own days as a gang member behind him – until his young son joined a gang. Rodriguez fought for his child by telling his story in the national bestseller Always Running: La Vida Loca, Gang Days in L.A. The memoir explores gang life and cautions against the death and destruction that haunts its participants.
The Sept. 20 keynote speaker, Jaiya John, was born into foster care in New Mexico, and is an internationally recognized author, speaker, poet, spoken word artist, and youth mentor. The former Howard University social psychology professor has authored numerous books, mentored youth and spoken to over a half million professionals and youth worldwide. John founded Soul Water Rising, a global human mission that has donated thousands of John’s books in support of social healing, and offers scholarships to displaced and vulnerable youth.
The Children's Network of San Bernardino County works to improve the quality of life for children at risk who, because of behavior, abuse, neglect, medical needs, educational assessment, and/or detrimental daily living situations are eligible for services from one or more of the member agencies of the Children's Policy Council. Children’s Network is doing its part to help the community achieve the Countywide Vision by ensuring residents have the resources they need to provide the necessities of life to their families.