Connections Count! Conference

Everyone signed in and picked up their conference bag and packet at the entrance to The Business Center at L'Auberge du Lac.

Jim Boudreaux, LCSW, and Amy Rogers participate in a workshop demonstration.

Emily Williams introduced featured speaker Allison DeFelice, PhD, Mental Health Director of the Assessment & Resource Center (ARC) in Columbia, South Carolina. Dr. DeFelice spoke about investigating fabricated allegations in child abuse cases.

It was standing room only in "Traditional Discipline vs. Positive Behavior Support" workshop, presented by Lynn Singletary, PhD, Educational Consultant from Baton Rouge.

Julio Galan, Executive Director of Family & Youth; Julia Beatty, Program Officer for The Twenty-First Century Foundation; and Dr. Candis Carr, Associate Executive Director of Family & Youth and Conference Director, visit together before Julia's keynote address.

Ashley Shelton, Chief Operating Officer and Policy Director of Louisiana Disaster Recovery Foundation, was introduced by Sue Ledet, Executive Assistant at Family & Youth. Ashley and Jessica Venegas (not pictured), CUREx Fellow at Unity of Greater New Orleans, led a workshop entitled High Impact Advocacy.

Carol Collins, Director of Pubic Relations at ConocoPhillips and Conference Chair; Kerry Andersen, Director of Community & Public Relations at L'Auberge du Lac; and Susan Poston with Family Foundation of Southwest Louisiana and Children and Families Action Network (CFAN) visit together before the Communications & PR workshop.

Judge David A. Ritchie; Judge G. Michael Canaday; Ronnie Rossitto, First Assistant District Attorney; Carla S. Sigler, Assistant District Attorney; Mitch Bergeron, Public Defender; Bill Williams, Treatment Counselor; Laura Landry, Fiscal Administrator; and Annale Manuel, Probation Officer, particpated in a panel about the 14th Judicial District Adult Drug Treatment Court Program in Lake Charles.

"Family & Youth does an excellent job providing this Lake Charles conference. I am a firm supporter."
Terri Theaux, LPC, LMFT, DeRidder

"Excellent presentations by knowledgeable/credentialed presenters."
Joyce Fisher, Attorney/MSW

"Thanks for another great conference!"
Fabiola Rodericks, LPC, LMFT, Emmanuel Counseling Services, School Counselor

"Good location and well-organized conference. The staff was helpful before and during the conference."
Jeff Darby, LPC, LMFT, LRC, Bossier City