2023 Education Reach for Texans Conference

Education Reach for Texans 2023 Conference

We are excited to be back in person this year for the 14th annual Reach conference. Please view the schedule at a glance below.

Cost:

Scholarship registration: Free for anyone with experience in foster care which includes the pre-conference workshop.

Student Registration: $30 which includes the pre-conference workshop.

General Early Bird registration: $125 conference registration fee which includes the pre-conference workshop. Ends March 1st.

General registration: After March 1st, the cost to attend is a $150 conference registration fee which includes the pre-conference workshop.

Monday, April 3, 2023 

Registration

8:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Continental Breakfast and Coffee provided

8:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.

Pre-Conference Workshop for New Liaisons

9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Join seasoned foster care liaisons Brenda Sweeten (University of North Texas) and Dr. Christine Norton (Texas State University) for a comprehensive overview of what it means to be a foster care liaison. Learn about best practices, experiences of students, and strategies to overcome institutional challenges. This is a great session for new liaisons and liaisons who need a refresher in their role.

Lunch on your own

12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Welcome

1:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.

Session 1: Keynote Speaker

1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.

Ereka Howard

Ereka Howard is a speaker, co-author, Certified Life Coach, Clinician, and Adoptee. Ms. She has been recognized as an authority on motivation, peak performance, and peer leadership. After overcoming many hurdles, she now shares her life experiences and teaches the community how to be successful. Ereka has a Bachelor of Science in Exercise and Sports Science and a Master's in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and is currently working on a Doctorate in Counseling Education and Supervision.

https://mserekahoward.com/about/

Session 2: K-12 to Higher Education

2:45 pm – 3:45 p.m.

Led by:

LaTrenda Watson, Foster Care State Coordinator, Texas Education Agency

Aimee Corbin, Staff Attorney, Supreme Court of Texas for the Permanent Judicial Commission for Children, Youth and Families

Felicia Penn, Education Specialist, Texas Department of Family and Protective Services

Hollye Pickett, CPS KIN Specialist IV, Texas Department of Family and Protective Services

Session 3: Breakout 1

4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Four important breakouts, including sessions on housing, community programs and partnerships, accessing benefits, and campus support programs.

Tuesday, April 4, 2023

Continental Breakfast provided

8:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.

Session 4: Students with Experience in Foster Care Panel

9:00 a.m. – 9:45 a.m.

Moderated by Jackie Davis, Dallas CASA

In this panel, students with lived experience in foster care will share their perspectives about what foster care liaisons can and should do to support students.

Session 5: Research Updates

10:00 a.m. – 10:45 a.m.

Led by Toni Watt (Texas State University), Monica Faulkner (The University of Texas at Austin), and Christine Norton (Texas State University)

Session 6: Breakout 2

11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

These sessions will provide an opportunity for information sharing and networking with colleagues from various disciplines and regions.

Lunch provided

12:00 p.m. – 1:20 p.m.

Session 7: Workforce Connections

1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.

Laura Villarreal, Program Specialist, Texas Workforce Commission

Chris Caballero, Program Specialist V, Texas Workforce Commission

Farewell

2:30 p.m. – 2:45 p.m.