Child Advocates Panel: Best Practices, Policy Updates, & Emerging Issues

The Center for Excellence in Advocacy at the Support Center for Child Advocates is proud to announce the Kids at Court Conference Webinar Series. This statewide webinar series connects Child Advocates across Pennsylvania on policy, best practices, and emerging issues. Click here to view the entire series.

Panel Discussion: Best Practices, Policy Updates, and Emerging Issues for Child Advocates in Pennsylvania

• Thursday, October 16, 2025 | 1:30 – 3:30 pm
• 2.0 CLE/CEU credits available
• Speakers: Lisa Barrimond, Esq., Bob and Penny Fox Executive Director, Support Center for Child Advocates; Kristin Flory, Esq., Supervising Attorney, KidsVoice; The Honorable Jennifer McCrady, Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas; Jenny Pokempner, Esq., Policy Director, Youth Law Center; and Marcía Hopkins, MSW, Project PROTECT Program Manager, Support Center for Child Advocates

A panel discussion of leading Child Advocates, Judges, and policy experts from across the state, moderated by Child Advocates' Executive Director, Lisa Barrimond, Esq.

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Register for More Sessions in the Kids at Court Statewide Webinar Series for Child Advocates Below!

How Trauma Impacts the Brain, Education, and Behavior: What Child Advocates Need to Know to Support Kids in School (Click here to register)

• Thursday, July 17, 2025 | 2:00 – 4:00 pm
• 2.0 CLE/CEU credits available
• Speakers: Shoshi Goldfus, JD, LCSW, Outcomes in Behavioral Health Project Coordinator, Support Center for Child Advocates; Yeshemebet D. Legesse, MSW, Child Advocate Social Worker, Support Center for Child Advocates; Danielle Iman, Esq., Senior Staff Attorney, KidsVoice; and Youth Support Partners

Learning Objectives:

• Review the impact of stress and trauma on brain development
• Provide examples of externalizing and internalizing trauma behaviors at school
• Discuss the challenges of addressing trauma at school
• Share strategies Child Advocates can use to advocate for their clients in school

Special Education Advocacy for Youth in the Dependency System (Click here to register)

• Thursday, September 18, 2025 | 2:00 – 4:00 pm
• 2.0 CLE/CEU credits available
• Speakers: Morgen Black-Smith, Esq., Staff Attorney, Project YES! Project Coordinator, Support Center for Child Advocates; Robert Lykos, Esq., Senior Staff Attorney, KidsVoice; Amy Racunas, Esq., Staff Attorney, KidsVoice; and Youth Support Partners

Learning Objectives:

• Differentiate between a Section 504 Plan and special education (an IEP)
• Examine the key sections of a special education Evaluation Report (ER) to gain knowledge about a client’s strengths and needs.
• Analyze each major section of Individual Educational Program (IEP) to assess its adequacy for a client.
• Develop practical strategies for client advocacy in the context of special education process.

**Support Center for Child Advocates, Center for Excellence in Advocacy is approved by the Pennsylvania State Board of Social Workers, Marriage and Family Therapists and Professional Counselors to offer continuing education for social workers, marriage and family therapists and professional counselors. Support Center for Child Advocates, Center for Excellence in Advocacy maintains responsibility for the program(s).

This project was supported by PCCD Subgrant #43612 awarded by the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD). The awarded funds originate with the U.S. Department of Justice. The opinions, findings and conclusions expressed within this publication/program/exhibition are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of PCCD or the U.S. Department of Justice.