NC Family Justice Center and Collaborative Communities Conference

NC Family Justice Center and Collaborative Communities Conference

By Guilford County Family Justice Center

Get ready to dive into discussions on family justice and community collaboration at the NC Family Justice Center Conference!

Location

Greensboro Coliseum

1921 West Gate City Boulevard Greensboro, NC 27403

Agenda

November 5th
November 6th

9:00 AM - 10:00 AM

Opening Ceremony

Kay Cashion, Guilford Co. Board of Commissioners

Spencer Merriweather, Mecklenburg Co. District Attorney

Russ Ferguson, US Attorney for the Western District NC

Presentation of Colors - Guilford County Sheriff’s Office, High Point Police Department, & Greensboro Police Department; National Anthem - Sergeant Eric Early; Opening Prayer - Charles Hinsley; Welco...

10:00 AM - 10:20 AM

Growing the Family Justice Center Movement in North Carolina and Beyond

Catherine Johnson, Alliance for HOPE International

10:20 AM - 10:40 AM

Break

10:40 AM - 11:00 AM

Survivor Spotlight: From Survivor to Senator

Woodson Bradley, North Carolina State Senate

A story of domestic abuse and assault and the journey of perseverance, grit, and advocacy that unexpectedly turned into the most contentious NC Senate race in 2024! Now sitting at the table to affect...

11:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Keynote

Casey Gwinn, Alliance for HOPE International

Gael Strack, Alliance for HOPE International

12:00 PM - 1:30 PM

Lunch

1:30 PM - 2:30 PM

Breakout: Pathways to Hope and Healing - Serving Children in FJCs

Hannah Mould, Guilford County FJC

Jacie Santiago, Pat's Place Child Advocacy Center

This session will highlight innovative ways to provide both short and long-term solutions for youth and families who have experienced trauma, with unique perspectives from Mecklenburg and Guilford Co...

1:30 PM - 2:30 PM

Breakout: Internet Crimes Against Children - Operation Queen Cobra

Detective Chris Chambliss, Avery County Sheriff's Office

What began with a single cybertip expanded into a complex, multi-agency investigation exposing an international child exploitation network. The operation led to the rescue of more than 80 children, s...

1:30 PM - 2:30 PM

Breakout: Enhancing Safety, Strengthening Prosecution - The Role of 911

Andrea Carlson, Rockford Mayor's Office of DVCV

Alex Ronning, Winnebago Co. State Attorney's Office

This session highlights the critical role of 911 telecommunicators in a coordinated response to intimate partner violence (IPV) and non-fatal strangulation. Discover how one Illinois community effect...

1:30 PM - 2:30 PM

Breakout: Elder Abuse - A Case Study and Lessons Learned

Jessica Spencer, Forsyth County DA's Office

A discussion of two similar elder abuse cases in different cities in North Carolina with very different outcomes. Spencer provides thoughts on what happened and how to better prepare and prosecute e...

1:30 PM - 2:30 PM

Breakout: FJC Operations and Integrating Partners

Sonya Desai, Guilford County FJC

Kieran Sharp, Guilford County FJC

2:30 PM - 2:50 PM

Break

2:50 PM - 3:50 PM

Breakout: Building Stronger Responses to Elder Abuse: A Collaborative Approach

Heather Magill, Guilford County FJC

Laurie Jones, Guilford County Aging & Adult Services

Detective Caroline Holliday, Greensboro Police Dept.

What does it take to tackle elder abuse effectively? Hear from Guilford County’s Elder Abuse MDT Coordinator, a detective, and the Division of Aging Services Director as they share how they built a m...

2:50 PM - 3:50 PM

Breakout: Systemic Safety Netting - Guarding the Gaps for High-Risk Victims

Diane Lance, Nashville Metro Office of Family Safety

Becky Bullard, Nashville Metro Office of Family Safety

Systems that respond to people who have experienced abuse contain a multitude of gaps that individuals can fall through, and the results can be deadly. In Nashville, the Office of Family Safety (OFS...

2:50 PM - 3:50 PM

Breakout: Strangulation 101 - What Every Helper Needs to Know

Sonya Desai, Guilford County FJC

Gael Strack, Alliance for HOPE International

2:50 PM - 3:50 PM

Breakout: The Chattanooga HT Project - Building from the Community UP

Regina McDevitt, Dr. Carol B Berz FJC

Sarah McKinnis, WillowBend Farms

Learn how one community is developing a collaborative, community-based response to human trafficking—including both child and adult survivors—by reducing reliance on traditional systems and strengthe...

2:50 PM - 3:50 PM

Breakout: Civil Legal Services and Pro Bono Engagement

Suzi Canali, Safe Alliance

Anh LyJordan, Wake County Legal Support Center

Sylvia Novinsky, NC Pro Bono Resource Center

This session will explore strategies for building and sustaining a pro bono legal program to support survivors with civil legal needs. It will cover effective methods for recruiting and utilizing vol...

3:50 PM - 4:00 PM

Break

4:00 PM - 4:45 PM

Judge Panel: Lessons Learned from the Bench

Moderator: Lora Cubbage, Greensboro City Attorney

Judge Roy Wiggins, Mecklenburg County District Court

Judge Tomakio Gause, Guilford County District Court

Judge Jason Ramey, North Carolina Superior Court

Good to know

Highlights

  • In person
  • Free parking

Refund Policy

No refunds

Highlights

  • In person
  • Free parking

Refund Policy

No refunds

About this event

Government • County & Municipal Government

We are excited for the North Carolina Family Justice Center and Collaborative Communities Conference on November 5-6, 2025, at the Greensboro Coliseum - Special Events Center in Greensboro, NC. This conference is for anyone interested in improving access to services for survivors and offender accountability.

Who should attend? Advocates, civil legal attorneys, survivors, law enforcement, prosecutors, medical professionals, elected officials, and community leaders. Communities are encouraged to bring multidisciplinary teams to learn from one another and enhance collaboration.

*CLE credits (pending NC Bar approval) and Certificates of Attendance will be available.

Presentations from local and nationally recognized speakers will highlight best practices and innovative solutions to improve victim services and increase offender accountability. Focus areas include victim advocacy, civil legal remedies, investigation, prosecution, confidentiality, collaborative leadership and more!

Attendees will also have the opportunity to tour the Guilford County Family Justice Center's locations in Greensboro and High Point.

This event is coordinated and hosted by Guilford County’s Family Justice Center and Safe Alliance of Mecklenburg County.

Registration Fees

  • Early Bird Registration - $150 (Extended to Friday, August 8, 2025, at 11:59 pm)
  • Regular Registration - $175 (ends October 20, 2025, at 11:59 pm)
  • Late Registration - $200 (ends October 29, 2025, at 11:59 pm)

    Group rates are available for teams of 4 or more (use the "Group Admission" ticket and code GROUP25 to apply your 15% discount).


Methods of Payment

  • Credit Card - Pay online through Eventbrite by Visa, Master Card, American Express, or Discover.
  • Check - Payment must be received by the first day of the conference or pre-conference. Please make payable to Safe Alliance , 601 East Fifth Street, Suite 400, Charlotte, NC, 28202. Please include the invoice or registration confirmation with your check, or indicate FJC Statewide Conference in the memo line.

Conference Documents

  • Agenda -- View the agenda here.
  • Conference Digital Program - Coming Soon
  • Parking Map -- View the designated parking areas here. Parking is free for conference attendees.

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Frequently asked questions

Organized by

Guilford County Family Justice Center

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15% off applied
From $183.24