Introduction

Building on the success of over forty years of annual meetings, the Black Administrators in Child Welfare (BACW) is pleased to bring you another professional conference opportunity on March 25- 27, 2012 in Florida at the beautiful Renaissance, Fort Lauderdale Hotel at Fort Everglades. As a leading national child welfare organization, BACW is again preparing for a conference that will maximize and enhance the career investment of child welfare professionals committed to improving outcomes for all children and families and African American children in particular who come to the attention of the child welfare system. Through this national conference, we will explore challenges around child welfare issues in today’s economy, offer real solutions presented by talented speakers and workshop presenters who are concerned about the future of our children. Despite the challenges of the current economic environment in the US, child welfare professionals and advocates are determined to improve outcomes for children and families.

Child welfare administrators, researchers, practitioners, foundations, and child advocates have worked together in decreasing the number of children in the child welfare system. In fact, the foster care population has decrease by an estimated 25% over the last decade. We are finally seeing the results of innovations that sprouted up across the country in support of children, families, relatives and communities. Best practices and policies reviewed by BACW across the country resulted in an effort to advance the field by identifying 10 Racial Equity Strategy Areas (RESA) supported by conditions and experiences that still must be present as a part of the child welfare systems ongoing operations.

We look forward to you joining us for our 2012 Annual Conference!

 CLICK HERE TO REGISTER          CLICK HERE TO VIEW CONFERENCE PROGRAM

BACW 2012 Conference Schedule At-A-Glance

Saturday, March 24th: 12:00 Noon – 4:00 PM:	BACW Board of Directors Lunch Meeting
Sunday, March 25th: 7:30 AM 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM	Conference Registration BACW Pre-Conference Institute  CLICK HERE TO VIEW WORKSHOP DESCRIPTIONS (PDF) "Emerging Diverse African Diaspora Populations in Child Welfare Systems:
"CULTURE MATTERS" 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM	BACW Exhibitor Jazz Mixer BACW will host a jazz mixer in the exhibitor hall for conference attendees to meet and greet with our exhibitors. The evening will feature a musical performance by South Florida’s best local saxophonist, Jon Saxx.
7:00 PM – 9:00 PM	Emerging Leaders in Child Welfare Mixer BACW invites aspiring young child welfare or other human services professionals to participate in this networking social. Please take this opportunity to meet the BACW Board of Directors who are child welfare leaders.
Monday, March 26th: 7:30 AM 8:30 AM – 10:00 AM	Conference Registration/Exhibitor Area Opens Opening Plenary Session Welcome and Opening Remarks by Conference Co-Chair, Mark Francis Remarks by Governor Rick Scott, State of Florida (invited) Remarks by Mayor John P. "Jack" Seiler, City of Fort Lauderdale Remarks by Kim Gorsuch, Community Development Administrator, Circuit 17 Department of Children & Families Remarks by Secretary David Wilkins, Florida Department of Children and Families (invited) Greetings by BACW Executive Director, Sondra Jackson Message from the BACW Board of Directors President, Virginia Pryor Keynote Address by Pastor Marcus D. Davidson, New Mount Olive Baptist Church
10:00 AM – 10:30 AM	Break with Exhibitors
10:30 AM – 12:00 Noon	Workshop Track A (A-1 – A-6)  CLICK HERE TO VIEW WORKSHOP DESCRIPTIONS (PDF)
12:00 Noon – 1:30 PM	Lunch on Your Own
1:30 PM – 3:00 PM	Workshop Track B (B-1 – B-7)  CLICK HERE TO VIEW WORKSHOP DESCRIPTIONS (PDF)
3:00 PM – 3:30 PM	Break with Exhibitors
3:30 PM - 5:00 PM	Workshop Track C (C-1 – C-7)  CLICK HERE TO VIEW WORKSHOP DESCRIPTIONS (PDF)
6:00 PM – 10:00 PM	BACW 2012 Village Celebration Conference participants are welcome to attend our exciting Village Celebration where there will be networking, food, music and entertainment. This year we have a fantastic evening planned for your enjoyment. Come join us in this annual celebration! Enjoy a special performance featuring Alexis Caputo!
Tuesday, March 27th: 7:30 AM 8:30 AM – 10:00 AM	Conference Registration/Exhibitor Area Opens Plenary Session Welcome and Opening Remarks by Conference Co-Chair, Keith Bostick Panel Discussion on "Mapping Our Children’s Future in Today’s Economy" Join this discussion and explore challenges around child welfare issues in today’s economy that will offer real life experiences and solutions presented by representatives from child welfare advocacy, education, health, and judicial system who are concerned about the future of our children. Panel Robert W. Runcie is Superintendent of Broward County Public Schools Judge Kenneth L. Gillespie, Circuit Court of Broward County (invited) Dr. Paula Thaqi, Broward County Health Department (invited) Dr. Marcia Sturdivant, Deputy Director, Department of Children and Families Oronde Miller, BACW Board of Directors (Moderator)
10:00 AM – 10:30 AM	Break with Exhibitors
10:30 AM – 12:00 Noon	Workshop Track D (D-1 – D-7)  CLICK HERE TO VIEW WORKSHOP DESCRIPTIONS (PDF)
12:00 Noon – 12:30 PM	Break with Exhibitors
12:30 PM – 2:30 PM	BACW 2012 Awards Luncheon and Keynote Address Opening Remarks by Virginia Pryor Keynote Speaker: Victoria Rowell, Actress, Author, Foster Care Advocate A talented actress and successful author, Emmy Award nominee Victoria Rowell has appeared on television in The Young and the Restless and Diagnosis Murder, and in such films as Eve’s Bayou. Raised in foster care, she credits her success to the foster families that instilled in her the confidence and drive to succeed. Rowell is also a classically trained ballet dancer who believes in the influence artistic expression has on children. Passionately involved in many charities, she remains true to her most important cause of advocating for foster children and issuing tribute to those who support the foster care system. Determined to help foster children who would otherwise not have a chance to reach their full potential, Rowell founded The Rowell Foster Children’s Positive Plan, a scholarship fund helping foster children thrive through fine arts classes, sports camps, and cultural enrichment. Embracing her role as a national spokesperson for the Casey Foundation, she is also dedicated to fostering the future for all children. Rowell has written an award-winning book and developed a documentary dedicated to the role models in her life. Both her book, The Women Who Raised Me, and her documentary, The Mentor, talk about the people who have helped her achieve successes. Her novel, Secrets of a Soap Opera Diva, was released in May 2010. With focus and passion, Rowell works to change the perceptions about foster care and draws attention to the plight of foster children. As a foster care success story, she offers a message of hope to both children and adults, encouraging them to succeed no matter how trying the journey along the way. 2012 BACW Award Presentation Book signing featuring Victoria Rowell

College Credit (CEU) Opportunities

If you wish to receive CEUs for the programs listed in this Guide, please complete the CEU form (on page 13 of this booklet) and be sure to indicate in the appropriate field on the Conference Registration form that you will be seeking CEUs.

CEUs will be provided and is pending approval from the National Association of Social Workers, which is a provider of professional continuing education for social workers. For all other professions, it is the participant’s responsibility to seek approval/acceptance of CEUs for attendance at this event from their professional organization. This conference will be approved for up to 15 CEUs. For additional information, contact the BACW at (202) 783-3714.

While most states accept credits received from the National Association of Social Workers, you are responsible for and should contact your governing board to determine if they will accept these credits prior to registering for them here. You MUST check-in at the CEU desk in the conference registration area (even if you pre-registered for the CEUs) AND pre-pay ($25 members, $30 nonmembers) for your CEUs before you can receive a master workshop log.

If you have submitted your CEU Request form:
Please check-in at the CEU desk to finalize your paperwork and to reconcile your payment.

If you are registering for CEUs on-site:
Complete a CEU Registration Form, available at the CEU Desk in the conference registration area. Be sure to PRINT CLEARLY.

CEU Payments:
BACW will accept the following forms of payment for your CEU Fees: Checks payable to BACW. Acceptable credit cards are Visa and Master Card.

CEU Process:

• Please use your Master Workshop Log to record all the sessions you attend.
• Complete the evaluation form that includes all sessions and other meeting-related activities. The evaluation form and Master Workshop Log must be completed and submitted to the CEU Clerk before departing the conference to receive full credit. If your forms are not complete, it will delay the processing of your certificate.
• DO NOT turn any forms in to the workshop monitor or speaker(s).
• All inquiries should be directed to Rita Graham, rgraham@blackadministrators.org or BACW, 900 Second Street NE, Suite 202, Washington, DC 20002. Phone: (202) 783-3714.

 CLICK HERE TO REGISTER          CLICK HERE TO VIEW CONFERENCE PROGRAM

Conference Location Information

Renaissance Fort Lauderdale Cruise Port Hotel
1617 SE 17th Street
Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33316
Phone: (954) 626-1700
Website: http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/fllbr-renaissance-fort-lauderdale-cruise-port-hotel/

Hotel Reservations

• Hotel room reservations are available at the Renaissance Fort Lauderdale Cruise Port Hotel.
• BACW Special Discounted Room Rate is $159 per night for a standard room.
• The BACW special rate is available 3 days prior and 3 days post the conference dates.
• Hotel room rates are subject to applicable state and local taxes (currently 11%) in effect at the time of check-out.
• Please make your hotel reservations early. The discounted rate will end on February 22, 2012.

You can make your reservations 2 easy ways!
Reservation Option #1:
Use the BACW special group code directly on the Renaissance Fort Lauderdale Cruise Port Hotel website at www.marriott.com/fllbr

1. Fill in your arrival & departure date & number of rooms
2. Click: Special Rates & Awards
3. Click Group Code and type in your booking code. The BACW group online booking code is: BACBACA
4. Click: Check Availability

Reservation Option #2:
Call the Renaissance Fort Lauderdale Cruise Port Hotel’s central reservations office at (800) 468-3571 to make your room reservations asking for the BLACK ADMINISTRATORS room block and rate.

 CLICK HERE TO REGISTER          CLICK HERE TO VIEW CONFERENCE PROGRAM

BACW 2012 Conference Registration Fees and Information

Early bird rates available until February 7, 2012
Registration deadline: March 15, 2012

	Member Rate:	Non-Member Rate:
Early Bird Registration:	$250	$265
Conference Registration:	$275	$290
One-Day Registration:	$150	$165
Student Rate:(Please send a copy of current/valid student ID)	$50	$75
Conference CEUs:	$25	$30
Registration Al la Carte Menu:
WORKSHOP PRESENTER RATE:	$150 per presenter
PRE-CONFERENCE INSTITUTE (ONLY):	Non-attendee or guest: $75 per person
VILLAGE CELEBRATION ON MONDAY, MARCH 26th (ONLY):	Non-attendee or guest: $50 per person
AWARDS LUNCHEON ON TUESDAY, MARCH 27th (ONLY):	Non-attendee or guest: $50 per person

Important Registration Information and Policies:

• 3 ways to register:
  • By Mail to 900 Second Street NE, Suite 202, Washington, DC 20002. (Post mark or online before March 15, 2012)
  • Online at www.blackadministrators.org
  • By fax to (202) 783-3716
• Your conference registration fee covers conference materials, pre-conference institute, plenary sessions, workshops, Village Celebration, awards luncheon, and meals listed in the Conference Program.
• Submit a separate registration form for each person attending. You may copy this form.
• Pre-Conference Institute: A charge of $75 will be incurred if you are not registered for the Conference.
• Please call BACW at (202) 783-3714 for information on registration discounts for groups of five or more from the same agency.
• BACW encourages early registration and advance payment. Early registration deadline is February 7, 2012. Early registration fees apply only if your registration is received by the requested date.
• Advance registration deadline is March 15, 2012. Registrations not received by March 15, 2012 will be handled onsite at the conference.
• Hotel charges are not included in the BACW Conference Registration fee. Hotel reservations must be made separately and directly with the Renaissance Fort Lauderdale Cruise Port Hotel. Please refer to the Hotel Information page in this Program Guide.
• The base registration fee does not include hotel charges, city tours, sightseeing, cruises, museum tours, or any off-site activities.
• Requests for refunds must be received in writing no later than March 16, 2012. A $100 service fee will be charged on all cancellations. Guest tickets are not refundable. No-shows will be charged the full registration fee.