FLORIDA INSTITUTE FOR CHILD WELFARE HOSTS ANNUAL SYMPOSIUM ON TRANSFORMATIONAL LEADERSHIP

The 2023 Symposium on Transformational Leadership opened on a positive note by Dr. Lisa Magruder, the Institute’s newly appointed director . In her welcome to attendees, she said, “Leading at all levels is essential for the critical phase we are in the child welfare system, and transformational leadership aims to nurture the growth and productive change needed in the profession and workforce. Learning from latest research-based best practices, we can help transform the lives of children and families we engage with.” for all levels of child welfare professionals –from frontline to leadership – to connect. The event was the Institute’s most highly attended symposium to date.

On the first day, keynote speaker Christine Norbut Beyer, MSW, Commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Children and Families, informed, inspired, and galvanized leaders toward revolutionary change within their own jurisdictions using her experience on courageous leadership and keen decision-making strategies that transformed her agency. Her presentation, “Safe, Healthy, Connected: Leading Through Change in Welfare” was also tailored to support staff wellness and address vicarious trauma among the child welfare workforce.

The two-day in-person event engaged child welfare professionals in interactive sessions that explored topics that included passion-driven leadership, diversity in leadership, creating a culture of learning and growth, and skill-building for transformational change.

With more than 100 attendees from communitybased care lead agencies, higher education institutions, and non-profit organizations, the symposium provided a unique experience

Ken Kilian, Ph.D., Director of the Child Protective Investigations Division, Pasco Sheriff’s offices, charged child welfare professionals to prioritize their personal well-being on the second day. While presenting “From Profession to Passion: Inspiring Transformational Leadership in Child Welfare,” Dr. Kilian motivated the workforce to keep their passion alive while acknowledging the overwhelming workloads and criticism faced in the field. Applauding the attendees for the work they do, he encouraged them to allow themselves to be inspired so they in turn inspire their agency, colleagues, and the child welfare system as a whole.

The discussion on courageous leadership continued with child welfare leaders from across the country at a panel session moderated by Dr. Jessica Pryce, research faculty and Chief Strategist of the Alliance of Workforce Enhance at the Institute. These experts shared their personal experiences of leading with courage and resilience to overcome complex challenges within their organizations and creating sustainable change in the child welfare system. Practical tips for personal well-being were also shared in this session as attendees were charged to commence their courageous leadership journey.

The panel included Christine Norbut Beyer, Commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Children and Families; Dr. Joo Yeun Chang, Program Director for Child Well-being, Doris Duke Foundation; John Cooper, CEO Kids Central, Inc.; Jess Hanak-Coulter, Casey Family Programs; and Dr. Jerry Milner, Director, Family Justice Group, former Associate Commissioner, U.S. Children’s Bureau. Other key stakeholders present at this year’s Symposium included Secretary Shevaun Harris, Florida Department of Children and Families; Dr. Jim Clark, Provost of Florida State University; and Dr. Craig Stanley, Interim Dean of the Florida State University College of Social Work.

In one of the Institute’s efforts to support the child welfare workforce in Florida, the winners of the yearly Child Welfare Professional Award were celebrated and presented with their plaque at the event. Marianna Tutwiler, Associate Director of Administration, presented these awards to eight professionals saying, “The Institute is proud to honor this year’s group of child welfare professionals for their commitment to the wellbeing of children and families in Florida.” Watch this video to learn more about the winners.

With donations from the symposium attendees, the Institute successfully achieved its goal of supporting Brehon Family Services with toiletries and household items. This was a service project initiated to give back to an agency that helps improve the lives of families and children in north Florida.

The Symposium was a collaborative effort, and the Institute was pleased to have received support from its amazing sponsors. Sponsors included the Selfless Love Foundation, Casey Family Programs, Children’s Home Society of Florida, eCare Vault, Florida Coalition for Children, Sunshine Health, Mining for Gold, Stabilify, and Florida State University College of Social Work.

Check out the Institute’s website pictures for resources and pictures from the Symposium on Transformational Leadership.