This conference qualifies for 9 training hours for foster parents and 7.25 training hours for Missouri educators.

Workshop Schedule

3:00 p.m.

Room 200: Managing Emotional Mayhem – Kelly Wright
Managing emotional mayhem involves expressing and regulating emotions in healthy ways. Because God created us with emotions, Scripture speaks extensively on this topic. Join us as we explore practical, Bible-based approaches to managing emotional mayhem. 
AVAILABLE FOR MOPD CREDITS.

Room 201: Trauma-Informed Language and Communication Support – Kathryn Fishman-Weaver, PhD and Raina Harting
This workshop equips care providers and advocates with trauma-informed strategies to recognize and respond to communication challenges. Through case studies and practical examples, participants will learn to identify potential speech and language concerns and apply strengths-based approaches to support children effectively. 
AVAILABLE FOR MOPD CREDITS.

Room 203: Pathways to Permanency – Amanda Langley and Abigail Bell
This workshop equips care providers and advocates with trauma-informed strategies to recognize and respond to communication challenges. Through case studies and practical examples, participants will learn to identify potential speech and language concerns and apply strengths-based approaches to support children effectively. 

FLC-A: Meltdowns to Moments of Connection – Abbie Kaufmann
Children in survival mode cannot regulate on their own—they need a calm adult to help guide them back. This workshop introduces the science of co-regulation and equips participants with simple somatic tools to support children through meltdowns, anxiety, and big emotions, turning challenging moments into opportunities for connection and growth. 
AVAILABLE FOR MOPD CREDITS.

Auditorium: Cultivating Health Rhythms – Jason Johnson
This journey can leave us feeling depleted and spent. This session offers practical, simple, and implementable practices to help you establish healthy rhythms and care for your own well-being, so you can continue showing 
AVAILABLE FOR MOPD CREDITS.

4:15 p.m.

Room 200: How to Support Trauma Healing with Teens – Phil and Debbie Douce
This workshop explores the teenage years as a powerful developmental stage filled with both opportunity and challenge. We’ll examine how adolescents grow through complex emotional, social, and neurological changes, and how caregivers and professionals can better understand and support them through the stress, transition, and identity formation.

Room 201: Trauma-Informed Language and Communication Support – Kathryn Fishman-Weaver, PhD and Raina Harting
This workshop equips care providers and advocates with trauma-informed strategies to recognize and respond to communication challenges. Through case studies and practical examples, participants will learn to identify potential speech and language concerns and apply strengths-based approaches to support children effectively.
AVAILABLE FOR MOPD CREDITS.

Room 203: Pathways to Permanency – Amanda Langley and Abigail Bell
This workshop equips care providers and advocates with trauma-informed strategies to recognize and respond to communication challenges. Through case studies and practical examples, participants will learn to identify potential speech and language concerns and apply strengths-based approaches to support children effectively.

FLC-A: TBRI®: Improving Connection Through Communication – Heather Saak, BA and  Robert Saak, BS/BS.
Do you feel like you’re talking to a wall when trying to get their attention, or getting attitude, eye rolls, or blank stares in response? Join this interactive session for a lighthearted experience that will lift your mood while offering practical strategies you can use in everyday interactions.
AVAILABLE FOR MOPD CREDITS.

FLC-B: Meltdowns to Moments of Connection – Abbie Kaufmann
Children in survival mode cannot regulate on their own—they need a calm adult to help guide them back. This workshop introduces the science of co-regulation and equips participants with simple somatic tools to support children through meltdowns, anxiety, and big emotions, turning challenging moments into opportunities for connection and growth.
AVAILABLE FOR MOPD CREDITS.

10:20 a.m.

Room 200: The Power of Your Words – Kari Nietzel, BCBA
Everyday interactions can either build connection or reinforce distance, especially for children impacted by foster care and trauma. This session explores simple, intentional language shifts that foster attachment, build trust, guide behavior, and encourage play—showing how meaningful change can begin with the words we use.
AVAILABLE FOR MOPD CREDITS.

Room 201: Guarding the Bond – Amanda Chilton
A child’s connection to their story and biological family matters, whether they reunify or are adopted. This session provides practical tools to protect attachment, reduce loyalty conflict, and create emotional safety throughout the case journey.
AVAILABLE FOR MOPD CREDITS.

Room 203: Money Strategies for Foster Parents – John B Walter, CPA, Financial Advisor and Stephen Hoell, Financial Advisor
This workshop equips foster parents with practical financial skills, covering budgeting, risk management, emergency savings, home buying, retirement planning, estate planning, and saving for major life goals. 

FLC-A: TBRI®: Improving Connection Through Communication – Heather Saak, BA and Robert Saak, BS/BS.
Do you feel like you’re talking to a wall when trying to get their attention, or getting attitude, eye rolls, or blank stares in response? Join this interactive session for a lighthearted experience that will lift your mood while offering practical strategies you can use in everyday interactions.
AVAILABLE FOR MOPD CREDITS.

FLC-B: Strength for the Journey – Jeff Bryant
Caring for vulnerable children is sacred but can also be exhausting and isolating. This session helps foster families and professionals reconnect with their strengths and God-given design through a coaching-based approach that builds resilience, self-awareness, and renewed purpose.
AVAILABLE FOR MOPD CREDITS.

Auditorium: For the Fathers – Jason Johnson
You are pouring yourself out to love and lead your family through the foster care or adoption journey. It’s meaningful, but also exhausting. You’re not alone.This workshop is designed for men—husbands and dads—walking a similar path, offering encouragement in the gospel, inspiration in your calling, and practical steps to move forward in a healthy, sustainable way.

1:30 p.m.

Room 200: The Power of Your Words – Kari Nietzel, BCBA
Everyday interactions can either build connection or reinforce distance, especially for children impacted by foster care and trauma. This session explores simple, intentional language shifts that foster attachment, build trust, guide behavior, and encourage play—showing how meaningful change can begin with the words we use.
AVAILABLE FOR MOPD CREDITS.

Room 201: Restoring Wonder Through Care – Chris Hoover, BSN, RN, CCM
This workshop helps foster, adoptive, and kinship parents navigate the healthcare system to ensure children receive the physical and behavioral health services they need. Using trauma-informed strategies and real-world examples, participants will learn how Show Me Healthy Kids (SMHK) supports families and gain practical tools to build confidence and clarity in caring for children who have experienced trauma.
AVAILABLE FOR MOPD CREDITS.

Room 203: Managing Emotional Mayhem – Kelly Wright
Managing emotional mayhem involves expressing and regulating emotions in healthy ways. Because God created us with emotions, Scripture speaks extensively on this topic. Join us as we explore practical, Bible-based approaches to managing emotional mayhem.
AVAILABLE FOR MOPD CREDITS.

FLC-B: Strength for the Journey – Jeff Bryant
Caring for vulnerable children is sacred but can also be exhausting and isolating. This session helps foster families and professionals reconnect with their strengths and God-given design through a coaching-based approach that builds resilience, self-awareness, and renewed purpose.
AVAILABLE FOR MOPD CREDITS.

Auditorium: Beauty From Ashes – Staycee Dixson
Beauty From Ashes is a faith-based, trauma-informed workshop that helps caregivers and parents heal, grow, and reconnect through patience, creativity, and spiritual reflection. Participants will explore how grace, faith, and emotional regulation can foster renewal in both caregiving and personal growth.
AVAILABLE FOR MOPD CREDITS.

Lobby: 1-on 1 – John B Walter, CPA, Financial Advisor and Stephen Hoell, Financial Advisor

2:50 p.m.

Room 200: The Power of Your Words – Kari Nietzel, BCBA
Everyday interactions can either build connection or reinforce distance, especially for children impacted by foster care and trauma. This session explores simple, intentional language shifts that foster attachment, build trust, guide behavior, and encourage play—showing how meaningful change can begin with the words we use.
AVAILABLE FOR MOPD CREDITS.

Room 203: Money Strategies for Foster Parents – John B Walter, CPA, Financial Advisor and Stephen Hoell, Financial Advisor
This workshop equips foster parents with practical financial skills, covering budgeting, risk management, emergency savings, home buying, retirement planning, estate planning, and saving for major life goals. 

FLC-B: Strength for the Journey – Jeff Bryant
Caring for vulnerable children is sacred but can also be exhausting and isolating. This session helps foster families and professionals reconnect with their strengths and God-given design through a coaching-based approach that builds resilience, self-awareness, and renewed purpose.
AVAILABLE FOR MOPD CREDITS.