On November 8th & 9th we proudly hosted our 28th Annual Women and Children’s Conference in Harrisburg, PA. The event featured four keynote speakers, 12 workshop options and 35 exhibitors representing healthcare organizations that provide essential services in our communities.
We’re thrilled to look back as we reflect on new meaningful connections, lessons learned, and memories made in the spirit of compassion.
If you or someone you love needs help finding treatment for substance use disorder, please call our 24-hour Treatment and Referral HelpLine at 833.976.HELP (4357) or email [email protected]
Building a Brighter Tomorrow
Across the two-day event, more than 300 behavioral healthcare professionals gathered to learn about groundbreaking research, gain awareness of new drug trends and how local organizations are mobilizing to combat them, and discuss topics to help improve treatment outcomes for women, pregnant women, and women with children.
Inspiring Talks From Industry Thought Leaders
Conference attendees had an opportunity to hear talks from renowned speakers and researchers like Dr. Carlo DiClemente, Dr. Gary Stoner, Dr. Judith Grisel and HIV/AIDS prevention & awareness activist, Hydeia Broadbent.
Improving Treatment Outcomes: Informative Workshops
A key feature of our annual conference is a robust selection of workshop offerings. Topics are specifically geared toward improving treatment outcomes for women, pregnant women, and woman with children. This year’s conference also featured an eye-opening presentation by Savage Sisters Recovery on the devastating effects of “tranq dope,” a deadly mixture of fentanyl and the animal tranquilizer xylazine, and how their organization works to save lives daily in the Kensington area.
Thank you to all our workshop presenters for sharing your incredible stories, knowledge, and expertise. Please find a complete list of workshop topics and presenters from this year’s event below:
- Healthy Outcomes for Positive Experiences HOPE 101 by Amie Myrick
- Restoring Hope in Individuals Experiencing Housing Barriers and Legal Issues Due to Substance Abuse by Lisa Kessler-Peters
- The Power of Compassion and Connection: Improving Treatment Outcomes for Women with Co-Occurring Diagnoses by Lara Farrokh
- Engaging Fathers in Parenting Programs by Beth Bitler
- XYLAZINE and Kratom Use and Effects on the Individual, the Recovery Community, and Public Health by Sarah Laurel and Jessica Supperer of Savage Sisters
- Moving from Theory to Implementation: Creating a Trauma-Responsive Culture by Dr. Joan Gillece
- Boundaries: How Setting Limits Contributes to Healthy Relationships by Beth Bitler
- Understanding Attachment by Abby Keiser
- Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome: Challenges in an Ongoing Epidemic and Understanding Long-Term Outcomes by Tammy E. Corr
- Managing the Madness: Self-Care for the Helping Professional by Gregory A. Krausz
- Medical Marijuana and Motivational Interviewing by Rebekah Sedlock
- Addiction: Through the Lens of a Child by Chris Glover
Resources for Recovery
This year’s event featured 35 conference exhibitors who spent both days connecting with attendees, sharing important resources, and helping create a collaborative environment where treatment providers can leverage professional relationships to provide a full continuum of care for clients.
Thank You for Your Support!
Thank you to all our wonderful speakers, workshop presenters, exhibitors, sponsors, event attendees, team members, and our planning committee for coming together to help make our 28th Annual Women and Children’s Conference a resounding success. We’re already looking forward to reconnecting next year!
If you or someone you love needs help finding treatment for substance use disorder, please call our 24-hour Treatment and Referral HelpLine at 833.976.HELP (4357) or email [email protected]
A special note of thanks to Erin Duffy for assisting with event photography. Find more of Erin’s work here.
