Training Materials & Recordings, August 2024

Training #1: QPI as an Advocacy Strategy

Presenter:

Jennifer Rodriguez, Executive Director of the Youth Law Center

Jennifer Rodriguez, J.D., is Executive Director of the Youth Law Center (YLC) and a leading advocate for transforming foster care and juvenile justice systems across the country so youth can thrive. Jennifer spent many years of her childhood in foster care and juvenile justice facilities, and has spent most of her life advocating to ensure justice, compassion and opportunity for youth touched by these systems. Jennifer’s advocacy has resulted in significant national policy, practice and culture changes. She joined the Youth Law Center as an attorney in 2007 after eight years working at the California Youth Connection, a nationally recognized foster youth advocacy organization. Jennifer was appointed by President Obama to the National Commission to Eliminate Child Abuse and Neglect Fatalities, which released a report promoting strengthening families parenting the most vulnerable children.


Training #2: The Science Behind QPI: Attachment & Relationships

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Presenter:

Dr. Charles Zeanah

Dr. Charles Zeanah has worked clinically and studied children exposed to violence for over 30 years. This has included studies of PTSD and related disorders in young children. He currently co-directs a program that intervenes with 2-300 maltreated children per year. At a policy level, he serves on the DCFS Internal Advisory Group and directs Tulane’s Early Childhood Policy Leadership Initiative.

Vice Chair, Child & Adolescent Psychiatry
Professor of Psychiatry & Pediatrics
Executive Director Infant Institute


Training #3: The Importance of Relationships Through the Lens of Lived Experience

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Featuring a panel of individuals with lived experience in the child welfare system, including youth and foster/resource parents.

Taina, Florida

Joseph, New Mexico

Elizabeth, California

Erica, California

Sana, Connecticut


Training #4: Branding as a Change Strategy

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Presenter:

Heidi Foreman

Heidi Foreman is a brand strategy consultant with over
20 years of experience creating successful positioning and key messages, developing new brands/products, and working with client teams to develop actionable marketing plans. Heidi has also held senior marketing management positions with Gillette and Scholastic.

She is also actively engaged in brand strategy and innovation projects for non-profit organizations focused on children’s literacy and welfare.


Training #5: The Art of Persuasion

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Presenter:

Carol Cambell Edwards, Ed.D

Carol Campbell Edwards joined the Youth Law Center as a consultant in 2016 after having been involved in Florida’s QPI implementation. Her work with QPI focuses on training and professional development. Carol is a licensed clinical social worker and approved supervisor in the State of Florida with 27 years of direct and administrative service. She is a faculty member and the BSW Program Director at the Florida State University College of Social Work. Carol is a national delegate for the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) and is the co-chair of the Florida NASW Race and Social Justice Task Force. She is a recipient of numerous teaching and professional service awards. Carol promotes the alignment of social work values and principles, with changing child welfare systems, to make life better for children and families with foster care experiences.