Lafayette, Louisiana at the Cajundome
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REGISTRATION IS CLOSED

Conference Program - Download Here
​Visit Agenda for Info about Sessions

PLEASE BRING A JACKET OR SWEATER - IT GETS COLD IN MEETINGS!

REFRESHMENTS AND MEALS: The conference includes two luncheons - Thursday and Friday. The evening reception at Vermilionville offers an evening meal on Thursday. We provide coffee and refreshments in the morning on November 7th and 8th. Afternoon refreshments will be provided on November 6th and 7th. Medically required dietary restrictions should be entered during registration. No changes can be made at the conference.

EXHIBITS: Exhibitor information and presenter handouts can be downloaded directly using our conference event app on Whova but just in case apps aren't your PB&J, handouts will also be available on the TWC website from November 1 - December 15. Just remember that some speakers don't use handouts. 

SESSION SELECTIONS: You will not be required to pre-select sessions. You will simply go to a session and find a chair. If there are no chairs available, you must go to a different session. If you start a long block session, you must finish it to get full credit.

HOTELS/LODGING: We have arranged for courtesy room blocks for conference attendees at many hotels in Lafayette. The list of those hotels is on our website: www.latwc.org. If you are a government employee, be prepared to show an ID to verify your employment. Most hotels will meet state rates if you are a government employee with the proper paperwork.

CLE/CEUs for TWC 2024

​APPROVED for UP TO 12.5 CLE Hours - Including Ethics and Professionalism!

APPROVED for UP TO 13.5 SW CEUs - Including Ethics and Clinical by Team Dynamics, LLC as authorized by the LABSWE. Visit Credits page for more information.
Get our official event app,
For Blackberry or Windows Phone, Click here
For feature details, visit Whova

Together We Can Keynote Speakers 2024:

Opening Keynote 1: Enjoying Excellence as a Leader
Dr. Earl Suttle
​Dr. Suttle has conducted keynote addresses and seminars for many corporations such as Aflac Insurance, AT&T Corporation, Delta Air Lines, The Coca-Cola Company, American Express, Kimberly-Clark Corporation, United States Postal Service, Kraft Foods, The Hartford Insurance Group, Walmart, Wells Fargo Bank, The Atlanta Life Insurance Company, Georgia Department of Labor, Cobb EMC, Anheuser-Busch Companies, Matrix, Prime Communication, Toyota.  Dr. Suttle began his professional life as an elementary school teacher and guidance counselor and particularly enjoys his workshops in the educational field at schools and universities such as the University of Georgia, University of Florida, University of Alabama, Indiana University, Auburn University, University of Miami, University of Arkansas, Arizona State University and many more.  Dr. Suttle earned his doctorate in Addiction Studies and spent many years working in the healthcare profession. Expertise and camaraderie are the hallmarks of his work in the health care industry with clients such as Kentucky Health Care Association, Arizona Health Care Association, Georgia Health Care Association, American Hospital Association, Colorado Health Care Association, Iowa Health Care Association, Tennessee Health Care Association, West Virginia Health Care Association and Wisconsin Health Care Association, to name a few. In this highly interactive session, you will gain a better understanding of your role as leader of your team and identify your leadership strengths to increase accountability. By your example, your team members will grow and increase performance. This session highlights how to develop a more positive attitude. You will gain greater commitment to establish and maintain your own brand of excellence and increase your influence with others.
Lunch Keynote 2
​Science of Hope
Dr. Chan Hellman
Chan joined the University of Oklahoma in 2002 and is the founding Director of The Hope Research Center.  Chan has published over 80 research studies, and his research is focused on hope as a psychological strength for children, adults, and families experiencing trauma and adversity.  Chan has presented on hope with TEDx (2021) and has provided invited talks in Europe, United Kingdom, and the Middle East.  Chan was one of five invited workshops for Jane Goodall’s Activating Hope Summit (2021). Chan was featured as a main stage presentation at the 2023 American Psychological Association convention (Hope is the Antidote). Chan has Co-Founded Hope Rising Oklahoma along with First Lady Sarah Stitt in their effort to make Oklahoma a hope-centered state.  Chan is the co-author of the award-winning book “Hope Rising:  How the Science of Hope Can Change Your Life” published by Morgan James.
Opening Keynote 3
Terrica Lynn Smith
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Terrica Lynn Smith is a vibrant, strong, and prestigious real estate developer from New Orleans, La. She doesn’t have your typical rags to riches story. Everyone has their own struggles, doubts, and pitfalls in life, but what you choose to do with them determines your level of success. Being a ward of the state at an early age and having to overcome the lies, physical abuse, verbal abuse, sexual abuse, abandonment, and pain endured as a child is only the beginning of Terrica Lynn Smith’s story. Spending more than 10 years in foster care, becoming pregnant at 16 years old, and homeless at 17 years old was the final turning point for Terrica. Terrica decided to use the bricks that were thrown at her and built a multi-million-dollar enterprises. Terrica Lynn Smith is the founder of Terrica Lynn Smith Enterprises, a company that specializes in developing communities, investing in apartment complexes, single family residents and mid-rise investments. Terrica Lynn Smith has developed more than $50M in real estate developments and projects over the past 20 years. Terrica has been involved in planning, conceptualizing, and executing all of the projects. Leading the Opportunity Zone initiative, Terrica created a $21M mixed use community that allowed her work to be recognized at the white house under U.S. President Trump. Terrica continues to be the forward thinker of TLS Enterprises. Terrica is the youngest female developer of a mixed-use community in the state of Louisiana.
With a portfolio boasting over $60 million in real estate, her mark on the real estate landscape is notable and constantly growing. She has handled over a billion dollars in real estate transactions from developments, mergers and acquisitions to multi-family investing. With nearly two decades as a seasoned real estate broker, Terrica's expertise encompasses the revitalization of neighborhoods, specializing in government funded contracts and multi-family properties. Her expansive network has granted her deep ties with key figures in the local, state, and federal government agencies. Beyond this, she is the driving force behind multiple ventures, exhibiting prowess in new residential construction, apartment management, and community revitalization. Terrica Lynn Smith, drawing strength from her profound journey, has become an emblem of inspiration and a towering figure in the real estate realm.
Closing Keynote 4
​Follow the Love
Dr. Elizabeth Wynter

Over the span of two decades, the award-winning Dr. Elizabeth Wynter has been an unstoppable force driving policy reform, tirelessly working to make a difference. Her unwavering determination inspires others to join the fight for a more inclusive and supportive child welfare system.
The spark that ignited the National Foster Youth Voice Month came from Dr. Wynter’s indomitable spirit, refusing to settle for anything less than a complete transformation in how society views young people in care. With unyielding resolve, she leads an army of supporters, united in the quest to empower these young individuals as powerful contributors to the world, not mere recipients of care. Completing her doctoral studies in Organizational Leadership with a dissertation focused on transitioning youth was not merely an academic achievement for Dr. Wynter; it symbolized a journey of self-discovery and dedication to empowering others. Equipped with research and lived experiences, she dismantles barriers hindering a brighter future for foster youth.
As the author of “Follow the Love,” Dr. Wynter introduces a groundbreaking connections scaffold, empowering young individuals aging out of foster care. Her visionary approach emphasizes the power of love and care, fostering self-confidence and a strong sense of identity among transitioning youth. Through her blog (coming soon), “Foster Youth Voice Whisperer,” Dr. Wynter shares her research-based perspective, aiming to reshape how child welfare and the public perceive and support young people in care. With each post, she ignites hearts and sparks conversations that resonate across the nation. Her unwavering advocacy has become a rallying cry for justice and equity for foster youth.
As a captivating keynote speaker, Dr. Wynter enthralls audiences at conferences, symposiums, and workshops. Drawing from her vast expertise and personal experiences, she delivers powerful speeches that inspire action and drive positive change. Her message transcends boundaries, touching the hearts of policymakers, child welfare professionals, and young people with lived experiences alike.
Beyond her inspirational speeches, Dr. Wynter’s role as a child welfare consultant is equally transformative. 

Hotel Rooms, Rates & Cut-Off Dates 

Visit the Hotel Accommodations page under more tab above for more information.

​Making a Difference for Abused and Neglected Children!
The conference for professionals and volunteers who are working together to make a difference for abused and neglected children. We strive to be a multi-disciplinary event with sessions that will address the educational needs of social workers, attorneys, judges, educational leaders, CASA staff and volunteers, Child Advocacy Center staff, Multi-Disciplinary Teams (MDT), law enforcement, foster parents, counselors, faith-based leaders and more!


​​Conference Host Organizations: 

What is TWC?

The Together We Can Conference is a multi-day conference with over 50 workshops, institutes, keynotes and more! The multi-disciplinary event that is considered the place to go for child abuse and neglect training for CASA, CAC, Judges, parents' attorneys, children's attorneys, social workers, Indigent Defenders, DCFS workers, law enforcement professionals, education professionals, mental health professionals, and more!
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The TWC conference began in Louisiana in 2002 as a merger between two events that were very similar and often had the same speakers - the Families in the Balance Conference and the Justice for Children Conference. Since that time, several other organizations have begun collaboratively working with us annually to present this conference.
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The Together We Can conference will offer in-depth learning opportunities which address policy and practice concerns. There will be keynote addresses focused on the latest trends and institute sessions allowing more intensive attention to the selected topics.  Awards will be presented during Keynote sessions to honor those who have demonstrated commitment above and beyond on behalf of children.​
Are you on our mailing list? If not, click below to sign up!  Send us your email information.
 
QUESTIONS?  Call the conference coordination team:
985-624-3514 or email us at  
sharon@teamdyn.com

Sponsors & Exhibitors


            
      Thank you to our 2023 ​Exhibitors and Sponsors!
  • Healthy Blue Louisiana
  • Magellan Health Services
  • Louisiana Foster Support Services
  • Child Welfare Information Gateway


Join us as a 2024 Sponsor 

How can you benefit by partnering with TWC?
​Download a PDF of TWC 2024 Sponsor/Exhibitor Brochure!

The 22nd Annual Together We Can Conference offers Exhibitors, Vendors and Sponsors with a unique opportunity for accessing a statewide audience that includes child welfare professionals, governmental agency representatives, nonprofit leaders and volunteers. You will have the opportunity to build or increase your outreach, experience easy access for on-site conversations, and the ability to visually showcase your information/program to our audience. You can provide branded support to the event and/or information at a booth—either way if you are trying to reach children & family program leaders—they are here! Want to sell to them? It is ok with us. You are responsible for all taxes and liabilities from the sales.

I want to be an Exhibitor/Sponsor of TWC 2024! 
Brochure
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Updated March 2024.  The Together We Can Conference is managed by ​Team Dynamics LLC.