CONFERENCE SCHEDULE
Wednesday, September 10, 2025
12:00 - 1:00 PM LUNCH
1:00 - 1:15 PM WELCOME AND KICKOFF
1:15 - 2:15 PM KEYNOTE SESSION | Leaders Who CARE, Change Everything | Gaelin Elmore
The CARE Model has inspired tens of thousands of leaders across the continent through simple challenges. The simple challenge is to be Compassionate, Authentic, Resilient, and Empowering leaders. Which quality do you need to CARE about more?
2:15 - 2:35 PM BREAK (20 MINUTES)
2:35 - 3:35 PM GENERAL SESSION | Creating Environments of Belonging | Gaelin Elmore
3:35 - 3:45 PM BREAK (10 MINUTES)
3:45 - 4:45 PM Executive Leadership | BREAKOUT SESSION | Making the Case for Hope – Opportunities in Place Based Strategies for Care | Dr Crystallee Crain
3:45 - 4:45 PM Program & Practice Leadership | BREAKOUT SESSION | A Leading with Heart: Authentic Leadership in Today’s Non-Profit World | Alisa Otto
5:15 – 9:00 PM GROUP PHOTO | ALPINE SLIDE EVENT | BBQ DINNER
Wear Your Agency Branded Apparel! Come dressed in your agency's branded attire or colors or join the Federation team by wearing Royal Blue! Whether it's a stylish polo, a cozy sweatshirt, a sleek jacket, or even a creative ensemble that showcases your agency's signature hues, we want to see you representing with pride.
Thursday, September 11, 2025
7:45 – 8:45 AM BREAKFAST
9:00 – 10:30 AM KEYNOTE SESSION | Opportunities to Do Good | Jerry Milner & David Kelly | Family Justice Group
We will discuss opportunities in the current social services environment to impact families, children and communities in positive ways. We will share examples of successful private sector and public/private efforts to build community-driven family support networks that help families to be strong and adaptive.
10:30 - 10:50 AM BREAK (20 MINUTES)
10:50 – 11:50 AM GENERAL SESSION | AI Governance for Human Services | Lauri Goldkind, PhD, Professor, Graduate School of Social Service, Fordham
11:55 AM -12:45 PM LUNCH
12:55 – 2:25 PM GENERAL SESSION | Children's Services Administration Updates: The Future is Now | Demetrius Starling, Senior Deputy Director for the Children’s Services Administration
MDHHS MODERATED PANEL | Demetrius Starling, Senior Deputy Director for the Children’s Services Administration | Patricia Neitman, MS LLP, Bureau Director (she/hers), Bureau of Children’s Coordinated Health, Policy, and Supports | Jennifer Wrayno, BSC 5 Director. Moderated by Janet Reynolds Snyder, President/CEO, Michigan Federation for Children and Families.
2:25 – 2:35 PM BREAK (10 minutes)
2:35 – 3:35 PM Executive Leadership | BREAKOUT SESSION | Future-Ready Leadership: AI-Enhanced Tools for Multigenerational Strategy, Self-Awareness, and Impact | Erica Curry Vanee
2:35 – 3:35 PM Program & Practice Leadership | BREAKOUT SESSION | A Youth-Centered Approach to Reimagining Programs and Services | Jean K. Elder | Elizabeth Wynter | Bryanna Harlan J.K. Elder & Associates
3:35 - 6:30 PM BREAK
6:30 – 9:30 PM DINNER | PHOTOS | TRIVIA NIGHT
Friday, September 12, 2025
7:45 – 8:45 AM BREAKFAST
9:00 - 10:00 AM GENERAL SESSION | Countering Burnout with Trauma Informed Leadership | DeMarra West
10:00 - 10:20 AM BREAK (20 MINUTES)
10:20 - 10:55 AM GENERAL SESSION | 'Ted Talk' Style Presentations answering, What is your big idea in action?
11:00 AM – 12:00 PM CLOSING KEYNOTE SESSION | Strategy for Turbulent Markets: Keeping Your Plan on Top of Market Changes | Elizabeth Carey
The human service industry is facing an era of uncertainty. Shifting policies, evolving payer models, workforce shortages, and rising service demands create a volatile landscape that can challenge even the most established organizations. How can human service leaders not just survive—but thrive—in this environment? This session will provide practical, real-world strategies that organizations can implement to remain financially stable, expand access to care, and continue delivering high-quality services in an unpredictable market. We will explore proven approaches that have helped organizations weather market turbulence sharing tools and examples from real situations.
12:00 - 12:15 PM CONFERENCE WRAP UP | ADJOURN
12:15 PM BOX LUNCH TO GO
Crystal Conference Center