'Transforming Practices' Conference Returns to Red Deer

Transforming Practices: Breaking Silence, Building Safety is a 2-day conference co-hosted by the Central Alberta Child Advocacy Centre (CACAC) and Red Deer Polytechnic (RDP). 

The conference has returned for a second year on the heels of last year’s sold-out event at RDP. This year’s keynote speakers include national best-selling author, and host of the popular podcast Everyone Comes From Somewhere Dr. Jody Carrington, along with the celebrated return of Dr. Michael Ungar, Director of the Resilience Research Centre at Dalhousie University where he holds the Canada Research Chair in Child, Family and Community Resilience. New this year is an optional training credential developed by Heidi Olson, Founder and President of Paradigm Shift Training and Consulting, and creator of the Exploitation ID System.

The conference, which focuses on data regarding child abuse and education for and from front-line workers, has extended to a 2-day event, with the optional third day for a specialized training credential. The conference also coincides with The CLIMB, an annual girl’s youth conference led by the Central Alberta Child Advocacy Centre and its Climbing Tree Mentorship Program. Between The CLIMB, Transforming Practices, and the optional full-day training, this year’s event boasts four full days of youth- and/or professional- development.

“As partners dedicated to fostering resilience and supporting individuals who have experienced trauma, we are thrilled to bring together professionals from various sectors including first responders, health care workers, academics, teachers, support workers, and beyond. We invite you to join us in a shared commitment to enhancing the well-being of our communities. Together, we stand at the forefront of a transformative movement, one that prioritizes empathy, understanding, and proactive intervention. By joining forces, we have the power to make a profound impact, not only in the lives of individuals facing adversity but in shaping a more compassionate and resilient society as a whole”. – Mark Jones, CEO Central Alberta Child Advocacy Centre.

“Red Deer Polytechnic is committed to working with industry and community partners, RDP faculty staff and students to identify and implement best practices related to childhood trauma and maltreatment. This collaborative conference is a wonderful example of how together we can support youth and families in our province, while also providing meaningful learning opportunities for the community.” - Patrick Machacek, Vice President, Development and Partnerships, Red Deer Polytechnic.

Transforming Practices: Breaking Silence, Building Safety – May 28 and 29 at Red Deer Polytechnic. There is Early Bird pricing for tickets right now, and discounted rates for the first 50 post-secondary students that register. Tickets for Transforming Practices, and details about The Climb, are available at https://www.eventcombo.com/e/Transforming-Practices-Breaking-Silence-Building-Safety-69702.