Children's Advocacy Days - March 9-12, 2021
Save the Date! CAD 2021 will occur virtually March 9th-12th from 9am -12pm CST/ 10am - 1pm EST
Registration for this event has closed. If you would still like to participate the event will be live streamed on our Facebook Page.
The past year brought unique and unprecedented challenges for us all. And, yet, as we have seen in other times of adversity, we witnessed the commitment and determination of so many Tennesseans. Both the public and private sectors found creative ways to work together and continue to provide critical services and supports to the many children, youth and families in our state. So, as we look to the past for lessons learned, we also look to the future for new opportunities. Let’s renew our efforts, refresh our minds and refocus our energy. Please join us for Children’s Advocacy Days 2021!
CAD 2021 Agenda
*This agenda is still in development and subject to change
Award nomination forms can be found below
2020 Children's Advocacy Days Information
Videos from 2020 Children's Advocacy Days
The Public Health Imperative of Preventing Early Adversity – Dr. Melissa Merrick, PhD, President and CEO, Prevent Child Abuse America
Census 2020 – Joseph Williams, Director of External Affairs, Office of Governor Bill Lee, Faye Anderson, Partnership Coordinator, United States Census Bureau
Systems of Care – It’s All in Your Approach – Millie Sweeney, Deputy Director, Family Run Executive Director Leadership Association
Compelling Conversation – Health: Dr. Morgan McDonald, Deputy Commissioner, Department of Health, and Dr. Freida Outlaw, Ex. Academic Consultant, SAMHSA Minority Fellowship Program, American Nurses Association
Compelling Conversation – Children’s Services: Jennifer Nichols, JD, Commissioner, Department of Children’s Services, and Dr. Lori Messinger, Dean, University of Tennessee College of Social Work
Compelling Conversation – Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services: Marie Williams, LCSW, Commissioner, Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, Rob Mortensen, Vice Chair, Tennessee Commission on Children and Youth
Compelling Conversation – Education: Lisa Coons, Chief of Standards and Materials, Department of Education, and James Pond, President, Governor’s Early Literacy Foundation
Compelling Conversation – Human Services: Danielle Barnes, JD, Commissioner, Department of Human Services, Brianna Mason, Miss Tennessee
Compelling Conversation – TCCY: Richard Kennedy, MA, Executive Director, Tennessee Commission on Children and Youth, Phil Acord, Chief Executive Officer, Chambliss Center for Children
Tennessee State Parks, ACE Resiliency Project, Building Strong Brains TN Innovation Grant – Sarah Green, Environmental Literacy Coordinator, Tennessee State Parks
Rural Resources Farm & Food Education Center, Building Strong Brains TN Innovation Grant – Sally
Causey, Executive Director
2019 Children's Advocacy Days Information
- Are You Ready for CAD? (video)
- Governor Bill Lee and First Lady Maria Lee
- CAD Talk: Trauma Informed Schools – Matthew Portell, Principal, Fall-Hamilton Enhanced Option School
- Marie Williams, LCSW, Commissioner of the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services
- Jennifer Nichols, JD, Commissioner of the Department of Children's Services
- Dr. Penny Schwinn, Commissioner of the Department of Education
- Dr. Lisa Piercey, Commissioner of the Department of Health
- Danielle Barnes, JD, Commissioner of the Department of Human Services
- Mary Shelton, MA, Director, Behavioral Health Operations at TennCare
- CAD Talk: Thoughts on Children’s Advocacy – Christy Sigler, JD, MTSU Title IX Investigator and TCCY Commission Member
- CAD Talk: ACEs and the Faith Community – Charlie Caswell, Executive Director, Legacy of Legends CDC
- CAD Talk: Sesame Street in Communities in Memphis – Rènee Wilson-Simmons, Executive Director, ACE Awareness Fdn
- CAD Talk: Isaiah 1:17 House – Ronda Paulson, Founder and Director, Isaiah 117
- CAD Talk: Building Strong Brains Tennessee– Mary Rolando, ACEs Innovation Director, Department of Children’s Services
- Hugh Vasquez, MSW, National Equity Project Our Unconscious Brain: Keys to Understanding and Interrupting the Impact of Implicit Bias
- Julie Sweetland, Vice President for Strategy and Innovation, FrameWorks Institute Sharing Frames to Amplify Impact
- CAD Talk: Juvenile Justice Improvements – Dr. Altha Stewart, Director, Center for Health in Justice Involved Youth, UT Health Science Center
- CAD Talk: Early Childhood Services Network– Carla Snodgrass, Section Chief, Early Childhood Initiatives, Division of Family Health & Wellness, Department of Health
- PowerPoint Presentations.
What's Children's Advocacy Days ?
Children’s Advocacy Days (CAD) is an event with a 30-year history. It is an opportunity for children’s advocates, service providers and others to come together to be inspired by speakers, leaders and peers. The event draws approximately 600 individuals interested in children and family issues. CAD consists of training, networking, advocacy and celebration.
Registration for the 2021 Children's Advocacy Days can be found here.