Program Agenda

Howard County Family Leadership Program Agenda

November 15th and 16th

Friday, November 15th

4:00 pm – 5:00 pm

Participants arrive at the hotel and check into their hotel room.

5:00 pm – 5:30 pm

Participants arrive in the hotel conference room to check in with MCF Staff, receive their training materials, meet other participants, and complete pre-empowerment survey.

5:30 pm – 6:30 pm

Dinner and networking.

6:30 pm – 7:30 pm

Program kickoff – review program agenda and introduce Action Plan.

7:30 pm – 8:30 pm

Introduction of participants and story sharing.

8:30 pm

Formal evening programming ends but participants are encouraged to stick around to get to know each other informally before returning to their rooms.

 

Saturday, November 16th

8:00 am – 9:00 am

Breakfast and introduction of the day’s agenda (participants should check out of their rooms during this time)

9:00 am – 10:30 am

Behavioral Health Workshop

This workshop will introduce information about behavioral health challenges in children – anxiety, depression, autism spectrum disorder, OCD, etc.  Participants will gain an understanding of:

  • How behavioral health challenges manifest in children at various stages of development
  • Available treatments and programs to help parents and caregivers manage challenging behaviors and symptoms.
  • How to talk to their child’s doctor about their concerns.

10:30 am – 10:45 am

Break

10:45 am – 12:15 pm

Systems Navigation Workshop

This workshop will review the various systems families may interact with while securing appropriate services and treatments for their child.  Participants will gain an understanding of:

  • The various county agencies that offer services and support.
  • What services are provided by the school system and how to access them.
  • Where to turn if they believe their child isn’t get the services and supports they need.

12:15 pm – 1:00 pm

Lunch and networking.

1:00 pm – 2:30 pm

Advocacy Workshop

This workshop focuses on helping families find and use their voice to advocate for their child, themselves, and their communities. Participants will gain an understanding of:

  • How change happens at the policy and legislative levels.
  • How to use their story to impact change.
  • Ways to get involved to change systems they interact with.

2:30 pm – 2:45 pm

Break

2:45 pm – 4:15 pm

Finalize Action Planning; report out to group.

4:15 pm – 4:30

Complete program evaluations, post-empowerment survey.

4:30 pm

Retreat ends.