MERIDIAN —     Giving Hope, Changing Lives is the theme of the 24th annual Lookin’ to the Future Conference presented by Southern Christian Services for Children and Youth at the MSU Riley Center in Meridian. 

    Mental Health professionals, social workers, judges, caregivers, teachers, physicians, administrators, foster and adoptive parents, and behavioral health professionals who work with children and families will be among the 500 individuals expected to participate.   

    The conference begins on Wednesday, and concludes with a luncheon on Friday. Conference partners include both public and private agencies whose representatives assisted in the planning of the training event.

    Workshops and sessions will focus on the following topics: Adolescent Issues; Adoption and Foster Care; Clinical Issues; Professional Development; Substance Abuse; Systems of Care; and Trauma Informed Care.

    Highlights of the conference will be presentations by nationally known professionals Dr. Barry Duncan, Dr. Eileen Pasztor, and Teresa Descilo.

    Duncan of Jensen Beach, Fla., director of the Heart and Soul Change Project, will focus on what really works in therapy.

    Descilo of Miami, Fla., executive director of the Trauma Resolution Center, will discuss the importance of trauma informed care.

    Pasztor of Manhattan Beach, Calif., will focus on today’s complex family structures, advocacy and the importance of kinship care. 

    Of special interest, will be a workshop on the potential impact of Mississippi House Bill 999 Abstinence Education vs Abstinence Plus sex related education policies on middle and high school teens and adolescents in Mississippi.

    Foster and adoptive parents will participate in specialized workshops and will be honored at a dinner Wednesday evening.  

    Associate Justice Randy Pierce of the Mississippi Supreme Court will be honored at the closing luncheon on Friday with the Lookin’ to the Future Award in recognition of his work on behalf of children and youth. Judge John Hudson, Adams County Court, will present this award.

    The registration fee for general attendees is $140, $75 for foster/adoptive families per person, and $60 for students. Foster/adoptive parents may bring their youth ages 14-18 to participate in the youth activities including presentations on alcohol and drug abuse, bullying, suicide prevention and positive relationship development. Walk-ins are welcome.