2026 Digital Conference Program

BRIDGING the GAP BRIDGING GAP

BUILDING THE FUTURE: A CALL FOR SOCIAL WORK ACTION

PROGRAM BOOK

2026 NASW-NJ ANNUAL CONFERENCE APRIL 26-28, 2026

Premier Sponsors:

TABLE

OF CONTENTS 03

Messages from the NASW-NJ President & Executive Director

04 Welcome from the Conference Chair

05

Conference Main Map

Student Leadership Summit/Virtual Conference

14 Our Presenters 24 Thank You to Our YearRound & Conference Sponsors

06 General Map 0 7 How to Get CEUs

26 Sponsor/Exhibit Directory

0 8 Schedule-at-a-Glance

30 Sponsor/Exhibit Map

09 Special Events

31 Discounts

10

Workshop Directory

12

How to play Exhibitor Bingo

53 Become a Member

SPONSORS

Messages from the NASW-NJ President

& Executive Director Welcome to our conference, and thank you for joining us as we celebrate 70 years of our chapter’s dedicated service and leadership. This gathering marks an important moment for our profession and the communities we serve, and I am grateful to welcome so many committed colleagues, partners, friends, and students.

We come together during a time of constant change, growing needs, and global conflict that test our resolve. As we navigate VUCA times—marked by volatility, uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity—we remain united in our commitment to humanity and human rights. Our social work values, care for others, and dedication to practicing with steadiness, skill, and compassion continue to define us.

NASW-NJ PRESIDENT

AMML HUSSEIN EdD, MSW, LSW

As president, I am proud of our chapter’s accomplishments and optimistic about our future.

Our theme, Bridging the Gap, Building the Future, reflects our mission to connect people, strengthen relationships, uplift one another, and help build a more just and responsive tomorrow.

This conference offers opportunities to expand perspectives, explore innovative ideas, and earn continuing education credits. A priority of my presidency has been amplifying student voices, and I am especially excited about this year’s Student Summit for undergraduate and graduate students. Our distinguished lineup of practitioners, scholars, and researchers will address cutting-edge issues in research, practice, and policy—from immigration rights and suicide prevention to the Grand Challenges shaping our field. Together, this forward-looking focus will strengthen our connection and prepare us to meet today’s challenges with clarity and unity. I am delighted to have you here and look forward to building our future together.

It is truly an honor to gather with you all as we come together to celebrate, reflect, and recommit to the work that defines us as social workers. Across New Jersey, social workers are uplifting individuals and families, defending dignity and expanding access, and transforming communities in meaningful ways. The impact of social workers never goes unnoticed, and NASW NJ is proud to stand alongside you as we advance and support this vital profession.

This year’s theme, Bridging the Gap, Building the Future: A Call for Social Work Action, speaks directly to who we are and what we do every single day. Social workers are the bridge. We connect people to resources, communities to solutions, and today’s challenges to tomorrow’s progress. Our work is not only about meeting needs in the moment, but about creating pathways for lasting change.

From direct practice to policy and advocacy, this conference is designed to elevate the conversations, strengthen connections, and inspire the collective action needed to move our TIFFANY L. MAYERS profession forward. Over the next few days, you will experience engaging keynote speakers, expert led sessions, opportunities to earn continuing education credits, and meaningful DSW, MSW, LCSW networking with colleagues from across the state.

NASW-NJ EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

As we begin, I encourage you to remain open, stay engaged, and take full advantage of every opportunity to learn, connect, and grow. Together, we are not only bridging gaps, we are building a stronger, more equitable future for all. Welcome to the NASW NJ Annual Conference.

💚

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WELCOME FROM THE CONFERENCE CHAIR D A W N APGAR DAWN APGAR

PhD, LSW, ACSW Dr. Apgar is Chair of the NASW-NJ Continuing Education Committee and Associate Professor/BSW Program Director at Seton Hall University. Dr. Apgar has served in many NASW leadership positions on the state and national levels, including as a former President of the NASW-NJ Board of Directors. Dr. Apgar’s scholarship and writing focus extensively on social work education, licensure, and practice, the three foundational pillars of the profession.

W

elcome to the NASW-NJ Conference. We are excited to gather once again at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino to reflect on and celebrate the impact of our profession. This year’s theme, Bridging the Gap, Building the Future: A Call for Social Work Action, challenges us to examine where social work stands today and how we can move forward together with purpose and intention.

Special Thank You to the Continuing Education/ Conference Planning Committee

Social workers face a rapidly changing landscape marked by both opportunity and complexity. Gaps between policy and practice, research and implementation, and systems and community needs are felt every day by those we serve. Our responsibility is not only to recognize these challenges, but to actively work to close them through ethical, informed, and action-oriented practice.

Throughout this conference, keynote presentations, plenaries, and interactive workshops will inspire innovation, strengthen leadership, and provide tools to move from reflection to action. Grounded in our core values—service, social justice, dignity and worth of the person, human relationships, integrity, and competence—we invite you to engage, share your perspective, and learn from one another.

Thank you for your dedication to the profession.

Together, we can bridge the gap and build a more just and equitable future for social work.

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Dawn Apgar, PhD, LSW, ACSW V. DuWayne Battle, PhD, DMin, MSW, MDiv Ruslana Church, LCSW Staci Fattore, LCSW Katherine Findley, PhD, MSW Amml Hussein, EdD, MSW, LSW Kecia Melvin, LCSW Widian Nicola, DSW, LCSW Rosemarie Patrizio, LCSW, LCADC Donna Pincavage, MSW, LSW, MPA Gardan Speights, DSW, LCSW Gilberto Velasquez, MSW, LSW

Breakouts

champions movers

Immokalee Studios A & B

Breakouts

Big Cypress Studios A & B

difference maker

Balcony at Hard Rock (Soundwaves), which are located on the 1st floor.

meeting spaces are located on the 2nd floor, * All except for Hard Rock Live at Etess Arena and The

B

A

B

A

( 1 st f l o o r u p p e r l eve l .

Near the Sugar Facto r y )

Keynotes & Plenaries

Seminole Ballroom

Brighton Ballroom

(1st floor)

Hard Rock Live at Etess Arena

Breakouts

The Balcony at Hard Rock (Soundwaves)

ambassador

Registration & Exhibit Hall

PreConference Symposium

Quizlet Game Show Hollywood Ballroom

Dance Party

Conference Main Areas

Year-Round Partners THANKS TO OUR

Reach Your Audience with a Year-Round Partnership.

Email info.naswnj@socialworkers.org for more information.

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6

Breakouts

champions movers

Immokalee Studios A & B

Breakouts

Big Cypress Studios A & B

difference maker

Balcony at Hard Rock (Soundwaves), which are located on the 1st floor.

meeting spaces are located on the 2nd floor, * All except for Hard Rock Live at Etess Arena and The

B

A

B

A

Year-Round Partners ( 1 st f l o o r u p p e r l eve l .

Near the Sugar Facto r y )

Keynotes & Plenaries

Seminole Ballroom

Brighton Ballroom

(1st floor)

Hard Rock Live at Etess Arena

Breakouts

The Balcony at Hard Rock (Soundwaves)

ambassador

Reach Your Audience with a Year-Round Partnership.

Email info.naswnj@socialworkers.org for more information.

Registration & Exhibit Hall

PreConference Symposium

Quizlet Game Show Hollywood Ballroom

Dance Party

Hard Rock Hotel & Casino - General Map

THANKS TO OUR

Hassle-free CE Certificates

At Conference

Your name badge contains a barcode that will be scanned to verify your attendance at your registered workshops and various events,

SO MAKE SURE YOU WEAR YOUR BADGE AT ALL TIMES! TO OBTAIN YOUR CEUS AT THE CONFERENCE, FOLLOW THESE SIMPLE STEPS: 1. Receive your bar-coded name badge at the Conference Registration Desk.

2. Upon entering the room of the workshop for which you are registered, have your badge scanned by the volunteer on duty.

TO TO RECEIVE RECEIVE YOUR YOUR CE CE CERTIFICATE CERTIFICATE When you have completed all your workshops, your CE certificate will sent to you within 30 days of the conference.

NASW-NJ acknowledges that the conference gathers on the land of the Lenni-Lanape. We honor the Lenape and other Indigenous caretakers of these lands and waters, the elders who lived here before, the Indigenous today, and the generations to come.

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Schedule at a Glance Conference Check-In Desk Opens at 8 AM

Sunday, April 26

Exhibit Hall Hours 12 PM - 5 PM

10:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Pre-Conference Plenary: Ethical and Responsible Use of Artificial Intelligence for Social Work Practice (2 CEUs)

12:00 PM - 1:30 PM

Welcome & Exhibit Hall Grand Opening (Light Food)

1:30 PM - 3:00 PM

Keynote Session: Futures Grand Challenges Project

3:00 PM - 3:15 PM

Break

3:15 PM - 5:15 PM

Concurrent Sessions (9 sessions)

5:30 PM - 7:00 PM

Quizlet Game Show

7:30 PM - 10:00 PM

70 th Anniversary Celebration (Birthday Theme)

Check-In Monday, April 27 Conference Desk Opens at 8 AM

Exhibit Hall Hours 7:30 AM - 7 PM

7:30 AM - 9:00 AM

Continental Breakfast/Visit Exhibits

9:00 AM - 10:30 AM

Rooted in Values: Reclaiming Social Work’s Political Soul

10:30 AM - 11:00 AM

Break/Visit Exhibits

11:00 AM - 1:00 PM

Concurrent Sessions (7 Sessions)

1:00 PM - 2:30 PM

Lunch/Networking/Visit Exhibit Hall

2:30 PM- 2:45 PM

Refreshment Break

2:45 PM - 4:15 PM

AI Tools for Social Work Practice: Supporting Practitioners and Clients

4:15 PM - 4:30 PM

Refreshment Break

4:30 PM - 6:00 PM

What We Carry: Grief, Narrative, and Social Justice-Centered Practice

6:00 PM - 7:30 PM

Free Time/Exhibit Hall/Networking

7:30 PM - 10:00 PM

Karaoke/Dance Party

Tuesday, April 28 Conference Check-In Desk Opens at 8 AM

Exhibit Hall Hours 8 AM - 3 PM

8:00 AM - 9:30 AM

Continental Breakfast & Visit Exhibits

9:30 AM - 11:00 AM

Understanding the Warning Signs of Suicidal Behavior Among Black Youth

11:00 AM - 11:15 AM

Refreshment Break

11:15 AM - 1:15 PM

Concurrent Sessions (8 Sessions)

1:30 PM - 3:00 PM

Not Your Average Social Worker: Leaders Changing the Game

On-Demand Workshops

Monday Student Program

On-demand virtual sessions available May 11 – June 16 Information on accessing your on-demand workshops will be provided at the conference.

10:30 AM – 12:30 PM Student Leadership Summit

SPECIAL EVENTS Learn, Relax, & Enjoy!

Pre-Conference Plenary: Ethical and Responsible Use of Artificial Intelligence for Social Work Practice

Marina Badillo-Diaz, DSW, LCSW, SIFI This plenary bridges technology and ethics, exploring how generative AI can enhance social work across micro, mezzo, and macro levels. Through a 45-minute live demonstration and discussion on bias, privacy, and social justice, participants will learn to apply AI responsibly while addressing inequities rooted in power and privilege. Attendees receive a Generative AI Prompt Guidebook to support ethical, client-centered integration in practice.

26 APR

26 APR

26 APR

27 APR

27 APR

Exhibit Hall Grand Opening Reception Join us for the Grand Opening Reception of the Exhibit Hall. Mingle with our exhibitors, network and enjoy light food. Complete your Exhibitor Bingo card to earn a chance to win free attendance to next year's Annual Conference.

Quizlit Game Show This engaging event combines fun trivia with essential social work topics, offering a chance to learn, laugh, and win prizes! Don’t miss this dynamic and entertaining experience—let the games begin!

70th Anniversary Celebration (Birthday Theme) Cheers to 70 incredible years of the National Association of Social Workers! For seven decades, NASW has championed dignity, Sponsored by justice, and compassion—lifting up communities and empowering the professionals who serve them. Here’s to honoring a legacy of impact and looking ahead to even greater progress, advocacy, and hope. And we want to celebrate YOU, the incredible social workers that have been a crucial part of our history.

Student Leadership Summit This workshop is designed to equip social work students with the essential leadership skills and knowledge to positively impact our community. It will feature roundtable talks with leaders in the field who will discuss topics related to developing a Sponsored by professional identity, elevating practice, branding, social justice, the business of social work, and more.

Karaoke/Dance Party Get ready to turn up the volume and let loose—our karaoke/dance party is where the spotlight finds you! Whether you’re belting out your go‑to anthem or owning the dance floor like it’s your big debut, this is your moment to shine. Grab your friends, grab the mic, Sponsored by and get ready for a night packed with energy, laughter, and unforgettable moves.

WORKSHOPS Sunday Pre-Conference Plenary: 10AM–12PM

Seminole Ballroom

Ethical and Responsible Use of Artificial Intelligence for Social Work Practice Marina Badillo-Diaz, DSW, LCSW, SIFI 2 CEUS

Sunday Keynote 1:30-3PM

Seminole Ballroom

Futures Grand Challenges Project Elizabeth Gillette, MSW; Laura Nissen, MSW, PhD. 1.5 CEUs

Special Event 5:30-7:00PM

Hollywood Ballroom

Quizlet Game Show 1.5 General CEUs DuWayne Battle, PhD, DMin, MSW, MDiv Jeff Feldman, MSW, LSW

Sunday Workshops 3:15-5:15PM S1. How NOT to Lose a Client in 10 Days: Strategies for Retention Amber McGuigan, LCSW, CCSW 2 Clinical CEUs

Hollywood Ballroom

S2. No Longer Forgotten: Brighton III Reimagining Systems of Care for Historically Forgotten Youth Casey M. Scott, LMSW, LSW, CSSW 2 Social/Cultural Competence or Clinical CEUs S3. Beyond the Ballot: Civic Immokalee A Engagement for Clinicians in Community Spaces Christine Morales, Ed.D., MSW, LCSW Christine Chapais, DSW, LSW 2 Clinical or Ethics CEUs S4. When Leadership Fails, Voices Immokalee B of Change Helena D. Lewis, DSW, LCSW, LCADC, CCS Asa Paris, DSW, LCSW, LCADC 2 Clinical CEUs

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S5. Cultivating the Village: Suicide Big Cyprus B Prevention with Youth of Color Kalisha Smith, LCSW 2 Social/Cultural Competence or Clinical CEUs

Big Cypress A S6. Ethnocentrism and Nativism: Wicked Challenges and Uplifting Solutions Karun Krishna Singh, PhD, LCSW-R, CSWM Dylan Fernando Nunez, BA 2 Clinical CEUs S7. How Race, Gender & Class Brighton I Compound SDOH in Palliative Care Lauren Parks-McGill, MSW, LSW, APHSW-C 2 Social/Cultural Competence or General CEUs S8. Self-Care as Political Resistance: Sustaining the Bridge-Builders Monique Bostic, DSW, LCSW India R. Crawford DSW, LCSW 2 Clinical CEUs

Brighton II

S9. Bridging Scholarship, Practice, Fort Pierce A & Public Conversation as Practitioners & Scholars (How to Disseminate Social Work Knowledge) Dawn Apgar, PhD, LSW, ACSW Widian Nicola, DSW, LCSW 2 CEUs

Monday Plenary Sessions 9-10:30AM

Seminole Ballroom

Rooted in Values: Reclaiming Social Work’s Political Soul Shannon R. Lane, LMSW, PhD Justin Hodge, Clinical Associate Professor Lily Antonowicz, MSW, LSW 1.5 Clinical CEUs

2:45-4:15PM

Seminole Ballroom

AI Tools for Social Work Practice: Supporting Practitioners and Clients Marina Badillo-Diaz, DSW. LCSW, SIFI 1.5 CEUs

4:30-6 PM

Seminole Ballroom

What We Carry: Grief, Narrative, and Social Justice-Centered Practice Anne Skalko Rosenfeld, DSW, LCSW 1.5 CEUs

WORKSHOPS Monday Student Event 10:30AM-12:30PM Social Work Student Leadership Summit

Hollywood Ballroom

For information about the Student Leadership Summit please see page 13.

Tuesday Plenaries 9:30-11:00AM

Understanding the Warning Signs of Suicidal Behavior Among Black Youth Michael A. Lindsey, PhD, MSW, MPH 1.5 CEUs

1:30-3:00PM

Monday Workshops 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM M1. Clinical Liberation: Culturally Immokalee A Responsive Healing in the Age of Racial Trauma La'Tesha E. Sampson, PhD, DSW, MPA, MSW, LCSW 2 Social/Cultural Competence or Clinical CEUs M2. Ethics in Action: Living Our Values in Complex Times Kristin L. Miller, MSW, LCSW 2 Clinical or Ethics CEUs

Seminole Ballroom

Seminole Ballroom

Seminole Ballroom

Not Your Average Social Worker: Leaders Changing the Game Natalie Moore-Bembry, EdD, MA, MSW, LCSW Christina Broderick-Royes, LSW Lakeesha Eure, LCSW 2 CEUs

Tuesday Workshops 11:15AM-1:15PM

Hollywood Ballroom

M3. When The System is the Abuser: Coercive Control and Radical Social Work Praxis Laura Melendez, MSW, LCSW; Patrick Lovaglio, LSW 2 Clinical CEUs

Immokalee B

T1. Unite and Conquer: Five Actionable Tasks for a Just Future Loretta Mooney, PhD, LSW(PA) Zan Haggerty, DSW, LCSW 2 General or Ethics CEUs

M4. Supporting Children through Termination of Parental Rights and the Pursuit of Closure Lori Jalkiewicz, LCSW 2 Clinical CEUs

Big Cyprus B

T2. Beyond the Mask: Working Immokalee B with Late-Diagnosed Neurodivergent Women in Therapy Melissa Weisel, MSW, LCSW, MSM PH-PP2 Social/Cultural Competence or Clinical CEUs

Big Cypress A M5. Unprotected: Domestic Violence Against Black and Latina Women during Political Hostility Maria Alejandra Mosquera, MSW, LICSW2 Social/Cultural Competence or Clinical CEUs M6. Introduction to Accelerated Resolution Therapy Lana (Ruslana) Church, MSW, LCSW 2 Clinical CEUs

Brighton I & II

M7. Fractured Families, Broken Brighton III Communities: Bridging the Gap in & IV Approaches to ICE-Related Trauma Shaniqua Gayle, DSW, LCSW 2 Social/Cultural Competence or Clinical CEUs

Brighton I T3. SABARA Framework: Culturally Rooted Healing Practices for Black Men’s Grief Miguel L. Williams, LSW 2 Social/Cultural Competence CEUs T4. Art as Liberation Practice: Big Cypress A Black Feminist Framework for Intergenerational and Identity Wellness Natalie Muñoz, PhD, MSW; Audrey Redding-Raines, PhD 2 Social/Cultural Competence or General CEUs T5. Bridging Crisis Response: Big Cypress B Social Workers & Police Co‑Response in New Jersey Viktorija Spasova, LCSW Deanna Ackerman, LSW 2 Clinical CEUs

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WORKSHOPS T6. RISE: A Clinical Framework for Brighton III & IV Examining Interpersonal Internalized Oppression in Parenting Michelle Harris, LCSW, MA 2 Social/Cultural Competence or Clinical CEUs

T7. Future Forward: Anti-Oppressive Immokalee A Mentorship for a Stronger Social Work Profession Natalie Moore-Bembry, ED.D, MSW, MAED, LCSW Gina L. Sharpe, MSW, LCSW 2 Social/Cultural Competence or Clinical CEUs

T8. Know Your Rights: A Teach In About Immigrants’ Rights Mary Hewey, Paralegal 2 Social/Cultural Competence or Ethics or General CEUs

Fort Pierce A

HOW TO HOW TO PLAY PLAY

EXHIBITOR BINGO Earn a Chance to Win Free Attendance to the 2027 NASW-NJ Annual Conference Our sponsors and exhibitors offer a wide-array of programs, services, and information to help social workers assist clients, develop their careers, and institute smart business practices.

To encourage you to visit with ALL our exhibitors, we’ve brought back our popular Exhibitor Bingo game! Pick up your Bingo card when you get your conference tote bag and be sure to bring it with you to the Exhibit Hall.

Each exhibitor you visit will place a star sticker on your bingo card. When you have a sticker from every exhibitor and your bingo card is complete, just drop it off at the NASW-NJ Booth. When you do so, you’ll automatically be entered into a random drawing to win free attendance to next year’s NASW-NJ Annual Conference. It’s as simple as that!

So be sure to spend some time with our sponsors and exhibitors in the Exhibit Hall, located in the Arena. And don’t miss our Exhibit Hall Grand Opening Reception on Sunday, April 26 from 12:301:30pm.

Happy bingo-ing!

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WORKSHOPS Social Work Student Leadership Summit Monday, April 27, 10:30AM-12:30PM This workshop is designed to equip social work students with the essential leadership skills and knowledge to positively impact our community. The workshop will include roundtable talks with leaders in the field who will discuss topics related to developing a professional identity, elevating practice, branding, social justice, the business of social work, and more.

Students can expect to be inspired by engaged conversations on leadership, connect and network with fellow students and professionals, and enhance personal and professional growth. The workshop will be followed by a lunch where students can connect with professionals in the field.

Panelists

Tawanda Hubbard DSW, PhD, MSW, LCSW

Munazzah Shahbaaz MSW

Warren Thompson MSW

Joy Elvin MSW, Ed.D.

Alia Zarwi BA, MBA, MSW, LSW

THE VIRTUAL CONFERENCE EXPERIENCE Not able to attend in person? We’ve got you covered!

While we are thrilled to be able to return to Atlantic City for an in-person conference experience with our social work community, we recognize that not everyone is comfortable returning to in-person events. Or maybe your schedule just doesn’t allow the time away. But that doesn’t mean you have to miss out on this year’s conference.

Our Virtual Conference option will allow you to earn 9 CE credits while participating remotely in the highlights of the conference, including keynotes and select plenaries.

Please note, keynotes and plenaries will only be available to stream live during their scheduled conference slots; they will not be available to access after the livestream.

Have additional questions about the Virtual Conference Option? Email events.naswnj@socialworkers.org

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Our Presenters PRE-CONFERENCE PLENARY + MONDAY PLENARY - AI TOOLS FOR SOCIAL WORK PRACTICE: SUPPORTING PRACTITIONERS AND CLIENTS

Marina Badillo-Diaz, DSW, LCSW, SIFI Dr. Badillo-Diaz is an experienced administrator with a demonstrated history of working in community mental health and in K-12 education as a social worker. Currently, Dr. Badillo-Diaz is a consultant focusing on the training of educators and social workers with MABD Consulting. She is also a former board member of the National School Social Work Association of America and an adjunct professor at Columbia University and New York University. Dr. Badillo-Diaz is the creator of "The AI Social Worker," a pivotal resource offering guidance on 21st-century skills and AI applications for social workers.

Her professional interests are diverse and include 21st-century skills, social-emotional learning programming, school social work practice, education, youth mental health, clinical supervision, AI applications, data management, and career development. Her work consistently strives to bridge the gap between technology and human-centric social work practices, preparing professionals to meet the challenges of the modern 21st-century world.

Moderator: Dawn Apgar, PhD, LSW, ACSW KEYNOTE SESSION - THE FUTURES GRAND CHALLENGES PROJECT

Elizabeth Gillette, MSW Elizabeth Gillette is the third executive director of the Grand Challenges for Social Work. A nationally recognized executive leader in institutional strategy and public policy, Gillette has spent her career working on bipartisan efforts advancing civil rights, gender equity, and durable systems change. As executive director of the Grand Challenges for Social Work (GCSW), she leads the national initiative uniting more than 60 universities to advance measurable solutions to the country’s most complex social challenges.

Gillette has devoted much of her career to strengthening democratic and social institutions through data-informed advocacy and national collaboration. She has led multi-million-dollar fundraising portfolios, secured principal and major gifts, strengthened governance structures, and built strategic platforms that translate complex policy and research into compelling public narratives.

Laura Nissen, MSW, PhD. Former Dean and Professor Laura Burney Nissen is with the Portland State University School of Social Work. With a commitment to innovative and equity-centered systems change, Laura has worked with futures practice and lenses throughout her career. She is a foresight practitioner and a Research Fellow with the Institute for the Future. She is the PI and Director of the national Social Work Health Futures Lab funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The goal of this initiative is to bring futures thinking and frameworks to the social work profession. Laura is also a Presidential Futures Fellow at Portland State University where she has been a founder of the university-wide Futures Collaboratory. She is equally dedicated to supporting the successful evolution of public universities into a thriving future.

Laura’s passion is getting others excited and energized about their role in building a better future.

Moderator: Amml Hussein, Ed.D., MSW, LCSW

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Our Presenters MONDAY PLENARY - ROOTED IN VALUES: RECLAIMING SOCIAL WORK’S POLITICAL SOUL

Shannon R. Lane, LMSW, PhD Shannon R. Lane, LMSW, PhD is the director of the Nancy A. Humphreys Institute for Political Social Work at the University of Connecticut, and Professor in Residence with the UConn School of Social Work. She spent 10 years working for the United States Senate, and has been an advocate and researcher on local, state, and federal social policy. She holds a PhD from the University of Connecticut and an MSW from the University of Michigan. She has been studying political social work and voting for the last 20 years, and her writing credits include two books (Political Social Work: Using Power to Create Social Change and Social Welfare Policy in a Changing World) and more than 40 peer-reviewed articles and book chapters. At the Humphreys Institute, she oversees the national Voting is Social Work campaign and the Campaign School for Social Workers, a two-day training that has prepared 3,000+ social work students and professionals from around the world to run for political office and hold leadership positions in political and policy settings.

Shannon lives in Bethany, Connecticut with her two daughters and their dog, where she serves as the Assistant Registrar of Voters and an elected member of the Bethany Board of Education.

Justin Hodge, LCSW Justin Hodge is a Clinical Associate Professor of Social Work at the University of Michigan. He is the faculty lead for the Policy & Political Social Work Pathway and the director of the Online Certificate in Political Social Work. Hodge is committed to increasing the presence of social workers in policy and political spaces. He teaches courses that provide students with the tools to engage in politics and approach policy work from a social justice perspective.

Hodge is dedicated to mental health and public health on both a policy and individual level. He has provided therapy to children and families, case management to individuals with developmental disabilities and has coordinated clinics for children in crisis. By leveraging his experiences as both a clinical and macro social work practitioner, Hodge aims to bridge the gap between the two for students. He feels strongly that all social workers should be involved in our democracy and works individually with students to help them find how their desired career can align with that.

Lily Antonowicz, MSW, LSW Justin Hodge is a Clinical Associate Professor of Social Work at the University of Michigan. He is the faculty lead for the Policy & Political Social Work Pathway and the director of the Online Certificate in Political Social Work. Hodge is committed to increasing the presence of social workers in policy and political spaces. He teaches courses that provide students with the tools to engage in politics and approach policy work from a social justice perspective.

Hodge is dedicated to mental health and public health on both a policy and individual level. He has provided therapy to children and families, case management to individuals with developmental disabilities and has coordinated clinics for children in crisis. By leveraging his experiences as both a clinical and macro social work practitioner, Hodge aims to bridge the gap between the two for students. He feels strongly that all social workers should be involved in our democracy and works individually with students to help them find how their desired career can align with that.

Moderator: Marla Blunt-Carter, LMSW

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Our Presenters MONDAY PLENARY - WHAT WE CARRY: GRIEF, NARRATIVE, AND SOCIAL JUSTICE-CENTERED PRACTICE

Anne Skalko Rosenfeld, DSW, LCSW Dr. Anne Skalko Rosenfeld is an Associate Teaching Professor and Director of the BSW Program at Rowan University. She holds a doctorate in social work from Simmons University and a master's degree in social work from the University of Pennsylvania. Dr. Skalko Rosenfeld is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over twenty years of experience as a clinician, educator, and leader in aging, end-of-life care, and grief and loss. Her leadership experience includes serving as a Licensed Nursing Home Administrator, Hospice Psychosocial Manager, and Clinical Social Work Supervisor (ACS). In addition to teaching, she maintains a small private psychotherapy practice specializing in the treatment of individuals navigating loss. During her doctoral studies, Dr. Skalko Rosenfeld developed an MSW course on grief and loss through an anti-racist and social justice lens. Her clinical and research interests center on older adults, grief and loss, and cultural humility. Her work has been published in the Journal of Baccalaureate Social Work and is currently in press in the Journal of Social Work Education.

Moderator: Widian Nicola, DSW, LCSW

TUESDAY MORNING PLENARY - UNDERSTANDING THE WARNING SIGNS OF SUICIDAL BEHAVIOR AMONG BLACK YOUTH

Michael A. Lindsey, PhD, MSW, MPH Dr. Michael A. Lindsey is a noted scholar of child and adolescent mental health, and a leader in addressing generational poverty and inequality. He is the Dean and Paulette Goddard Professor of Social Work at NYU Silver School of Social Work, and an Aspen Health Innovators Fellow. Dr. Lindsey led the working group of experts supporting the Congressional Black Caucus Emergency Taskforce on Black Youth Suicide and Mental Health, which created the report Ring the Alarm: The Crisis of Black Youth Suicide in America. He serves on the New York City Board of Health and is the President of the American Academy of Social Work and Social Welfare.

Moderator: Tawanda Hubbard, DSW, MSW, LCSW

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Our Presenters CLOSING PLENARY - NOT YOUR AVERAGE SOCIAL WORKER: LEADERS CHANGING THE GAME

Natalie-Bembrey, EdD, MA, MSW, LCSW Dr. Natalie Moore-Bembry, EdD, MA, MSW, LCSW, is Director of the Camden Bachelor of Arts in Social Work Program at Rutgers University. With over 27 years of experience, she has contributed to social work across developmental disabilities, dual diagnosis, child welfare, juvenile justice, education, and private practice. At Rutgers, she teaches in the BASW and MSW generalist curriculum, preparing students with essential knowledge and skills for professional success. Her work emphasizes cultural humility and interdisciplinary collaboration, fostering inclusive and equitable practices. A respected educator and advocate, Dr. Bembry shares her expertise through research and professional engagement, promoting empowerment and equity within the field. Her dedication to advancing social work education and practice continues to inspire students, colleagues, and communities.

Christina Broderick-Royes, LSW Christina Broderick-Royes, LSW is the founder and CEO of Intention Elevation TM , a leadership development and mental health consulting firm that has served 70+ organizations and impacted more than 5,500 individuals nationwide. A TEDx speaker, published author, and adjunct professor at Rutgers School of Social Work and Middlesex College, Christina has partnered with Fortune 500 companies and mission-driven organizations alike to advance equity, wellness, and sustainable leadership. She has also supported 200+ social work entrepreneurs in leveraging their skills into consulting, speaking, and beyond, helping expand what's possible within the profession. Most recently, she joined Montclair Kimberley Academy as Director of Constituent Engagement, further expanding her footprint across education and community-centered leadership. Through her non-traditional path, Christina has transformed macro practice principles into powerful frameworks for organizational change, proving that social work's reach extends far beyond the clinical setting.

Lakeesha Eure, LCSW Deputy Mayor for Public Safety, City of Newark, New Jersey Lakeesha Eure is a nationally recognized leader in community violence intervention and a driving force behind advancing a public health approach to public safety. As Deputy Mayor for Public Safety in Newark, New Jersey, she leads one of the nation’s most comprehensive violence prevention ecosystems….integrating law enforcement, community-based organizations, government and trauma-engaged strategies to reduce violence and strengthen community trust. A Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over 20 years of experience, Eure has helped transform how cities respond to violence by shifting systems from reaction to prevention and centering healing, equity, and community leadership. She oversees the Office of Violence Prevention and Trauma Recovery (OVPTR), the Brick City Peace Collective, NPD and the Shani Baraka Women’s Resource Center.

Eure is the creator of the TRUST ME Model (Reimagining Trust) and co-author of 10 Steps to Healing the Wounded Healer and Healing from the Inside Out, both widely used to support frontline workers and public safety professionals. A sought-after national speaker and strategist, Eure continues to shape the future of public safety….proving that healing and community collaboration are essential to lasting violence reduction

Moderator: Tiffany L. Mayers, DSW, MSW, LCSW

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Our Presenters Deanna Ackerman, LSW Experienced Director with a demonstrated history of working in the non-profit organization management industry. Skilled in Nonprofit Organizations, Crisis Intervention, Clinical Supervision, Group Therapy, and Psychotherapy. Strong professional with a MSW focused in Social Work from University of New England. Specific interest in assisting in the reduction of repeated criminal offenses and increasing access to mental health and social services. Member of the Review Team for the Morris County Prosecutors Mental Health Diversion Program, as well as at the Morris County Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) training staff and steering committee.

Monique Bostic, DSW, LCSW Dr. Monique Bostic is a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) committed to advancing social justice and addressing mental health disparities. Dr. Bostic's background includes kinship foster care, HIV case management, practicum liaison work, and family preservation programs, providing her with a profound understanding of the unique challenges faced by minority communities. As a scholarpractitioner, Dr. Bostic integrates academic knowledge with her real-world experience to deliver culturally responsive mental health services to individuals through her virtual private practice, as a clinical supervisor and in the classroom at Syracuse University, as an adjunct professor.

Christine Chapais, DSW, LSW Christine is an Assistant Professor of Teaching and Director of Online MSW Programs at Rutgers University School of Social Work. She teaches graduate-level courses and leads the development of the 100% Online and Blended MSW programs at RUSSW. A Licensed Social Worker and Certified School Social Worker in New Jersey, Dr. Chapais has professional experience in child protection, school social work, hospice, private practice, and inpatient psychiatric settings. In her community, she facilitates a local LGBTQIA+ support group, serves as a kinship resource provider, and volunteers with harm reduction initiatives, food banks, and other community organizations. Christine also served on her county’s democratic committee and believes civic engagement is an ethical responsibility of all social workers.

Lana (Ruslana) Church, MSW, LCSW Lana is a licensed clinician in private practice specializing in trauma treatment and Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART), an evidence-based, trauma-focused intervention. Her professional background includes medical and psychiatric social work, as well as direct practice with homeless youth and survivors of domestic violence. Lana currently serves as a professor at Rutgers University, director of BSW practicum, and BCWEP campus coordinator, where she trains students in social work competencies and supports agency-based practicum instructors in student supervision. Lana has held multiple leadership roles with NASW-NJ. She currently serves as co-chair of the nominations committee for the Association of Baccalaureate Social Work Program Directors (BPD).

India R. Crawford DSW, LCSW Dr. Crawford is a licensed clinical social worker and psychotherapist offering inclusive, traumainformed care through Alma. With over a decade of experience across clinical practice, behavioral health leadership, and program development, Dr. Crawford brings a warm, collaborative, and deeply person-centered approach to therapy. She specializes in supporting adults navigating anxiety, depression, trauma, grief, work-related stress, substance use disorders, caregiver strain, mood/ psychotic disorders and major life transitions. Her practice is rooted in cultural humility, respect for intersecting identities, and a belief that clients are the experts of their own lived experiences. Drawing from a range of evidence-based modalities, including CBT, DBT, motivational interviewing, mindfulness, narrative therapy, and solution-focused interventions.

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Our Presenters Shaniqua Gayle, DSW, LCSW Dr. Gayle is a licensed clinical social worker and mental health therapist with extensive experience across inpatient hospital and residential settings, community-based care, and private practice. She currently serves as a social worker within the Veterans Health Administration and is the CEO and founder of Mont’s Haven and Consulting, a private practice providing outpatient and in-home mental health services for youth, adults, and families. Dr. Gayle’s clinical and advocacy work is grounded in trauma-informed care, cultural humility, and the dismantling of systemic inequities impacting marginalized communities. Through her work, Dr. Gayle is committed to bridging policy, clinical practice, and community-based approaches to promote healing, resilience, and social justice.

Zan Haggerty, DSW, LCSW Zan is an assistant professor at Stockton University in the Master’s in Social Work program and a Licensed Clinical Social Worker from New Jersey. Their research focuses on transgender emerging adults and mental health using an interdisciplinary lens, anti-oppressive clinical practices, and the application of liberation-based frameworks to clinical supervision and program development. Dr. Zan’s clinical background includes over ten years of working with queer and transgender clients who struggled with acute mental health concerns. They are the co-director of the national Collegiate Gender Affirming Care Coalition, a multidisciplinary team that advocates for improved gender affirming medical and mental health care in colleges across the US.

Michelle Harris, LCSW, MA Michelle is a psychotherapist, parenting coach, speaker, and child development specialist whose work centers trauma-informed, anti-oppressive, and culturally grounded practices. Michelle is the Founder and CEO of Parenting Pathfinders, Inc., an organization dedicated to supporting parents and caregivers in navigating the complexities of raising children while fostering their emotional and mental health. She is an adjunct lecturer and faculty advisor at NYU Silver, a Review Board Member at Parents, and is currently pursuing a DSW in Clinical Social Work. Her expertise has been featured widely in national media, and she is a seasoned speaker who has delivered keynotes and workshops across North America.

Lori Jalkiewicz, LCSW Lori is a psychotherapist, clinical supervisor, and manager with more than 20 years of experience in foster care and adoption counseling. She specializes in grief, ambiguous loss, trauma, and adoption, and has developed a deep passion for supporting individuals and families navigating the complex emotional impacts of loss and trauma. Dr. Jalkiewicz completed her doctoral research on a child’s ability to experience closure following the termination of parental rights, an area that continues to inform her clinical work and supervision. Her current professional focus emphasizes accountability, personal growth, and intentional development for clients and supervisees, fostering change through reflective and evidence-informed practice. Outside of her professional work, Dr. Jalkiewicz enjoys spending time with family and friends, including her furkids, Oliver and Sunny.

Helena D. Lewis, DSW, LCSW, LCADC, CCS Dr. Helena D. Lewis, DSW, LCSW, LCADC, CCS, is an artivist and scholar‑practitioner specializing in reentry services, trauma‑centered leadership, and creative arts praxis. She serves in senior leadership within a residential community release program, overseeing treatment for justice‑involved women and advancing trauma‑responsive, ethical care for marginalized communities. She is also the creator of Call Me Crazy: Diary of a Mad Social Worker and an award‑winning poet whose work has been featured nationally and internationally, as well as on radio and television.

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Our Presenters Patrick Lovaglio, LSW Patrick is the Abuse Intervention Program Supervisor at Alternatives to Domestic Violence of Bergen County, where he oversees one of New Jersey’s largest abuse intervention teams. With over fifteen years of experience across nonprofit, governmental, and substance use treatment settings, his work centers survivor safety, community accountability, and evidence‑based responses to coercive control.

Trained in the Emerge, Duluth/DAIP, and Addressing Women Who Use Violence models, he also advances coordinated community responses through professional training and survivor‑centered research.

Amber McGuigan, LCSW, CCSW Amber is a clinical social worker, therapist, and mindfulness instructor based in Camden County, NJ. Amber has taught DBT skills to individuals, families, and groups in a variety of settings across the continuum of care. She is currently a Mental Health Clinician at Rutgers University Behavioral Health Care, where she works with clients struggling with the impacts of trauma and psychosis. She is an approved ARC-GROW provider for the New Jersey Children’s System of Care, helping caregivers interrupt cycles of intergenerational trauma. She also leads non-clinical mindfulness workshops for children and teens throughout the Philadelphia area. An active member of the Rebel Minds Learning Collective, Amber is a lifelong learner who values DBT as a set of skills and a way of life.

Lauren Parks-McGill, MSW, LSW, APHSW-C Lauren is a palliative care social worker with over ten years of experience in healthcare and is currently pursuing a doctorate in Human Rights Leadership at Monmouth University. Holding an advanced certificate in hospice and palliative care, her work centers on serious illness, advance care planning, and the impact of social determinants of health on patient outcomes. She lectures widely on the role of social work in palliative care and is active in policy advocacy, serving on her hospital’s ethics committee and engaging with the Social Work Hospice and Palliative Care Network.

Laura Melendez, MSW, LCSW Laura is a survivor advocate, therapist, and educator at Alternatives to Domestic Violence of Bergen County, where she advances liberatory, survivor‑centered approaches to gender‑based violence. She leads innovative program design, including youth dating violence therapy, advocate certification for incarcerated women, and interdisciplinary domestic violence training across multiple systems. She also maintains a private practice providing LGBTQ+‑affirming therapy focused on trauma, acculturative stress, and resistance to coercive control. Laura serves as Training Technician Supervisor at ADV and is pursuing her DSW at Simmons University, with research focused on decolonized domestic violence leadership models.

Kristin L. Miller, MSW, LCSW Kristin has over 20 years of experience providing therapeutic services to children, adolescents, and adults across clinical, community, and private practice settings. She is a therapist, clinical supervisor, workshop facilitator, and co‑owner of Mosaic Counseling & Consulting, as well as an adjunct professor of social work at Seton Hall University. A founder and board member of the Anti‑Racist Mental Health Alliance of NJ, she co‑chairs its Advocacy Committee. Her work focuses on trauma, depression, suicide prevention, race‑based trauma, grief, and relationship issues, with a strong commitment to social justice and culturally responsive care.

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Our Presenters Loretta Mooney, PhD, LSW(PA) Loretta is an Associate Professor of Social Work at Stockton University with extensive experience in mental health practice and social work education. Her research focuses on suicide prevention, rational suicide, and support for psychological pain. She is a certified instructor in QPR, Mental Health First Aid, and Talk Saves Lives, and co‑hosts the annual International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day in partnership with local and national organizations.

Natalie Moore-Bembry, ED.D, MSW, MAED, LCSW Dr. Moore‑Bembry is Director of the Camden Bachelor of Arts in Social Work Program at Rutgers University, bringing over 27 years of experience across child welfare, juvenile justice, developmental disabilities, education, and private practice. She teaches in the BASW and MSW generalist curriculum, preparing students for ethical, professional practice grounded in cultural humility and interdisciplinary collaboration. Her work as an educator and advocate advances inclusive, equitable social work practice and education.

Christine Morales, Ed.D., MSW, LCSW Christine is an Assistant Professor of Teaching and Assistant Dean of Lecturer Development at the Rutgers University School of Social Work. She teaches undergraduate and graduate courses on community and organizational practice, diversity and oppression, and environmental justice. With experience as a practitioner and leader in nongovernmental organizations, she has supervised state‑contracted programs serving medically needy children, resource parents, and youth in out‑of‑home care. Grounded in lived experience growing up in environmental sacrifice zones, her work is deeply committed to healthy, just communities.

Maria Alejandra Mosquera, MSW, LICSW Maria is a social worker, strategist, and racial equity advocate with over a decade of experience advancing trauma‑informed, culturally responsive care. She currently serves as Associate Director of Behavioral Health Services at Roxbury Community College and is the co‑founder of Making Human Technical, where she leads transformative workshops and institutional change. Her work, grounded in healing and collective liberation, has been recognized with the Latinx Educator’s Excellence Award and Boston’s Extraordinary Women Award.

Natalie Muñoz, PhD, MSW Dr. Muñoz is an AfroLatina and Assistant Professor of Social Work at Rutgers University–Newark, where her scholarship centers AfroLatine identity, mental health, and educational inequities. She earned her PhD in Social Work from Howard University and brings over 15 years of experience advocating for Black and Latine college students through mentorship and cultural resilience–focused programming. In 2024, she launched Azúcar TV, a YouTube series celebrating AfroLatine culture and healing traditions, and her work has been recognized through multiple early‑career faculty and emerging scholar honors.

Widian Nicola, DSW, LCSW Dr. Nicola is a licensed clinical social worker, associate professor of social work at Seton Hall University, and researcher dedicated to helping people forge deeper, more fulfilling relationships. She believes connection—with ourselves, others, and the world—is the essence of a meaningful life. As a social worker for over twenty years, she has worked along the continuum of care, from inpatient to outpatient settings. She is a proud contributor on topics related to mental health, immigrant and social justice, and universal human rights. In her practice, she specializes in couples therapy.

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Our Presenters Dylan Fernando Nunez, BA Dylan has experience in public health outreach, housing stability, and poverty‑focused case management through roles with AmeriCorps, county social services, and nonprofit organizations. He has supported COVID‑19 vaccination efforts, eviction prevention, family relocation, and community‑based volunteer initiatives. Currently interning with ReNew through the Federal Reentry Court of New Jersey, his work is grounded in a commitment to housing justice and poverty alleviation.

Asa Paris, DSW, LCSW, LCADC Dr. Paris is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Licensed Clinical Drug and Alcohol Counselor with over 34 years of experience in corrections, behavioral health, and addiction treatment. A trauma‑focused cognitive behavioral therapist and addiction specialist, his work centers on sexual assault survivorship, suicide prevention, substance use reduction, resilience, and reentry. He holds a Doctor of Social Work from Rutgers University, an MSW from Fordham University, and serves as a Behavioral Health Officer in the New Jersey Army National Guard.

Audrey Redding-Raines, PhD Dr. Redding‑Raines is an Associate Teaching Professor and Undergraduate Program Coordinator in the Department of Social Work at Rutgers University–Newark. Her teaching centers pedagogy as a site of liberation, integrating culturally responsive instruction, critical reflection, and practice‑based learning.

Her scholarship and curriculum design address racial and gender microaggressions, colorism, bias, stigma, and barriers to addiction treatment, preparing students for ethical, justice‑oriented social work practice.

La'Tesha E. Sampson, PhD, DSW, MPA, MSW, LCSW Dr. Sampson is a nationally respected psychotherapist, professor, and social‑impact entrepreneur with over 27 years of experience advancing culturally responsive care and community healing. She is the Founder and President of Great Joy Counseling & Consulting Services and Executive Director of Great Joy Community Development Corporation, leading equity‑centered mental health, education, and youth initiatives. A sought‑after speaker and strategist, her work blends clinical expertise, spiritual insight, and social impact to help individuals and communities move from survival to healing and legacy.

Casey M. Scott, LMSW, LSW, CSSW Casey is an advocate with over 14 years of experience transforming how schools and communities support young people. She specializes in building trauma‑informed frameworks that ensure historically marginalized youth are seen, safe, and supported. Through You Are Seen, she partners with schools and community organizations to design mental health systems, prevention strategies, and leadership programs that create lasting, community‑wide impact.

Gina L. Sharpe, MSW, LCSW Gina is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over 25 years of experience as a clinician, supervisor, and administrator across hospital, nonprofit, outpatient, and behavioral health settings. Her work focuses on resilience, trauma survivorship, complex trauma, affective disorders, and workplace stress, grounded in an intersectional, social justice–informed approach. A faculty member at the Rutgers School of Social Work, she teaches in both the BSW and MSW programs and is actively involved in practice education and curriculum development.

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Our Presenters Karun Krishna Singh, PhD, LCSW-R, CSWM Dr. Singh is a Professor of Teaching at the Rutgers University School of Social Work whose work focuses on nonprofit and public human services leadership, strategic planning, social innovation, health promotion, and burnout prevention. He is actively engaged in community and professional leadership through national and regional social work management organizations and serves on the editorial advisory board of Human Service Organizations. He is a recipient of the Rutgers School of Social Work Outstanding Professor in Management and Policy Specialization Award.

Kalisha Smith, LCSW Kalisha is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Certified Clinical Supervisor, and Licensed Minister with over 20 years of experience supporting healing in communities of color. She leads Wise Counsel Services, a faith‑integrated practice offering therapy, supervision, and training grounded in cultural humility, suicide prevention, crisis care, and healing‑centered engagement. Her work is rooted in communal healing, radical hope, and faith‑informed advocacy.

Viktorija Spasova, LCSW Viktorija is a clinical social worker with experience spanning mental health, housing, substance use, community outreach, and interdisciplinary collaboration. A proud Rutgers alumna, she earned both her BSW and MSW from Rutgers University and has served the institution in teaching and practicum coordination roles. Her background includes clinical and leadership work with children, adolescents, and adults across community and outpatient settings. She is the founder of a DBT‑informed private practice and currently serves as PATH Director of Homeless Programs at the Mental Health Association and Director of the Connect and Protect Co‑Response Program with the Mt. Olive Police Department.

Melissa Weisel, MSW, LCSW, MSM PH-PP Melissa is the owner of Hamilton Healing Arts, LLC, where she provides neurodivergent-affirming, trauma-informed psychotherapy, and the founder of Intuitive Flow Studio, LLC, a coaching practice supporting neurodivergent women and AFAB individuals. She is currently completing her Doctorate in Social Work at Kutztown University, where her research focuses on late-diagnosed neurodivergence in women. Her career spans outpatient, hospital, hospice, and telehealth settings, as well as research with NY/NJ HIDTA and the Office of the Chief State Medical Examiner, where she helped develop the national Next-of-Kin Interview Protocol. She is a certified CMHIMP, CCATP, and SoulCollage® Facilitator and has presented widely on trauma, neuroscience, and behavioral health.

Miguel L. Williams, LSW Miguel is a Licensed Social Worker, educator, and doctoral candidate in the Doctor of Social Work program at Morgan State University. His work centers culturally grounded approaches to grief, wellness, and leadership within Black communities. He is the founder of The N.I.N.O. Collective, a wellness initiative supporting Black men through Afrocentric, yoga‑informed, and collective healing practices, including the S.A.B.A.R.A. Grief Framework he developed. Miguel’s work bridges academia and community practice to advance equitable, culturally responsive models of care.

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THANKS TO OUR

Year-Round Partners difference maker

ambassador movers

champions

Reach Your Audience with a Year-Round Partnership.

Email info.naswnj@socialworkers.org for more information.

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THANKS TO OUR

2026 Annual Conference Sponsors Dance Party Sponsor

Student Summit Sponsors

Conference Meal Sponsorship

Registration Station Sponsor

70th Anniversary Celebration

Gold Exhibit Booth Sponsors Ellie Mental Health (Booth 606)

PSE&G (Booth 421)

GenPsych(Booth 621)

Summit Oaks Hospital (Booth 320)

Hampton Behavioral Health Center (Booth 316)

The Recovery Village Cherry Hill at Cooper Health (Booth 407)

Monmouth University (Booth 617)

Walden University (Booth 611)

Silver Exhibit Booth Sponsors Absolute Awakenings + True Life Care + NovaMind Wellness (Booth 314)

M&S Psychotherapy and Counseling (Booth 712)

Accurate Billing Group LLC (Booth 211)

NightingaleNJ Eldercare Navigators (Booth 718)

Center for Family Guidance (Booth 714) Complete Care (Booth 720)

OurFamilyWizard (Booth 622)

Hackensack Meridian Health (Booth 209)

Penn Medicine Princeton House Behavioral Health (Booth 607)

Insite Health (Booth 225)

ReYou Ketamine Treatments (Booth 710)

Life Force Senior Care (422)

You Are Accountable (Booth 708)

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Sponsor & Exhibitor EXHIBITOR

Directory

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A Better Tomorrow Counseling Services

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901 Route 168 Suite 103 Turnersville, NJ, 08012 (609)254-9386 https://abettertomorrowcounselingse rvices.com A Better Tomorrow Counseling Services provides outpatient and IIC therapy for individuals, families, couples and children. We provide a wide variety of therapeutic techniques to help you reach your goals.

Absolute Awakenings & True 314 Life Care 3000 NJ-10 Morris Plains, NJ 07950 866-846-1094 absoluteawakenings.com Absolute Awakenings treats addiction; True Life Care focuses on mental health - both offer personalized, evidence-based care for lasting recovery.

Accurate Billing Group LLC 915 Lacey Rd. 2nd Fl. Forked River, NJ 08731 (609)713-4031 www.abgnj.com Medical Billing/Consulting

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Allaire Health Services 728 1105 E County Line Rd. Suite 201 Lakewood, NJ 08701 (862)357-5629 allairehs.com Skilled Nursing Facilities, Long Term Care Communities, Proud Providers of Services for those aging in place.

Arya Therapy Center of New Jersey 223 4390 U.S. Rte 1 #200 Princeton, NJ 08540 (609) 245-6480 https://aryatherapynj.com We provide structured, evidencebased mental health treatment. Our programs integrate individual and group therapy, psychiatric care, and structured treatment (PHP, IOP, and Outpatient) to help clients stabilize, grow, and thrive—without stepping away from their daily lives.

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Atlantic Health Services 219 1-800-247-9580 https://www.atlantichealth.org/home Atlantic Health has a long-standing tradition of providing exceptional patient outcomes and experiences. We are home to seven award-winning hospitals. Our system has also been ranked first in New Jersey in consumer preference by Monigle and first among health systems in the state as a “best workplace” by both Modern Healthcare and Fortune Magazine.

Britelife Recovery 504 Iron Ridge Rd. Hanover, PA 17331 (267)371-2664 www.briteliferecovery.com SUD Detox/Residential and IOP

323

Catastrophic Illness in 722 Children Relief Fund New Jersey Department of Human Services P.O. Box 728 Trenton, NJ 08625- 0728 (609) 292-0600 https://nj.gov/humanservices/cicrf/ We are a financial assistance program for New Jersey Families whose children have an illness or condition otherwise uncovered by insurance, State or Federal programs, or other sources, such as fundraising. The Fund is intended to assist in preserving a family's ability to cope with the responsibilities which accompany a child's significant health problems.

714 Center for Family Guidance 765 East Route 70 Building A-100 Marlton, NJ 08053 856-797-4800 https://ctrfamilyguidance.cfghealthne twork.com/ CFG offers a full range of services including: individual therapy; couples and family therapy; child and adolescent mental health; psychiatric evaluations; medication management; and school based evaluations.

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Complete Care 720 900 Van Buren St Annapolis, MD 21403 https://completecarenj.org/ Complete Care Management is a leading long-term care and post-acute rehabilitation provider in New Jersey.

We're hiring per diem part-time and full-time social workers.

Delta-T Group 629 800.251.8501 https://www.delta-tgroup.com/ We offer reliable workforce solutions for small and large social and human service organizations. Referred professionals support all levels of state and local government agencies (aging, family, children services); behavioral health agencies; child and adult IDD residential populations; as well as public and charter schools.

Discovery Institute 227 80 Conover Rd Marlboro, NJ 07746 (732) 518-0261 https://www.discoverynj.org/ Whether you are looking for help for yourself or for a loved one, we are here to help you find the best care possible.

We are able to answer any question you may have regarding addiction treatment or mental health treatment.

Out certified addiction counselors can provide free evaluations and offer trusted guidance for you and your family.

Ellie Mental Health 26 Madison Ave Morristown, NJ, 07960 (732)233-5428 https://elliementalhealth.com Individual therapy

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Sponsor & Exhibitor EXHIBITOR

Directory

BOOTH #

Fairleigh Dickinson University 406 210 Park Avenue M-SP2-01 Florham Park, NJ, 07932 (732) 979-3778 www.fdu.edu/msw Fairleigh Dickinson University’s Master of Social Work online program prepares you to make a positive impact on social and economic justice, human rights and quality of life for diverse populations.

621 GenPsych 5 Regent St. Livingston, NJ 07039 (908)303-7592 www.GenPsych.com GenPsych provides PHP & IOP programs for children, teens, & adults.

MH, SUD, ED, DBT, OCD. 8 NJ locations.

In-person or virtual. In-net. No waitlist.

Guardian Recovery 726 427 Independence Dr. Burlington, NJ 08016 (609)273-7206 guardianrecovery.com Guardian Recovery is a nationwide organization that provides the full continuum of care for adult and adolescents.

Hackensack Meridian Health 209 252 Rt 601 Belle Mead, NJ, 08502 (908)625-8305 www.carrierclinic.org To inspire hope and recovery through expert treatment, education, compassionate care, and outstanding service.

Hampton Behavioral Health Center 650 Rancocas Rd. Westampton, NJ 08060 609-518-2207 www.hamptonhospital.com Support mental health

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EXHIBITOR

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Hoarders Express 627 529 Markey St. Camden, NJ 08102 (856)816-3842 www.HoardersExpress.com We help Organize, Sort & Dispose with being Kind, Compassionate, Caring & Non-Judgmental 225 Insite Health 5 Greentree Centre, Marlton, NJ 08053, Suite 100 (833)494-6724 www.insitehealth.net Insite Health, where technology and mental health coverage delivers accessible high-quality care at home, school or clinics serving with care

Integrated Care Concepts 506 615 Hope Rd Building 5B; 2nd Floor Eatontown, NJ, 07724 (908) 489-8088 integratedcareconcepts.com Our team of licensed therapists and highly trained mind-body specialists use a host of mental health treatment methodologies, blending Western and Eastern healing methods to provide trauma-informed care.

523 KidsPeace 4085 Independence Dr. Schnecksville, PA 18078 (610) 597-5130 www.kidspeace.org Serving behavioral and mental health needs of children, families and communities.

Kutztown University of 215 Pennsylvania 15219 Kutztown Rd. Old Main 339 Kutztown, PA 19530 (717)575-9781 https://www.kutztown.edu/academics /colleges-and-departments/liberalarts-and-sciences/departments/ social-work.html Kutztown University responds to the community's needs by preparing social work professionals, leaders, and educators in BSW, MSW and DSW programs.

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Leadem Counseling 668 Commons Way Toms River, NJ 08755 (609)848-4507 www.leademcounseling.com Outpatient Private Practice specializing in individualized therapeutic intensives and sex addiction treatment.

522

Life Force Senior Care 422 1040 Kings Highway North Suite 310 Cherry Hill, NJ 08034 (856)404-4147 www.lifeforceseniorcare.com Life Force Senior Care provides live-in home care services in New Jersey. Our HHAs and supporting staff deliver quality and continuity in care.

M&S Psychotherapy and Counseling 712 1157 Main Avenue, Clifton, NJ 07011, US (973) 341-9869 https://mnspsych.com Our Mission is to provide high quality service that will enlighten and empower those who desire balance and comfort.

617 Monmouth University 400 Cedar Avenue West Long Branch, NJ 07764 (732) 571-3400 The School of Social Work is built around the ideals of advancing human rights and social justice. Ranked as one of the top social work programs in the country by U.S. News & World Report, the school offers an undergraduate Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) and a graduate Master of Social Work (MSW), both of which are nationally accredited and nationally recognized.

My Therapy Connection 706 1919 Kings Highway, 2nd Floor, Swedesboro, NJ 08085 (800)845.0336 https://mytherapyconnection.com Our experienced therapists are here for you, no matter your emotional or situational challenges. We work with you to find a therapist that fits your needs — so you feel safe and comfortable as you heal.

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Sponsor & Exhibitor

Directory

EXHIBITOR

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EXHIBITOR

BOOTH #

Narcotics Anonymous Public 724 Information Committee (800)992-0401 https://www.nanj.org Narcotics Anonymous is a nonprofit fellowship or society of men and women for whom drugs had become a major problem. We are recovering addicts who meet regularly to help each other stay clean.

NightingaleNJ Eldercare 718 Navigators 11 W High St. 1st Floor, Somerville, NJ 08876 908-452-6644 https://nightingalenj.com/ Nightingale NJ is dedicated to assisting older adults navigate the healthcare system and maintain control of their lives throughout the aging process.

National Alliance on 213 Mental Illness 4301 Wilson Blvd., Suite 300 Arlington, VA 22203 703-524-7600 We are dedicated to building better lives for the millions of Americans affected by mental illness. Our Alliance includes more than 650 NAMI State Organizations and Affiliates who work in your community to raise awareness and provide support and education to those in need.

NJ Council on Developmental 326 Disabilities 20 W. State St. 6th Fl. Trenton, NJ 08625 609-984-5444 www.njcdd.org Advocates for residents of long-term care facilities, addressing complaints, protecting rights and ensuring quality care.

NASW-NJ Membership 4365 Route 1 South, Suite 201 Monmouth Junction, NJ 08540 (732) 296-8070 Naswnj.socialworkers.org

308

NASW-NJ Merchandise 4365 Route 1 South, Suite 201 Monmouth Junction, NJ 08540 (732) 296-8070 Naswnj.socialworkers.org

307

New Hope Integrated Behavioral Health Care 625 80 Conover Rd. Marlboro, NJ 07746 (732)598-9177 newhopeibhc.org Substance Use Treatment

New Jersey Department of Children and Families 50 E State St. Trenton, NJ 08625 (609)947-7505 www.nj.gov/dcf/ NJDCF: Safe Healthy Connected

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524

NJ DOL Division of Temporary Disability 425 and Family Leave Insurance 1 John Fitch Way Trenton, NJ 08625 (848) 250-4007 myleavebenefits.nj.org Cash benefits for NJ workers 716 NJ-Al-Anon/Alateen 8 Randolph Pl. Keansburg, NJ 07734 (908)461-7768 NJ-Al-Anon.org Provide comfort and support for families and friends of alcoholics.

217 NJPPC 1340 Campus Parkway, Suite C Wall, NJ 07753 1-877-652-7624 https://www.nj-ppc.org/ Transforming access to children’s mental health care by empowering pediatric care providers.

622 OurFamilyWizard https://ourfamilywizard.com OurFamilyWizard helps parents coparent with less conflict, while social workers use it to guide, monitor, and support healthier communication.

EXHIBITOR

BOOTH #

423 Overeaters Anonymous 109 Jumping Brook Rd. https://www.njioa.org (732)221-6400 Fellowship for people recovering from unhealthy relationships with food and body image. OA's twelve-step program works like Alcoholics Anonymous. This program can help clients.

PAX Health 3 Stearns Rd. East Brunswick, NJ 08816 (732)406-3515 paxhealth.net Behavioral Health Company

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Penn Medicine Princeton Center 609 for Eating Disorders 1 Plainsboro Road Plainsboro, NJ 08536 (640)261-0803 princetonhcs.org/care-services/centerfor-eating-disorders-care We provide acute inpatient treatment for children, adolescents, and adults of all genders with eating disorders, including anorexia and bulimia. Our Princeton, NJ Women’s Program offers intensive outpatient and partial hospitalization services, delivering the same evidence‑based care at an intermediate level for adults identifying as women.

Penn Medicine Princeton House 607 Behavioral Health 351 New Albany Rd. Moorestwon, NJ 08057 (609)712-0738 www.princetonhouse.org Inpatient and outptatient treatment for people needing psychiatric and addiction help.

PSE&G 421 80 Park Plaza, 14th Floor Newark, NJ 07102 (201)376-2467 pseg.com/help PSE&G Payment Assistance Outreach Team has information on energy assistance/energy efficiency programs that can help your clients to save energy.

Sponsor & Exhibitor EXHIBITOR

Directory

BOOTH #

Pyramid Healthcare 328 270 Lakemont Park Blvd Altoona, PA 16602 www.pyramidhc.com Pyramid Healthcare is a multi-state behavioral health provider offering detox, residential, and outpatient care across New Jersey. In New Jersey, it includes High Focus Centers(IOP/PHP) and the Hammonton detox & residential facility, providing traumainformed, evidence-based addiction and mental health treatment.

615 Ramapo College of NJ 505 Ramapo Valley Rd. Mahwah, NJ 07430 (201)684-7304 https://www.ramapo.edu/ Ramapo College of New Jersey is dedicated to providing students a strong foundation for a lifetime of achievement.

620 Raytube LLC https://studywithray.com/ My name is Rayshawn Ledet but you can call me Ray! I'm a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in New Jersey! Nice to meet you! My goal is to help you pass your ASWB exam!

710 ReYou Ketamine Treatments https://reyou.life/ 5170, Rt 9 South Howell, NJ 07731 Insurance-covered care for depression, anxiety, trauma, and other conditions in New Jersey.

Roger's Behavioral Health 221 1 Winding Drive, Suite 106 Philadelphia, PA 1931 833.308.5887 A new way forward is just a step away, and we can help. At our Philadelphia behavioral health treatment center, we offer a wide range of services to address various mental health conditions.

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EXHIBITOR

BOOTH #

Rowan University Social Work 507 Program 201 Mullica Hill blvd Glassboro, NJ, 08028 (215) 806-6573 Go.Rowan.edu/NASW Our Master of Social Work (MSW) is designed to help students reach their full potential while helping others thrive.

Rutgers University Behavioral 324 Health 1260 Randolph Road Plainfield, NJ 07060 (800)969-5300 ubhcaddictionservices.com Rutgers UBHC Addiction Services delivers compassionate, judgment-free care through our Substance Abuse Treatment Services (SATS) & the Rutgers Center Rutgers School of Social Work 310 120 Albany St. Tower One, Suite 200 New Brunswick, NJ 08901 (267)307-8023 socialwork.rutgers.edu Our mission is to develop and disseminate knowledge through social work research, education, and training 207 Springpoint 4814 Outlook Dr, STE 201 Wall Township, NJ 07753 (888)222-0609 www.springpointsl.org The Springpoint Difference. Expect the Best. Live your Best.

320 Summit Oaks Hospital 19 Prospect Street Summit, NJ 07902 (908)522-7071 Summitoakshospital.com Free, 24/7 crisis intervention, assessment, referral and admission services 424 Supreme Consultants, LLC 71 Union Ave. Suite 207 Rutherford, NJ 07070 (201)372.9600 www.supremeconsultants.com Supreme Consultants provides skilled, bilingual professionals and services to bridge cultural gaps in NJ schools and behavioral health organizations.

EXHIBITOR

BOOTH #

The Recovery Village Cherry Hill 407 at Cooper Health 761 Cuthbert Blvd Cherry Hill, NJ 08002 (908) 528-6042 www.southjerseryrecovery.com The Recovery Village has been a trusted resource for quality addiction treatment for over a decade. Our board-certified medical director guides a team

The Renfrew Center (of eating 525 disorders) 1 Kalisa Way Suite 211 Paramus, NJ 07652 (201) 615-1475 www.renfrewcenter.com The Renfrew Center is the nation’s first residential eating disorder treatment facility.

Turnbridge 189 Orange St. New Haven, Connecticut 06510 (973)883-5348 www.turnbridge.com Treatment Provider

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Walden University 611 560 W Monroe St. Suite 13 Chicago, Illinois 60661 (609)815-6082 www.waldenu.edu/naswnj Online University with Doctoral, Masters and Bachelors programs in Social Work, Counseling, Psychology, Human Services, Public Health, Public Policy.

708 You Are Accountable 331 Newman Springs Road, Building 3 Suite 320 Red Bank, NJ 07701 (646)450-7641 https://youareaccountable.com Recovery isn’t a one-size-fits-all process, and neither is support. Our plans offer structured accountability, testing, and coaching to help you build confidence and maintain progress— regardless of where you are on your journey.

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Sponsor & Exhibitor

Map

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DISCOUNTS HARD ROCK HOTEL & CASINO SPA: Discount of 10% off all regularly priced services.

Guests may make reservations by calling 609-449-5380 and identifying themselves as an attendee of the National Association of Social Workers – New Jersey.

Link to the guide of services: 07-22-hard-rock-ac-spa-brochure.pdf (hardrockhotelatlanticcity.com)

GENERAL HOTEL SHOP & CAFE: Hard Rock Cafe: $10 off $50 purchase by showing your conference badge.

Visit the Rock Shop. Get 10% off of Hard Rock merchandise by showing your conference badge.

G e n e r a l Pe r ks: S p e c i a l s h ow d i s c o u nt fo r T h e H o o k , c o m e s fro m S p i e g e l wo r l d , t h e c re ato rs of L as Ve g as' # 1 va r i et y s h ow A b s i nt h e as we l l as Ato m i c S a l o o n .

Price Levels: Siren Circle, Promenade, Lido, Mermaid Grotto Convention Attendee Price: $67.58 (all inclusive of taxes and fees) Visit: https://spiegelworld.com/shows/the-hook/ for more information

HARDROCKHOTELATLANTICCITY.COM

1000 BOARDWALK, ATLANTIC CITY, NJ 08401

Thank you to our 2026 NASW-NJ Annual Conference

Sponsors & Exhibitors

GET INVOLVED Strengthen your connection to social work.

Connect with other members and social workers throughout the state.

Develop your leadership experience while learning new skills.

Visit us at naswnj.org Contact us at our emails here: Advocacy.naswnj@socialworkers.org

Events.naswnj@socialworkers.org

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AMPLIFY YOUR VOICE. TAKE ACTION.

JOIN NASW.

Social workers are currently being called upon to provide expertise, engage and take action to pave the way for a brighter, safer and more inclusive future. Though this work is not new to our profession, there’s no better or more important time to come together as a collective and amplify our voices and values by being part of the largest, most influential organization of social workers in the world.

Advocacy Social workers speak out and NASW-NJ takes action, whether that’s advocating for state licensure improvements, more opportunities to practice across state lines, or meeting with the NJ Division of Consumer Affairs to understand licensure delays and develop a plan for the future.

Professional Development: Develop and provide the resources you need to support your clients, colleagues, and communities at large. Since March 2020 alone, NASW-NJ has provided over 200 programs to keep social workers informed and upto-date on the newest professional advancements through certificate and continuing education programs, Community Conversations, the Race, Responsibility, & Reconciliation series and more.

Professional Home:

SCAN HERE TO JOIN

NASW-NJ makes it easy for social workers to connect and collaborate through virtual and regional in-person events, Unit Events, Shared Interest Groups, and leadership opportunities within the chapter and the national organization.

Engage with us to learn about what it means to be a member of NASW-NJ. At NASW-NJ, we work to provide you with the tools, resources and opportunities you need to keep doing just that.

Interested in learning more? Call our Member Services Team at 800.742.4089 or join online at www.socialworkers.org/join

Or visit the membership table located in the Exhibit Hall (the Arena).

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SAVE THE

SAVE THE

DATE

2027 NASW-NJ ANNUAL CONFERENCE

HARD ROCK HOTEL & CASINO, ATLANTIC CITY, NJ

April 18-20, 2027

See You There!