22nd Annual Children’s Law Institute: January 7–9, 2015

The Children’s Law Institute, hosted by New Mexico State University’s Southwest Region National Child Protection Training Center, is a multidisciplinary conference that addresses important issues in child welfare and juvenile justice. Workshop topics include "Access to Services for Tribal Children and Families," "Why Use Restorative Justice?," "How Trauma Impacts Development," "Gangs 101–Understanding the Culture of Youth Violence," and "The Importance of Being Trauma Informed in Working with Cross Over Youth." The institute will take place in Albuquerque, NM. Registration information is available online.

29th Annual San Diego International Conference on Child and Family Maltreatment: January 26–29, 2015

Multidisciplinary best-practice efforts to develop and enhance professional skills to prevent, or otherwise investigate, treat, and prosecute child and family maltreatment will be offered at this annual conference. Participants will also be able to learn to recognize and assess all forms of maltreatment. Indepth issues include support for families, leadership, and policymaking. How to translate the latest research into action will also be addressed. Sponsored by the Chadwick Center for Children and Families at Rady Children’s Hospital, the conference will be held in San Diego, CA. Registration information is available online.

National Mentoring Summit: January 28–30, 2015

MENTOR, along with OJJDP and the Corporation for National and Community Service are organizing this summit. To be held in Washington, DC, the event will focus on how evidence-based, quality mentoring relationships help young people succeed at home, in school, and at work. Workshops and plenary sessions will demonstrate the many ways in which mentoring works to support positive youth outcomes by showcasing innovative program models, emerging research, and the nuances across diverse youth populations. Registration information is available online.

Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America National Leadership Forum and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s 11th Prevention Day: February 2–5, 2015

"Mission Impossible: Agents of Change," the Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America’s National Leadership Forum, will take place in National Harbor, MD. The forum will provide opportunities for attendees to learn the latest strategies to fight substance abuse and hear from nationally known prevention experts, federal administrators, and policymakers. Sessions will focus on making positive systematic progress, learning from theory about what works, implementing those practices in a comprehensive manner, and resolving local substance abuse problems. Registration information is available online.

29th Annual Conference on the Prevention of Child Abuse: February 23–24, 2015

Sponsored by Prevent Child Abuse Texas, the theme of this conference is "Stop the Harm Before It Starts." The conference, which will take place in Las Colinas, TX, will offer training and information on topics and model programs of interest to leaders in child abuse prevention. Participants may attend their choice of a variety of workshops on child abuse and neglect prevention and educational programs or may select workshops for specialized training credits and professional development. Registration information is available online.

National Conference on Bullying: February 25–27, 2015

Evidence-based strategies, solutions, and best practices used nationally for preventing bullying and building safe, caring schools, and communities will be the subject of this year’s conference. Educators, law enforcement officials, practitioners, and community representatives will discuss other issues relevant to bullying, including depression, technology, and potential lawsuits. Sponsored by the School Safety Advocacy Council, in partnership with the Florida Association of School Resource Officers and the Florida Association of School Administrators, the event will be held in Orlando, FL. Registration information is available online.

31st National Symposium on Child Abuse: March 23–26, 2015

The National Children’s Advocacy Center is holding this symposium in Huntsville, AL. The event will feature workshop tracks in the areas of administration, child protective services, interviewing, law enforcement, legal issues, medicine, mental health, prevention, victim advocacy, and wellness. Registration information is available online.

33rd Annual Protecting Our Children National American Indian Conference on Child Abuse and Neglect: April 19–22, 2015

To be held in Portland, OR, this conference will highlight the latest research and policies concerning the well-being of American Indian and Alaska Native youth, reveal innovative child welfare and mental health practices, highlight effective strategies for financing and sustaining services that impact children, and showcase strategies for involving youth and families in the development of services and policies that lead to systems change. Registration information is available online.

15th Annual Family Justice Center Conference: April 21–23, 2015

Sponsored by the Family Justice Center Alliance, this conference will address a range of topics, including elder abuse awareness, prevention, intervention, accountability to survivors, and promising practices. The event, to be held in San Diego, CA, will also include practical, hands-on training for police officers, prosecutors, advocates, and medical professionals in the day-to-day handling of domestic violence and sexual assault cases. The conference faculty includes survivors, advocates, and nationally and internationally recognized subject matter experts. Registration information is available online.

7th Annual National Prisoner’s Family Conference: May 6–8, 2015

This event, to be held in Dallas, TX, is the largest national conference focused on how incarceration impacts prisoners and their families. Presenters will include professionals and advocates from the criminal justice, social service, academic, and faith-based arenas. The event is sponsored by Community Solutions of El Paso. Registration information is available online.

National Missing Children’s Day Ceremony: May 25, 2015

The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) will hold its annual National Missing Children’s Day ceremony in DOJ’s Great Hall. The ceremony honors the heroic and exemplary efforts of agencies, organizations, and individuals to protect children. National Missing Children’s Day has been commemorated in the United States since 1984, when it was first proclaimed by President Ronald Reagan. For more information about the ceremony, contact OJJDP.

National Court Appointed Special Advocates Conference: May 30–June 2, 2015

At this event, sponsored by the National Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) Association, more than 1,200 CASA and guardian ad litem staff, board members, volunteers, judges, attorneys, and other child welfare professionals will gather to connect with peers and learn from leaders in the field. The conference will offer workshops and institutes, general sessions, and an exhibit hall featuring information and resources for the field. The conference will take place in New Orleans, LA. More information about the conference is available online.

National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges 78th Annual Conference: July 26–29, 2015

To be held in Austin, TX, this conference will feature a range of juvenile and family law topics, including child abuse and neglect, trauma, custody and visitation, judicial leadership, juvenile justice, sex trafficking of minors, family violence, drug courts, psychotropic medications, children testifying in court, detention alternatives, substance abuse, and the adolescent brain. The event is hosted by the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges. Registration information is available online.