Annual Symposium
Join us at our annual symposium! Professionals from all levels of the workforce, along with researchers and students, will gather to explore the latest research and best practices to strengthen families and reduce system involvement.
The Florida Institute for Child Welfare at Florida State University will host its annual spring symposium on May 5-6, 2026, at the Florida State University Student Union in Tallahassee, Florida. This year's theme is “Prevention in Practice: Building Safer Futures for Children and Families.”
At this free in-person event, participants will network with a multidisciplinary audience and an array of experts in child welfare. We will explore universal supports, targeted interventions, and intensive strategies to promote safety and well-being for children and families.
Sponsors
Keynote Session
Building Better Systems: How Implementation Science Can Shape Preventive Strategies
Allison Metz will open the event with a keynote “that describes how implementation science can be used to support systems-level prevention.” Allison will also lead a breakout session later in the program with Mackensie Disbennett from University of North Carolina’s Collaborative for Implementation Practice on using data to inform and evaluate programs. This workshop will give attendees an opportunity to engage more deeply with this team and learn practical applications for the workforce.
Plenary Session
Navigating Uncertainty in Federal Funding and Its Impact on Prevention - Family First Prevention Services Act (FFPSA) implementation
Presented by: Jody Levison-Johnson, Social Current
Jody Levison-Johnson will lead a plenary session on the evolving landscape of federal funding and its implications for prevention services under the Family First Prevention Services Act. The session will highlight how shifting policies, varied state implementation, and recent federal funding volatility are affecting communities’ ability to build and sustain accessible prevention supports. Participants will gain practical guidance on navigating current constraints and explore actionable steps to strengthen service arrays for children, youths, and families.
Agenda
DAY 1: Tuesday May 5
10:45 AM - BREAK
03:15 PM - BREAK
Day 2: Wednesday May 6
09:45 AM - BREAK
Event Location
Venue
Florida State University Student Union
Second Floor Ballroom & Conference Space
75 N Woodward Ave, Tallahassee, FL 32306
Parking
Woodward Avenue Parking Garage104 N Woodward Ave, Tallahassee, FL 32304
Complimentary reserved parking is available for all attendees in the Woodward Avenue Parking Garage on FSU’s campus.
Hotel Information
Hotel Indigo
826 West Gaines Street
Tallahassee, Florida 32304
(850)210-0008
Hotel Indigo is conveniently located less than a mile from the FSU Student Union and 6 miles from the Tallahassee Regional Airport. We will provide limited transportation to and from the host hotel and conference venue, be sure to indicate your interest in utilizing transportation services within the conference registration.
General conference attendees, use the booking link to secure your hotel reservation at the exclusive discounted group rate. Be sure to book by April 13, 2026, to take advantage of this offer.
If you have any questions about your travel arrangements, please contact your travel liaison at FICW or reach out to our event manager, Bethany Bobo, at bethany.bobo@fsu.edu.
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Event Hashtags: #FICW2026 #PreventionInPractice #PreventionMatters
