A Message from AFKA President, Sylvia Thompson

It is with smiling hearts and overwhelming gratitude that we invite you to join us at our 48^th annual “It’s All About Kids” Conference; we are excited to be bringing back our AFKA Awards ceremonies this year! Our caregivers and support staff never stop going above and beyond for those whom they advocate. We recognize these efforts and are delighted to host an awards banquet to celebrate the hard work and dedication of our foster and kinship families, child intervention workers, support staff, and all those who make the well-being of children their life’s work.

Our annual conference also allows us the opportunity to provide meaningful training that supports foster and kinship caregivers, to create a sense of community by coming together to share our stories and experiences, and to gain insight from one another as we navigate the world of caregiving.

The AFKA has spent the year growing, learning, creating new and exciting supports and programs, and reaffirming our commitment to offer caregivers a real sense of community, in the ways they need most. We’ve dedicated ourselves to being the support system our community needs, adding a team of advocates to our staff – those who can help navigate the system and provide a safe space to talk when caregivers need it the most. This is but one of a host of new tools we’ve incorporated, along with the way we share information with our membership, new relationship-building within the province to better support caregivers, a revision of our Mentorship and CAST programs, and an array of new ideas we will bring to realization as time goes on. It’s an exciting time for the AFKA; we’re committed to continuously moving forward as an association, as a team, and as those who would stop at nothing to support our caregivers.

Though our conference is meant as a learning and networking opportunity, it’s also a time to rejuvenate, refresh, and empower ourselves to continue to strive for our best selves. Being in beautiful Jasper lends itself to this and we encourage you all to enjoy the scenery, take in some well-deserved quiet time, revitalize yourselves with a nice spa experience…whatever helps you relax, so that you leave feeling rested, energized, and feeling great; newly empowered with all you’ve learned and experienced while being here.

We thank you, for all that you do for children and youth in care and we hope to see you at this year’s 48^th annual conference.

This year’s “It’s All About Kids” Conference is being hosted at the Forest Park Hotel (formerly Sawridge Inn & Conference Centre)

To book a room for this year’s conference, you can call their central reservations line at: 1.866.606.6700

*The room block previously held for conference delegates has now closed, please contact reservations for best available rates*

Friday, October 28, 2022

Friday AM 

• 101 – Engage – Plenary
• 102 – Emergency First Aid with Infant CPR Part 1 (Part 2 continued on Friday PM) (7.5 hrs)

Friday PM

• 201 – Understanding Bill C-92
• 202 – First Aid Part 2 (Continued from Friday AM)
• 203 – Traditional Parenting 
• 204 – EPS: Cyber Bullying and Internet Safety
• 205 – Beyond Behaviours: Supporting Youth with Compassion
• 206 – Fun with Paint – Landscape (Pyramid Lake)

Saturday AM

• 301 – Advocacy and the OCYA – Plenary

Saturday PM 

• 401 – Care for the Caregiver (Practical Strategies) & Trauma 101 (FULL)
• 402 – Exploring What it Means to be Human: The Reality of Bias and Stigma
• 403 – Advantages of Starting Early
• 404 – Blanket Exercise
• 405 – Fun with Paint –  Pet Portrait
• 406 – Men’s Group (FULL)

CRAIG WANLESS, Clinical Director, Counsellor, Facilitator, Benchmark Counselling

The world needs us – now more than ever – to be brave enough to let our guards down and connect. How can we find the courage to care? With so much longstanding turmoil and chaos in the world these days, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed and just spent on all levels – especially emotionally. Yet the world needs us – now more than ever – to be brave enough to live through our hearts.

Human beings are hardwired to connect with each other, and we do so through emotions. Connection is a multidimensional human experience that can be described as being seen, known, and cared about. It requires courage to let yourself be seen authentically. It requires courage to care. Investing emotionally in another human being is a vulnerable act. How we handle this vulnerability is what determines whether we feel connected, or not. When we feel disconnected, anything goes and often does. We don’t care about the impact on another because we do not know who the other is. But we aren’t avoiding each other because of the problems. We have problems because we are avoiding each other.

Leann Wagner, Assistant Deputy Minister, Child Intervention Division, Children’s Services (101 – Engage)

Leann Wagner is the ADM of the Child Intervention Division of Children’s Services.  Ms. Wagner previously served as an ADM in the Ministries of Health and Labor. She has also held positions in the Ministries Human Services, Executive Council and Employment and Immigration.  Prior to joining the Alberta Public Service, she worked for the Government of Ontario, the Regional Municipality of Waterloo and a children’s mental health agency. 

Ms.  Wagner  graduated from the University of Waterloo in Waterloo, Ontario with a master of arts in land use planning; after earning a bachelor of arts (honors) in political science at Dalhousie University.   

Ms. Wagner lives in Edmonton with her family. 

Jessica Winship, Executive Director, Policy, Practice and Program Development with Child Intervention Delivery (101 – Engage)

Jessica Winship is the Executive Director, Policy, Practice and Program Development with Child Intervention Delivery in Children’s Services. Jessica has been with the Government of Alberta since 2000, from her start with the Education department as a program manager, and has held various roles at the leadership level including Senior Policy Manager in the Policy Coordination Office, Director Strategic Policy and Research with Justice and Solicitor General, and Director, OHS/WCB Policy and Legislation with Labour and Immigration.

Jessica has a BA Criminology degree and early in her career worked in several front line roles including as a Child and Youth Care worker at Yellowhead Youth Centre, the PCHIP program, Catholic Social Services group homes, and as a correctional officer at EYOC.

Jessica is an active community volunteer on the board and as a social media lead with the Sherwood Park Ringette Association, as a school council chair and as a member of the Community Action on Residential Traffic Safety group, a grassroots community organization focused on promoting traffic safety in Sherwood Park.

Her family are avid hockey and ringette players and call Sherwood Park home.

Bonda Thompson, Regional Director, Calgary Region, Children’s Services (101 – Engage)

Bonda is the Regional Director for Calgary and Area Children’s Services region.  This is the third region she has led moving her way south from North region, to Central region and now Calgary.  Bonda has over 20 years of child protection experience, beginning in rural Ontario and later at Ottawa Children’s Aid Society, before moving to Cold Lake, Alberta in 2003.  Bonda has a Bachelor of Physical Activity Studies from the University of Regina, a Bachelor of Social Work from the University of Calgary and a Master of Social Work from York University.

Originally from Saskatchewan, Bonda and her Royal Canadian Air Force husband reside in Cochrane. 

Shay Ford, Health Education (102/202 – First Aid)

Shay was born in the Copper belt in Zambia, schooled in Canada and returned to Africa where she spent 25 years in Zimbabwe running her own Import and sales and marketing company. She returned to Canada in 2002 and re-entered the lifesaving profession.

She has been involved with the Life Saving Society since the age of 13 and been teaching since the age of 16. She holds Instructor certifications through the Canadian Red Cross and the Lifesaving Society of Canada First Aid Instructor certificate program, as well as The National Lifeguard Service Instructor Trainer and Life Saving Instructor.

Joan Conibear (201 – Understanding Bill C-92)

I began my career as a social worker in 1986 working with homeless youth in Edmonton. I joined Children’s Services 26 years ago and have worked primarily in Foster and Kinship care, currently in an Associate Director position.

Tim Gillis (201 – Understanding Bill C-92)

I started with Alberta Children’s Services in 1999. As an Indigenous person working in Children’s Service my entire career has been focusing on servicing indigenous clients and advocating for better outcomes of indigenous children. I became a manager in 2004 and in 2017 I became an Associate Director – Indigenous Services with the Edmonton Region.

Nicole Samoisette (201 – Understanding Bill C-92)

Nicole is a citizen of the Métis Nation of Alberta who was born and raised in Calgary. Nicole has spent her career working within Indigenous communities on and off reserve. Nicole has been working  for CS for the past 16 years in different roles and currently is an associate director in the Calgary Region. Nicole is and has been an advocate for Indigenous children, youth and families and in trying to ensure that children services is providing culturally appropriate services and supports at all levels.

Heather Storoziuk (201 – Understanding Bill C-92)

I began my career with a focus in addictions and justice. My passion for children brought me to Children Services where I have worked for the last 24 years in a variety of child protection roles. I am currently an Associate Director with the Placement, Foster and Kinship Care teams in Calgary.

Elder Martha Campiou (203 – Traditional Parenting)

Elder Martha Campiou is a Nēhiyaw (Cree) Elder from Driftpile First Nation. As an educator, she is honoured to provide teachings on traditional protocols, ceremony, and culture. She is an artisan recognized for her beadwork and leads a group of powwow dancers. Martha has long been active with the Indigenous community in Edmonton, including with the Institute for the Advancement of Aboriginal Women (IAAW), and the Canadian Native Friendship Centre. She has been President of the Alberta Indigenous Games since 2011 and has ensured that the games now happen annually for the benefit of youth participating in summer sports. Martha has been acknowledged with numerous awards for the work she has done in Edmonton and region for community service and teaching Indigenous Cultural Awareness, to promote a better understanding and respect for Indigenous people. These include the Salute to Excellence award from the City of Edmonton, the Rotary Club Community Service Award, the Culture Preservation Award, the Alberta Aboriginal Role Model Award, and the Esquao Award, Culture and Spirituality, from the IAAW, which honours Indigenous women who have made positive changes in their community and who are an inspiration to others. Generous in sharing her culture, Martha builds bridges of understanding and awareness between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people.

Sergeant Corinne Kline (204 – EPS: Cyber Bullying and Internet Safety)
Edmonton Police Service Community Engagement Team Constable for Southwest Division 

Since July 2001, I have been a proud member of the Edmonton Police Service. After completing Recruit Training, I began my career in North Division in Patrol. I have worked as part of our Divisional Domestic Violence Team, part of Southwest Division’s Community and Crime Management Team, and am currently in the Crime Suppression Branch as a Community Engagement Team member. My current role is very fluid, and I have a lot of flexibility to assist in the needs of the Edmonton Police Service as well as the community in which we serve, including attending Community League meetings and events, conducting safety presentations to all ages, and anything else that gets thrown my way! I teach and coordinate our Divisional Safe in 6 program which is a program geared toward youth in Grade 6 educating youth on Healthy Relationships, Online Safety, and Drug and Alcohol Resistance. I attend various schools to educate Kindergarten – Grade 9 on various safety presentations. My passion is youth and community involvement, and I absolutely love my job! I know most citizens have never had the experience of talking to a police officer, and I feel that if I can make their first impression a positive one, that will go a long way. I am active on Social Media as Cst. Kline (Twitter and Instagram), as I like to humanize the badge.

I am a mother of three children. My oldest is a boy who is 16, my middle daughter is my “mini me” who is 13, and my youngest girl is 10. My husband is also a Police Officer, a Staff Sergeant with EPS in our Forensic Identification Service.

Craig Wanless, MTC, RCS (205 – Supporting Youth with Compassion & Keynote)
Clinical Director, Counsellor, Facilitator, Benchmark Counselling

Craig Wanless is a Master Therapeutic Counsellor and Registered Counselling Supervisor with the Association of Co-operative Counselling Therapists and The Association of Counselling Therapy of Alberta, and Founder and Clinical Director of Benchmark Counselling.

Craig has over 12-years of therapeutic experience working with individuals, families, couples and youth both in private practice and within family service agencies including the Ministry of Child and Family Development and Child and Youth Special Needs. He’s also led men’s groups for 10-years, worked with both veterans and high-risk youth, and for 11 years he’s worked for Clearmind International Institute, a registered college, as an Instructor of their Practitioners Counsellor Training Program – a 3-year part-time counsellor training diploma program, and is a workshop facilitator.

Joshua Heudes (206 – Fun with Paint – Landscape (Pyramid Lake) and 405 – Fun with Paint – Pet Portrait)

Joshua is an artist from Edmonton AB. For him it all started from a young age where he would sit and watch his mom paint and soon follow suit. When he got older, he would experiment with different styles and mediums, from figures and portraiture to abstract and from pencils to oils. He currently finds himself working on portraits and landscapes in acrylics. Joshua has had tremendous experience teaching groups on how to paint, most notably with Yaymaker (formerly known as Paint Night) and the city of Edmonton. This means that he will be able to guide you through any challenges that you may face and hopefully you’ll get a few laughs during the process.

Ms. Terri Pelton, Child and Youth Advocate (Alberta), (301 –  Advocacy and the OCYA)
Terri is the Child and Youth Advocate for Alberta. She has worked in the social services sector for over 30 years, helping to create positive outcomes for young people, their families, and their communities. Her work includes developing and leading strategic initiatives aimed at advancing the rights and interests of young people, such as the OCYA’s Legal Representation for Children and Youth program. Through her extensive experience in both frontline and leadership roles, she has seen firsthand the challenges children and youth in government systems encounter and is dedicated to elevating these voices and pushing for meaningful change.

Ms. Kim Spicer, Director, Investigations and LRCY (301 –  Advocacy and the OCYA)
Kim joined the Office of the Child and Youth Advocate in August 2019 as the Director of Investigations and Legal Representation for Children and Youth. She has over 21 years of experience in the public service and has worked in a variety of positions within Children’s Services, including leading the development and implementation of the Child Intervention Practice Framework. She has a strong background in guiding the development and implementation of policies, practices, and programs. Kim is passionate about systems change and focusing on the continuous improvement of services and supports provided by government to ensure that young people have their needs met.

Dr. Wanda Polzin Holman, MA, RCSW, EdD (401 – Care for the Caregiver (Practical Strategies) + Trauma 101)

Dr. Wanda Polzin Holman is currently the Clinical Director at Little Warriors/Be Brave Ranch, a Sexual Abuse Treatment Centre for Children and Youth. She has extensive clinical and programming experience working within the field of child and family mental health and addictions as well as child and family services. Her clinical interests are in addressing the needs of complex child and family trauma and attachment, sexual abuse, and complex mental health and addictions. She has specialized training in the areas of evidence-based trauma treatment, Animal-Assisted Therapy, Concurrent Addiction and Mental Health, developmental trauma and attachment.

Dr. Peter Choate, PhD, Clinical Social Worker (402 – Exploring What it Means to be Human: The Reality of Bias and Stigmas

Peter’s areas of research focus on child protection practice as well as errors linked with the death or serious injury of a child involved with child welfare. His work looks at assessment methodology in child protection, addressing problems of cultural bias, particularly as it relates to Indigenous Peoples. Other recent projects have included the voice of the child in child welfare hearings and the good enough standard for assessing parents. Peter has been engaged in clinical private counselling and assessment practice with an emphasis on addictions, domestic violence and child protection matters. He has been qualified as an expert witness on over 150 occasions in the Provincial Court of Alberta (Family and Youth Division) in Calgary, Red Deer, Lethbridge and Edmonton as well as the Court of Queen’s Bench (Calgary and Medicine Hat). He is a Registered Clinical Social Worker and an approved Clinical Supervisor.
Areas of Instruction:

• Child and Adolescent Mental Health
• Child Protection and Intervention
• Assessment
• Mental Health and Substance Abuse
• Social Work with Families

Gordon Cairns, CFP, Ba. BSc (403 – Advantages of Starting Early)

Gordon is a Wealth Advisor for Raymond James Independent Financial Services and has over 20 years of investment and Insurance experience. He is a Certified Financial Planner with a focus on tax and estate planning for Health Care Professionals, Small Business Owners, Corporate Executives, Families & Individuals as well as Sudden Wealth and Retirees ensuring they meet and are always working towards their desired goals and objectives. He has been instrumental in reshaping how numerous physician groups are compensated and structured. Some of these groups include Neo-Natologists, Radiologists and Oncologists of Alberta and British Columbia and family physicians of western Canada. Gordon in an active member of the community and was recently Chairman of the Calgary Stampede Courtesy Car Committee, a committee he has been proud to be a member of since 1997. Apart from a variety of sports and hobbies, Gordon enjoys spending time with his wife Marianne and their three children.

Roy and Judy Louis (404 – Blanket Exercise)

Judy Louis is a high-energy educational consultant with a long track record for fostering learning and promoting multicultural diversity. She is a recipient of an Excellence of Teaching Award and the Alberta Centennial Medal for innovative approaches to education and the promotion of cultural diversity.

Roy Louis is also the recipient of many awards, including Canada’s 125 Medal in 1992, the Alberta Centennial Medal in 2005, the Queens Diamond Jubilee Medal in September of 2012. In 2013, Roy received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Alberta Aboriginal Role Models and in 2014, he was chosen as one of Alberta’s Most Influential People for his role as a community leader. In 1997, Roy helped initiate the Pe Sakastew Healing Centre in Maskwacis with former Commissioner Ole Ingstrup. In 2003, he and Judy traveled to China to receive an International Award for the Healing Centre. Roy and Judy currently live in Maskwacis, where they enjoy the fourteen grandchildren in their blended family.

Join us with Mentalist and Magician Louis Pezzani as he brings his amazing MIND MAGIC show at the AFKA’s It’s All About Kids conference!

Funny, astounding, and unforgettable entertainment for ALL ages! An engaging, nonthreatening, mind-blowing, audience participation magical mystery tour.

www.canadamentalist.com

Facebook | YouTube

Registration Costs: 

Package A – AFKA Member Registration ……………………………………………….$ 325.00
Package B – Non-Member Registration   ………………………………………………..$ 375.00

If you are unsure of your membership status or member number, you may contact our office during regular business hours at 1-800-667-2372. 

Registration can be paid through Paypal after completing the online registration form below. Once you select “Submit” you will be brought to Paypal to complete your payment; only registrants who have completed their payment will have their registration processed. 

What’s Included?

A full conference registration includes any training or events you wish to attend as well as the following meals: Thursday – Supper (Opening Ceremonies); Friday – Breakfast & Lunch; Saturday – Breakfast, Lunch & Banquet Dinner; Sunday – Continental Breakfast (for those in attendance at the AGM)

*PLEASE NOTE*

Registration prices do not include accommodations. Please make your own reservations at the Forest Park Hotel – More information is available under the Hotel and Accommodations tab.

Can I transfer my registration to another individual?

• Registration is transferable by telephone until Friday, October 7, 2022
  
  

Can I cancel my registration/receive a refund? 

• There is a $50.00 non-refundable fee which will apply for any cancellation request received prior to and including Friday, October 14, 2022. 
• No refunds will be provided for cancellations after October 14, 2022
  
  

Can I get a discounted rate, for example,  if I’m only attending 1 of the 3 days?

• Unfortunately, we do not have any pro-rated options available. We only have full conference packages available for purchase. 
  
  

Are there extra meal tickets or banquet tickets available for purchase? 

• Unfortunately, we do not have any extra meal tickets available for purchase.
• We do not have any extra banquet tickets available for purchase. However, once registration has closed, there may become some available. If you wish to be added to a waiting list to purchase an extra ticket ($50.00) you can contact Cassandra at 780-701-4092.