A Message from AFKA President, Sylvia Thompson

With gratitude and excitement, we welcome you to our 49^th annual “It’s All About Kids” Conference. Our annual conference provides an opportunity for caregivers to come together, to learn with each other, to share stories and experiences, and to celebrate each other. The sessions offered at our conference vary from year to year but are all in the vein of care, intended to increase knowledge and add depth to our learning as we navigate the world of caregiving.

In tandem with our training over two days, we are delighted to host our awards banquet, highlighting our province’s Foster and Kinship Caregivers, and Children and Family Services Workers of the Year. Coincidentally timed during Caregiver Appreciation Month, our awards banquet is a time to honor and thank those who have dedicated themselves to bettering the lives of children and youth in care.

This past year the AFKA has been growing, changing, and dedicating ourselves to creating a real sense of community for Alberta’s caregivers. The introduction of our Caregiver Support Team, our monthly Caregivers Matter Chat, and new partnerships and collaborations are just a few of the ways we are moving toward our goals. As we get set to welcome in a new year, we have big plans! We are deeply committed to continuously moving forward as an association, as a team, and as those who will continue to do what we can to support our caregivers.

Though our conference is a learning and networking opportunity, it’s also a time to rejuvenate and refresh; 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. We hope you leave feeling rested, energized and empowered with all you’ve learned and experienced while being here.

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:

Central Reservations Line: 1.866.606.6700
Block Code: 2483501
Block Rate: $134.00 + tax/night

Friday, October 27, 2023 (AM)

8:30am – 4:30pm:
First Aid (Champs)

8:30am – 11:30am:
AFKA and Ministry Updates and Table Talks

Friday, October 27, 2023 (PM)

12:30pm – 1:30pm: “Let’s Talk About Trauma”
Presented By: Sharon Lindstrom

1:45pm – 2:45pm: “Emotional Regulation of Self”
Presented By: Dr. Wanda Polzin-Holman/Little Warriors

3:00pm – 4:00pm: “A Caregiver Approach to Substance Use Prevention in Young People”
Presented By: Gina Bateman/AHS Provincial Addiction and Mental Health

8:30am – 11:30am: Blanket Ceremony
Presented By: Judy and Roy Louis

Saturday, October 28, 2023 (PM)

12:30pm – 1:30pm: 
Metis Nation of Alberta and Metis Family Resource Centre

1:45pm – 2:45pm: “Healing the Heart Traditionally”
Presented By: David Langeudoc

3:00pm – 4:00pm: “Operating from a First Nation Perspective”
Presented By: Vivian Noskey-Gladue

Sharon Lindstrom:

Now retired, Sharon was a Clinical Social Worker for 40 years; she has taught at McEwan University and the U of A. She has provided Clinical Supervision in a variety of roles (AHS Mental Health, CSS, CASA) as well as having
provided a range of support services to children, youth and families experiencing mental health, addictions and violence histories.

Sharon has presented a range of core training and/or interest specific workshops to foster and kinship caregivers including designing and supervising an after hours support line for caregivers in Edmonton and surrounding areas. Sharon retired from her position as Clinical Program Manager at CASA 6 years ago.

David Languedoc

David is an Indigenous man born in Saugeen First Nation. A 60’s scoop survivor. An adoptee. A foster parent. An adoptive parent. A musician and author, David is also a semi-retired social worker who works facilitating programming at an Indigenous treatment facility that caters to full families. David is an amazing storyteller who pulls the audience in with humor, emotion and music. 

Vivian Noskey-Gladue

Vivian Noskey-Gladue currently resides in Edmonton, Alberta. She is from the Loon River First Nation in Northern Alberta. She is the mother of six children who range from 32-44 years of age. 

Vivian has worked with children and families for the past 25 years. She has a lot to share from a First Nation perspective in dealing with First Nation children and families.
In her presentation, many will understand the many complicated factors in dealing with First Nation people, and tools to be equipped with.

Dr. Wanda Polzin-Holman

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.

Judy and Roy Louis

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.

Paint Night with Karly MacDonald – FULL

“I have been teaching painting classes in Jasper for approximately 8 years. I work as a digital painter for the children’s animated nature show Wild Kratts and am an art consultant for Mountain Galleries at the Fairmont Jasper for over 10 years. My paintings are featured at the Jasper Artists Guild Gallery and I host paint nights at the Jasper Legion and Whistle Stop pub.”

Please Note:
Registration is required for this event.

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

*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 6, 2023

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 13, 2023. 
• No refunds will be provided for cancellations after October 13, 2023

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.