19th Annual Model Court Abuse, Neglect, and Dependency Conference

19th Annual Model Court Abuse, Neglect, and Dependency Conference Learn more at https://www.meckbar.org/?pg=MCBCalendar&evAction=showDetail&eid=358432 Description: 19th Annual 26th Judicial District of North Carolina Juvenile Court Model Court Abuse, Neglect and Dependency Conference Oh Baby! Model Practices to Achieve Permanency, Preserve Caregiver Attachments, and Support Development for Infants and Toddlers in Child Welfare Court Friday, November 13, 2026 | 9:00 a.m. – 4:15 p.m. | WebEx 5.75 General CLE Credit Hours in North Carolina & South Carolina (webinar credit) Please click this link to register:  19th Annual Model Court Conference Webex Registration Registration password: 2026Conference If you have questions regarding registration, please contact Sharon Konopka (sharon.m.konopka2@nccourts.org)   Agenda 9:00 – 9:15 Greetings  Casey Calloway, Trial Court Administrator, 26th Judicial District of North Carolina, A. Russell Hendrix, Esq., Family Court Administrator, 26th Judicial District of North Carolina Introduction & Purpose Hon. Aretha Blake, Juvenile Court Judge and Model Court Conference Committee Judicial Liaison, 26th Judicial District of North Carolina 9:15 – 10:15 Child Welfare Law – Updates Sara DePasquale, JD, MSW, Professor of Public Law and Government School of Government, UNC Chapel Hill 1.0 General CLE Credit Hour 10:15 – 11:15 Developmental and Educational Services for our Youngest Learners: Understanding Early Intervention Services and Preschool Special Education Stephanie Klitsch, Esq., Co-Director of the Education Law Program, Charlotte Center for Legal Advocacy, Cheryl Mandle, Director of EC Preschool Services, Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools, Lindsey Moss, LCSW, Case Management Supervisor, CDSA, Christine Kirby, LCMHC, Case Management Supervisor, CDSA,  1.0 General CLE Credit Hour 11:15 – 12:00 Assessment and Diagnosis of Mental Health and Developmental Disorders in Children Birth through Five Mary H. Wise-Kriplani, LCSW, PhD, IECMH-E®, Advancing Resources for Children, Project Director; Clinical Faculty, NC Child Treatment Program 0.75 General CLE Credit Hour 12:00 – 12:45 Lunch (on your own) 12:45 – 1:45 Community Resources to Support Infant and Toddler Development, Health, and Safety Moderator: JoLisa Rouse, Esq., Attorney Advocate, 26th Judicial District Guardian ad Litem Speakers: Megan Dunn, BSN, RN, IBCLC, Nurse Supervisor, Care Ring Nurse-Family Partnership, Liz Fleury, MSW, Director, and Shannon Winsjansen, MSW, LCSW, Program Manager, Infant Early Childhood Mental Health, Jerry Garcia, MPA, Greater Charlotte Branch Director, Diaper Bank of North Carolina, Mary Margaret Kantor, Ed. D., Chief Early Education Officer, Smart Start of Mecklenburg County 1.0 General CLE Credit Hour 12:45 – 1:45 Evidence Based Interventions in Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Donna Potter, LCSW, Director of Clinical Assessment, EBT Readiness, and TF-CBT & CPP Dissemination, North Carolina Child Treatment Program, Center for Child and Family Health 1.0 General CLE Credit Hour 2:45 – 2:55 Break 2:55 – 3:00 Video: Safe Babies Court Building Safety, Stability, and Hope 3:00 – 4:00 p.m. A View from the Bench: Safe Babies Court as a Tool to Promote Child & Caregiver Attachment, Enhance Family Support Systems, and Leverage Community Resources in Child Welfare Court Moderator: Jamie Horowitz, Esq., Attorney Advocate, 26th Judicial District Guardian ad Litem Speakers: Hon. Rebecca Eggers-Gryder, Chief District Court Judge, 35th Judicial District, Hon. Pauline Hankins, District Court Judge, 13th Judicial District, Hon. Robert Martelle, Chief District Court Judge, 41st Judicial District, Hon. Doretta Walker, Chief District Court Judge, 16th Judicial District 1.0 General CLE Credit Hour 4:00 – 4:15 Closing and Next Steps Racquel Robinson, Permanency Planning Mediator, 26th Judicial District and Event Moderator for this CLE The views and opinions of MBA CLEs are not necessarily those of the Mecklenburg Bar Association/26th Judicial District Bar. Schedule: Friday, November 20, 2026 Location: WebEx