maryland casa conference (3)

It is with great enthusiasm and profound gratitude that I welcome you to the Maryland CASA Conference. As we gather virtually today, we come together with a shared commitment to advocacy and a determination to meet the increasingly complex challenges facing child welfare in our state.

This year's theme, Advocacy in Action: Meeting Today's Challenges in Child Welfare, reflects the realities we navigate daily from evolving laws and emerging technologies to mental health needs, equity issues, and family stability. Your presence here demonstrates your unwavering dedication to turning knowledge into action for the children and families we serve.

Throughout today's program, we have the privilege of learning from experts, and fellow advocates who will help us address the pressing issues of our time. As we engage in these important conversations, let us keep at the center of our minds the children whose voices we amplify and whose futures we help shape. Every insight gained today has the potential to make a meaningful difference in a child's life.

I want to express my heartfelt appreciation to our speakers, sponsors, judges, magistrates, and the dedicated team who have made this conference possible. To our CASA volunteers, social workers, attorneys, and all child welfare partners: thank you for showing up, for staying engaged, and for your relentless advocacy.

As we move through today's sessions, I encourage you to participate fully, ask questions, share your experiences, and connect with colleagues across Maryland. Together, we are building the future of child welfare in our state.

Wishing you an enriching and inspiring day.

Monica Basche Board President Maryland CASA Association

AGENDA February11,2026

Advocacy in Action: Meeting Today’s Challenges

in Child Welfare

9:00am – 10:00 am | Opening Session Keynote

Diana Philip, MS | Why We Should Care about the Maryland General Assembly

10am - 11:30am | Breakout Block 1

Stefany Zelaya MPH | Protecting Every Voice: Supporting Multilingual Children in Abuse Prevention and Response

Alison Smith | Building Brighter Futures for Maryland Youth Aging Out of Care: Resources and Partnership Opportunities

Elle Jacob MSW, LCSW, CDP, CDD | Beyond the Case File: Centering Foster Youth Special Education Planning a Trauma Informed Approach

11:30am – 11:45am | Break

11:45am – 1:00pm | Breakout Block 2

Kenya Coates Charles MSW | Interrupting the Pathway from Foster Care to Incarceration

Dr. Chad Lennon MD | The Trials and Tribulations of the Burned-Out Teen

Lloyda Forbe | Intentional, informed Mental Health and Wellness for the Caregiver and Recipient

1:00pm-2:00pm | Lunch Break

2:00pm – 3:30 Breakout Block 3

Delois Pearsall, LCSW-C, Paths for Families | Bridging Belonging: Culturally Responsive Support for Interracial (Transracial) Families in Foster Care and Adoption

Dr. Christy Olenik Lopez | Youth self-care and The Role of Advocates in Supporting Young People’s Well-being

Richard Perry Esq. | CINA Law 201: Where the Law Meets Reality

3:30pm – 3:45pm | Break

3:45pm – 4:30pm General Session

Erica LeMon, Esq. | Richard Perry, Esq. | Keeping Child Welfare at the Forefront of Advocacy

4:30pm – 5:00pm Closing Remarks

SPEAKER LINE UP

DIANA PHILLIP, MS

LegislativeAdcoate,CoordinatorforCoalitiontoProtectMaryland’sChildren

STEFANY ZELAYA MPH

ChangetheConversation’sPreventionandEducationSpecialist

ALISON K. SMITH

Founder&ExecutiveDirector,MyLegacyGroup,Inc

ELLE JACOBS MSW, LCSW, CDP, CDD

KENYA COATES CHARLES, MSW

RegisteredClinicalSocialWorkIntern,GuardianadLitemvolunteer,Navyveteran,and retiredfederallawenforcementofficerwiththeFederalBureauofPrisons

DR. CHAD LENNON, MD

AchildandadolescentpsychiatristatSheppardPratt’sBaltimore/Washington Campus Heisboardcertifiedinneurologyandchildandadolescentpsychiatry

LLOYDA FORBES

Fosterandadoptiveparent,faith-basedTransformation/mindsetcoach,andwellnessadvocate

DELOIS A. PEARSALL, LCSW-C, CLINICAL TRAINER

JoinedPathsforFamiliesinApril2017andhasover20yearsofexperienceinsocialwork

DR, CHRISTY OLENIK LOPEZ MSW, PHD

aboard-certifiedHealthandWellnessCoachandChopra-certifiedMeditationInstructorwith 30+yearsofexperiencehelpingindividualsandorganizationsenhancewell-being,resilience, andgrowth

RICHARD PERRY, ESQ

SupervisingAttorneyoftheCINAUnitinPrinceGeorge’sCountyforMarylandLegalAid Heis alsoco-chairoftheCINATaskForce

ERICA LEMON, ESQ

currentlyservesastheAdvocacyDirectoryforChildren’sRightsforMarylandLegalAid

SPEAKER BIO’S

DianaPhilipMS,isaseasonedsystemsadvocatefocusedonprotectingandadvancingcivil libertiesandhumanrightsthroughpolicyreform,legislation,andimpactlitigation Philiphas servedinmanyroleswithinavarietysocialmovements,suchasacrisisinterventionspecialist forsurvivorsofdomesticviolenceandsexualassault,regionaldirectoratAmericanCivilLiberties UnionofTexas,legaladvocacydirectorattheTexasAdvocacyProject(gender-basedviolence), foundingdirectorofJane’sDueProcess(youthrights),foundingdirectoroftheAbortionCare Network,policydirectoratFreeStateLegal(LGBTQrights),chiefofstaffattheDemocracy Initiative(votingrights),andexecutivedirectorofNARALPro-ChoiceMaryland Shecurrently servesontheboardsofSkateparkofBaltimore,EconomicActionMaryland,MarylandAlliance forSensibleDrugPolicy,CornerTeam,Inc,andFreeStateJustice PhilipearnedaBA in CriminalJusticeandSociologyfromIndianaUniversityandanMS inGenderStudiesfrom TowsonUniversity Shestartedherconsultingfirm,DMPAdvocacy,LLCin2023,helping501(c) (3),501(c)(4),coalitions,andotheradvocacygroupslaunch,reorganize,orexpand.Philiphas servedasanadvocatelobbyistattheMarylandGeneralAssemblysince2014

StefanyZelayaMPH,isChangetheConversation’sPreventionandEducation Specialist,supportingpublichealthinitiativesthroughcommunityengagementand trauma-informedpractices WithundergraduateandgraduatedegreesinPublicHealth, shebringsexpertiseinhealtheducation,prevention,andthedevelopmentofhealth interventionprogramsandcommunityoutreach.Shehastrainingandastrong knowledge baseinfamilyviolenceprevention,earlychildhooddevelopment,andyouthsexualhealth interventions FullybilingualinSpanishandEnglish,Stefanybringsculturalcompetency toherworkwithSpanish-speakingcommunities,ensuringinclusiveandeffective communicationineverysetting

AlisonK Smith,Founder&ExecutiveDirector,MyLegacyGroup,Inc (MLG)Growingupin theBronxinthe1980s,Iexperiencedthepowerofcommunityfirsthand andwitnessed itsgradualerosion Asasinglemother,Iunderstandhowessentialsupportisduringlife’s mostdefiningtransitions ThatperspectiveiswhyMLGcentersyouthagingoutoffoster care youngadultstoooftenexpectedtonavigateadulthoodwithoutfamilyorasafety net IfoundedMLGtooffermorethanhousing:ourmodelintegrateslife-skills development,financialliteracy,andmentalwellnesstosupportconfidenttransitionsinto self-sufficiency Iholdadegreeandover20yearsofexperienceinHealthCare Management,andmyleadershipstyleishands-on,mission-driven,androotedin accountabilityandauthentichumanconnection.Throughstrategicpartnershipsacross PrinceGeorge’sCounty,Iamcommittedtohelpingyoungpeoplebuildlegaciesrootedin stability,confidence,andcommunity—onehousehold,onepartnership,andonefutureat atime

KenyaCoatesMSW,KenyaCoatesCharles,MSW,RegisteredClinicalSocialWorkIntern, GuardianadLitemvolunteer,Navyveteran,andretiredfederallawenforcementofficerwiththe FederalBureauofPrisons Shebringsextensiveexperienceworkingattheintersectionofchild welfareandthecriminaljusticesystem,withaprofessionalfocusontrauma-informed,culturally responsiveadvocacy Kenya’sbackgroundincludesmentalhealthadvocacyinfostercare, substanceuseandfamilysystems,reunificationsupport,immigrationandculturalcompetency, affirmingadvocacyforLGBTQ+youth,andtransitionplanningforyouthagingoutofcare Her workisdeeplyinformedbywitnessingthelong-termconsequencesofunmetmentalhealth needs,placementinstability,andlackofpermanencyforfoster-involvedyouthwholater becomejustice-involvedadults KenyaispassionateaboutequippingCASAandGALadvocates withpracticaltoolstostrengthencourtadvocacy,interruptharmfulsystemtrajectories,and promotesafer,morestablefuturesforchildrenandfamilies.

Dr ChadLennonMD,ChadLennon,MDisachildandadolescentpsychiatristatSheppard Pratt’sBaltimore/WashingtonCampus Heisboardcertifiedinneurologyandchildand adolescentpsychiatry Dr Lennonreceivedhisbachelor’sdegreefromFranklin&Marshall College,attendedapost-baccalaureateprogramatCUNYCityCollege,andearnedhis medicaldegreefromHowardUniversityCollegeofMedicine HecompletedtheUniversity ofMaryland/SheppardPrattResidencyProgram,followedbyachildandadolescent psychiatryfellowshipprogramatMt SinaiElmhurstHospital Dr Lennonworkedat AdventistBehavioralHealthcare-ShadyGroveMedicalCenterastheleadpsychiatriston theadolescentunit Dr Lennonhaswonanumberofacademicexcellenceawards includingtheAdventistHealthcareShadyGroveMedicalCenterPhysicianRISES IndividualAwardandtheFranklin&MarshallCollegeSydneyN Bridgett’51Award Heisa memberofanumberofprofessionalsocietiesincludingBlackPsychiatristsofAmerica, AmericanPsychiatricAssociation,AmericanAcademyofChildandAdolescentPsychiatry, AmericanSocietyforAdolescentPsychiatry,andMarylandPsychiatricSociety Heisalso widelypublished,hasauthorednumerousblogs,andparticipatedinmanyspeaking engagements.Dr.Lennon’spresentationshaveincludedtopicssuchassuicide,anxiety, andlecturesseriesforbothmedicalstudentsandresidents,respectively Hisblogshave includedtopicssuchasthestigmaofmentalillnessintheAfricanAmericancommunity, andmanagingstress,trauma,andanxietyinchildrenandadolescents Dr Lennonhas alsoparticipatedinmedicalmissionwork"

LloydaForbes,“Purposeispersistent Everyonehasacallingandcloseddoorsshouldatleastbe knockedon!Betenacious!”LloydaForbesbelievesthatit'snevertoolatetoleadapurposeful life Tenaciousfaithweavesthroughoutherwhole-lifeprosperitymindset,fosterparentingand adoptiveparenting,eldercare-givingandfindingnewpurposeinher“secondchapter"journey Skilledinadultclassroomtraining,facilitating,andinstructionaldesign,Lloydaholdsdegreesin OrganizationalManagement,andGeneralStudies ShealsohascertificationsinAutism Awareness,DyslexiaAwareness,ChildhoodACEs,andRealEstateStaging Shehasservedmore thanadecadeinministryasanordainedminister,andinleadershiprolesformorethan20years whereshecoachedanddevelopedothers Careersspanning20-plusyearsinvariousrolesin corporateamericapreparedherfortheroleofmindsetandtransformationcoach Her organizationalmanagementconsultingbusinessledworkshopsonworkforceproductivity, embracingdiversityandleadership Throughher501c3nonprofitshepioneersempowering biblestudiesandspiritualretreatsthatrefresh.LloydaandherfamilyresideinMontgomery County,Maryland Contact:mslloyda@gmailcom

DeloisA Pearsall,LCSW-C,ClinicalTrainerwithPathsforFamilies(formerlyknownasAdoptions Together)andhasover20yearsofexperienceinsocialwork Shetransitionedtothefieldof socialworkfollowinganexceptionalcareerinInformationSystems Herextensiveexperiencein publicchildwelfare,schoolsocialwork,andmanagementenableshertodeliverexceptional clinicalservicesandclientsupport.Ms.Pearsallisanadoption-competent,attachment-focused, andtrauma-informedclinicianservingfamiliesacrossMaryland Inadditiontoherprofessional endeavors,sheispassionateabouthistoryandenjoysreading,writing,traveling,andspending timewithfamilyandfriends

DR. CHRISTY OLENIK LOPEZ

Dr,ChristyOlenikLopezMSW,PhD,isaboard-certifiedHealthandWellnessCoachandChopracertifiedMeditationInstructorwith30+yearsofexperiencehelpingindividualsand organizationsenhancewell-being,resilience,andgrowth.Herexpertiseincludestraumainformedpractice,mindfulness,positivepsychology,andholisticwellness,groundedinastrong foundationofappliedresearch,evaluation,andleadershipinhealth,mentalhealth,andyouth developmentprogramsintheUS andglobally ChristyearnedherMaster'sandPhDinSocial WorkattheUniversityofMaryland,Baltimore Shehaslivedexperiencewithpost-traumatic stressdisorderandnowenjoyssupportingothersindevelopingpositiveSelf-Carestrategies

RichardPerryEsq,“RichardPerryistheSupervisingAttorneyoftheCINAUnitinPrince George’sCountyforMarylandLegalAid Heisalsoco-chairoftheCINATaskForce Richardhas representedchildreninneedofassistanceinMarylandforover15years Inhissparetime RichardlikestotravelandisafanofcollegefootballandphysicsYoutubevideos Richardalso lovestheCASAProgram!!”

EricaLeMon,Esq, EricaI LeMoncurrentlyservesastheAdvocacyDirectoryforChildren’sRights forMarylandLegalAid Ms LeMonhashadasignificantcareerrepresentingandadvocatingfor childrenandfamilies Shehasworkedinseveralareaspertainingtofamiliesandchildrenin courtsthroughoutMaryland Ms LeMonhastestifiedbeforetheMarylandSenateandHouse JudiciaryCommitteesandtheMarylandJudiciaryRulesCommitteeandhasassistedwith amendmentstotheMarylandStatuteinCourtsandJudicialProceedings,theFamilyLaw StatuteandMarylandRulesrelatingtoFamilyandJuvenilematters Shehasalsopresentedat local,statewideandnationalconferences.EricaLeMonisapastPresidentoftheAllianceof BlackWomenAttorneysandtheEverettJ Waring/JuanitaJacksonMitchellLawSocietyof HowardCounty,andoneofthe2023recipientsoftheLeaderinLawaward Shecurrentlyserves ontheMarylandStateBarAssociationFamilyLawSectionCouncilandJudicialAppointments CommitteeandisamemberoftheWomen’sBarAssociationExecutiveBoard

Ms LeMonisalsotheChairoftheRaceandEquityWorkgroupasanappointedmemberofthe StateCouncilforChildAbuseandNeglectandco-chairoftheBuildingSafe,Stable&Nurturing CommunitiesforChildrenandtheirFamiliesthroughaRacialEquityLensVisioningSession Ms LeMonisapassionateadvocateforchildrenandfamilies

Advocacy in Action: Meeting today’s challenges in Child Welfare