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Why Foster Parents Should Attend The Every Child Symposium

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Are you a licensed foster parent in Indiana? Are you in need of training credits? We have a solution for you! The Every Child Conference, set for March 14,  is a one day symposium on behalf of Indiana’s vulnerable children. They are bringing nationally recognized speakers.

The best part? Foster parents will earn 5.5 hours of credit, get lunch, and it’s only $25 if you register before Feb. 14 and $30 if you register afterward.

The details for foster parents who wish to attend

When: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, March 14

Where: Eastern Star Church, 5750 30th St., Indianapolis.

Cost: Early bird (before Feb. 14), $30 general, $25 for adoptive, foster care or Safe Families; cost increases by $5 on Feb. 14.

More information: email [email protected]

Who will speak?

Kristin Ballard

Ballard is a dedicated mother, wife, and philanthropist. A passionate and tireless volunteer, she regularly supports the Indiana Department of Child ServicesHands of HopeBooks For Youth, and the Indianapolis Colts Women’s Organization. A champion for children, when she’s not supporting her own family, Kristin spends time advocating for children and families in the foster care system. While Kristin and her husband, Chris, were raising their three children, they also began caring for two cousins of their family who they eventually adopted through foster care.

RELATED CONTENT: Interested in more training opportunities? Here’s our 2020 training schedule

Willie Moore Jr.

Moore is a nationally syndicated radio personality, actor, social media influencer, activist, musician, husband and father of four children. Moore has proven that innate charisma, abundant creativity, and a passion for empowerment can translate in the faith-based community and the general market. As the host of the top rated “Willie Moore Jr. Show,” Willie reaches over 1.7 million people weekly.

Outside of entertainment, Moore is an advocate for adoption and foster care. As the President of the WILFLO Foundation (named after his forever family Willie and Flora Moore,) Moore brings awareness to the adoption and foster care system. Each year, thousands of African American families sign up to be foster parents and/or adoptive parents through these efforts. Willie continues to tour the world bringing inspiration through his innovative storytelling and comedic approach to speaking and music that’s transforming lives throughout all generations.

RELATED CONTENT: See how our Youth Development Program is Helping its Participants Excel

Stephanie Fast

Fast was abandoned at a young age, she wandered the war-torn countryside of Korea. Due to her biracial ethnicity, she was abused and violated in every way. Finally, she was discarded and left to die in a garbage dump. A World Vision nurse miraculously rescued Stephanie and placed her in an orphanage.

Around the age of nine, a missionary couple came to her orphanage. Overlooking her physical and emotional state, they listened to the voice that spoke to their hearts. David & Judy Merwin, setting aside their desire to adopt a baby boy, obeyed that voice and adopted Stephanie.

Despite the lavish healing love her adoptive parents poured into her, Stephanie’s past tormented her throughout her teens. A profound personal encounter with Jesus Christ enabled her to exchange her pain with Him at the cross and see her identity and purpose in the light of God’s love. Stephanie shares this message with anyone who will listen.

Over the past 30 years, her story and teachings have been on TV, radio, in magazines and other people’s books. She recently wrote her first book; She Is Mine. Stephanie and her husband reside in Portland, Oregon, surrounded by their children and grandchildren; her childhood dream lived out in reality.

In addition to these dynamic speakers, there are a host of others scheduled to present:

  • David Reed, Deputy Director of Child Welfare Services, Indiana Department of Child Services
  • Sue Orlosky, LBSW, has over 30 years’ experience working in the child welfare profession. These experiences include DCS Case Manager, Supervisor, RAPT Trainer, Home-Base Provider, Visitation Facilitator, Foster Care Worker, and Adoption Worker. These are just a few of the many presenters that will be present.

More To Explore

Agency News

A&C 75th Anniversary and Irvington Clinic Grand Opening

Integrated health care is a concept that recognizes how a person’s physical health and behavioral health affect their overall wellness and quality of life. Adult & Child Health celebrated integrated health at a combined celebration of history and growth at its Irvington clinic in Indianapolis April 30.  The event served as both a 75th anniversary celebration for the Adult & Child Health organization, and as a grand opening for the clinic on Washington Avenue, which opened in early 2025.  Adult & Child operates three clinics in Indianapolis and one clinic in Franklin. At the Irvington clinic, primary care providers, psychiatric care providers and licensed therapists see patients in the same building.  “Our goal is to help people live happy and healthier lives and have them be able to succeed in whatever it means for them,” Dr. Christine Negendank, President and Chief Medical Officer at Adult & Child Health said. “Many of our patients have been stigmatized — even in the health care setting — so we are very careful to make sure everyone is welcome here, no matter their circumstance and no matter their level of illness.”  Clients of all ages come to the Irvington clinic for psychiatric and primary care. “Integrated care clients,” as they are called, can come to the Irvington clinic to have multiple needs addressed in one place. It’s a combination of providing the best practices and ease of care for each client.  “It’s so wonderful to see a patient who tells me, ‘I’m out of my blood pressure meds,’ or ‘I have a severe headache,’ and I can say, ‘Well, you know, we have primary care across the hall; why don’t we go get you connected?’” Negendank explained.  A client can get primary care, psychiatric care, therapy and connections to housing programs in a single trip to the Irvington clinic.  “They leave with so much more hope,” Negendank said. “We really try to make it easy for our patients when we can. We offer someone a safe place to come, to feel welcome, to leave feeling better and to leave feeling better about themselves.”  A&C offers addictions treatment at the Irvington clinic. Addictions treatment involves one-on-one therapy, medication assisted treatment (MAT), activities of daily living support, psychoeducation, peer recovery services and case management. The average wait time for a new patient to schedule their first appointment is less than three weeks.  Be Well Bell art installation  The Be Well Community movement is designed to ring in a new narrative about brain health through a variety of programs, including the public display of ceremonial bells that symbolize hope and healing. The bell in Indianapolis was unveiled to the public during Adult & Child’s 75th Anniversary event April 30. Be Well Initiatives works with community partners to bring visibility to the mental wellness movement. The Be Well Bell program offers blank bells to be painted with a meaningful design by an artist(s) or as a community arts project.    Brightli Director of Be Well Initiatives Bailey Pyle, LPC, explained that the art installation includes a QR code that smartphone users can scan to access information on the Be Well program and on mental health services available at Adult & Child in the Indianapolis metro area.  “These aren’t just bells that we’re creating and plopping down into a community, but they are truly reflective of the community in which they exist,” Pyle said. “We know from lots of research that that’s when the bells are the most impactful and meaningful.” The Be Well Bell at the Irvington clinic is the 21st for the program and the first Be Well Bell in Indiana.  Adult & Child Health’s history  Photo Gallery

Sarah Miller, PMHNP-BC

Sarah Miller works with the addictions team, general psychiatry for adolescents and adults, and the competency restoration team. She is board-certified as a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. Her specialties are working in addictions and with people who experience serious mental illness.

Miller graduated from Indiana University with a psychology degree and went back to school for nursing. She received her nursing degree from Indiana Wesleyan University and worked in a nursing home and also spent time working in a group home with adolescents. She received her master’s degree from Vanderbilt University.

She enjoys hanging out with her family and her two dogs, and going to sporting events.

Joanna Chambers, MD

Dr. Joanna Chambers is a psychiatrist who began seeing Adult & Child Health patients in November 2021. She graduated from Medical College of Georgia with her Doctorate of Medicine in 1996 and completed her residency in psychiatry at Yale University School of Medicine. In addition to bringing a wealth of experience, she currently serves as an associate professor at Indiana University School of Medicine where she teaches Clinical Psychiatry. She is certified in Addiction Medicine and has a special interest in treating pregnant and postpartum women. She is President of the American Academy of Psychoanalysis and Dynamic Psychiatry Organization as well as a sitting member of many medical association boards. Recently, she has won the Residents’ Award for Teaching Excellence in 2020 from Indiana University and has received “Best Doctors Award” in 2010, 2011, and 2014. Dr. Chambers is incredibly active in the medical, academic, and research realms of medicine. She is currently accepting new patients on Wednesdays.