7:30 am – 8:30 am

Liturgy

8:00 am – 6:00 pm

Registration Open

8:30 am - 11:00 am

CYFS Steering Committee

8:30 am - 11:00 am

Housing and Community Development Steering Committee

8:30 am - 11:00 am

Parish Social Ministry Section Leadership

9:00 am – 10:30 am

Mission Integration Leaders

9:45 am – 11:15 am

Management and Administration Steering Committee

8:30 am – 11:15 am

Understanding Social Networking & Family Strengthening

The session will explore social networks with an end result to build social support and social capital with low-income families. Two specific populations will be discussed: low-income immigrant families and individuals dealing with mental health issues. This pre-conference workshop is FREE to everyone. Please indicate on the registration form if you will be attending.

Presenters: William Traynor, Executive Director, Lawrence Community Works, Inc., Lawrence, MA; and Audrey Jordan, Senior Research Associate, The Annie E. Casey Foundation, Baltimore, MD

10:00 am – 11:15 am

First-Timers’ Orientation

Are you new to Catholic Charities USA? Is this your first time attending our Annual Gathering? Please join us for a fun and in- teractive session where you’ll learn more about CCUSA and how to get the most out of this year’s Annual Gathering. For those who are not yet members, discover what it means to be involved in a membership organization, the resources available from the National Member Service Center, our future priorities and more. Please indicate on the registration form if you plan to attend.

10:00 am – 6:00 pm

Exhibits Open

11:30 am – 1:45 pm

Opening Session

Join us for a luncheon as we get the ball rolling with the opening of the 2007 Annual Gathering. Our local hosts from Catholic Social Services of Southwestern Ohio, Northern Kentucky, and the Miami Valley will present a warm welcome and lead the opening prayer. Rev. Larry Snyder, president of Catholic Charities USA, will continue our program, reflecting on our triumphs and our challenges during the past year as we continue to serve those most vulnerable. We are honored to present the 2007 Vision Award to Dr. Norman C. Francis, president of Xavier University, New Orleans, and recent Presidential Medal of Freedom honoree. Dr. Francis is the longest-sitting univer- sity president. His dedication to quality education along with his leadership in the Louisiana Recovery Authority following the devastation of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, embodies the purpose of the award and of Catholic Charities. Ms. Jearlyn Steele and her brother Billy will share their musical talents during lunch. Their unique style of entertaining with song and public speaking will uplift your spirit as we begin our afternoon sessions.

2:00 pm – 6:00 pm

Legislative Hearings

Join witnesses from our member agencies as they speak to the Social Policy Committee of the Board of Trustees about how public policy impacts their work and the people they serve. Hear how “best practices” based on agency program models can provide the impetus for creating new conversations, political agendas and policies affecting the poor in this country. This year’s hearing will be organized in four broad categories consistent with CCUSA’s Campaign to Reduce Poverty in America: hunger, health care, housing, and family economic security. Join us for this exciting conversation as CCUSA and its member agencies provide leadership in shaping the programs and policies that will serve those who are marginal- ized in our nation.

2:00 pm – 3:00 pm

Concurrent Workshops #1

1A Aging Out of Foster Care—Part 1

Sponsored by CYFS

The Chelsea Foyer at The Christopher is an innovative, supportive, transitional housing program for young adults 18-24 years who are at risk of homelessness after exiting the foster care system in New York. Based on a European model, the program is one of the first of its type in the United States. The Foyer program provides a comprehensive integrated continuum of services and works with residents to develop a personalized “action plan” for independent living. Join us to learn more about this exciting new model.
Presenter: Denise Hinds, LMSW, Assistant Executive Director, Good Shepherd Services, New York, NY

1B Walk-In Counseling Services

Sponsored by Health

Caritas Mental Health Clinic provides free, walk-in counseling targeting low-income individuals who did not otherwise have access to counseling. Learn how this brief, solution-focused model assists individuals with their most pressing needs and refers individuals for ongoing assistance.
Presenters: Dr. Terrance Peterson, Clinical Director Caritas Mental Health Clinic; and Joan Collins-Marotte, Director, Caritas Family Services, Catholic Charities, St. Cloud, MN

1C Diocesan Directors Discussion List Live

Sponsored by Diocesan Directors

What topics keep you awake at night? Strategic planning, relationship with your board, unemployment insurance, policies and procedures, staff turnover, and more? Join fellow directors in a discussion of topics like these.
Presenter: Marianne Majewski, Executive Director, Catholic Charities, Perth Amboy, NJ

1D Money Management and Guardianship for Seniors and Disabled Adults

Sponsored by Aging

The workshop will cover information needed to start and sustain programs that provide money management, guardian- ship and conservator services, representative payee programs and legal custodianship for seniors, the disabled, and veterans.
Presenters: Kathy Dial, Director of Older Adult Services, Catholic Charities of Eastern Virginia, Norfolk, VA; Melissa Deletesky, Standards Associate, Council on Accreditation, New York, NY; and Steve Saldana, Executive Director, Catholic Charities, San Antonio, TX

1E New Strategies to Preserve and Expand Adoption Services

Sponsored by Local Host

Competition and changes in adoption practices challenge faith-based programs. Learn about how programs have found new opportunities to preserve and expand adoption programs by soliciting community involvement, offering comprehensive adoption and counseling services, and developing education opportunities for health care professionals.
Presenters: Laura Jordon Roesch, Manager of Pregnancy Counseling, Catholic Social Services of Miami Valley, Dayton, OH; and Carol Wheeler-Strother, Director of Children’s Services, Catholic Social Services of Southwestern Ohio, Cincinnati, OH

1F The Sound Bite and Beyond: Taking Control of Media Interviews

Sponsored by Development and Communications

Learn tips and strategies from a top professional in media relations and a former reporter on what to do before, during, and after a media interview. This workshop will cover how to develop quotable sound bites, stay on message, field the tough questions and bridge back to your key messages. A must- attend workshop for anyone who may talk with the media.
Presenter: Roger Lowe, Senior Vice President, APCO Worldwide, Washington, DC

1G Catholic Charities’ Mission and the Campaign to Reduce Poverty in America

Sponsored by Mission Integration and Social Policy

This workshop will share practical examples of how agencies are joining the Campaign to Reduce Poverty in America, localizing efforts; involving staff, clients, and the local community; and connecting the Campaign and the greater mission of Catholic Charities USA.
Presenter: Susan Engel, Social Ministry and Mission, Catholic Charities, Kansas City, MO; and Rosio Gonzalez, Executive Director; and Marcie Wilske, Parish Social Ministry Coordinator, Catholic Charities of Idaho, Boise, ID

3:00 pm – 3:30 pm

Afternoon Break

3:30 pm – 4:30 pm

Concurrent Workshops #2

2A Aging Out of Foster Care—Part 2

Sponsored by CYFS

There are over 20,000 foster youth who age out of the child welfare system annually and go it alone. Learn how two communities have addressed this issue over the last 20 years. Topics will include housing strategies, common problems, life-skills training, aftercare provisions, special populations, getting the entire system involved in self-sufficiency prepara- tion, and more. Learn from two program directors with many years of experience in running independent living programs in Cincinnati and Dayton.
Presenters: Mark Kroner, LISW, Director, Independent Living Division, Lighthouse Youth Services, Inc, Cincinnati, OH; and Lori Seward, MA, Director of Performance & Quality Insurance, Daybreak, Inc., Dayton, OH

2B Engaging Generation Now

Sponsored by Development and Communications

How is your agency engaging “Generation Now” to build for the future? Learn from local Catholic Charities agencies about how they are creating opportunities for Generation X and Y to get involved now in the work of their agencies and, in turn, are cultivating stewards for strong, long-term financial and volunteer support of the future.
Presenters: Michael McDonnell, Junior Board Manager, Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago, Chicago, IL; and Jay Hummel, President, Give Back Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH

2C Advantages and Implementation of Electronic Case File Management

Sponsored by Local Host

Client billing, client demographics, client outcomes, staff time, agency resources, workshops, intake calls, waiting lists, volunteer utilization—so much data! Grant writers thrive on it, donors demand it, and proper agency management and resource allocation cannot occur without it. So how do you track them? Eliminate the mess and consolidate them into one unified data system. Learn how to free up your agency resources to deliver your mission and not drown in bad data.
Presenter: Brian Decker, IT Manager, Catholic Charities Diocese of Covington, Covington, KY

2D From Prevention to Permanency: Homelessness Services in Communities

Sponsored by Housing & Emergency Services

Catholic Charities agencies nationwide can be found work- ing at every point in the housing continuum from affordable housing production to foreclosure prevention to homeless street outreach. This workshop will provide information on how to develop a seamless continuum of services and affordable housing options to prevent and end homelessness. Catholic Charities agencies will describe how they pulled together their local resources to build these successful housing efforts.
Presenters: Thomas Shellabarger, Policy Advisor, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Washington, DC; and Gilana Rivkin, Children’s Services Director, Samaritan House, Catholic Charities, Denver, CO

2E Integrating Group and One-on-One Financial Counseling

Sponsored by Emergency Services

Many agencies support families by offering one-on-one budget counseling. This session will explore the benefits of offering both group and one-on-one counseling, how to do it, and when to use what method.
Presenter: Karen Wallensak, Executive Director, Catholic Charities Housing Resource Center, St. Louis, MO

2F Care Management with Clergy

Sponsored by Aging

Several Catholic Charities agencies offer programs targeted to retired diocesan priests providing retirement planning, assess- ment, case management, and other services. Hear how this can cultivate deeper relationships between Catholic Charities agencies and parishes.
Presenter: Mary Schembri, Director of Parish and Community Response, Catholic Charities CYO, San Francisco, CA

2G Racism: What Can I Do About It?

Sponsored by Management and Administration

What tools do you have for tackling racism in your community? Caritas Internationalis offers its repertoire of PeaceBuilding techniques to help you address the issues that lead to conflict and to build a climate of reconciliation and acceptance.
Presenter: Hedley Abernethy, PeaceBuilding Education Advisor, Catholic Relief Services, Baltimore, MD

4:45 pm – 5:45 pm

Concurrent Workshops #3

3A Aging Out of Foster Care—Part 3

Sponsored by CYFS

Part 3 will continue to describe the Lighthouse Youth Services program and the Daybreak program strategies that have been developed in Cincinnati and Dayton OH.
Presenters: Mark Kroner, Director, Independent Living Services, Lighthouse Youth Services, Cincinnati, OH; and Lori Seward, MA, Director of Performance and Quality Insurance, Daybreak, Inc., Dayton, OH

3B Day Labor Centers

Sponsored by Diocesan Directors

It is open seven days a week, provides ESL classes, bank- ing advice, health screenings, and a safe haven for women applying for domestic help positions. This is what a day labor center looks like in Palm Beach in partnership with Friends of El Sol and the Hispanic advocacy group Corn Maya. Since opening in the of fall 2006, this community solution has reg- istered over 1,500 clients and 1,400 employers, including 400 businesses and 1,000 neighbors who employ these workers.
Presenter: Thomas Bila, Ph.D., CFRE, Executive Director, Catholic Charities, Palm Beach Gardens, FL

3C Green Housing: Care of God’s Creation

Sponsored by Housing

Catholic housing developers are increasingly embracing a responsibility to build and operate energy-efficient housing. The movement strives to make an effort to control energy costs and renew our commitment to be good stewards of God’s creation. This workshop will provide information about how to fund affordable housing development with a particular focus on local efforts to build “green.” Local Catholic Charities agencies’ programs will be highlighted.
Presenter: Mary Luevano, Policy and Legislative Affairs Director, Global Green USA, Santa Monica, CA

3D Parenting from the Inside

Sponsored by Local Host

The relationships people in correctional facilities have with their children are limited and strained—if they have them at all. Discover strategies for teaching parenting skills to cor- rectional institution inmates. Help those on the “inside” build healthy families through establishing connections, improving communication, and making amends.
Presenters: Carole Gesme, Adjunct Professor, St. Mary’s University and Concordia University, Wayzata, MN; and Sandy Keiser, Community Education Specialist and Consultant, Catholic Social Services of Southwestern Ohio, Cincinnati, OH

3E A Challenge to the Choir

Sponsored by PSM

Engaging Catholics in social ministry is challenging. Learning all the right techniques is important but so too, is understand- ing the common ground upon which all of us-regardless of our theology- stand. This workshop will look at our shared need for God’s grace as a starting point in engaging our fellow Catholics in the synergy of sacrament, word, service, and justice.
Presenter: Rev. Juniper Schneider, OFM, Pastor, St. Joseph Catholic Church, Archdiocese of Portland, Roseburg, OR

3F The New Catholic Charities USA Code of Ethics: An Overview

This presentation will provide a preliminary introduction to the new Code, its purpose, its theological and scriptural founda- tions, and last, but not least, the ethical standards. The plan for implementation will also be discussed.
Presenters: Brian Corbin, Executive Director, Catholic Charities and Catholic Health Affairs, Youngstown, OH; and Sr. Ann Patrick Conrad, Ph.D., Associate Professor, School of Social Service, The Catholic University of America, Washington, DC

3G Project Fleur-de-lis™: Post Katrina Mental Health in New Orleans Catholic Schools

Project Fleur-de-lis™ - a collaborative endeavor involving key entities within Catholic Schools, Catholic Healthcare, and Catholic Social Services in the greater New Orleans area – is a school-based mental health program designed to provide stepped interventions to affect long-term recovery of children and families traumatized by Hurricane Katrina. Presenters will discuss the three-fold objectives of Project Fleur-de-lis™ and offer it as a model for addressing children’s mental health in the aftermath of a natural disaster.
Presenters: Douglas Walker, Ph.D., Clinical Director, Mercy Family Center, Mandeville, LA; Susan Fendlason, Program Administrator, Project Fleur-de-lis™, New Orleans, LA; and Stephen Engro, Director of Development, Mercy Family Center, Metairie, LA

7:00 pm – 9:00 pm

Catholic Charities USA Opening Reception

The Bishop Joseph M. Sullivan Award is given annually to nationally recognize indi- viduals who have demonstrated excellence, creativity, and leadership in service delivery to children and their families. Come celebrate as we honor this year’s Bishop Joseph M. Sullivan Award winners, Russ and Rita Hoffman. The Hoffmans reside in Moorhead, MN and work with Catholic Social Services for the Diocese of Crookston. In 1961, Mr. and Mrs. Hoffman had a small daughter, Rosemary, but they thought their family was too small. The Hoffmans, now 73, have five adopted children including triplets. For the past 44 years Mr. and Mrs. Hoffman have provided love, stability, and dedication to over 400 foster children placed in their care. The children have ranged in age from one day to 18 years, many with mental, emotional, spiritual, and physical disabilities. They have been advocates for abused children and provided shelter for 12 abused children in crisis.

The Arnold Andrews Award for Collaborative Excellence will be presented to several organizations by Ministering Together (formerly called New Covenant). The goal of Ministering Together is to encourage those active in Catholic health care, human services, education, diocese, and parishes to combine their efforts for more effective and efficient service to the poor and vulnerable.

Join us in this celebration with good friends, good food, and the promise of a fun time.