Join us for the Kids at Court Conference: Access and Inclusion for Youth with Disabilities to learn about trauma-sensitive communication strategies for children with disabilities.

This conference is open to all attorneys who interact with children and youth in their courtroom practice, including, but not limited to, criminal, dependency, delinquency, civil, and domestic relations across Pennsylvania.

The Support Center for Child Advocates’ Center for Excellence in Advocacy (CEA) received funding (from the Criminal Justice Act and Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency) to develop specialized training for attorneys and judges to enhance their trauma-responsiveness and equip them with the tools necessary for effective communication with children with disabilities, including physical, cognitive, or developmental disabilities; d/Deaf or hard of hearing children; children with vision impairment or low vision; and children with mental health challenges.

Child Advocates has drawn on our extensive experience representing and providing vital services to victims of child abuse and neglect and managing our Complex Medical Needs Project to create a curriculum that is rooted in the realities of our child clients and applicable to practice.

In 2026, Child Advocates will host four half-day conferences. Please check back for more information!

CONFERENCE DATES

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Norristown, PA

Montgomery Bar Association

March 17, 2026

(100 W Airy St, Norristown, PA 19401)

Register here.

Philadelphia, PA

The University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School

May 13, 2026

(3501 Sansom St, Philadelphia, PA 19104)

Register here.

HArrisburg, pa

harrisburg HIlton

May 29, 2026

(One N 2nd St, Harrisburg, PA 17101)

Register here.

online conference

More information coming soon.

Pre-Requisite online training

All conference registrants will have access to a pre-requisite online training. This online training will cover foundational information about secondary-traumatic stress, oppression-based trauma, the neurological impact of trauma, trauma-sensitive strategies for attorneys when interacting with kids, and interviews with individuals with lived experience.

The online trainings is eligible for CLE credit and hosted on our online learning center, Child Advocates Online.

The online training will prepare registrants for the in-person training and ensure a shared understanding of relevant terms and concepts.

SPEAKERS AND ADVISORS

	Morgen Black-Smith, Esq. Staff Attorney, Project Lead of Project YES! (Youth Educational Success), Support Center for Child Advocates		Allie Dolan, MSS, LSW Center for Excellence in Advocacy Program Manager, Education & Advocacy, Support Center for Child Advocates

	Rachel Guttentag Autistic Self Advocate		Brenda Harkavy, Esq. Attorney at Law, Laffey Bucci D’Andrea Reich & Ryan, Board President and Volunteer Attorney, Support Center for Child Advocates

	Kate Hooven Justice System Project Coordinator, ASERT (Autism Services, Education, Resources and Training)		Ryan Hooven

	Yeshemebet Legesse, MSW Child Advocate Social Worker, Support Center for Child Advocates		Amy Lynch, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA, Associate Professor, Temple University – Department of Health and Rehabilitation Services Program in Occupational Therapy

	Meng McLendon, MS, CCC-SLP Speech-Language Pathologist, Augmentative and Alternative Communication Services Coordinator, Temple University – College of Education and Human Development Institute on Disabilities		Dana Morici, Esq. Staff Attorney, Support Center for Child Advocates

	Shannon Sherwood, Esq. Managing Attorney, Support Center for Child Advocates		Felicity Zhang, LSW Child Advocate Social Worker, Support Center for Child Advocates