About The Event

The National Association of Social Workers, Pennsylvania Chapter (NASW-PA) Statewide Conference is the largest gatherings of social workers and like-minded professionals in Pennsylvania. This three-day conference event (plus pre-conference) will consist of acclaimed keynote presenters, continuing education workshops, networking opportunities, and more! Taking place at the Kalahari Resort and Spa in the beautiful Pocono Mountains, the 2024 conference will connect you with the newest trends, innovations, and practice, and is a rare opportunity to network with other social workers across all professional levels.

October 13-16, 2024
Kalahari Resort and Spa
250 Kalahari Boulevard
Pocono Manor, PA 18349
30+ CONTINUING EDUCATION CREDIT HOURS AVAILABLE
ONLINE COMPONENT INCLUDED FOR FULL CONFERENCE REGISTRANTS!

This year's theme conference is SOCIAL WORKERS (EM)POWER.

Conference Schedule (subject to change)

Sunday, 10/13 - (up to 4 CEs)
1:00pm - 4:00pm (3 CEs) - Pre Conference - $$Additional Cost
5:30pm - 9:30pm (1 CEs) - Dinner, Gala & Awards - $$Additional Cost

Monday, 10/14 - (up to 6 CEs)
7:00am - 8:15am - Registration & Continental Breakfast
8:00am - 9:00am (1 CEs) - Breakout Session #1
9:30am - 10:00am (0.5 CEs) - SWEETalk #1
10:30am - 12:00pm (1.5 CEs) - Opening Session & Keynote
12:00pm - 1:30pm - Lunch/Exhibit Hall/Student Posters
1:30pm - 3:00pm (1.5 CEs) - Breakout Session #2
3:30pm - 4:00pm (0.5 CEs) - SWEETalk #2
4:30pm - 5:30pm (1 CEs) - Breakout Session #3
5:30pm - 9:00pm - (EM)POWER HOUR by the Membership Committee Networking Event

**Student Track on Monday, 10/14 ONLY! Note: Sessions located in Orange Room unless noted*
8:00am - 9:00am - Student Session #1
9:00am - 9:30am - Welcome to Student & Young Professionals
9:45am - 10:15am - Career Panel, including BSW, MSW, DSW, Early career professional & faculty
10:30am - 12:00pm - Welcome and Opening keynote to 2024 Annual Conference [*Plenary session in Kalahari Ballroom]
12:00pm - 1:30pm - Lunch/Exhibit Hall/Student Posters [*Kalahari Ballroom]
1:30pm - 3:00pm - Student Session #2
3:30pm - 4:00pm - Non-Traditional Social Work Careers
4:30pm - 5:30pm - Student Session #3

Tuesday, 10/15 - (up to 11 CEs)
7:00am - 8:15am - Registration & Continental Breakfast
8:15am - 9:45am (1.5 CEs) - Breakout Session #4
10:15am - 11:15am (1 CEs) - Breakout Session #5
11:30am - 2:00pm (2 CEs) - PACE Luncheon & Plenary Speaker
11:30am - 4:40pm - Red Cross Blood Drive
2:15pm - 2:45pm (0.5 CEs) - SWEETalk #3
3:00pm - 6:00pm (3 CEs) - Deep Dive #1
6:00pm - 7:30pm - NASW-PA Recruitment & Volunteer Fair
7:00pm - 9:45pm (3 CEs) - Social Work Film Festival

Wednesday, 10/16 - (up to 10.5 CEs)
7:00am - 8:30am - Registration & Continental Breakfast
8:30am - 11:30am (3 CEs) - Deep Dive #2
11:45am - 1:45pm (2 CEs) - Closing Luncheon and Keynote
2:00pm - 3:00pm (1 CEs) - Breakout Session #6
3:30pm - 5:00pm (1.5 CEs) - Breakout Session #7
 6:00pm - 9:00pm (3 CEs) - BONUS! Movie & Discussion

Conference Keynotes

Opening Keynote, Oct 14 ~ Natalie Fikes

Natalie Fikes is a recognized trailblazer in transformative leadership development and community empowerment. With over two decades of experience, Natalie has dedicated her career to integrating personal growth with interactive, experiential learning. As CEO of Breakthrough to Millions, she pioneers innovative workshops and coaching sessions that equip leaders with the skills to inspire future generations. In 2013, while raising her teenage sister and two young children, Natalie identified a critical need in her community. She founded Code Next Generation providing life skills training to successfully transition youth to adulthood with participants of her program receiving White House recognition for community service.

Closing Luncheon Keynote, Oct 16 ~ Yovanna Madhère

Yovanna Madhère, MSW is a social worker, personal development coach, transformational speaker, and author. She is a graduate with Honors Distinction from Clark Atlanta University with a Master of Social Work degree focused on health & mental health. She was a Dean’s Fellow, is a member of The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, and a recipient of other academic Fellowships and accolades. Through her spiritual, mental, and physical practices, Yovanna has healed herself from the pain caused by trauma and she has dedicated over 10 years of her life to helping her clients become their best selves.

Registration

Registration Regulations

  • Early bird discount of 5% before August 13th (Doesn't Apply to Add Ons)
  • Online Registration will close on Wed, Oct 2nd. Afterward that date, register on site.
  • All refunds subject to $30 surcharge, no refunds will be issued after Wed, Oct 2nd except in case of contagious and/or serious illness, injury, or death in family.

Selection for each registration option must be completed.  If option does not apply, choose N/A.

Pre-Conference Workshop Sessions & Activities

Finding Calm Amidst the Rides of Life (waterpark experience) (3 CEs)
Rebecca Suglia, LCSW, Counselor at Concern, Partner and Therapist at U3: Body, Mind & Spirit

According to its founder, Kavar-Zinn, mindfulness is “paying attention in a particular way: on purpose, in the present moment, and non-judgmentally.” Participants will learn about two types of mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) techniques and ways to implement them in their personal life as a routine part of their self-care: the body scan and sitting meditation. The waterpark experience will be used to practice the learned techniques. Participants will be asked to ride the following rides: indoor/outdoor spa pool, the lazy river, two moderate-level waterslide rides, and if willing, an extreme waterslide ride. The workshop will end in a discussion of participants’ experiences at the waterpark implementing the MBSR techniques. Participants will leave the workshop with further resources to explore MBSR techniques in their personal and professional lives.

Embodied Practices that Promote Healthy Well-Being for Social Workers (3 CEs)
Arabella Perez, DSW, LCSW

This pre-conference session will highlight the importance of embodied practices which refers to a state in which an individual is deeply connected to their physical sensations, emotions, and surroundings. It involves a heightened awareness of the body's sensations, movements, and responses, as well as an integration of these aspects with one's thoughts and emotions. Embodied experiences often involve a sense of presence, immersion, and authenticity in the present moment, fostering a profound understanding of oneself and the world around them. Embodied practices may include meditation, yoga, and dance, among other physical experiences celebrating mind-body connection. Embodied practice creates the potential for a unifying perspective, and it can inspire new ways for activists to participate in community outreach and self-care.

Connecting to Nature for Self-Care and Wellness (hiking experience) (3 CEs)

This workshop will educate participants about the value of nature-based strategies for improving well-being. Participants will be introduced to the rationale, evidence, and benefits of nature-based approaches for self-care and wellness. The workshop will include a “field trip” to a nearby trail to put these techniques into practice.

Awards Reception and Gala Banquet

Gala Keynote

Gary T. Taylor, LCSW

Gary T. Taylor, aka Trey, is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Three-Time Published Author, Speaker and Facilitator, Assistant Professor, and Deacon. He is from and resides in Caroline County, Virginia with his wife, daughter, and son. He has twelve years of experience in the field of Mental Health and formerly provided individual therapy to Black Men and Women. He also provides consulting to businesses and community agencies around racial equity initiatives and is an Assistant Professor in the Social Work Department at Virginia State University. He blends his clinical expertise with lived experience as a way to meet people, especially Black Men where they are, via a social and racial justice lens. Trey is also a podcaster, sneakerhead, car enthusiast and coffee lover!

Questions & Acceptances

  • You will be contacted closer to conference to select a time slot for Red Cross Donation

  • For all other accommodations, see the special accommodations pdf on conference registration page. Deadline request for special accommodations is 9/13/24.

  • Anti-Harassment Policy is posted on the conference registration page.

  • Please be advised that photography, and audio and video recording of participants at this event may occur. By entering the event premises, you consent to interview(s), photography, audio recording, and video recording (referred to as the “Recordings”) and its/their release, publication, exhibition, or reproduction for promotional purposes, telecasts, advertising, inclusion on websites, social media, or any other purpose reasonably related to the mission of the National Association of Social Workers.
    You release NASW-PA, its officers, employees and agents from any liability connected with such use of the Recordings and waive all rights you may have to any claims for payment or royalties in connection with such use of the Recordings. You also waive any right to inspect or approve any photo, video, or audio recording taken by NASW-PA or the person or entity designated to do so by NASW-PA.

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