Alabama A&M University to Host Symposium on Technology and Child Welfare
Interdisciplinary Leaders to Gather at AAMU for Symposium on Tech in Social Services
Alabama A&M University will host its inaugural Innovate CW: Technology in Child Welfare Symposium on Friday, August 8, from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. in Buchanan Hall Auditorium. This forward-looking, day-long event will explore how technology can improve outcomes for vulnerable children and families across the social services landscape.
Social service providers, students and professionals in social work, counseling, computer science, business, and education – as well as researchers and advocates – are encouraged to attend and contribute to this dynamic, cross-disciplinary exchange.
Keynote speaker Dr. Sebrina Jackson, Dean of Social Work at Clark Atlanta University, will offer insight into the intersection of technology, policy, and child welfare reform. A respected leader in her field, Jackson brings deep experience in education and social service leadership.
Other featured speakers include Chris Newlin, CEO of the National Children’s Advocacy Center (NCAC); David Mandel, Founder and CEO of the Safe and Together Institute; Ruth Raymundo-Mandel, Chief Business Development Officer and Co-Owner of the Safe and Together Institute; and Tonita Phipps, former Director of the Madison County Department of Human Resources. Presenters also include Dr. Nicole Ruggiano, Assistant Dean of Research at the University of Alabama, and Dr. Peter Eley, Dean of AAMU’s College of Education, Humanities, and Behavioral Sciences.
Alabama A&M’s Department of Social Work has long been a leader in integrating innovation into education and training.
“Since the establishment of Dora’s House, our Title IV-E Child Welfare Training and Simulation Lab in 2018, the Department of Social Work has utilized artificial intelligence and human-powered, immersive technologies to support our students in gaining skills and competencies related to interviewing and assessment,” states Dr. Tonya Perry, Professor and Chairperson of the Department of Social Work.
“Because we embraced technology so early and integrated it into our curriculum, our field education training was able to continue through the COVID-related quarantine without compromising the quality of our curriculum delivery or our accreditation standards,” said Willie Diggs, Director of Field Education.
Perry added, “As technologies continue to evolve, our profession must be in continual conversation with industry leaders to maintain awareness of tools available to support our students and child welfare professionals in mastering critical skills.”
Free and open to the public, the symposium welcomes both in-person and virtual attendees. Lunch will be provided for in-person participants, and continuing education credits will be offered. Hands-on simulations will give attendees practical experience with some of the technologies discussed.