State Conference 2025
Join us on October 23, 2025
Hilton Garden Inn Madison Sun Prairie
1220 S Grand Ave, Sun Prairie, WI 53590
Conference Schedule
Check in- 9am to 10am
Welcome and Keynote- 10am to 11:30am
Lunch - 11:30am to 12:30pm
Breakout Sessions 1 - 12:45pm to 2pm
Breakout Sessions 2- 2pm to 3:15pm
Final Session and Closing- 3:30pm to 4:30pm
Keynote Speaker- MelissaRoshan Potter
“From Trauma to triumph; A story of an Overcomer”
MelRo will share her lived experience in foster care, and the power of allowing your light to shine, and sharing
with others. Vowing to overcome her tumultuous childhood, she later embarked on her own journey towards healing and is committed to encouraging others to heal and grow from their painful pasts. We hope you’ll join us to experience this important and moving discussion!
Breakout Sessions 1
1. DEI and Trauma Informed Care- MelRo Potter
2. Disenfranchised Grief and Behavioral Health Considerations with Families- Kalie Bach
3. Advocate Supervisor Networking
4. Rowing Together: Best Practices for Board and Executive Director Partnerships. Geared for Board of Directors and Executive Directors/Upper Management Staff- Greg Nielsen from Nielsen Training & Consulting, LLC
Breakout Sessions 2
1. How CASAs and GALs can work together- Christy Keele and Lance Jones
2. Best Practices for Advocating in an Education Setting to Access Educational Services and Supports- Department of Public Instruction
3. Addiction, trauma, and the role we play!- Sandy Shaffer from
Shaffer Counseling & Consulting LLC
Conference has applied for Wisconsin Bar CLE Credits.
Closing Session
Join us at the end of the day to group together to talk to your peers who serve children of similar ages on new ideas to engage, advocate and be the best possible voice of the child. Come willing to share your fun, new and out-of-the-box ideas.
Thank you State Conference Sponsors!
Children's Court Improvement Program
