The Power of Research to Inform Policy

Join the Pascale Sykes Foundation for a research summit as they welcome researchers, government officials, local and national non-profit leaders for this engaging and informative gathering. This will be a hybrid event. Registration is available for in-person or virtual attendance. Complimentary morning refreshments and lunch will be served at the conference center.

Attendees will hear from renowned psychiatrist Dr. Bruce Perry, active teacher, clinician, and researcher in children’s mental health. His work on the impact of abuse, neglect and trauma on the developing brain has impacted clinical practice, programs and policy across the world. Dr. Perry's most recent book, What Happened to You? Conversations on Trauma, Resilience, and Healing, co-authored with Oprah Winfrey, was released in 2021.

The was founded in 1992 on the premise that working families shouldn’t experience a crisis before they can access the resources and support needed to reach their full potential. One of the most essential investments of the Foundation has been to support a longitudinal study of the Whole Family Approach, a family-led strategy which provides adults and children with the tools to set, plan for, and achieve their goals together.

SUMMIT HIGHLIGHTS

Research Presentations
• Dr. Ross Whiting, PhD, Senator Walter Rand Institute for Public Affairs: Strengthening Families Initiative Evaluation
• Dr. Elena Ragusa, PsyD, Drive Evaluation Studio: Whole Family Approach in Urban Areas

Session 1: Building Public/Private Partnerships and Research That Informs Those Strategies
Moderator: Marjorie Sims, Managing Director, Ascend at the Aspen Institute
Guest Panelists:
• Christine Norbut Beyer, Commissioner, Department of Children and Families, New Jersey
• Debra Johnson, ACF Deputy Assistant Secretary
• Alphonso Nicholas, ACF Regional Administrator, Region 2
• Pete Weldy, ACF Regional Administrator, Region 9
• Carlis V. Williams, ACF Acting Director Office of Regional Operations
• Elaine Zimmerman, ACF Regional Administrator, Region 1

Keynote Speaker
Dr. Bruce Perry, Author of "What happened to you? Conversations on Trauma, Resilience, and Healing"

Session 2: Remedies for the aftereffects of childhood trauma: The Whole Family Approach
Moderator: Reverend Dr. Darrell L. Armstrong, Pastor, Shiloh Baptist Church of Trenton, NJ
Guest Panelists:
• Christina D. Bethell, PhD, MPH, MBA, Director, Child and Adolescent Health Measurement Initiative at Johns Hopkins University
• Stacie LeBlanc, JD, MEd, Former President of American Professional Society on the Abuse of Children
• Allison Stephens, PhD, MEd, Director of Networks, Communications and Policy, Center for Community-Engaged Medicine at HOPE: Healthy Outcomes from Positive Experiences
• Rev. Floyd Thompkins, Jr., Former Associate Dean of Memorial Church at Stanford University
• Viola Vaughan-Eden, PhD, MJ, LCSW, Associate Professor and PhD Program Director with The Ethelyn R. Strong School of Social Work at Norfolk State University

There is no cost to attend this conference.