First NAPD National Family Defense Conference: A Resounding Success
Renee Brodsky, Assistant Training Director
Stephanne Thornton, Social Work Training & Resource CoordinatorÂ
The National Association for Public Defense (NAPD) successfully hosted its inaugural national conference dedicated to family defense: “Defending Families, Protecting Futures.” Held in Seattle, WA, from September 11-13, this landmark event brought together a diverse and dynamic community of attorneys, investigators, social workers, mitigation specialists and parent allies from across the country.
This significant event was a collaboration between NAPD, the Washington State Office of Public Defense (OPD), and Akin Parents for Parents. The partnership with the Washington State OPD emphasized a shared commitment to excellence in public defense, while Akin Parents for Parents, an organization focused on reuniting and empowering families within the family regulation system, contributed crucial insights and a vital parent-centered perspective. This collaboration highlighted the significant role of parent allies and support in dependency actions.
Attendees engaged in intensive skills training and collaborative sessions designed to address the unique challenges of the family regulation system. From mastering client-centered representation and fostering interdisciplinary advocacy to tackling systemic bias, the curriculum empowered defenders with the tools they needed to make a tangible difference.
The conference featured passionate plenary sessions with renowned speakers, including Tonier Cain and Sandy White Hawk. Tonier Cain, a leading expert on trauma-informed care and the founder of Tonier Cain International, used her own lived experience to educate attendees on the profound impact of trauma. Sandy White Hawk, a Sicangu Lakota adoptee and founder of the First Nations Repatriation Institute, brought a significant perspective on the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) and the intergenerational trauma caused by the removal of Native American children from their families. Her work helped participants better understand how to assist adoptees and fostered individuals in reconnecting with their heritage and healing.
The success of this conference marked a significant step forward for the family defense community. It was more than just a conference; it was a movement that built a stronger, more connected community committed to delivering high-quality, zealous, and client-centered representation to families navigating the complexities of the family regulation system.