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5TH ANNUAL WNY
FAMILY ENGAGEMENT

CONFERENCE

CTLE CREDITS
AVAILABLE

Details
February 26, 2025 
When families, schools, health care providers, and communities work together, partnership happens!
February 26, 2025

8:00 am - 4:00 pm

Buffalo Marriott Niagara

(1340 Millersport Hwy, Amherst, NY 14221)

Early Bird Registration -  $100

Late Registration (after February 14th)....  $150

$25 off each ticket for groups of 4 or more attendees please contact 716-800-2120 ext. 555 for invoicing or discount code! 

Join Us!

Family Engagement is a shared responsibility in which schools, health care providers, and other community agencies and organizations are committed to reaching out to engage families in meaningful ways and in which families are committed to actively supporting their children's learning, development, and overall    well-being.​

 

This 2025 conference supports those who want to develop and strengthen community partnerships. Participants will hear about best practices and high-impact engagement that they can use in their day to day work. Through discussion and work sessions, attendees will learn and share important information about family and community engagement. This conference offers a unique opportunity to build strong collaborations and take valuable information back to their schools and agencies.

It is our goal that you will walk away with the knowledge and skills needed to better prepare yourself to work with families.

Schedule

Agenda

8:00a - 8:30a: Registration/Breakfast

8:30a - 8:45a: Welcome/Introduction

8:45a - 10:15a: Keynote Speaker

10:15a - 10:30a: Morning Break

10:30a - 11:30a: Morning Breakout Sessions

11:30a - 12:30p: Lunch

12:30p - 1:00p: Awards Presentations

1:00p - 2:00p: Afternoon Breakout Sessions

2:00p - 2:15p: Afternoon Break

2:15p - 3:15p: Afternoon Speaker

3:15 - 3:30p: Closing

Breakout Session Tracts:

Mental Health

Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACES)

Disability

SPEAKERS

Keynote Speaker

Sharlonda Buckman-Davis

Afternoon Speaker

Renee Rider
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Sharlonda Buckman-Davis is an expert consultant for national and local organizations on family engagement and youth development. She currently serves as the Assistant Superintendent of Family and Community Engagement for the largest public school district in Michigan, Detroit Public Schools Community District. Previous to that, she was the Chief Executive of Detroit Parent Network, an independent nonprofit membership organization engaging parents as Champions for children citywide. She was born and raised in Detroit, earned her Master's degree in Community Economic Development from the University of New Hampshire and for more than 30 years has served on numerous educational panels including for MSNBC.

Mrs. Buckman-Davis has been the recipient of various awards including the Judge Wade McCree Jr. Friend of Children Award, Spirit of Detroit, Crain's Detroit Business 40 Under 40, Citizen of the Week, Michigan Chronicle Community Leader, Woman of Excellence, Detroit News Michiganian of the Year and most recently was recognized for her tireless work during the pandemic from national EdWeek as a Leader to Learn From.

Mrs. Buckman-Davis is also a published author. She wrote, The Ardent Advocate, a practitioners guide to engaging parents through a collection of experiences, strategies and best-practice reforms. This book also explores the opportunities and failures of public education with progressive ideas to better serve children of color in large urban centers in America. It is written through the lens of a woman, once discarded from the system as a young teen, who persevered despite insurmountable barriers in her path that could make or break any person. Discover her resilience and how you can apply these systematic strategies within your school community to be a voice for the voiceless and ignite change.

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Renee Rider oversees the School Mental Health Resource & Training Center. She came out of retirement from State government after serving in several roles at the state and local levels, i.e., Associate Commissioner at the NYS Education Department; Assistant Commissioner at the NYS Office of Children and Family Services; and Deputy Director of the Mental Health Association of Columbia-Greene Counties, Inc. While at the NYS Education Department, Renee directed the implementation of the mental health education law that requires schools to teach mental health to all students K-12 in both public and private schools. 

Awards
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Family Engagement Awards

New this year, we will be giving an award to a staff from a community-based organization, school district (or non-district school), and a mental health organization for demonstrating innovative and effective family engagement practices. Check out the link below for more information, the nomination form, and where to submit nominations to!

NOMINATIONS DUE BY JANUARY 24TH 2025!

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SPONSERS

SPONSORS

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SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES


Title Sponsor - $10,000 - One Opportunity

Family Engagement Sponsor - $5,000 - Two Opportunities

Breakout Sponsor - $2,500 - Four Opportunities

Lunch Sponsor - $1,500 - Six Opportunities

Conference Partner - $500.00

Vendor Table - $150.00

Program Advertising Opportunities  -  Full Page Ad $300; Half Page Ad $150

Are you interested in being a sponsor?
Contact us below! 

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CONTACT

CONTACT US

Sponsorship Information

General Information

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Who We Are

Who We Are

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Mission

The CMC is a collaborative network which provides a wide range of human services to individuals and families, while improving access to organizations and systems. 

1021 Broadway St. Buffalo, NY 14212

716.800.2120

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Mission

Our mission is to promote mental health and wellness in our community and support individuals and families challenged by mental illness.

Mission

Supporting families and professionals to empower individuals with disabilities to reach their full potential.

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Mission

Helping families, schools, and communities raise children to become responsible and successful adults.

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Mission

Together, we learn, explore opportunities, and provide support so people lead fulfilling lives.

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