Advocating for safe children, stable families, and supportive communities
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Columbus, OH 43215 — 614-224-5802

PCSAO Annual Conference

PCSAO’s 2021 Annual Conference, “Facing the Future Together: Our World, Our Commitment,” will be held September 29-October 1 at the DoubleTree Worthington. Registration is now open! We have 45 exciting in-person options as well as a hybrid option.

Take a look at the 2021 Registration page to review workshops and register when you are ready. Be sure to read the additional information regarding hybrid options, cancellations, health advisories and training credit. When you are ready, click the button below to make your selections and pay your registration fee. Hotel arrangements must be made separately.

REGISTER

Download the Schedule at a Glance.

Important Information

Cancellation and Refund Policy

Cancellations must be made in writing via email at cassandra@pcsao.org. Refer to the following dates for refund deadlines:

Hotel Reservations

The conference will be held at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel, 175 Hutchinson Ave., Columbus, OH 43235, 614-885-3334 or 1-800-870-0349. A block of rooms has been reserved for conference attendees. Attendees must contact the hotel directly to make a room reservation. Attendees will be responsible for the cost of their rooms. Inform the hotel reservation desk that you are part of PCSAO’s conference. The group code is PCS. To receive the group rate, make your reservation by September 10.

To Receive Tax Exemption If you are a state employee and tax exempt, you must have a
State Tax Exempt form and City of Columbus Tax Exempt form. The name on the credit card and check must match the name on the tax- exempt forms. Cash and personal methods of payment (personal checks, personal credit cards) cannot be used for payment.

Approved health policy

PCSAO’s Annual Conference approved health policy has been updated. The City of Columbus is ordering that facial coverings be worn inside places accessible by the public. In recognition of City of Columbus order, and guidance put out by Centers for Disease Control and Ohio Department of Health, PCSAO strongly recommends conference attendees, presenters, sponsors, and guests wear masks indoors regardless of vaccine status. Masks will be available at the conference for those who need them. PCSAO has capped in-person registration at 350 attendees (hybrid is unlimited). Whenever possible, attendees will be spaced out at meals, plenary sessions, and in workshops. The DoubleTree makes hand sanitizer and sanitizing wipes widely available. Additionally, they clean hotel rooms only between guest stays to minimize contact. Housekeeping is available upon request. This health policy may be further amended or updated as advisories and orders change. Presenters and speakers may choose to unmask while presenting. Microphones will be provided.

Keynote Speakers


PCSAO is pleased to announced that Molly Tierney will be our keynote speaker on Wednesday, September 29. Molly is a Managing Director and the Child Welfare Industry Lead in Accenture’s North America Public Sector Practice, where she leverages her 25+ years of expertise to enable states and cities to improve outcomes for vulnerable citizens. Prior to joining Accenture, Molly spent 10 years as the Director for the Baltimore City Department of Social Services where she managed the City’s child welfare and public assistance programs. During that time she developed a reputation as a passionate reformer of foster care. In five years, the number of children in foster care declined 60 percent, while adoptions increased 60 percent. During that time, she also did a TED talk focused on foster care. At Accenture, she is the lead for the Accenture Virtual Experience Solution (AVEnueS), the firm’s groundbreaking immersive learning technique designed to increase the pace with which front line staff become masterful at their work.

PCSAO is pleased to announce that Dr. Rachel Mitchum Elahee will be our keynote speaker on Thursday, September 30. Dr. Rachel is a leadership expert who challenges audiences to choose the habits, actions and mindset necessary to achieve greater life satisfaction, professional productivity and ultimately, peace of mind. She is a licensed psychologist, certified executive coach, and author of the book “Choose You! Reignite Your Passion For Life.” Dr. Rachel earned her PhD from Wright State University in Dayton, Ohio. She has received numerous awards as a psychologist and accolades as a speaker. Dr. Rachel’s presentations, speaking engagements, and workshops have inspired a wide range of audiences and her down-to-earth humor compels audiences to laugh while they learn. People love her practical strategies they can apply personally and professionally. In addition to her public speaking, Dr. Rachel has been featured on Good Day Atlanta, CBS radio, NPR Boston and in publications such as the U.S. News & World Report and MadameNoire.com. Originally from Cleveland, Ohio, Dr. Rachel resides in Atlanta, GA with her husband and their four amazing children. Dr. Rachel is a member of Hopewell Missionary Baptist Church, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and a number of professional organizations.

PCSAO is honored to have Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) Director Matt Damschroder as our breakfast speaker Friday, October 1. Director Damschroder was appointed interim director by Gov. Mike DeWine in March and permanent director in July of 2021. Director Damschroder is no stranger to the important work of children services agencies. He and his wife have two adopted children. They understand the importance of supporting families and children. His commitment to children services issues and to children services staff really comes through when you meet him. Prior to joining ODJFS, Damschroder served as director of the Ohio Department of Administrative Services (DAS) since January 2019. Before joining DAS, he served in the office of then-Ohio Secretary of State Jon Husted. There, first as State Elections Director from 2011 to 2014, then as the Assistant Secretary of State and Chief of Staff. Previously, he led the Franklin County Board of Elections. A native of Columbus, Matt holds an M.A. in Public Policy and Management from the John Glenn College of Public Affairs and a B.S. in Business Administration from the Max M. Fisher College of Business, both at The Ohio State University.

Gift baskets needed!

With PCSAO’s Annual Conference next month, we are working hard to make this a great event and we need your help! As we have done in the past, we are collecting gift baskets from agencies to be raffled off during the conference. These gift baskets will serve to engage attendees and show appreciation for all involved. Most gift baskets feature a theme. No matter what theme you choose, please be sure that your basket is family friendly (no alcohol) and appeals to a wide audience.

For planning purposes, notify Anne Potts at anne@pcsao.org by Friday, September 17th if your agency is interested in providing a gift basket. Baskets can be brought directly to the conference.

Sponsorship

The PCSAO annual conference is an opportunity to reach more than 500 children services professionals across the state. This year’s conference theme is “Facing the Future Together: Our World, Our Commitment.” The audience includes child protection caseworkers, supervisors, administrators, attorneys, directors, students and advocates. As a sponsor, you will benefit from face-to-face networking, organization logo included in conference material, on-site sponsorship recognition and publicity on PCSAO’s website. Exhibitor tables may be limited in number depending on health measures in effect at the time of the conference. Sponsorship is open until September 3. Become a sponsor here.

Thanks to our World Champion Sponsors, United Healthcare and Aetna, and to all of our sponsors.