RADFORD – Radford University’s School of Social Work will host the 9th Annual Conference of the Institute for Children and Families, "Celebrating Children and Families” on Friday, April 3, at the RU West Conference Center.

This year’s conference will focus on “Supportive Systems in Times of Struggle and Stress.” Featured presenters will include Tara Brewster, coordinator and forensic interviewer for the Children’s Advocacy Center of the New River Valley; Jaiya John, founder and executive director of Soul Water Rising; Angela Little, director of the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program of Montgomery County & Radford; Daniel Merenda, vice president of planning and consultation at the Counsel of Community Services in Roanoke; Debora Schneller, RU School of Social Work faculty member; Ava Stanczak, former assistant professor and discipline chair of pediatrics at the Edward Via Virginia College of Osteopathic Medicine at Virginia Tech; and Etty Vandsburger, RU School of Social Work faculty member.

The annual meeting of the Institute for Children and Families is recognized as a showcase for programs and projects that may be used as models for best practice, a forum for policy discussion and advocacy, and a prime source of information on new research findings in work with children and families.

The 2009 conference is co-hosted by NRV Cares and co-sponsored by DePaul Family Services and the Council of Community Services. Continuing education credit (CEU) is available for social work, nurses and law enforcement personnel. Registration is required. To learn more, visit the conference website or contact Jenny Burroughs-Alexander at jburroug@radford.edu or (540) 831-7686.