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Join us for this year’s Be@School Conference! The audience will hear from parents and professionals working in schools, child protection, and the bench. There will be opportunities for discussion and networking with other professionals. A light breakfast and lunch will be provided.

No Cost. CEUs will be provided.
Please register in advance as there will be very limited same day registration available.

Keynote Speaker

Isis West is a recent graduate from the University of Tennessee Knoxville where she received her Bachelors in Anthropology and her Master of Public Health in Epidemiology. Ms. West is passionate about health disparities and social determinants of health. Her previous research focused on exploring an unexamined source of racial disparities in juvenile court involvement, specifically in unexcused absenteeism. Ms. West will share the results of parent interviews completed in December 2021-April 2022. Participants will learn about the experience of parents/guardians whose children were referred to Be@School. Ms. West will reflect on themes that emerged as well as share suggested specific system changes from parents.

Conference Lineup

  • A former Be@School parent will share her experience after reports were made to Be@School for her sons.
  • A panel of school staff from Hennepin County suburbs and a large charter school will discuss the challenges schools face in addressing unexcused absences and what they wish other system partners knew.
  • A panel of Hennepin County Child Protection social workers will explain what happens when a report is made to Hennepin County child protection due to educational neglect.
  • Judge Tanya Bransford (Hennepin County) will reflect on findings from the Juvenile Detention Alternatives Initiative (JDAI)report and how it changed truancy court practices in Hennepin County.
  • Kari Sullivan Custer, an Education Consultant from the Office of Student Supports, Connecticut State Department of Education will discuss Connecticut’s experience navigating alternatives to truancy court.

Registration and Conference Details

Register Now

  • Food provided: please indicate dietary preferences upon registration or e-mail cascw@umn.edu.
  • Venue: The conference will be held at the Huntington Bank Stadium in the Club Cambria room, located at 420 23rd Avenue SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455
  • Parking & Event Entrance: guests can be directed to park in the Gopher & Maroon Lots, and enter the stadium at the Benton County Premium Event Entrance, located at the south west corner of the stadium between the Gopher Fan Apparel Shop and the Ticket Box Office. The MN county names go in alphabetical order around the stadium, so guests can follow them to “Benton”.
  • Accessibility: Disability parking is available in the Gopher Lot, Maroon Lot, and at meters along University Ave. SE. The building and event space are wheelchair accessible. There are no stairs to enter the building, and there are elevators and escalators inside the venue. UMN staff and students can request accommodations on the Disability Resource Center Page:  UMN Accomodations and Services.
  • COVID Response: As of March 21st, 2022, it was announced that masks were no longer required at UMN entertainment venues, however guests may continue to wear masks if they choose. Read the latest information on the UMN COVID Response.

Check back here for more conference updates. Please e-mail cascw@umn.edu with any questions.