2007 Prevent Child Abuse Iowa Annual Conference

Prevent Child Abuse Iowa Events
27th Annual Conference

“Strengthening Families to Protect Children”

Prevent Child Abuse Iowa’s 27th annual conference was held April 21-22, 2008 at the Sheraton West Des Moines Hotel.

The 2008 conference honored the work professionals and child advocates across Iowa are doing to strengthen families in order to prevent child abuse and neglect. Dr. Michael Popkin, founder of the Active Parenting series, delivered the opening keynote presentation, “Character, Discipline, and Parenting for Success in the 21st Century.” Dr. Popkin was “introduced” to the audience with a clip from his appearance on The Oprah Winfrey Show. He discussed the importance of parenting education in today’s society, a topic which he enhanced in a later breakout workshop entitled, “How to Lead a Great Parenting Group.”

Emily Ballance, MEd, LPC, inspired the audience in her closing keynote presentation by reminding them to laugh everyday and giving examples of laughter and humor in her own life. As promised, there was laughter, prizes, jokes, and surprises! Participants won’t soon forget where to find their “inner child.”

Michael Popkin

Emily Ballance

Download the 2008 conference brochure here.

Read about the 2007 conference here.

Stephen Scott, Executive Director, welcomes participants to conference.	Dr. Michael Popkin, founder of the Active Parenting series, delivered the opening keynote address.
500 people attended the two day event.	Dr. Popkin also presented a breakout session on how to lead a great parenting group.
Dr. Michael Popkin autographed books for participants, with the help of Tina Wierschke, PCA Iowa program assistant.	Kristi Cooper, ISU Extension, explored wellness and meaningful life experiences in her session, “Integrating Body, Mind & Spirit.”
Carol Gutchewsky, DHS, helped participants understand the new service array in her workshop, “DHS-What’s New, What’s the Same?”	Dr. Carol Plummer, Louisiana State University, presented to a full room on the topic of how mothers discover and learn to believe their child’s sexual abuse.
A variety of exhibitors were present on Monday to share information with attendees.	Emily Ballance presented the closing keynote address on finding humor.
Emily helped participants find their “inner child.”	Attendees shared a few high fives at the closing keynote.