CORE | Coalition for Residential Education

Greetings,

With the increasing demands on professionals in the child welfare and education systems, many of whom grapple with leveraging limited resources to serve burgeoning populations, new resources and strategies are needed to sustain and produce positive outcomes. There are millions of children who are affected by poverty and don’t have an opportunity for quality living or education. As a result, children are facing an uncertain future rather than one filled with promise. In response, Coalition for Residential Education (CORE) is staying true to its tradition of hosting expert speakers, thought-leaders, and engaging workshop facilitators in child welfare and education to provide resources and counsel on how to address these challenges.

CORE is excited to announce that the focus of this year’s conference is “Residential Education: Leading Through Changing Times”. It will be a unique opportunity to experience firsthand the positive work of residential education and join our discussions on how professionals in child welfare and education can improve outcomes for children and youth from disadvantaged backgrounds.

In March, you can look forward to CORE providing a comprehensive conference to include discussions on education reform, addressing the achievement gap, trends in higher education, the role of education and the child welfare system and other thought-provoking topics. This 2012 national conference is uniquely designed to help professionals in child welfare and education enhance their delivery of services and also identify partners to increase capacity and facilitate change at the local, regional, and federal levels. The national conference will host a series of in-depth discussions on how professionals in the child welfare and education can better work together for youth from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Professionals who work with children and youth advocates of quality education for all and especially those who are new to Residential Education (RE) to learn first-hand how this approach is making a difference in the positive development of youth should not miss this opportunity for dialogue with featured keynote speakers and leading experts in the field of education and child welfare.

We encourage you to join us March 7-9, 2012 in Oklahoma City, OK!

Warmest Regards,

Nicholette K. Smith-Bligen,
Executive Director, CORE

REGISTER TODAY!! GET FIRST-HAND INFORMATION ON RESIDENTIAL EDUCATION!!
Click here to learn more and to register!

About the Conference

CORE’s national conference attracts youth workers, leaders, advocates and policy makers in the field of Residential Education from across the country, in addition to those interested in issues related to children youth and families. Each year, the conference provides an engaging mix of advocacy, networking, and knowledge-sharing in a wide range of practice and leadership development arenas, connecting participants with top leaders through general sessions, forums, and hands-on workshops.

The conference will be held at the Oklahoma Baptist Building in Oklahoma City, OK. Attendees will have an opportunity to experience Residential Education first hand with a tour of Oklahoma Baptist Homes for Children, a CORE member school, and will also gain insight on how RE programs are structured, the delivery of care, and the high quality of education provided to children and youth. In partnership with Marriott, our host hotel is the Residence Inn by Marriott Oklahoma City Downtown/Bricktown.

Oklahoma’s Bricktown community, a historic district conveniently located near a variety of restaurants, retailers, and entertainment venues, provides a picturesque backdrop to our 2012 national conference. In celebrating its history and its future, Bricktown has become of one of the most frequented tourist sites in Oklahoma City, blending red brick with modern architecture.

Some of our Featured Speakers
• Anthony Sykes, Oklahoma State Senator – District 24
• Dr. Karyn Purvis, Director of the Institute of Child Development at Texas Christian University (TCU)
• Dr. Ron Haskins, Senior Fellow, Economic Studies, The Brookings Institution, Co-Director, Center for Children and Families
• Dr. Janet Barresi, Oklahoma State Superintendent of Public Instruction
• Sandra E. Timmons, President, A Better Chance
• Dr. Stacey Patton, Founder of Spare the Kids
• Dr. Khalek Kirkland, Head of Programs, The SEED School of Maryland

Location and Time of Conference
When:
Wednesday March 7, 2012 – Friday, March 9, 2012
8:30 AM – 12:00 PM CT

Where:
The Oklahoma Baptist Building
3800 North May Avenue
Oklahoma City, OK 73112

Sponsors:

Ruby Level

Platinum Level

Gold Level

Silver Level

Bronze Level

Catherine Hershey Awards Dinner Sponsor

Transportation
Will Rogers World Airport
7100 Terminal Drive,
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
P: (405) 316-3200

Special Hotel Conference Rates
Final Booking Deadline for discount rates: February 10, 2012

Rate $124 – Rate includes Hot HomeTouch Breakfast

Residence Inn by Marriott Oklahoma City Downtown/Bricktown
Downtown Bricktown
400 East Reno Avenue
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73104

“Building the Next Generation of Residential
Education Programs”
October 6-7, 2011

Hosted by The Crossnore School on their campus in Boone, NC

Letter from CORE’s Executive Director
Residential education programs across the country are grappling with how to continue serving vulnerable youth and families in light of today’s realities. Due to changes at the National and State levels, most residential education and most child care programs are or already have re-examined their program mission, models, and services. How are these programs, our programs, reconfiguring or changing in order to achieve a competitive advantage while staying true to their mission? How do we successfully build the next “generation” of residential education programs? What are some of the new models and changes being adopted? These questions will be the focus of most of our discussions, in addition to touring the highly regarded Crossnore School, our host for this event.

Participants in past leadership institutes enthuse about the small setting and the opportunity to be focused on strategic, big picture issues which may directly affect their organizations. In this setting you will be able to network and make valuable connections that will help you and your program move forward while combating today’s challenges. You will find you are not alone in this battle; we are all in it together.

Sincerely,

Nicholette Smith-Bligen
Executive Director

Join us…
NETWORK with senior staff from established and newly developing residential education programs.
LEARN about CORE’s Outcomes Survey results and discuss what the next steps will be.
VISIT the campus of The Crossnore School; meet students and staff.
GAIN INSIGHT and have input into public policy discussions effecting residential education programs.
FIND ANSWERS to your questions; leave with new ideas, colleagues, and resources.

Agenda Highlights

• Sharing of Successes and Challenges by each program (A tradition at CORE Leadership Institutes, participants share their biggest success and challenge of the year).
• Keynote Address: Rhett Mabry, Director, Childcare Division, The Duke Endowment Fund, Charlotte, NC.
• Tour of the Crossnore School, led by Dr. Phyllis Crain, Executive Director, and Crossnore’s staff and students.
• Discussion of and input into key CORE initiatives, including advocacy and CAREStandards.
• The results of CORE’s Outcomes Survey will be available by this time, and we will discuss our next steps.
• Speaker, Dr. Grady Batchelor, will speak about organizational change in a changing world to gain economic advantage. Dr. Batchelor is an award winning consultant and change agent in the fields of higher education, community and economic development, and government service. He is President of Grady Batchelor & Associates, Inc. consulting firm.
• Share in an evening of “Rustic Elegance” at the beautiful Eseeola Lodge, an old mountain lodge where a private dinning room will easily facilitate continued conversation.

For the latest information and to register: https://guest.cvent.com

Event Code: F2N6RPLBY5Q

Thank you to all who made the 2011 CORE National Conference a success! Hosted by Milton Hershey School, March 16-18 in Hershey, PA, the only national gathering of residential education practitioners was an informative and inspiring event.

The conference featured keynote speaker Carol Emig of Child Trends, educational presentations by both Michelle Seliner of S.A.F.E.Alternatives and Craig LeCadre of the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General, professional practices workshops, a campus tour of Milton Hershey School, networking opportunities, and a fun evening reception honoring National Residential Education Award winners, and our Founder and Executive Director Heidi Goldsmith.

We look forward to having you join us next year in Dallas, Texas for the the 2012 CORE National Conference — exact location and dates to be determined!

John Bellini, Director of Residential Education at Hillcrest Family Services, accepts their CAREStandards certification award on behalf of Hillcrest, with Board Persident Moe Dozier and Board Secretary Don Forrester.

Mike Tyrell and Mary Jane Alexander of St. Joseph's Indian School presenting a traditional quilt as a departing gift to CORE's Founder and Executive Director, Heidi Goldsmith.

Robert Farris, Executive VP of the Palmer Home for Children with CORE Founder and Executive Director, Heidi Goldsmith.

Founder and Exec. Director, Heidi Goldsmith, with Dennis Moore, the recipient of the Residential Educator of the Year award and his family.

“Sweet Success”

March 16-18, 2011

Hosted by The Milton Hershey School on their campus in Hershey, PA

Letter from CORE’s Executive Director and Board Chair
All parents want their children to be successful in life; all children want to be a “success.” But what does a “success” look like? When other people’s children are in our care, how do we assist — and how do we measure – their success?

“Sweet Success”, the 2011 CORE National Conference, will focus on a myriad of aspects of providing economically and socially disadvantaged children and youth with living and learning environments so they can realize their full potential. We welcome you – and urge you – to join us at this year’s main event in the field of residential education, adding your knowledge, expertise, questions, and experiences.

Sincerely,

Heidi Goldsmith
Founder, Executive Director

Moe Dozier
Chair of the Board, V.P., Methodist Homes for Children

Join us…
NETWORK with senior staff and residential educators from established and newly developing residential education programs.
LEARN about promising practices in residential education.
VISIT the campus of The Milton Hershey School; meet students and staff.
GAIN INSIGHT and have input into public policy discussions effecting residential education programs.
FIND ANSWERS to your questions; leave with new ideas, colleagues, and resources.

Agenda Highlights

• Tour the Milton Hershey School, including visits to student homes, the new Vocational Certificates program, and their Independent Living program.
• Three concurrent workshops offered on a variety of topics including Admissions and Enrollment, Involving  Families, Health and Fitness, Residential Curriculum, Independent Living, and Vocational training, including MHS’s Vocational Certificates program.
• Presentation on Students’ Self-Destructive Behavior.
• Updates and discussions on CORE’s initiatives including advocacy, professional practices, CAREStandards, research, and more.
• Sharing by CORE members about their processes and objectives for outcomes.
• Half-day (Friday) presentations and discussion of Student Use of Technology.
• Festive Thursday evening event including presentation of the 2011 Catherine Hershey Awards – the only national awards in the RE Field – recognizing outstanding youth, staff, and supporters.

For the latest information and to register: https://guest.cvent.com

Event Code: 55NWYVPMGY3

Thank you to all who made the 2010 CORE National Conference a success! Hosted by Mooseheart Child City and School and Glenwood School for Boys and Girls April 14-16 outside of Chicago, the only national gathering of residential education practitioners was an informative and inspiring event.

The conference featured keynote speakers, professional practices workshops, campus tours of host programs, networking opportunities, and an evening reception honoring National Residential Education Award winners.

We look forward to having you join us next year at Milton Hershey School, host of the 2011 CORE National Conference!

Bryan Samuels, HHS Commissioner of the Administration on Children, Youth, and Families and CORE Conference Keynote Speaker, with Glenwood Student

Glenwood Executive Director Sam Banks, HHS Commissioner Bryan Samuels, CORE Founder/Executive Director Heidi Goldsmith, and Mooseheart Executive Director Scott Hart

Josh Mayers, Catherine Hershey Student of the Year Award Recipient, with CORE Founder/Executive Director Heidi Goldsmith and CORE Board of Directors Chair Moe Dozier

Maura Fitzgerald-West, Catherine Hershey Residential Supervisor of the Year Award Recipient, with CORE Founder/Executive Director Heidi Goldsmith and CORE Board of Directors Chair Moe Dozier