Registration Now Open for Children’s Network Conference

A Jesuit priest who founded the world’s largest gang intervention, rehabilitation and re-entry program will share his message of hope at the upcoming Children’s Network Conference. Father Gregory Boyle will be the keynote speaker on the first day of the Sept. 23-24 conference at the Ontario Convention Center. Now in its 29th year, the event is one of the Inland Empire’s premier training events for professionals in the fields of social work, mental health, juvenile justice, child development, child welfare, medicine and nursing. “The 45 workshops at the Ontario Convention Center will highlight topics including bullying, father involvement, domestic minor sex trafficking, school safety, internet safety, and youth suicide prevention,” said Kathy Turnbull, Network Officer. On Sept. 23, the conference will feature Father Gregory Boyle, a nationally renowned speaker and the founder and CEO of Homeboy Industries. Homeboy Industries assists 15,000 individuals a year who enter their doors seeking transformation. Father Boyle, an authority on gangs and intervention, focuses on hope as a powerful tool. He will share what he has learned since the creation of Homeboy Industries, including the importance of adults’ attention, guidance and unconditional love in preventing youth from joining gangs. On Sept. 24, the conference will feature Dr. Robert Anda. He has conducted research in disease surveillance, behavioral health, mental health and disease, cardiovascular disease, psychosocial origins of health-risk behaviors, and childhood determinants of health. He serves as co-principal investigator and co-founder of the Adverse Childhood Experiences Study (ACE Study). He has authored and coauthored publications on the health and social implications of adverse childhood experiences and will discuss the profound health, social, and economic risks that result from childhood trauma. The Children's Network of San Bernardino County works to improve the quality of life for children at risk who, because of behavior, abuse, neglect, medical needs, educational assessment, and/or detrimental daily living situations are eligible for services from one or more of the member agencies of the Children's Policy Council.