Bill Benson serves as the Independent Living Coordinator for the Alabama Department of Human Resources with more than 20 years of experience working in the foster care system. The primary focus of his role is to develop and provide resources to DHR county staff, current youth in foster care and live- experience youth who have left or aged out of the Alabama foster care system. The goal of the work done through Alabama ILP is to help youth successfully prepare and enter adulthood. Some of the resource programs that Bill coordinates include the Fostering Hope Scholarship, Educational Training Voucher program and Foster Youth to Independence. These resources provide ongoing assistance to current and prior Alabama foster youth through obtainment of post-secondary education services, certifications for employment and housing vouchers.

Dr. Manning has extensive experience working in the public and private sector in both mental health and child welfare agencies. He is a professional speaker, trainer, and consultant for the National Center on Adoption and Permanency (NCAP). Dr. Manning provides training, consulting and keynote speaking services to professionals of multiple specialties and lay persons on a wide range of topics related to child welfare, mental health, and juvenile justice. He has presented at national, state, and local mental health, child welfare, and education conferences. Dr. Manning holds a doctorate in clinical psychology from the California School of Professional Psychology, is a published author, and is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist in the state of California. In addition, Dr. Manning is an Adjunct Faculty in the UMass Global – Graduate Department of Psychology. More about Dr. Manning

John Sobraske graduated phi beta kappa from Stanford University. He received his master's in clinical psychology from JFK University, a postgraduate certificate in adoption psychotherapy from Hunter College and a certificate in contemporary psychoanalysis from the National Institute for the Psychotherapies. As a graduate fellow at the University of Minnesota, he participated in research on open adoption and early stress. In his clinical work, John specializes in adoption and foster care. He works with a diverse, multicultural population and with many LGBTQ individuals. John has expertise in attachment, trauma, executive function, autism, fetal alcohol, personality disorders, and mindfulness. Research interests include adoption history, anthropology, mythology, and media. In addition to his work as a psychotherapist, John completed four-year certificates in Traditional Chinese Medicine and Homeopathic Medicine in support of his work as a holistic practitioner. He practices and teaches qigong and meditation. He is also a divorce mediator and serves as a facilitator and child specialist in collaborative divorce. John is a national trainer in adoption, psychotherapy, holistic medicine, and collaborative divorce. Learn more about John by visiting https://www.adoptioncenterofupstateny.com/

Sue Badeau speaks on trauma and resilience, parenting and more. With a degree in Early Childhood Education from Smith College, Sue is an in-demand keynote speaker, workshop leader, curriculum writer and consultant for numerous agencies, courts, prison systems, and other organizations across all 50 states and internationally. Sue and her husband, Hector are lifetime parents of 22 (20 adopted), longtime foster parents and have many grandchildren. They have co-authored Are We There Yet: The Ultimate Road Trip, Adopting and Raising 22 Kids and with daughter Chelsea Badeau, Building Bridges of Hope: A Coloring Book for Adults Caring for Children Who Have Experienced Trauma. Sue also recently co-authored Healing Connections: A Community Approach to Trauma and Attachment. Sue and Hector raised their family in Philadelphia and now live in an RV, dividing time between work, family and volunteering in Kenya.