Bill Benson serves as the Independent Living Program Coordinator for the Alabama Department of Human Resources. In this role, Bill works to provide and develop resources for county staff and youth between the ages of 14 – 21 as they prepare to successfully transition out of foster care. Along with his fourteen years of employment with DHR, he has been an adviser, service provider, and mentor to teenagers and their families for over 25 years. He has worked extensively with the development of youth leadership while emphasizing preparation toward adulthood.

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 trains, consults, and speaks on trauma, racial justice, family and youth engagement, self-care, adoption, child development, parenting, and more. She serves on Boards of the Association for Training and Treatment of Trauma in Children (ATTACh), The Center for Pediatric Traumatic Stress, and Imara International. She is an in-demand consultant for public and private child welfare, youth and adult justice and mental health agencies, courts, prison systems, and other organizations worldwide. Sue and her husband, Hector, when not volunteering in Kenya, live full-time in an RV, traveling and spending time with their 22 children and 50+ grand and great-grandchildren. They have also fostered 75 children and hosted refugees from Kosovo and Sudan. They co-authored Are We There Yet: The Ultimate Road Trip, Adopting and Raising 22 Kids; Building Bridges of Hope: A Coloring Book for Adults Caring for Children Who Have Experienced Trauma and other books. More about Sue Badeau