20th Annual Permanency Conference: A Legacy of Permanency: 20 Years of Planting Roots and Stability
Registration Closes: 04/22/2026
Event Time: 12:15 PM (04/22/2026) - 12:00 PM (04/24/2026)
Total CE Credits: 13
Clinical Hours: 13
General Admission: $0 CE Cost: $275
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Description
APAC, in collaboration with the Alabama Department of Human Resources, proudly presents the annual Permanency Conference, a transformative three-day training event dedicated to equipping professionals and caregivers with the knowledge and tools to better serve foster and adopted children and their families.
This conference is designed for anyone working with foster and adopted children, including DHR staff, service providers, clinicians, foster and adoptive parents, and other child welfare professionals. With a strong emphasis on practical, engaging, and relevant workshops, attendees will gain valuable insights and strategies to enhance their confidence and effectiveness in their work.
This year, APAC is honored to celebrate the 20th anniversary of our Permanency Conference with a keynote that embraces both our legacy and our plans for the future. Jamole Callahan’s lived-experience as a foster alum, nationally recognized standing as an advocate for youth, and unwavering commitment to equity-centered systems change makes him a strong voice to anchor this conference during a milestone year. Jamole’s keynote, Rooted in Belonging, invites us to dig deep and reimagine permanency as a lifelong promise grounded in relationships, culture, and collective responsibility.
Beyond the training, we prioritize self-care and renewal, ensuring participants feel appreciated and re-energized as they return to their vital roles. The relaxed setting offers opportunities for personal reflection and connection, making this an event that both educates and inspires.
Attendees can earn 13 contact hours for social workers and counselors, including several clinical hours, ethics hours and supervision, details forthcoming. Most workshops will also qualify for clinical hours.
This year SDHR has approved double occupancy for hotel lodging. If 2 or more from the same county attend, they must share room accommodations.
As we mark two decades of convening professionals and families around the shared goal of lasting family connections, we are excited to be challenged, inspired, and recommitted to building belonging. Join us for an enriching experience that will leave you better equipped to create positive change within our communities, one child, one family, and one courageous action at a time.
Speakers & Bios
Brock Sellers, LCSW, PIP
Brock Sellers, LICSW, PIP, is a nationally recognized speaker, trainer, and clinician with over 23 years of experience supporting children, families, and professionals in adoption, foster care, and permanency work. He currently serves as the Training for Adoption Competency (TAC) Coordinator and Trainer with the Center for Adoption Support and Education (C.A.S.E.), providing consultation, training, and systems-level support nationwide. Brock has worked within Alabama’s child welfare and permanency systems since 2002 and has maintained close ties to the Alabama Permanency Conference for many years, offering a unique blend of historical perspective and deep relational understanding of the field. Known for his grounded and engaging style, Brock integrates research, decades of practice-based experience, and insight into resilience, belonging, and professional sustainability. His work supports clinicians, organizations, and caregivers as they navigate complex systems while remaining connected to purpose, well-being, and the long arc of permanency-focused work.
Dr. Michael Smith
Michael has worked as a licensed social worker for more than 30 in the child welfare, adoption, and foster care areas of practice. He currently runs a private practice working with adoptive families and birth parents in the adoption process. He is a former Chair of the Alabama Stated Board of Social Work Examiners and former writer for the social work licensure exams administered through the Association of Social Work Boards.
Jamole Callahan
Jamole Callahan is a transformational leader, national trainer, and strategic advisor with over two decades of experience at the intersection of child welfare, housing, and systems reform. A graduate of the AdoptUSKids Professional Leadership Development Program, Jamole brings lived experience in foster care and a track record of catalyzing change through equity-focused coaching, policy influence, and cross-sector collaboration. Known for delivering results through relational leadership, culturally responsive training, and empowering public systems to serve families more effectively.
