From Collaboration to Change - Advancing Policy Through Collective Action

Coordinated, child-centered responses to abuse are most effective when professionals across systems work together, and Child Advocacy Centers offer a proven model for making that collaboration happen. This closing session will focus on how CACs help drive systems change by advancing multidisciplinary collaboration, strengthening partnerships, and informing policy and funding priorities that improve outcomes for children and families. Participants will explore how CAC leadership, frontline professionals, advocates, community voices, and policymakers can work together to build more effective and equitable responses to child abuse locally and internationally. The training will also examine strategies for influencing local, and state policies that support sustainable multidisciplinary approaches, trauma-informed care, and long-term community impact.

Learning Objectives

• Understand how policies and protocols impact multidisciplinary responses to child abuse and prevention across child welfare systems.

• Identify strategies for fostering collaboration among professionals, advocates, and policymakers to advance more effective and equitable child protection systems.

• Explore how child-centered practices drawn from the CAC model can strengthen equitable child protection efforts across a range of professional and community contexts.

This course has been approved for 1 General Social Work CEUs by Louisiana Child Welfare Training Academy as authorized by the Louisiana Board of Social Work Examiners.

Meet the Speaker: Abbie Newman, RN, JD, CEO of External & Global Affairs at Mission Kids Child Advocacy Center (MKCAC) received her BS, RN from Downstate Medical Center, and her JD Fordham University School of Law. Abbie practiced as a registered pediatric nurse and then as a lawyer before becoming founding Executive Director of Mission Kids Child Advocacy Center in 2008, building the collaborative multidisciplinary team into a nationally accredited CAC. As CEO, she drives innovative thought leadership statewide, nationally, and internationally. A past-President of the Pennsylvania Chapter of CACs’ Board of Directors, Abbie works on public policy issues in Pennsylvania, and nationally on issues affecting those impacted by child abuse. Elected in 2021 to the International Society for the Prevention of Child Abuse & Neglect's Distinguished Advisory Committee, she spearheaded an international framework project to develop collaborative responses to CSA in low- and middle-income countries. Her ultimate vision is to see children triumph over trauma and reach their full potential, regardless of locale or circumstance. 

2025 - 2026 Louisiana CASA Webinar Series: Strength in Unity 

Louisiana CASA is excited to host our fourth webinar series. This year, we are partnering with Louisiana Child Welfare Training Academy (LCWTA) to bring this series to community members across our state. This series equips professionals, child welfare advocates, and community members with the knowledge and collaborative strategies needed to protect children, support families, and prevent child abuse and neglect. Each session emphasizes the importance of cross-sector cooperation, early identification of risk factors, and collective responses that foster safe, stable, and nurturing relationships. By promoting a shared understanding and responsibility among systems—such as education, healthcare, faith-based institutions, family services, and policy leaders—participants will develop the tools and partnerships necessary to create resilient families and communities.