Speakers | Ohio Children's Alliance Symposium

Keynotes - Voices of Impact

The Power of Three: Building Enduring Partnerships with Clients, Funders, and Staff

Overview: The future of child- and family-serving agencies depends on their ability to build and sustain three essential partnerships: with clients, with funders, and—most critically—with staff. Drawing on national research and hundreds of interviews with direct care professionals, this session will explore how aligning an agency’s mission, strategy, and culture can foster authentic staff engagement and retention.

Participants will examine the key drivers of job satisfaction—including onboarding, supervision, team-building, and appreciation—and learn how to minimize common dissatisfiers such as burnout, unrealistic expectations, and lack of communication. This session offers a practical roadmap for leaders committed to creating a workplace where staff feel valued, supported, and inspired to stay.

Opening Keynote Presentation

Tom Woll
Founder

Strategic Change Initiative

Closing Keynote Presentation
Lisette Burton, J.D.
Chief Policy & Practice Advisor, Association of Children's Residential & Community Services (ACRC)

Navigating Federal Policy Crossroads: Opportunities and Threats for Child & Family Service Providers

Join Lisette Burton, Chief Policy & Practice Advisor at the Association of Children’s Residential & Community Services, for a timely and strategic briefing on the evolving federal public policy landscape impacting child and family service providers. This session will explore key developments in Medicaid, liability insurance, foster care, and children’s mental health, highlighting both emerging threats and actionable opportunities. Attendees will gain insight into how shifting federal priorities and funding dynamics may affect service delivery, compliance, and sustainability. With a focus on practical implications and strategic foresight, Lisette will equip leaders with the knowledge needed to advocate effectively and adapt confidently in a changing policy environment.