SWA Training Opportunities
SWA places a high value on relevant, practical training to enable members and their staff to better meet the needs of troubled children and families. In addition, SWA offers a Youth Leadership Conference for outstanding students gathered from member agencies to instruct, encourage and motivate our young people into roles of leadership.
Annual Meeting
The Annual Meeting workshop targets the childcare executives, program directors, and facility managers with relevant and practical information useful for leadership positions of agencies and programs. Held in March, the Annual Meeting provides cutting edge training, updates on childcare information and trends, opportunities for members to network and fellowship, and motivational and inspirational opportunities for the members in leadership positions.
“The Southwestern Association of Executives of Homes for Children (SWA) has been a very valuable asset in my career as a child care administrator. Life long friendships have been formed and pertinent information for daily practice has been obtained through SWA. I consider memberships in SWA as an essential for today’s child care ministry.”
Jack Kyle Daniels, President
Methodist Children’s Home
Waco, Texas
Direct Care Workshop
A workshop in June has 50 years of history, making it the oldest continuing child-care workshop in the country. Sessions feature nationally known experts who focus on timely issues of vital interest to basic and advanced childcare staff, foster parents, social workers, counselors, and administrative staff. This conference is held in the Dallas-Fort Worth area and is open to professionals in our eight state region.
“Serving the needs of parentless needy children is a most noble calling, but a most difficult work. The Southwestern Association of Executives of Homes for Children (SWA) is an effective and unifying organization that strengthens and encourages those who do this difficult work. I have found SWA to be a source of encouragement and vision for myself and encourage any organization involved in this work to join.”
Paul Warren, M.D.
Youth Leadership Conference
Typically held in early August, the Youth Leadership Conference (YLC) focuses on older residents of child care agencies that have been identified as leaders, or potential leaders, on our campuses. The students are absorbed in a high energy, fast paced, motivational experience that will impact their lives into the future. Set in a camp atmosphere, the students have opportunities to learn leadership skills, practice leadership skills, and are challenged to return to their respective campuses and demonstrate those skills. The conference is coordinated by outstanding, national youth motivational speakers and who challenge, motivate, and relate well with the students.
“The thing I learned is that there are kids just like me . . .”
Participant of the 2002 YLC