UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — The 2021 Child Maltreatment Solutions Network Conference, “Innovative Methods in Child Maltreatment Research,” will focus on the latest science surrounding the research of child maltreatment.
The conference will be held in person at the Penn Stater Hotel and Conference Center Sept. 2-3. Before Aug. 5, general registration is $175; after Aug, 5th, general registration will cost $225. Registration for Penn State faculty and staff is $75. Students are welcome to attend for $50.
Virtual attendance for $50 is available for those who are not able to attend the conference in-person. Food, refreshments and Continuing Education Units will be offered for in-person attendees.
According to Chad Shenk, associate professor of human development and family studies at Penn State and the organizer of the conference, the Solutions Network conference is held annually, each with its own unique theme. Shenk chose the theme for the 2021 conference with the goal of addressing current challenges in assisting people affected by child maltreatment.
“All of us in this field are doing the best we can to help these families,” Shenk said. “But there’s always challenges, and the way we solve these challenges is to bring us all together and spark new ideas, methods and approaches.”
According to the Child Maltreatment Solution Network website, presentations at the conference are to be “geared toward a diverse audience,” such as researchers, practitioners and caseworkers.
Shenk said that although many of the talks focus on research, he intends for all presentations at the conference to reach “everyone across the spectrum” — not only researchers, but social workers, policy makers and clinicians.
The annual conference attracts roughly 125 speakers and attendees every year, many of whom come to State College from across the U.S. and internationally. Along with presentations, the conference also offers opportunities for discussion, collaboration and networking.
For more information about the 2021 Child Maltreatment Solutions Network Conference, including a list of scheduled presenters, visit the conference website or register here.