8th Annual
Response Through Recovery Conference
Join us in person to Connect, Learn, and Grow together!
Get ready to engage with peers, deepen your knowledge, and build meaningful connections with professionals dedicated to supporting children and families. The 2026 conference will feature dynamic presenters and workshops dedicated to advancing the field of child abuse prevention, investigation, response, and recovery. Offering inspiring keynote presentations and valuable networking opportunities you won’t want to miss.
Connecticut Convention Center, Hartford CT
September 9, 2026 / 8am – 5pm
September 10, 2026 / 8am – 5pm
About the Conference
Hosted by The Connecticut Children’s Alliance (CCA), the conference is a free event for all participants and this year we expect over 800 attendees for two full days of learning, networking and collaborating. With workshops and presentations from local and national experts, our goal is to give professionals such as law enforcement, prosecution, medical, mental health and community advocates, the tools to help prevent, treat and reduce trauma in children who have been significantly abused. To learn more about the CT Children’s Alliance, please visit us at ctchildrensalliance.org.
This program has been approved for NASW CEUs and POST Credit
800+
Attendees
20,000+
Professionals Trained
7
Years Running
NASW CEUS & POST Credit Approved
How You Can Help
Over the past seven years, the Connecticut Children’s Alliance has provided this conference at no cost and trained over 20,000 professionals to support children and families impacted by abuse, and with your support, we can keep these vital trainings free and accessible to help end and prevent child abuse.
Keynote
Christina Meredith
Abuse & Homelessness Survivor, Youth Advocate & Author of CinderGirl
Christina Meredith is a powerful keynote speaker whose life story embodies resilience, transformation, and purpose. A survivor of severe childhood abuse, foster care, homelessness, and poverty, she defied overwhelming odds to rebuild her life through faith, determination, and education. After aging out of the foster system and living out of her car, she moved to California, where an unexpected opportunity led her to win the title of Ms. California. Today, she shares her journey through her memoir CinderGirl and national speaking engagements, inspiring audiences with a message rooted in hope, perseverance, and the belief that circumstances can be changed through hard work and vision.
Now a nationally recognized advocate, Christina dedicates her work to reforming the foster care system and supporting vulnerable youth. She has spoken before Congress, collaborated with state agencies, and received recognition for her impact in child welfare and trauma awareness. As a U.S. Army Signal Intelligence Officer and ongoing scholar in Homeland Security, she combines lived experience with leadership and policy advocacy. Through her platform, she champions access to housing, healthcare, education, and trauma-informed services—aiming to break cycles of abuse and poverty while empowering others to find purpose in their own journeys.
Presenters
More voices, more perspectives—additional presenters will be announced soon. Stay connected for updates.
Sponsorship Opportunities
By supporting and sponsoring this event, you are helping CCA provide professionals working with children and families impacted by abuse with the knowledge and skills to reduce trauma and promote healing.
Workshops
Experienced and dynamic presenters from the fields of law enforcement, child welfare, children’s mental health, teachers, forensic interviewers, medical professionals, legal and child advocacy centers and community partners who are invested in the field of child abuse are invited to submit workshop proposals .
Exhibitor Applications
If you are interested in showcasing your organization or products, we invite you to sign up for an exhibit booth at our upcoming conference. This provides a great opportunity to connect with attendees, share resources, and promote your work.
Support Our Work
The Response to Recovery Conference is offered free of charge to ensure that critical training and resources remain accessible to everyone who needs them. If you’d like to help us continue providing this opportunity at no cost, please consider making a donation. Every contribution makes a difference.
Past Year's Conference Highlights