Early registration is now open for the 2013 Arkansas Conference on Child Abuse and Neglect hosted by MidSOUTH, the community service unit of the UALR School of Social Work.

The conference will be held Sept. 11-13 at Embassy Suites in Little Rock. The theme of this year’s conference is “Reaping the Harvest: Are We Making a Difference?”

In addition to encouraging participants from such areas as law enforcement, healthcare, social work, and education, conference coordinators are also seeking exhibitors and sponsors interested in setting up booths at the event.

Register for the conference at www.midsouth.ualr.edu

Potential sponsors or vendors may contact conference coordinator Robin Wilson at rlwilson@midsouth.ualr.edu.

The keynote address will be delivered by leaders of the Courthouse Dogs Foundation, which uses canines to comfort sexually abused children undergoing forensic interviews and court testimonies. The dogs also visit juveniles in detention facilities and provide cheer for court jurors and staff who often conduct business in an adversarial setting.

The $170 early registration fee covers all workshops, handouts, welcome reception and certificate of attendance and transcript, if requested. Interested persons are encouraged to register by Aug. 9 to qualify for the early registration discount.

Conference coordinators are seeking approval for continuing education credits from the following organizations: National Association of Social Workers, Arkansas Board of Examiners in Counseling, Arkansas Psychology Board, Traveling Arkansas’ Professional Pathways, Arkansas Department of Education, Arkansas Continuing Legal Education Board, and Commission on Law Enforcement Standards and Training Standards Office.

Hotel conference rates are available, but reservations must be made by Aug. 13 to get the reduced rate. Call 501-312-9000 or 1-800-Embassy.

For more information or to register for the conference, visit www.midsouth.ualr.edu. Updates will also be available through the 2013 Arkansas Conference on Child Abuse and Neglect Facebook page.

With five training locations across the state, MidSOUTH provides leadership, training, and product support in the areas of addiction, child welfare, technology, distance learning, and organizational development.