Registration is open for the 2013 Arkansas Conference on Child Abuse and Neglect, a conference led by MidSOUTH, the community service unit of the UALR School of Social Work. The conference will be held Sept. 11 through 13 at Embassy Suites in Little Rock. The theme of this year’s conference is “Reaping the Harvest: Are We Making a Difference?”

This year’s 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.

Jon Conte, a professor in the School of Social Work at the University of Washington, is the general session speaker. Conte is founding president of the American Professional Society on the Abuse of Children and was recently honored with the designation of President Emeritus. Conte maintains a private practice in Mercer Island, Wash., where he specializes in forensic mental health issues related to child abuse and trauma. He has a particular interest in the impact of trauma work on professionals and on professional ethics.

In addition, there are multiple concurrent sessions led by experts on child abuse from across the state and nation. Law enforcement and persons employed in the legal and healthcare fields, social work and education are encouraged to attend. Continuing education credits are available.

Conference coordinators are also seeking exhibitors and sponsors interested in setting up booths at the event. 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.

Potential sponsors or vendors may contact Conference Coordinator Robin Wilson at rlwilson@midsouth.ualr.edu.

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.