Foster and Adoptive Parent Training Conference
Presenter Biographies:
Ann Anzalone
Ms. Anzalone is a nationally known speaker and trainer specializing in
communication skills, learning styles, cooperative learning, study skills and
stress management. She has multiple teaching certificates which allow her to
address the learning needs or children with Learning Disabilities and Behavior
Disorders.
Brian Bethel
Mr. Bethel is a Professional Clinical Counselor and a Certified Chemical
Dependency Counselor. He is currently the Outpatient Services Supervisor for
Scioto Paint Valley Mental health Center.
Darrell Guest
Mr. Guest is a counselor, trainer and consultant in the field of Drugs and
Alcohol. He is licensed through the state of Ohio. Mr. Guest has worked in a
number of public, private and residential mental health agencies throughout the
community. Mr. Guest has worked in child welfare for a number of years.
Ericka King-Betts
Ms. King-Betts is the director of Batterers’ Intervention and Prevention
Programs for adults and adolescents at the YWCA of Greater Cincinnati. She has
years of experience as a clinician and researcher in the areas of delinquency,
family violence, cultural competency, and working with court-involved
populations.
Mark
Kroner
Mark Kroner, LISW, directed the Lighthouse Independent Living Program in
Cincinnati for 21 years and has conducted life skills trainings for thousands of
youth since 1988. Mr. Kroner has written numerous books and articles on
independent and transitional living issues and speaks regularly at state and
national events on these topics. .
Val Larkin
Ms. Larkin has over 30 years of direct child welfare experience serving in
multiple capacities at Hamilton County Job and Family Services. Her passion is
working with foster parents and was the supervisor of Hamilton County’s
Homefinding Unit for many years.
J. Edward Petrish
J. Edward Petrish is a certified hypnotist and coach, and independent trainer.
Mr. Petrish’s specialty areas include stress management., and sports and
academic achievement. He is also proficient in NLP, a technology for managing
emotions and changing behavior.
Janice
Lilac-Powell
Janice Lilac-Powell
is a independent trainer with 31 years of child welfare experience, which
includes high profile sexual abuse cases. She specializes in sexual abuse
training. She currently teaches classes on parenting children who have been
sexually abused.
CeCe Norwood
Ms. Norwood is an adoptive parent and has an understanding of foster and
adoptive issues. In 1989 she established the African American Women’s
Coalition.
Michael Sanders is an independent trainer and consultant, currently providing
technical assistance to the Anne E.
Michael Sanders
Casey Foundation with the Family-To-Family initiative. In addition, he is
serving as Technical Assistant for the
California Permanency for Youth Project
and the
California Connected by 25 Initiative.
Mr. Sanders is a national expert on youth issues and is truly focused on giving
youth “voice and choice”. He was awarded the OCWTP Rising Star in 2000.
John
Ward
Mr. Ward is a social worker
and therapeutic foster parent. He and his wife have foster children and two
biological children in their home at this time. Mr. Ward is a Certified
Chemical Dependency Counselor...
Barbara Wentz
Barbara Wentz is an adoption assessor and has been a social worker in Cincinnati
for more than 11 years. She has written and presented workshops at local,
state, national and international conferences.
Tyrone White
Mr. White has completed master’s level course work in Education at John Carroll
University. He has worked at Juvenile Court for over twelve years and as a
guidance counselor for the Cleveland Job Corps. He has provided training for the
National Juvenile Justice Association, and the State Attorney General Office’s
Summit on School Safety.
Ed Witte
Ed Witte currently works at Troy Psychologists, providing counseling to sex
addicts, non-offending spouses, and victims of sexual abuse. He has over 20
years of experience in working with children. He specializes in Post-Traumatic
Stress Disorder and dealing with children experiencing the effects of removal
from their homes and involvement with the child welfare system.
David Zidar
Mr. Zidar has been a childcare worker, therapist, and social worker in community
and residential setting since 1982. He was the Vice President for Residential
Services at PCWA, one of Ky’s largest providers of residential treatment. He
has also worked in public agencies in various administrative/executive roles.