Child Welfare and Child Advocacy Section 2026 Update
Presented by the Child Welfare and Advocacy Section of The Mississippi Bar
Date & Time:
Wednesday, November 18 - 9:00am to 12:00pm
Location:
The Supreme Court Gartin Justice Building, 450 High Street, Jackson, MS
Zoom (Link will be provided in your confirmation email)
Agenda:
9:00 am Agency Panel
The agency reps will discuss what their respective agencies are doing because of the Youth Court Reform Act, recent legislative appropriations, and recent agency policy changes including uniform intake and pre-disposition protocols, high-quality independent legal representation for children and families, agency directed pre-petition assessment, statewide diversion, truancy, expanded and dedicated prevention programs and services, uniform crossover youth protocol, modern technology for youth courts and agencies, access to justice, and efforts to maximize federal funding.
Josh Bromen, Department of Public Safety
Chad King, Mississippi Department of Child Protective Services
Toni Kersch, Mississippi Department of Human Services, Division of Youth Services
Brenda Locke and Jennifer Morgan, Office of State Public Defender
Bryan Marshall, Mississippi Department of Education
Wendy Shelton and Abby Young, Administrative Office of Courts
10:00 am Judicial Panel
The judges will discuss how courts are adapting to the recent legislative changes including uniform intake and pre-disposition protocols, agency-directed pre-petition assessment, open courtrooms, as well as recent agency policy changes; the impact these changes are having on child welfare and delinquency litigation, etc. They will also discuss the move to full-time, dedicated, trained judges and staff including the addition of 9 new youth court chancellors July 1, 2027.
Judge Tiffany Kilpatrick, County Court Judge Lafayette County, Co-chair of the Family Services Forum and Chair of the Youth Court Judges Council
11:00 Legislative Panel
The legislators will discuss the key provisions of the Youth Court Act, nearly $50 million in recent state appropriations to support youth court, child welfare and juvenile justice, the states’ efforts to maximize federal funding for these systems, and the creation of a new Mississippi Children, Youth & Family Resource Directory is a centralized, searchable digital platform that connects children, juveniles, young adults, parents, caregivers, educators, case managers, social workers, law-enforcement professionals, courts, healthcare providers, and community organizations with verified support services across the state.
Representative Kevin Horan, Chairman House Judiciary B Committee
Senator Brice Wiggins, Chairman Senate Judiciary A Committee
Registration Fee:
$75 for Child Welfare and Advocacy Section Members; $150 for non-section members
*Statements and opinions expressed in this CLE are those of the presenter(s). The Bar does not endorse any views expressed therein.