Protecting Childhood: Ensuring Justice
& Advocacy in the Legal System
Children in the Courts
May 4-7, 2026
Embassy Suites - Little Rock
Day 1
May 4, 2026
CASA Only | No CLE | CME (*) Denoted
12:00 - 1:00
Registration
1:00 - 2:30
Welcome and Updates from Child Welfare Leadership
2:30 - 2:45
Break
1:00 - 2:30
CASA Directors
CASA Staff
CASA Volunteers
Director Development Workshop
Artificial Intelligence in Advocacy
Brain Development and Behavior
3:45 - 4:00
Break
4:00 - 5:15Breakout Sessions
CASA Directors
CASA Staff & CASA Volunteers
Workshop Continued
Accessing Treatment Resources
5:30
Welcome Reception in Atrium for CASA
DAY 2
Tuesday
May 5, 2026
Conference
Feedback
Feedback
Hours:
CLE (5.25)
All approved for DN
Ethics (E) and CME (*) denoted
CLE (5.25)
All approved for DN
Ethics (E) and CME (*) denoted
Day 2
May 5, 2026
Hours: CLE (5.25) | All approved for DN | Ethics (E) and CME (*) denoted
9:00 - 10:15
CASA Directors
CASA Staff & Volunteers
Attorneys & Judges
Workshop Continued
Building Relationships with Neurodiverse Caregivers and Youth
Registration for DN attorneys and judges
10:15 - 10:30
Break
10:30 - 12:00
CASA Directors
CASA Staff & Volunteers
Attorneys & Judges
Workshop Continued
Legal Advice v. Legal Information
Welcome and Updates from Leadership
12:00 - 1:00
Lunch Provided
Judges will convene during lunch in Junction I-II
Judges will convene during lunch in Junction I-II
1:00 - 2:00
CASA Directors
CASA Staff & Volunteers | Attorneys & Judges
Workshop Continued
Situational Safety and Court Security
2:00 - 2:15
Break
CASA Adjourns
CASA Adjourns
2:15 - 3:30
CASA Directors
Attorneys & Judges
Workshop Continued
Directors will adjourn following the workshop
Directors will adjourn following the workshop
Choose Your Own Ethical Adventure (E)
3:30 - 3:45
Break
3:45 - 5:15
Dependency-Neglect Appellate Update
5:30
Welcome Reception in Atrium for Attorneys and Judges
DAY 3
May 6, 2026
Conference
Feedback
Feedback
Hours:
CLE (6.5)
All sessions approved for DR & DN
Ethics (E) and CME (*) denoted
CLE (6.5)
All sessions approved for DR & DN
Ethics (E) and CME (*) denoted
Day 3
May 6, 2026
Hours: CLE (6.5) | All sessions approved for DR & DN | Ethics (E) and CME (*) denoted
8:00 - 9:00
Registration for DR and DN Attorneys & Judges
9:00 - 10:15
Finish Empty
10:15 - 10:30
Break
10:15 - 12:00
Accountability and Honest Dialogue with Clients (E)
12:00 - 1:00
Lunch Provided
Judges will convene during lunch in Junction I-II
Judges will convene during lunch in Junction I-II
1:00 - 2:15
Choose your Own Evidentiary Adventure
2:15 - 2:30
Break
2:30 - 3:45
Accessing Treatment Resources
3:45 - 4:00
Break
4:00 - 5:15
Rock Island I-III
Rock Island IV-VII
Cybersecurity Awareness
Domestic Violence: Impacts on Families and Children, Indicators of Abuse, and Family Dynamics
5:30
Welcome Reception in Atrium for Attorneys and Judges
DAY 4
May 7, 2026
Conference
Feedback
Feedback
Hours:
CLE (6.0)
All sessions approved for DR & DN
Ethics (E) and CME (*) denoted
CLE (6.0)
All sessions approved for DR & DN
Ethics (E) and CME (*) denoted
Day 4
May 7, 2026
Hours: CLE (6.0) | All sessions approved for DR & DN | Ethics (E) and CME (*) denoted
8:00 - 9:00
Registration
9:00 - 10:00
The Power of Artificial Intelligence in the Courts (E)
10:00 - 10:15
Break
10:15 - 11:155 Minute Break
Rock Island I-III
Rock Island IV-VII
Advocating for Services for Youth with Developmental Disabilities or Behavioral Health Needs
AI Training to Empower Attorneys and Judges (Part I)
11:20 - 12:15
Rock Island I-III
Rock Island IV-VII
DN Appellate Update- Quick Run Through
AI Training to Empower Attorneys and Judges (Part II)
12:00 - 1:00
Lunch Provided
1:00 - 2:30
A Psychiatrist's Guide to Family Addiction
2:30 - 2:45
Break
2:45 - 4:15
Domestic Relations and Probate Appellate Update
4:15
Adjourn