2026 Celebrate Kids! Conference
Your guide to conference registration, workshop information, parking, and all other essential details for Ohio CASA’s 2026 Celebrate Kids! Conference: Building and Strengthening Connections
The Ohio CASA/GAL Association is honored to welcome CASA volunteers and staff, judges, attorneys, and child welfare professionals from across the state to the 2026 Celebrate Kids! Conference: Building and Strengthening Connections.
As we celebrate our 31st year of CK!C, join us for three days of learning, collaboration, and inspiration. Together, we’ll explore how building stronger connections with children, families, communities, and one another helps create brighter futures for Ohio’s children.
Please access and review all the speaker presentations here:
Wednesday Sessions
Thursday Sessions
Thu01: H.U.G.S.: A Practice for Working in the Trenches as a CASA Volunteer or GAL
Thu03: Know More, Do More: Recognizing and Responding to Stalking
Thu04: Preparing for Independence: Building Practical Life Skills, Transition Planning, and Support Services
Thu05: Youth Suicide Prevention in Child Welfare and Juvenile Justice Systems
Thu06: From Conversation to Court Report: Communication Skills for CASA Volunteers
Thu06: Breakout Handout
Thu07: Helping Children Who Have Been Exposed to Domestic Violence
Thu08: Communication with Adolescents: Interviewing and “Vibing” with Adolescents: Tools from Anthropology, Psychology and Neuroscience
Thu09: Working with Autistic Children and Adolescents
Thu10: The Use of Technology to Stalk
Thu17: Ethical AI Use for Child Welfare Professionals
Thu18: Prevention Services for Families Involved with Child Welfare
Thu18: Family Scenario
Friday Sessions
Sarah Buffie Plenary Session: Polyvagal PLAY: How Safety, Play and Relationships can Change the World
Fri02: Team Collaboration for Dual Status Youth
Fri02: Dual Status Policy and Procedure Narrative
Fri02: PACT Meeting Template
Fri02: DSY PACT Reference Sheet Flow Chart
Fri02: Court PACT Reference Sheet
Fri02: Court PACT Flow Chart
Fri02: 2025 PACT
Fri03: From Understanding to Embodied Skill: Polyvagal PLAY in Action
Fri04: The Legal Process for GALs
Fri06: Caring Without Carrying It All: Compassion Fatigue in Child Welfare Work
Registration has closed. You are able to register on-site all three days in the Taft Foyer near the elevators.
Conference Details:
September 30 – October 2, 2026
Hyatt Regency Downtown Columbus
350 N. High St.
Columbus, OH 43215
Registration Dates and Fees:
$150 until September 1
$200 from September 2 – 11
Registration closed September 12 – 29
$200 On-Site Registration
Conference Agenda
| WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 30 | |
|---|---|
| 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. | Registration |
| 11:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. | Exhibitor Exploration |
| 1:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. | Plenary Speaker |
| 3:15 p.m. – 4:45 p.m. | Workshops |
| 5:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. | CASA Connect Hour |
| THURSDAY, OCTOBER 1 | |
|---|---|
| 7:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. | Registration |
| 7:00 a.m. – 8:15 a.m. | Breakfast + Exhibitor Exploration |
| 8:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. | Plenary Speaker |
| 10:15 a.m. – 11:45 a.m. | Workshops |
| 11:45 a.m. – 1:15 p.m. | Lunch + Awards Ceremony |
| 1:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. | Workshops |
| 3:00 p.m. – 3:15 p.m. | Snack Break |
| 3:15 p.m. – 4:45 p.m. | Workshops |
| FRIDAY, OCTOBER 2 | |
|---|---|
| 7:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. | Registration |
| 7:00 a.m. – 8:15 a.m. | Breakfast + Exhibitor Exploration |
| 8:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. | Plenary Speaker |
| 10:15 a.m. – 11:45 a.m. | Workshops |
| 11:45 a.m. | To-Go Snack + Depart |
You can learn about the workshops here:
You can learn more about our expert speakers here:
Connect with us on social media using the hashtag #CKC2026
Hotel Forms
The lodging block we had arranged at a reduced rate at the Hyatt Regency is sold out.
The Drury Plaza Hotel, which is connected to the conference hotel, appears to have the least expensive rooms available in the area and can be booked online at this link or by calling (614) 221-7008.
The Hilton Columbus Downtown is also connected to the venue and can be booked online at this link or by calling (614) 384-8600.
Additionally, the Hampton Inn & Suites Columbus-Downtown, just across the street, can be booked online at this link or by calling (614) 559-2000. There are also other hotels available in the vicinity.
If you are a director planning to pay for someone’s room, that person will need to bring a credit card authorization form when checking in, which can be accessed here:
Please bring tax exemption forms when checking in if applicable:
Parking Information
If you are staying at the Hyatt Regency: Please park in the Chestnut Garage and your parking will be paid. Let the front desk know you drove and are parking in the Chestnut Garage when checking in. The Chestnut Garage is for Hyatt Regency overnight hotel guests only.
The Chestnut Garage is located at 44 E. Chestnut Street, Columbus, Ohio 43215.
If you are attending the conference for the day: Park in the Convention Center South Garage, please visit the CASA Shop in the Garfield Room or the registration desk for a validation ticket. Please note that the South Garage does NOT have in/out privileges.
The South Garage address is located at 88 E. Nationwide Blvd., Columbus, Ohio 43215.
No refunds or reimbursement will be given if you park in the wrong garage.
Group Payment Form
If you are paying for a group of attendees, please use this form. It can be emailed or mailed to Ohio CASA.
Scholarship Opportunities
All Scholarships provide FREE registration, which includes:
- Up to 12 hours of Sup.R. 48 credit, CLE with selected attorney professional conduct hours, and Ohio counselor, social worker and marriage and family therapist board CEU credit with selected ethics hours;
- Meals & snacks, including breakfast and lunch Thursday and breakfast Friday; and
- Free parking at designated lots
Please note: These scholarships do not cover the cost of Hyatt hotel rooms, but Ohio CASA has secured a discounted room rate of $175 per night, including tax, for all conference attendees.
Attorney Scholarships Eligibility:
Attorneys who practice in juvenile court on behalf of abused or neglected children or their families, or who represent an Ohio public children services agency in court. Interested attorneys can contact Megan Heydlauff, [email protected].
Caseworker Scholarship Eligibility:
Caseworkers employed at an Ohio public children services agency. Interested PCSA caseworkers can contact Megan Heydlauff, [email protected].
Judicial Scholarship Eligibility:
Awarded by a juvenile court judge. If a judge has awarded you a judicial scholarship, you must register online for the conference and make workshop selections. Contact Kristin Gilbert, [email protected].
Questions? Need assistance? Contact us at [email protected] or 614-224-2272.
Show appreciation for our #CKC2026 Sponsors!
Sponsors
| CASA Champions |
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| CASA Partners |
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| CASA Advocates |
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| CASA Supporters |
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| Exhibitors |
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