E8 - Reclaiming Our Power: How Lived Experience Engagement Drives Collective Impact in Child Welfare and Recovery

Tuesday, April 28, 2026

2:15 PM - 3:15 PM MDT

Location: Bluebird 3A

Learn evidence-based strategies for moving beyond traditional advisory models to create genuine partnerships with those most impacted by child welfare and recovery systems. Drawing from Morrison's 19-year Parent Mentor Program, this session will demonstrate practical frameworks for supporting parents navigating simultaneous addiction recovery and child welfare involvement. Co-presented with a peer leader, attendees will discover how authentic inclusion of lived experience voices drives measurable policy changes and system improvements. Participants will leave equipped with concrete tools to implement inclusive engagement structures and peer leadership programs in their own communities.

Learning Objectives:

Identify the key components of authentic lived experience inclusion that move beyond traditional advisory models to create genuine partnership and shared power.
Implement specific strategies for building inclusive engagement structures and peer leadership programs, including Parent Advisory Councils, recovery coaching tools, and the "Telling Your Story" framework for developing advocacy skills
Analyze the impact of inclusive engagement through real-world examples of policy changes and system improvements driven by lived experience voices

Disclosure(s):

Jacque Serrano, MSW, LCSW, CADC I: No financial relationships to disclose

Kimberly Macklin, CADC I: No financial relationships to disclose

Savana Milroy, CRM: No financial relationships to disclose

Breakout Presenter(s)

JS

Jacque Serrano, MSW, LCSW, CADC I

Prevention & Peer Delivered Services Division Director
Morrison Child and Family
Portland, Oregon

Disclosure(s): No financial relationships to disclose
Kimberly Macklin, CADC I

Program Director- Parent Mentor Program
Morrison Child and Family
Aurora, Oregon

Disclosure(s): No financial relationships to disclose

Slides Handouts
Savana Milroy, CRM

Program Supervisor- Parent Mentor Program
Morrison Child & Family Services
salem, Oregon

Disclosure(s): No financial relationships to disclose