Take Your Membership Further
Looking for a richer experience with ACRC Membership? Consider joining a Committee or Affinity Group. Committees are focused on shaping the direction of ACRC. Affinity Groups focus on specialized information sharing to further their knowledge in a given area.
Committees
past meeting notes in our Member Portal
Public Policy
ACRC’s public policy committee keeps watch on public policy issues and initiatives and leads collective advocacy.
On issues ranging from the global crisis in youth mental health, implementation of the Family First Prevention Services Act, to shoring up our critical workforce, the committee strives to be at the table when these discussions are happening, as a voice to ensure children and families have access to high quality and culturally responsive care across the continuum of services.
This committee is also responsible for producing ACRC’s position papers. Through extensive engagement and research, committee members dive into topics of concern and provide policy briefs on best practices.
Meet our Public Policy Committee Chair, Wendy Wang!
& Co-chair, Kevin Roach!
Program
Meet our Program Committee Chair, Gina Peck-Sobolewski!
& Co-chair, Sharnell Myles!
Youth & Family
The goal of this committee is to engage, encourage and enhance the youth and family voice within ACRC by participating in board decisions, membership, conferences, and other committees. It also seeks to broaden the awareness and perspective of the youth and family voice within member agencies through outreach, education, and affiliation.
Meet our Youth & Family Committee Chair, Trish Cocoros!
Research
ACRC’s research committee vets potential research projects and develops internal research. Recent initiatives have included EHRs (electronic health records) and serving CSEC (commercially sexually exploited) youth. The committee members may have research experience or just an interest in the topic.
Meet our Research Committee Chair, Camela M. Hughes!
& Co-chair, April Wall-Parker!
Membership
As a membership organization, it is important to keep our membership diverse and connected. This committee seeks ways to promote networking, engagement and educational opportunities; as well as ensuring new members are welcomed and integrated into their new network of colleagues.
Meet our Membership Committee Chair, Michael Semel!
& Co-chair, Tim Davis!
Equity
ACRC’s Equity Committee advances principles and practices of diversity, equity, and inclusion across the work of the Association and recommends best practices for our membership and the field at large.
Meet our Equity Committee Chair, Donelle Hauser!
& Co-chair, Cheryl Richards!
Affinity Groups
Affinity Groups meet monthly, quarterly, or as needed, with one of the meetings being at the annual conference.
Notes from past all meetings are available in the Member Portal (must log in to view).
CSEC/CSEY
ACRC’s longest standing affinity group looks at the identification, treatment, and support of young people who have experienced commercial sexual exploitation. This population requires informed specialization and ongoing learning, get that here!
Autism/TBI
Young people with an Autism or Traumatic Brain Injury diagnosis, paired with a behavior disorder, bring their own unique set of challenges to your residential program. Meet with your colleagues to discuss challenges and successes you have experienced with this population and discuss best practices and innovation going forward.
Transition Aged Youth
It’s worrisome to think of the young people in our care transitioning to adulthood, perhaps without the supports many other emerging adults are provided. How are we preparing them for this inevitable next step? Strategies and questions are welcome in this TAY affinity group.
PRTF Programs
The challenges of administering care in a Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facility are unique. Our colleagues running PRTFs look forward to connecting with their colleagues to discuss their own barriers and successes in the past and going forward in an ever-changing climate.
House Parent Model
Many programs use this unique staffing model which brings along its own benefits and challenges. Meet with providers who use a houseparent model to learn what works in recruitment, staffing, employment policies, supervision, and any public policy initiatives that should be addressed by those doing the work.
Immigration
This affinity group consists of individuals interested in immigration-related issues as they apply to the children and families they serve, including providers serving unaccompanied refugee and migrant children. Meet your colleagues who are experiencing many of the same barriers, questions, and positive outcomes in this realm.
LGBTQ Youth
The field has been evolving for some time in its understanding, support, and inclusion of young people with diverse sexual identities. Meeting their unique needs is vital to their overall health and future success. This affinity group offers the opportunity to learn from other providers and from those who identify as LGBTQ in order to move forward in an informed and inclusive matter.
Pregnant & Parenting
ACRC’s newest affinity group. Providers who serve pregnant and parenting teens find great support in this affinity group, addressing unique needs of these youth and discussing best practices by which adhere.