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[Spring Summit] Disable the Child’s Label

March 11 @ 10:45 am - 12:15 pm

Free

Labels take on a life of their own as the words we speak and write have great power to build up, define or defeat a child. These labels have the ability to follow children for the rest of their lives and can shape their attitude, self-esteem, relationships and professional life. Derek Clark will give you insight into his personal childhood journey of being wrongfully labeled in the foster care system for thirteen years, and the key reasons on how he did not turn out addicted, incarcerated, or dead. Derek will challenge many of the accepted practices of the child welfare system and provide alternative ways to understand why kids behave in the ways that they do. This understanding will generate hope and restore dignity to the young people as well as restore humanness and compassion in the hearts of professionals.

Derek Clark’s life is one of resilience and redemption. As a child, he suffered unthinkable child abuse, abandonment and emotional distress before being turned over to the psychiatric hospital at age five. His 13 years in the San Francisco bay area foster care system reflected an early life of humiliation, aggression, emotional distress, overwhelming anxiety and being wrongfully labeled. Eventually, with the help of foster parents, a fantastic social worker and mentors, he defied the artificial limitations imposed upon him. Derek knows first-hand how to cope with adversity and overcoming hardship. His past has never held him back from accomplishing what he set his heart and mind to.

Derek is an inspiring motivational speaker/trainer. His popular keynotes are “The Power of Resilience and Redemption: From Brutal Trauma to Triumph” and “You Cannot Think Negative About a Child and Expect a Positive Outcome”. He is the author of seven books including Disable the Label: Never Limit the Potential of a Child, Never Limit Your Life and the I Will Never Give Up book series. Derek’s true-life trials and personal triumphs have inspired organizations worldwide with his message of resilience, hope, courage, unwavering perseverance and redemption. He recently received the International Foster Care Award through SOS Children’s Village where they are located in 134 countries helping and protecting children.
Derek has also been a featured expert on CNN Headline News, The Steve Harvey TV Show, The Ricki Lake TV Show and other TV shows around the world. Recently, Derek has become a viral video sensation for his “Rapping Dad” videos which have had over 250 million social media views.

Other

Registration is required
Yes
Regions served:
All Regions, North West, North Central, North East, West Central, East Central, South West, Metro, South East
Encouraged to attend
Foster Parents, Kinship/Foster/Adoptive Parents, Pre-Adopt Parents, Professionals
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