Third Annual Transforming Practices Conference is Underway

Over 400 attendees from across Canada have gathered at Red Deer Polytechnic (RDP) for the third annual Transforming Practices Conference. The annual Transforming Practices Conference, co-hosted by the Central Alberta Child Advocacy Centre (CACAC) and RDP, stands as a testament to the collaborative efforts in addressing child maltreatment, while fostering resilience within communities.

“The Transforming Practices Conference is a great example of how RDP is working together with the Central Alberta Child Advocacy Centre to strengthen the social fabric of our communities,” comments Stuart Cullum, President, RDP.

Over 40 speakers will be leading sessions throughout the two-day conference to a sold-out crowd of attendees made up of professionals from a variety of sectors, including educators, healthcare, social agency, students and more.

Cullum continues, “at RDP, we talk a lot about innovation ecosystems. An innovation ecosystem is a dynamic learning environment where people from different fields come together to solve real-world problems. At RDP, these ecosystems are living labs where students, faculty and industry experts work side by side to improve our communities and industries—technically, economically, and socially. Our partnership with the CACAC is an excellent example of an RDP innovation ecosystem providing important opportunities for us to create positive social impact.”

The Transforming Practices Conference is one example of the RDP and CACAC partnership in action. The CACAC also provides learning opportunities for students in more than a dozen RDP programs. This includes about 50 students who have participated in practicums and clinical placements at the Child Advocacy Centre during the past year.

In addition, students, faculty and staff from both organizations work together on a variety of applied research projects. The most recent example is the Silent Cries Report that focuses on child abuse trends in Alberta. The Report is one of many topics that will be discussed at the 2025 Transforming Practices Conference.

"As partners dedicated to fostering resilience and supporting individuals who have experienced trauma, we are thrilled to bring together professionals from various sectors including first responders, healthcare workers, academics, teachers, support workers, and beyond,” comments Mark Jones, CEO, CACAC & the Sheldon Kennedy Centre of Excellence. “Together, we stand at the forefront of a transformative movement, one that prioritizes empathy, understanding, and proactive intervention. By joining forces, we have the power to make a profound impact, not only in the lives of individuals facing adversity, but in shaping a more compassionate and resilient society as a whole."

The third annual Transforming Practices conference is on May 29 and 30, 2025.