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"We want to connect people across their communities," said Shelia Nabors, conference committee chairwoman. "We're trying to engage the entire community."
The conference will be held from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tuesday at First Baptist Church in Tupelo.
Author and advocate Erin Merryn will be the keynote speaker. Merryn, who earned a social work degree from Aurora University, is a sexual abuse survivor and has been featured on Oprah Winfrey Show, Good Morning America and the Montel Williams Show. In Illinois, she successfully lobbied for the creation of "Erin's Law" which empowers children to understand and report sexual abuse via mandatory public school education.
"We're very excited," Nabors said. Merryn also will be signing copies of her books at Barnes amp& Noble in Tupelo at 1 p.m. Monday.
Social workers, educators, counselors and foster parents receive continuing education hours for attending the conference. The cost to attend the conference is $60; fees for students and foster parents are discounted.
For more information, visit the Factms.com website.
michaela.morris@journalinc.com