Child Protection Roundtable (Three-part Series)
Wednesday, September 17, 2:00 – 3:15 PM ET
Wednesday, October 15, 2:00 – 3:15 PM ET
Wednesday, November 5, 2:00 – 3:15 PM ET
Switchboard is pleased to announce an upcoming three-part virtual roundtable series open to all refugee service providers, whether working at state agencies, resettlement agencies or affiliates, or other organizations. This series will explore child protection topics relevant to newcomer youth across programs and service contexts. Please circulate this announcement widely among your colleagues!
WHAT WILL THIS ROUNDTABLE COVER?
Newcomer youth arrive in the U.S. with a variety of experiences, strengths, and resilience but may also face unique risks for abuse, neglect, exploitation, and marginalization. This Child Protection Roundtable Series will explore how service providers, caregivers, and program staff can work together to create safer, more supportive environments for youth. The three-part series will address how to recognize early warning signs of harm, proactively build safety plans that honor youth voice and culture, and provide meaningful support to caregivers and staff. Through real-world examples and discussion, participants will gain tools to support sustainability and connection in placements, programs, and relationships with newcomer youth.
IS THIS ROUNDTABLE FOR ME?
This roundtable series is designed for service providers, caregivers, and program staff working with newcomer youth who want to strengthen their response to child protection concerns and improve the safety and well-being of the youth they care for.
While not a requirement, Switchboard encourages participants to watch the archived webinars Traumatic Stress Among Refugee Children and Youth Part 3: Responding to Abuse, Exploitation and Trafficking and Safety Planning with Unaccompanied Refugee Minors in advance of this series.
WHY SHOULD I PARTICIPATE?
After participating in this 75-minute session, you will be able to:
Session 1: Abuse and Neglect in the Newcomer Youth Context
Wednesday, September 17, 2:00 – 3:15 PM ET
* Identify signs of abuse and neglect within the unique context of newcomer youth
* Recognize how cultural beliefs and developmental stages influence newcomer youth risk and safety
* Apply strategies to ensure safe and stable newcomer youth placements
Session 2: Exploitation, Trafficking, and Violence
Wednesday, October 15, 2:00 – 3:15 PM ET
* Identify signs of trafficking and exploitation that may impact newcomer youth before and after arrival
* Describe how systemic factors—such as labor practices, digital access, and grooming tactics—contribute to newcomer youth vulnerability
* Use prevention and safety planning strategies that center youth voice and cultural context
Session 3: Hear from the Experts – Foster Parent and Staff Perspectives
Wednesday, November 5, 2:00 – 3:15 PM ET
* Describe how foster parents and staff build healing-centered relationships with newcomer youth
* Identify common caregiver mistakes, challenges, and elements for success
* Use trauma-informed tools to help youth develop protective skills such as boundary-setting and self-advocacy
ROUNDTABLE FACILITATOR
Claire Hopkins, Switchboard Training Officer
Claire Hopkins has experience supporting Unaccompanied Refugee Minors (URMs), Unaccompanied Children (UCs), and survivors of domestic and sexual violence. Claire has worked in training, case management, community engagement, and program development, emphasizing a client-centered and trauma-informed approach. Before joining Switchboard, Claire spent nearly four years at Bethany Christian Services, working in refugee resettlement with URMs and UCs. In this role, she recruited and trained foster parents who reflected the many cultures and identities of the youth and identified subject matter experts for staff professional development. Earlier in her career, Claire developed a volunteer program, facilitated community education, and provided short-term crisis counseling for survivors of domestic and sexual violence at Relief After Violent Encounter. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Grand Valley State University.
ROUNDTABLE PANELISTS
Beth Farmer, LICSW, Senior Director – Safety, Health & Education Technical Unit, International Rescue Committee
Beth Farmer is the Senior Director for the Safety, Health and Education Technical Unit at the International Rescue Committee (IRC), which provides support to more than 30 programs across the U.S. and Europe. She is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker with almost two decades of experience in providing clinical services and managing programs for refugees, asylum seekers, survivors of torture, and unaccompanied children. Beth was the principal investigator on the project that developed the Refugee Health Screener-15, the first mental health screening tool developed for use with refugee populations resettling to the U.S. Beth has received numerous awards for her work, including recognition by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation as a Community Health Leader.
Jenna Christie-Tabron, EdD, LMSW, MFT, Senior Training Officer, Switchboard
Jenna Christie-Tabron is a licensed social worker with nearly a decade of experience in treating adults and adolescents facing various individual and family challenges. Jenna has worked as a trauma-focused clinician, advocate, educator, and consultant in the psychiatric, health care, judicial, and education systems. Before joining Switchboard, she was the Intensive Case Management Supervisor for the IRC’s Phoenix office. She holds two master’s degrees in Family Therapy and Social Work and a Doctorate in Education.
Carlyn Sperling, LLMSW, Unaccompanied Refugee Minor Program Director, Bethany Christian Services
Carlyn Sperling is a social work professional with expertise in refugee services, foster care, and program development. She currently serves as URM Program Director at Bethany Christian Services, where she leads program operations, ensures compliance, and fosters strong partnerships with community stakeholders. Throughout her career, she has helped establish Michigan’s first refugee treatment foster care program and developed independent living programs for refugee girls. She is certified in evidence-based treatment foster care models and Motivational Interviewing and is committed to advancing trauma-informed, youth-centered care. Carlyn holds a Master of Social Work from Grand Valley State University.
Regina Bernadin, PhD, Director of Protection – Safety, Health & Education Technical Unit, International Rescue Committee
Regina Bernadin is the Director of Protection in the International Rescue Committee’s (IRC’s) Safety, Health, and Education Technical Unit, which supports the organization’s child protection efforts and anti-trafficking work. Previously, Regina served as the Statewide Human Trafficking Coordinator with the Florida Department of Children and Families. She is a consultant for the Department of Justice Office for Victims of Crime Training and Technical Assistance Center and the National Human Trafficking Training and Technical Assistance Center on human rights issues. Regina is the recipient of the Sarlo Distinguished Humanitarian Award and the Janita Lee Award for Victim Advocate Professional of the Year. She holds a BA in International Studies and Criminology, an MA in International Administration, and a PhD in Conflict Analysis and Resolution, with her dissertation focusing on refugee self-sufficiency.
Amber Perroud, Refugee and Immigrant Foster Parent, Bethany Christian Services
Amber Perroud is a licensed foster parent through Bethany Christian Services in Michigan, with a focus on welcoming refugee youth, teens, and high-needs children. Amber began her fostering journey in 2020 after leaving a corporate career to open a daycare, where she discovered her deep capacity to love and nurture children outside her own family. Since becoming licensed, Amber has provided a safe and loving home for children with complex needs, including two foster daughters whose journeys have profoundly shaped her as both a parent and an advocate. Committed to continual learning, she has studied trauma-informed care, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), complex PTSD, and Reactive Attachment Disorder (RAD).
Rosie O’Connor, LICSW, Washington Anti-trafficking Response Network (WARN) Clinical Supervisor, International Rescue Committee
Rosie O’Connor is a foster parent, therapist, former international foster care social worker, and somatic embodiment practitioner. Rosie has worked in immigrant and refugee mental health in various roles for over 10 years. They currently work as the clinical supervisor for the Anti-trafficking Mental Health team at the International Rescue Committee (IRC) and at their private practice, Liberated Legacy Pathways. Rosie holds both a Master in Social Work and a master’s in international human rights from the University of Denver.
Rev. Zachariah Jok Char, Sudanese Grace Episcopal Church, Youth Specialist, Bethany Christian Services
Rev. Zachariah Jok Char came to Grand Rapids, Michigan, as a young adult after being resettled through Bethany Christian Services following his journey as one of the Lost Boys of Sudan. Today, he serves as the Rector of Sudanese Grace Episcopal Church, where he walks alongside a community built on faith, resilience, and hope. In addition to his ministry, he works part time as a Youth Specialist in Bethany’s residential programs.