Melinda S. Kavanaugh, an internationally recognized expert on children who care for parents and family members who are injured or ill, will give the keynote address at the Southeastern Wisconsin Caregiving Symposium Oct. 13 at UW-Milwaukee.
The symposium will cover topics relevant to health care professionals, focusing specifically on children, youth and young adult caregivers.
Media are invited to attend the event, which runs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Ballroom at the UWM Student Union. Kavanaugh will be available for interviews before and after the symposium.
Kavanaugh, a professor of social work at UWM, speaks internationally on the topic and founded Global Neuro YCare, which promotes education, advocacy and support for children and families. Her graphic novel for children who are caring for a family member with ALS has been translated into 10 languages, and she has produced an animated film, LUKi & the Lights, that has been shown at film festivals around the world.
Participants at the symposium will learn about the experiences of young carers and their families, with time set aside for discussion. Topics include caregiving advocacy and the laws and policies that affect family caregivers.
The event is geared toward professionals at government aging units, human service programs, K-12 schools, higher education institutions and human service organizations.
The day includes:
- Keynote presentation by Kavanaugh: “Hidden Caregivers in the U.S: Building Supports for Children, Youth and Young Adults”
- Panel discussions and tabletop conversations
- A demonstration of a young carers training program, YCare
- Special showing of “LUKi & the Lights,” a film that sensitively explores the journey of an individual’s experience with a neuromuscular disease, helping children and youth process illness.
The symposium is sponsored by Advancing a Healthier Wisconsin, the Elizabeth Dole Foundation, Global Neuro YCare and the Helen Bader School of Social Welfare at UWM.