NADEC 26:
The National Conference for Drug-Endangered Children
Sahara, Las Vegas, NV
May 5 - May 7, 2026
We Celebrated 20 Years of Impact
Conference Highlights
400+ Attendees
45 Speakers
95% Check-In Rate
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What's Your Why
Huge thank you to those who shared their personal Whys:
· Becky Savage
· Trish Luna
· Allen Burnette
· Heidi Wilson
· Beth Allin
· David Hale
Jessica Svetkovich &
Gabby Richie
Culture, Connection, and Collaboration: How the Knik Tribe Strengthens Their DEC Alliance Through Integrated Overdose Review Work
Hope Fiori & Dave Closson
Law Enforcement Deflection to Improve Public Safety and Strengthen Family Outcomes
Amy Ronshausen &
Chantel Lincoln
Healing Through Art: Photovoice as a Tool for Recovery, Resilience and Community Change
Jared Waldrop
Building a Faith-Based Connection: A Toolbox for Making a Vital Faith-Based Connection in Your Community
Sarah Smith
Fentanyl: It’s Worse than
You Thought
Lindsey Chadwick
The Lost Child: Teens in Families Impacted by Substance Use
Elizabeth Bullock &
Samantha Aiello
Partnering for Safety: Strategies to Reduce Stigma, Strengthen Engagement and Improve Outcomes for Families Affected by Substance Use
Tara Ballinger
A Journey of Resilience: Sharing My Story of Hope and Transformation
Steve Juneau
Protecting Native Children: Addressing DEC Needs and Building Stronger Responses in Indian Country
Trish Luna
Early Intervention, Lasting Impact: Using Lambi to Reach Our Youngest Victims of Substance Use
Jennifer O'Brien &
Kimberly Mitchell
Trajectories of Harm and Resilience Among Drug-Endangered Children
Jimmy Wayne
The Power of One
Sean Fearns
Toward a Fentanyl Free America: Making Connections and Supporting Prevention
Corinne Shea,
Nancy Pasquale &
Courtney Maynard
From a NYC Suburb to Rural Eastern Kentucky — Supporting Youth Families Through Community-Based Intervention
Greg Cain
Bridging the Gap: How Fire and EMS Can Strengthen DEC Collaboration
Jen McClellan
Breaking the Cycle: Innovation in Child Welfare with START
Julian Garcia
Exploring Contributing Factors to Substance Misuse and Violence in Tribal Communities and Pathways to Healing
Cori Hammond
Moving Upstream: Bringing an Earlier and Broader Approach to Prevention to Local Communities
Julie Kenniston
Let's Talk About Drug Endangered Children and Forensic Interviews
Jennifer Sleiter
Hidden Influences: How Prenatal Substance Exposure Affects Development
Kevin Mariano
Tribal Law Enforcement: A Key Partner in Intervention and Prevention
Brooke Arnold & Marsha Lowery
Tell Me Something Good! Increasing Compassion Satisfaction by Building Resiliency
Allison Smith & Russell Smith
When Trafficking and Drug Exposure Collide: A Multi-Disciplinary Examination
Julie Kenniston
Essential Facts for the First Responder in DEC Cases
Kevin Poleyumptewa
Investing in Fatherhood: Supporting Native Fathers Struggling with Addiction
Joseph DeRogatis
Fentanyl Overdose and Child Death Investigation: The Beautiful Giles Case Study
Jim Harris
What's Wrong with Kids These Days? Start with a Better Question.
David Hale
Once Bound, now FREE!
Pain – Purpose – Passion
Thank You To Our Sponsors
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Thank you for everyone who helped make NADEC 26 a truly unforgettable experience!