9/8/25 – In-Person Registration is Closed at this time but Virtual Registration is still open

Click Here to Register for the Annual Conference

Speakers & Agenda

 

Catina Struble

Catina Struble is the Executive Director of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention in Utah. She has a strong background in non-profit management, strategic planning, fundraising, and program development, and is dedicated to promoting mental health care and the importance of self-care. Catina emphasizes a people-first approach in her leadership, focusing on innovation and collaboration. Her mission is to save lives and provide hope to those affected by suicide.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Kristin Lambert, DSW, LCSW

Director of the Master of Social Work Program and an Associate Professor in the Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences at Utah Valley University. Prior to joining UVU, she served as a Visiting Clinical Professor at the Brigham Young University School of Social Work, where she taught advanced clinical courses in the MSW program.

Kristin’s professional background includes extensive clinical experience providing individual, family, and group therapy to clients with mental illness, substance use disorders, and histories of trauma. Her practice has also included community-based assessment, intervention, and education. She previously held leadership roles as the Residential Director at La Europa, a treatment center for adolescent girls, and as the Clinical Coordinator at the Utah Health and Human Rights Project, a nonprofit organization serving survivors of political torture and human trafficking.

She earned her Master of Social Work degree from Columbia University in New York City and her Doctorate in Social Work from the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minnesota.

 

 

 

 

Rethinking Homelessness: A Human First Approach to Community and Transformation

Panelists: Jackie Tress, Jeff Kaiser-Plante, Marci Slaugh, Rob Myrick – Moderator: Preston Cochrane 

The Other Side Village presents a powerful and hopeful session that redefines how we address chronic homelessness—not through programs alone, but through people, purpose, and place. This panel explores a “Human First” model grounded in the belief that healing and change begin with belonging. At the heart of the conversation are individuals with lived experience of homelessness and incarceration, who are now community builders, mentors, and leaders guiding others on their path out of chronic homelessness. Together, they share stories of transformation, the power of peer mentorship, and the critical role of intentional community in fostering long-term recovery, dignity, and self-reliance. Attendees will leave with actionable insights into how deeply relational, community-based solutions can drive systems change and restore humanity in the face of one of society’s most complex challenges.

 

 

Darren Perry

Darren Parry is the former Chairman of the Northwestern Band of the Shoshone Nation. Darren serves on the Board of Directors for Utah Humanities and PBS Utah. He attended the University of Utah and Weber State University and received his Bachelor’s Degree in Education. In 2024, he received an Honorary PhD in Education from Utah State University. Darren is the author of “The Bear River Massacre, A Shoshone History” and teaches in the Environmental Humanities department at the University of Utah and teaches Indigenous Land Stewardship at Utah State University. He lectures around the country on Native American issues surrounding history and Indigenous views related to sustainability. He recently gave a lecture at the University of Copenhagen and spoke about Indigenous views to Climate and Environment. His passions in life are his wife Melody, 7 children and 17 grandchildren. His other passion is his Tribal family. He wants to make sure that those who have gone before him are not forgotten.

 

 

 

 

Ben Schilaty

Dr. Ben Schilaty is a social work professor at Utah Valley University. He also works part-time as a therapist specializing in working with LGBTQ Latter-day Saints and their families. He holds three degrees from Brigham Young University: a bachelor’s degree in Latin American studies, a master’s in Hispanic linguistics and a master’s in Social Work; he also earned a PhD in Second Language Acquisition and Teaching from the University of Arizona. Ben learned Spanish and Portuguese during his mission in Chihuahua, Mexico, and when he lived in Bolivia, Peru and, Portugal. He taught Spanish for a decade at the of middle school, high school and college level. Ben is the award-winning author of A Walk In My Shoes: Questions I am Often Asked as a Gay Latter Day Saint and cohosts the podcast “All Out in the Open.” He is cofounder of the Gather Conference, an annual event offering support to LGBTQ Latter-day Saints and those who love them.

 

 

 

Click Here to See the Presenters/Bios/Topics Page

“Purpose and Practice: Reclaiming the Heart of Social Work.”

Date/Time: Thursday, September 11, 2025- 7:15 AM to 5:00 PM

Where: Utah Cultural Celebration Center, West Valley City, UT

Continuing Education: Total of 7.5 hours of CEU credit (including 1.5 Ethics (pending) and 1.5 Suicide (pending) for those participating in-person, 7.5 hours total CE credit for virtual attendance (approved and sponsored by UTAHSWA, Utah Social Work Association, www.utahswa.org).

 

Fees will be as follows:

UTAHSWA MEMBERS: $125 for in person, and $100 for virtual

NON-MEMBER RATE: $175 for in person and $150 for virtual.

GENERAL PUBLIC (No CEUs): $85

STUDENTS (Active MSW or BSW): $25 In-Person, $15 Virtual Student ID will be required

The Utah Social Work Association Board has compiled a stellar line-up of speakers to address various topics pertinent to this theme as we all continue to learn, grow, and adjust to this new Social Work field in today’s world.

Date: Thursday, September 11th, 2025

Time: 715 AM to 5 PM

Location: Utah Cultural Celebration Center

 

The conference will be held at the Utah Cultural Celebration Center in West Valley City, UT.  Breakfast and Lunch will be served for in-person participants.

Click Here to Join or Renew membership with the UTAHSWA

Please contact us via email at contact@utahswa.org if you have questions regarding membership status.

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