2026 Agenda
Thursday, October 22, 2026 · Hilton Appleton Paper Valley Hotel, Appleton, Wisconsin
Hosted by Christine Ann Domestic Abuse Services, Inc. with Kalico Forest
- 187 attendees
- Up to 5.5 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits
- Free to attend
- 15 resource fair organizations
The program was built around one framework for clinicians: Recognize. Respond. Refer. Attendees chose one session from each of the three breakout blocks.
Registration and breakfast
Check-in, badge printing, and the resource fair opened.
Her Story Matters
Drawn from an article of the same name published in Obstetrics & Gynecology on routine intimate partner violence screening during pregnancy. It told the story of Kali Randall, who was killed along with her two children, and whose family founded Kalico Forest in her memory. Members of her family presented it.
Thirteen participants named this the single most impactful moment of their day, more than any other session.
- A warning we cannot ignoreStrangulation and homicide prevention
- A pediatric perspectiveDomestic abuse and teen dating violence
- Your Peace Your PowerSelf care and secondary traumatic stress
- Domestic violence for healthcare professionalsRecognize, Respond, Refer
- A warning we cannot ignoreStrangulation and homicide prevention, repeated
- Rewriting the JourneyCoordinated care and access for rural survivors
- Human traffickingIdentification and response in a clinical setting
- Domestic violence for healthcare professionalsRecognize, Respond, Refer, repeated
Lunch and resource fair
Fifteen community organizations staffed tables through the lunch hour.
- No Simple ChoiceA scenario based learning experience working through live clinical situations
- No Wrong DoorThe forensic nursing response to domestic violence
- Sister Let's TalkHealing, empowerment and breaking cycles of gender violence
- Domestic violence for healthcare providersRecognize, Respond, Refer, repeated
Advocate panel, then a grounding session
The executive directors of Christine Ann Domestic Abuse Services, Harbor House and Golden House took questions directly from the room. The day then closed with a grounding session led by Be. A Center for Holistic Mental Health and Healing.
Attendees named the grounding session repeatedly in their evaluations as something they needed after a heavy day.
Presenters
Presenters came from Christine Ann Domestic Abuse Services, Harbor House, Golden House, Reach Counseling and Kalico Forest, joined by clinicians and advocates from across the region. Nearly all of them presented at no charge.
- Megan Berg
- Emma Brice
- Meika Burnikel
- Cassandra Diaz
- Leah Eckhart
- Meg Fischer
- Nora Gonzalez Carvajal, BS
- Sandra Groenewold, MD
- Carly Hirsch
- Kimberly Huddleston
- Jodi Nuthals-Mikulsky, MSE
- Olivia Olszewski
- Martha Phillips, BSN, RN
- Tracy Plamann
- Brian Randall, BSBA, NRP
- Carey Sorenson, PhD, RYT-200
- Alia Swingle
- Courtney Van Auken, BS
Continuing education was provided through the joint providership of Gundersen Medical Foundation and Christine Ann Domestic Abuse Services. This event was funded in part by the Advancing a Healthier Wisconsin Endowment at the Medical College of Wisconsin.
Planning for 2027
Registration filled with a waitlist behind it, and partner organizations have already asked to come back. Add your name and we will tell you when dates and registration open.
If you need support right now
These lines are free, confidential and open 24 hours a day.
- National Domestic Violence Hotline 1-800-799-7233 · text START to 88788
- Christine Ann Domestic Abuse Services 920-235-3410
- Harbor House 920-832-1666
- Golden House 920-432-4244
- Be SAFE line 920-212-SAFE
- 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline 988
If you are in immediate danger, call 911.
Forged in strength. Rooted in hope.