The 4th Annual Proof Alliance Caregiver Conference
We’re excited to announce the dates for the 4th Annual Proof Alliance Caregiver Conference – Thursday, May 14 and Friday, May 15, 2026.
This year’s event promises to be our best yet. We’re thrilled to welcome you to a beautiful new space at the Plymouth Community Center where you can learn, connect and turn knowledge into action alongside fellow caregivers, professionals and advocates.
Our agenda will feature dynamic national and international speakers, special influencer and celebrity guest appearances, book signings with renowned voices in the FASD field, complimentary massage sessions and a few exciting surprises along the way—more to come!
We can’t wait to share this special experience with you. See you in May!
Day 1 Schedule: Thursday, May 14, 2026
8:00–8:45 a.m. Check-in and Breakfast
8:45–9:00 a.m. Welcome
9:00–9:30 a.m. Proof Alliance Spotlight
9:30–9:50 a.m. Break
9:50–10:50 a.m. Breakouts 1–3
10:50–11:10 a.m. Break
11:10–12:10 p.m. Voices Across the FASD Spectrum
12:10–1:20 p.m. Lunch and Announcements
1:20–2:20 p.m. Facilitated Discussions
2:20–2:40 p.m. Break
2:40–3:55 p.m. Breakouts 4–6
Day 2 Schedule: Friday, May 15, 2026
8:45–9:30 a.m. Continental Breakfast
9:30–10:30 a.m. FASD and Trauma: Tailored Support Strategies for Everyday Challenges
10:30–10:50 a.m. Break
10:50–11:50 a.m. Breakouts 7–9
11:50–12:50 p.m. Lunch
12:50–1:50 p.m. Breakouts 10–12
1:50–2:10 p.m. Break
2:10–3:25 p.m. Perfectly Imperfect
3:25–3:40 p.m. Closing Remarks
Kickoff Keynote: Voices Across the FASD Spectrum
About the Presentation:
Hear directly from individuals with an FASD as they share their journeys, challenges and successes. This dynamic panel presentation highlights the wide range of living experiences across the FASD spectrum, reflecting differences in symptoms, family structures, diagnosis timelines and personal life circumstances. Panelists will discuss what it’s truly like to live with an FASD—how they navigate school, work, relationships and daily life—while also celebrating their strengths, resilience and unique perspectives.
Attendees will gain invaluable firsthand insights that go beyond textbooks or clinical descriptions, learning practical strategies and approaches to better support individuals with FASD at all stages of life. By centering lived experience, this panel empowers caregivers, professionals and advocates to understand the complexity of FASD, challenge assumptions and foster environments where individuals with an FASD can thrive.
Participants will leave inspired, informed and equipped to apply these insights in meaningful, respectful ways.
Afternoon Keynote: FASD and Trauma: Tailored Support Strategies for Everyday Challenges
About the Presentation:
“Trauma” is a widely used concept, but it is best understood with attention to context and nuance. Individuals with FASDs have, by definition, experienced trauma through prenatal alcohol exposure, and many continue to face additional challenges after birth. These experiences—ranging from difficulty tracking time to confabulation—can shape how trauma is perceived and processed, often differently than in neurotypical peers.
Caregivers and professionals supporting these individuals benefit from specialized knowledge to respond effectively and compassionately. In this presentation, participants will explore three real-world scenarios to practice applying FASD-specific insights about trauma. Drawing on research and lived experience, Dr. Mogush will translate complex findings into practical strategies, enabling caregivers and professionals to take thoughtful, informed action. Attendees will leave with a deeper understanding of how trauma interacts with FASD and actionable approaches to foster resilience, growth, and well-being across diverse life experiences.
About the Presenter:
Annie Mogush, Ph.D (she/her) is a mental health therapist who primarily works with people whose lives have been shaped by complex trauma. She worked in education for about 20 years before transitioning to mental health. As a therapist and as a PACT trainer, Annie relies on her experiences as a teacher and qualitative researcher, through both of which she cultivated an unconditional regard for all that it can mean to be human.
Closing Keynote: Perfectly Imperfect
About the Presentation:
Kamille Shulman, accompanied by her mother Arlene Skolnik, will deliver the conference’s closing keynote, offering an inspiring and empowering perspective on living with FASD. Drawing from her own experiences, Kamille will share how tailored supports, therapies and strategies helped her navigate school, relationships, work and adulthood while also building a platform to raise awareness about FASD.
Arlene will provide the caregiver perspective, discussing the balance between advocating for a child with FASD and supporting their independence as they grow into adulthood. Together, they will highlight the evolving needs, challenges and successes that come with FASD across the lifespan.
This keynote emphasizes the importance of understanding individual strengths, fostering resilience and creating supportive environments that empower individuals with FASD to thrive.
Attendees will leave with practical insights, inspiration and a deeper appreciation for the lived experiences of those with an FASD and the caregivers who support them.
About the Presenter:
Kamille Shulman was adopted from Russia at 13 months old alongside her twin sister, Jessica. Both were diagnosed with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome at two years of age. In this presentation, Kamille will share her personal journey living with an FASD, offering candid reflections on navigating school, friendships, work and daily life. She will also discuss her experience as a social media influencer, raising awareness about FASD and advocating for understanding, inclusion and support.
Kamille’s story highlights both the challenges and the strengths that come with living on the FASD spectrum—creativity, determination and resilience. Her mother, Arlene Skolnik, will join the conversation to share her perspective on raising twin daughters with FASD, providing insight into family dynamics, advocacy and the lessons learned along the way.
Together, they offer a multi-generational view that is informative, inspiring, and empowering for caregivers, professionals, and anyone seeking to better understand the lived experience of FASD.
Day 1 Breakout Sessions
Dive into engaging conversations and hands-on strategies designed to give you practical tools you can use immediately.
Medications do not cure FASD but can help manage symptoms like inattention, impulsivity, sleep difficulties, aggression, and anxiety. Understanding their purpose, cautions, and side effects supports children with FASD and their families on the behavioral health journey.
Dr. Moen and Betsy are pediatric nurse practitioners specializing in neurodivergent and underserved youth. They provide behavioral health care, medication management, and family support, combining clinical expertise with a passion for empowering patients to thrive on their unique journeys.
This presentation covers evaluating the need for guardianship, available support for independent decision-making, and an overview of court procedures and ongoing responsibilities for appointed guardians.
A Minnesota lawyer specializing in estate planning, trusts, and special needs law. Experienced in guardianships and benefits rules, with personal insight as a sibling of a person with developmental disabilities. Serves on nonprofit boards supporting disability services.
A sound bath is a full-body listening experience using crystal and Tibetan bowls to promote deep relaxation. Participants rest comfortably while sound waves support breath focus, stress relief and emotional release, gradually easing them back to awareness through gentle quiet and stillness.
Born and raised in rural Illinois, Rachel has lived in Minnesota for 19 years. With a deep passion for sound and music, Rachel has become a sound bath practitioner to share the healing benefits of sound and help others experience its transformative effects.
Caregivers who live in the Minnesota Metro are invited to join a supportive, peer-led conversation focused on FASD resources, practical strategies and shared experiences. Connect with others who understand the journey and gain insights to strengthen your caregiving network.
Teresa Kothbauer is a Proof Alliance Certified Trainer (PACT) and caregiver partner since her son’s FASD diagnosis in 2014. She shares lived experience, a commitment to learning and a passion for empowering families and strengthening support for individuals with FASD.
Caregivers across Central Minnesota and neighboring regions are invited to connect in a supportive, peer-led conversation about FASD resources, real-life challenges and practical strategies. Share experiences, learn from others and build meaningful connections across communities.
Sandy Hruby is a caregiver to three adopted adult children, two with FASD, and is raising her grandson with FASD. An early childhood licensed teacher working in social services, she brings extensive experience navigating education, therapeutic and legal systems.
Caregivers in Southern Minnesota are invited to connect in a supportive, peer-led space to share experiences, explore resources and discuss real-life FASD caregiving challenges. Learn from others, exchange practical strategies and build community with families who understand.
Melissa Fredin has been a foster care provider since 1999 and has more than 20 years of experience supporting and coaching families. An adoptive mother of seven, she brings deep, lived experience and a lifelong commitment to learning alongside caregivers.
Supporting an adult with FASD often means shifting from independence to interdependence. Through real-life stories and practical tools, this session explores boundaries, daily living supports and brain-based strategies that foster dignity, stability and success in supported adulthood.
FASD coaches Barb Clark and Laurie Anderson combine lived experience and professional expertise supporting neurodiverse individuals and families. Both seasoned caregivers and educators, they share practical, brain-based strategies shaped by decades of parenting, training and advocacy in the FASD community.
Nature can support regulation for children and teens with FASD—but access isn’t always simple. This session explores why outdoor environments help, common barriers families face and practical, sensory-friendly strategies to safely bring the calming benefits of nature indoors and out.
Caitlin “Katie” Lamping, OTR/L, MOT, is a pediatric occupational therapist and founder of Nurture in Nature Therapy Services. An autistic parent of four neurodivergent children, she blends professional expertise, nature-based practice and Collaborative & Proactive Solutions to support families.
Details for this session are coming soon!
Day 2 Breakout Sessions
Continue your learning with interactive sessions that explore key topics, share experiences, and inspire actionable insights.
Learn proactive strategies to prevent overwhelm and reduce crises before they begin. This session shares practical tools for advocacy across schools, health care and community systems while strengthening caregiver confidence, communication and boundaries to support long-term stability and well-being for families.
Melissa Fredin is a Proof Alliance Family Support Navigator, therapeutic foster provider and co-owner of Engaged 360 Parent Coaching. A mother of seven and graduate student in trauma resilience, she brings extensive lived and professional experience supporting families.
Explore how prenatal alcohol exposure impacts sleep in children and adolescents with FASD, contributing to attention, behavior, and emotional regulation challenges. Learn research-based insights and practical strategies families can use to promote healthier sleep and support daily functioning.
The FASD Research Group at the University of Minnesota has studied FASD for over 20 years, using MRI and neuropsychology to inform interventions for children and adolescents. Their work includes cognitive training, nutrition studies, brain stimulation, and sleep-focused research.
Join Sarah Routman for an interactive workshop on the science of laughter as a healing tool. Through games, “Smile-Ups,” and a closing laughter meditation, caregivers will leave energized, inspired, and equipped to make laughter a daily wellness practice.
Sarah Routman is a keynote speaker, certified Laughter Yoga trainer, and Global Laughter Ambassador. She helps caregivers and professionals turn the science of laughter into practical tools for stress relief, connection, and everyday wellness, blending contagious laughter with creative expression.
This session helps couples parenting a child with FASD restore connection and teamwork. Explore how stress, grief and differing coping styles affect relationships, and learn practical strategies to rebuild communication, emotional safety, and resilience while navigating the challenges of FASD caregiving.
Dr. Jana Hunsley is a psychologist specializing in foster care and adoption. She provides counseling, coaching, and training for families and professionals, drawing on research, clinical experience and personal insight from growing up with adopted siblings.
This session guides families through planning residential supports for loved ones with FASD or other needs. Using person-centered thinking tools, participants learn how to evaluate options, ask the right questions, and find resources to make confident, individualized housing decisions.
Erin Martin and Christina Kurschner are person-centered plan facilitators at STAR Services, supporting individuals and families through complex planning conversations. Erin brings direct support experience, while Christina, ANCOR 2023 Minnesota DSP of the Year, combines leadership and advocacy to help families create better futures.
This session explores why traditional mental health approaches often fail children with FASD. Dr. Ryan Jolly introduces a Brain-First model, offering strategies aligned with neurocognitive capacity to reduce conflict, support regulation and empower families with practical, compassionate tools for home and school.
Dr. Ryan Jolly, founder of Brain First Family Center, is a psychiatric nurse practitioner, FASD parent, and advocate. She provides comprehensive care, research, and training, helping families, educators, and clinicians implement practical, brain-aligned strategies that empower children with neurodiverse needs.
Meet the Authors Table
Connect directly with some of the most influential voices in the FASD space! Throughout the conference, attendees will have the opportunity to interact with renowned authors, ask questions and get your books personally signed. If you already own copies of these books, feel free to bring them along to have them signed as well.
Featured authors include:
- Barb Clark – Raising Kids and Teens with FASD: Advice and Strategies to Help Your Family Thrive!
- Carl Young and Joel Sheagren – Embracing Hope: Innovative Strategies to Empower Parents Raising Neurodiverse Teens
- Jodee Kulp – Embracing Zak: Community Compassion is a Powerful Force
- Sarah Routman – Discover the Power of Laughter: Jump-Start Your Journey to Health and Joy
Make time in your schedule on Thursday, May 14, and Friday, May 15 to meet these authors, gain insights from their work and take home a signed keepsake from the conference.
Where to Stay
Reserve your room at a discounted group rate while availability lasts
Location: 2955 Empire Ln N, Plymouth, MN 55447 (1 mile from conference venue)
Reservations: Call the hotel directly at 763-559-3100 and request the Proof Alliance Caregiver Conference Room Block
Dates: Wednesday, May 13, 2026, and Thursday, May 14, 2026
Booking Cutoff Date: Wednesday, April 29th, 2026
Rates:
Double Queen: $129/night, plus tax
King Standard: $119/night, plus tax
Included in Rate: Complimentary breakfast
Amenities: Free Wi-Fi, parking, indoor pool and fitness room
Gathering Space: Groups are welcome to gather in the lobby/breakfast area (not private, but includes tables and chairs in a comfortable shared space)
Location: 3131 Campus Dr, Plymouth, MN 55441 (2 miles from conference venue)
Reservations: Call 1-855-914-1303 or the hotel directly at 763-559-6600 and request the Proof Alliance Caregiver Conference Room Block
Dates: Wednesday, May 13, 2026, and Thursday, May 14, 2026
Booking Cutoff Date: Wednesday, April 22, 2026
Rates:
Standard King or Double: $121/night, plus tax
Included in Rate: Complimentary parking, hot breakfast, free Wi-Fi, and full access to the three-story athletic club (pool, hot tub, and saunas in each changing room)
Amenities: Pet-friendly, spa, fitness center, pool and one on-site restaurant
Join Us as an Exhibitor at the 2026 Caregiver Conference
Share your resources with more than 200 caregivers, professionals, and community partners supporting individuals with FASD.
We invite community organizations to apply for one of our limited exhibitor tables and join us for both days of the conference. Exhibitors selected to participate will be asked to provide a $75 caregiver-focused donation, required to secure their spot.
Schedule Highlights:
Set-Up: Thursday, May 14, 2026 • 7:30 A.M.
Exhibitor Hours:
• Thursday, May 14 • 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
• Friday, May 15 • 8:45 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
Clean-Up: Friday, May 15 • 1:00–1:50 p.m.
All applicants—whether selected or not—will be notified of decisions by Friday, February 13, 2026.
For questions, please contact Lexi Weller at lexi.weller@proofalliance.org.
Please note: Completing this form does not guarantee an exhibitor spot. The application will not collect your personal information unless you provide it.
Sponsor the Caregiver Conference!
Learn more about becoming a sponsor for the Proof Alliance Caregiver Conference.
Email Greg.Giles@proofalliance.org with questions.
2026 Conference Sponsors
We’re grateful to all the organizations making this year’s event possible. Their support advances FASD awareness, education and resources.
This event is made possible by the Minnesota Department of Health.
Copyright © 2026 by Proof Alliance. These materials are the intellectual property of Proof Alliance. No portion may be reproduced without written consent from Proof Alliance.
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