by Skyler Shepard – Thu, April 4th 2024 at 8:32 PM – Updated Thu, April 4th 2024 at 11:14 PM

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (CBS12) — The Palm Beach County Convention Center buzzed with activity on Thursday as the “Turn on the Light National Conference on the Wellbeing of Children and Families” brought together dozens of parents, volunteers, and professionals dedicated to supporting children and families.

Organized by the Children’s Healing Institute (CHI), the day-long conference offered workshops, presentations, and networking opportunities. Attendees were able to explore a wide range of topics related to child and family health, from research-based strategies and therapeutic approaches to advocacy efforts. Local and national organizations showcased their services and resources through an extensive exhibitor hall, fostering connections between attendees and professionals like social workers, psychologists, law enforcement, attorneys, nurses, and teachers.

As National Child Abuse Prevention Month unfolds, the CEO of The Children’s Healing Institute, Dr. Sandy Munoz, said the organization is dedicated to strengthening families in crisis, and emphasized its mission by focusing the conference theme on human trafficking this year.

“The Children’s Healing Institute hosts the Turn on the Light Conference each year, and this is our 19th annual year hosting this conference, and every year we really focus on doing workshops that are pertinent to the community and what’s happening in our community and what’s affecting families in our community,” Munoz said. “This conference we’re actually focusing on human trafficking. Our keynote speaker is Randee Kogan.”

Psychotherapist and trauma expert Randee Kogan served as the keynote speaker. Kogan, who has provided support to victims of Jeffrey Epstein since 2007, spoke at the event to educate and advise the attendees about sexual violence and trauma.

“This conference means the world to me. It’s like my home away from home,” Kogan said. “It gives me an opportunity to share with professionals who may not focus on victimization but want to learn, new professionals who are just entering the field. It gives me a real opportunity to share all of my experience with the individuals I’ve worked with over the years and to share it with other professionals.”