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KCA Conference 2019 Highlights

We were very pleased to have over 600 participants at our 62nd annual KCA Conference. Our 2019 theme was COUNSELING: CELEBRATING HUMAN RESILIENCY. The timely theme provided a backdrop for a wide variety of breakout sessions that were well received. We truly appreciate all those that helped make the 2019 KCA Conference a wonderful success.

We are thankful for our highly qualified pre-conference presenters who provided valuable workshops; all the knowledgable presenters willing to share their expertise, resulting in an amazing variety of breakout sessions; the Alumni members for coordinating the exhibit area; a host of facilitators that kept sessions flowing smoothly; numerous volunteers that helped staff the registration area and the generosity of our sponsors and exhibitors.

We heard from well known Keynote Speakers that challenged and motivated us. The luncheons were well attended and served delicious food as counselors took a few minutes to relax and spend time with their peers.

The latest group of MLA participants began their program by learning more about KCA/ACA, strengthening their leadership skills, and spending time with their mentors. The early morning Coffee Chat with first timers was well attended and the Divisional "Meet and Greet" helped to connect counselors with similar roles and passions. Many counselors visited the NKCA, WKCA and KMHCA hospitality rooms for great snacks and networking. Counselors enjoyed the annual social with DJ Sharfe once again providing the lively music.

The scrumptious brunch buffet was enjoyed by all those in attendance as the Closing Session/Awards Ceremony was conducted. A large crowd watched as deserving counselors were recognized with coveted awards. Special thanks to the KCA Program Committee and the KCA Officers who worked long hours to make sure that the conference flowed smoothly and met the needs of counselors from a wide variety of job settings. Your KCA leaders are already at work on the 2020 KCA Conference with hopes of continued growth and success.

KCA is very grateful for the loyal and continuing support of our conference sponsors. Their invaluable support helps KCA provide a very high quality conference at modest cost to our counselors. With sponsors leading the way, the exhibit hall was totally filled with a variety of services, program opportunities, books & materials, informational booths, and boutiques.

Please take time to review the following photos of award winners and collages of many activities taking place during the conference. We hope you can see that it was a wonderful experience for all and that you will plan to join us next year! Please save the dates of November 11-13, 2020 and join us for the next KCA Conference at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Louisville.

2019 KCA Awards

We appreciate the high level of interest shown again this year with the number of nominations for well-qualified and deserving candidates reaching another all-time high. Please continue to nominate those deserving counselors so they can be honored in front of their peers at the annual KCA Conference. Nominations open online May 1 for the next annual awards program.

Congratulations to all the award winners!

Outstanding Alumni Volunteer - Beth Palm

KCA President Dawn Hinton and Beth Palm

Outstanding Graduate Student - Molly Halpin

Molly Halpin, Asbury Seminary and Dawn Hinton, KCA President

Outstanding Counselor Educator - Dr. Amy Holsinger

KCA President Dawn Hinton and Dr. Amy Holsinger, Lindsey Wilson College

Outstanding Mental Health Counselor - Paul Dalton

Paul Dalton, Offices of Paul Dalton and Dawn Hinton, KCA President

Outstanding College and Career Counselor - Joseph Yazvac

Joseph Yazvac, Owensboro KCTCS and Dawn Hinton, KCA President

Outstanding Elementary School Counselor - Renee Powell

Renee Powell, Hopkins Elementary, Somerset District and Dawn Hinton, KCA President

Outstanding School Counselor - Michele Gillion

Michele Gillion, Barren County Alternative School and Dawn Hinton, KCA President

Outstanding High School Counselor - Kelly Caldwell

Kelly Caldwell, Model Lab High School and Dawn Hinton, KCA President

The Tim Robertson Advocacy Award - Katrina Coffelt

KCA President Dawn Hinton and Katrina Coffelt, Murray and WKMHCA

Dr. Daya S. Sandhu Research and Innovations in Counseling Award -

Dr. Michelle Sircy (Counseling Specialist with JCPS)

KCA President Dawn Hinton, Dr. Daya S. Sandhu and Dr. Michelle Sircy, JCPS

Dr. Bill Braden Award - Dr. Naomi Brahim (JCPS)

KCA President Dawn Hinton and Dr. Naomi Brahim

Opening Session Keynoter - Ed Johnson

Rebecca Pender Baum, KCA President-elect; Ed Johnson, LPC, LAC, Southeast ATTC; and
Dawn Hinton, KCA President

General Session Keynoter - Barbara McFarland

Barbara McFarland; Author, Psychologist, corporate consultant, motivational speaker and trainer.
Co-Founder of FlexLife(R), LLC. Topic: Take Your Life Back! Achieving Work/Life Balance

Closing Session Keynoter - Jon Akers

Dawn Hinton, KCA President with Jon Akers, Executive Director of the Kentucky
Center for School Safety

Senator Max Wise honored at KCA Awards Brunch

Senator Max Wise was honored by the Kentucky Counseling Association for his role in
shepherding SB 1 through the legislative process this past year. Now known as the
School Safety and Resiliency Act, this landmark legislation will help place more counselors
in our schools to meet the mental health needs of students across the state.
Pictured above are Dawn Hinton, KCA President and Senator Max Wise.

Sponsor Recognitions during Awards Brunch

KCA President Dawn Hinton with Dr. Andrea Brooks representing the LPCC Board.

Dr. Gary Patton representing University of the Cumberlands with Dawn Hinton, KCA President

KCA Past Presidents

Past Presidents pictured above are from left to right are: Beverly Martin, Maryloretto Resing,
Dawn Rowe, Micca Ratliff, Jade Maddox, Dr. Naomi Brahim, Dr. Michelle Sircy, Karen Cook,
Kathy Davis, Dr. Gerald Sklare and Tammy Hurst. Also at the conference were Dr. Angelia
Bryant, Dr. Susan Patterson, Dr. Charles Pemberton, Dr. John Rigney, and Dr. Larry Sexton.

Dr. Bill Braden Mentoring Leadership Academy (MLA) Class of 2019-20

MLA program participants and leaders are listed from left to right: Karri Gerdemann,
Holli Duke - MLA Graduate and facilitator; Robin Fleischer, Audra Boggs, Dr. Dominique Wilson,
Dr. Naomi Brahim - MLA founder and head facilitator; Darrian Evans, Patricia Lane, Chanella Clark,
and Hannah Coyt - MLA Graduate and facilitator.

KCAA (Alumni Group)

Thanks to the KCAA folks (retirees) who helped keep everything going smoothly!
You are such an important part of KCA!!

Dr. Bessel van der Kolk's live remote session

Our first live-remote session at the conference was met with rave reviews as the group benefited
from the knowledge and wisdom of the renown Dr. Bessel van der Kolk. He evidently enjoyed the
opportunity to speak with our counselors and actually stayed "live" for an extended Q & A session.