Latvian Christian Alliance for Orphans conference for professionals, families and the community
Empowered to care wisely and well
How do we bring deep, lasting healing to children who have experienced vulnerability, trauma, or loss?
The answer isn’t found in isolation or rigid rules – it is found in relationships. This November 13–14, join an international community of foster and adoptive families, church workers, and childcare specialists in Latvia for Rooted in Connection.
Drawing from the life-changing, trauma-informed principles of Empowered to Connect, this conference is designed to equip you with practical tools to understand a child’s needs, disarm fear, and build trust. Step into a space of shared wisdom, encouragement, and hope, and discover how creating deep emotional roots can transform a child’s world.
Conference topics
- Building secure attachment and trauma-informed approaches to behavior management
- The impact of childhood trauma on development, executive functions, and adolescent behavior
- Practical management of transition periods in foster care and decision-making processes
- Family systems dynamics during times of change and maintaining respectful relationships with biological families
- Support through grief and loss, caregiver self-care, and compassion fatigue prevention
- Community and state resources — from PEP mothers (early parenting support) to Family Support Centers and legislative frameworks
- Theological and philosophical dimensions of attachment
- and many other practical and theoretical topics.
Speakers
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Tona Ottinger
Senior Director of Programs at Empowered to Connect, with decades of experience in ministry, family support, and trauma- and attachment-informed care.
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Mark Ottinger
Executive Director of Empowered to Connect, bringing extensive experience in ministry and organizational leadership. He helps leaders and communities practically and sustainably implement attachment principles to support children and families.
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Diāna Jakaite
Deputy State Secretary of the Ministry of Welfare with over 20 years of experience in the field. She is a solutions-oriented expert in demographics, employment, and gender equality issues, who studies the impact of legal norms on human behavior and represents the field's interests at an international level.
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Laura Eglīte-Jefanova
PEP mom (parental emotional support specialist) and a mother of three who has spent many years alongside families navigating one of life’s biggest transitions – welcoming a child into the family.
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Inga Bitēna
Certified visual arts therapist, group psychotherapy specialist in training, and an adventure therapy practitioner. For over 10 years, she has worked with individuals facing addiction, codependency, and other emotional and relational challenges.
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Kaspars Prūsis
Director of the TILTS Support Center, coordinator for TCC trainer training and support in Latvia, and an experienced KETBA, TBRI, and AIRI trainer for parents, with extensive experience leading groups for social workers, children’s home staff, orphan’s court employees, and foster and adoptive families.
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Kārlis Kārkliņš
Executive Director of the Latvian Christian Alliance for Orphans, pastor, and foster father. His main responsibility in the alliance is to unite people and organizations, particularly encouraging the practical involvement of churches in out-of-family care to create a safe and loving support system for children.
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Gunita Kleinberga
Psychologist, cognitive behavioral and Marte Meo therapist with experience at the "Skalbes" Crisis Center and the Child Protection Center. A mother of three who has been working in psychology since the age of 20, and since 2011 has been providing practical therapeutic support to children, adolescents, and parents in her private practice.
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Vēsma Sandberga
Social worker at the TILTS Support Center, a TCC trainer, and a mother of three whose personal experience as an adoptive parent deeply shapes her calling to advocate for vulnerable children.
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Inese Stankeviča
A lawyer with over 20 years of experience who has always combined a professional legal approach with a compassionate human touch. In addition to her legal practice, she became a healthcare chaplain and practices at Limbaži Hospital.
Schedule
Thursday, November 12
17:00 — gathering for international visitors at Majvieta baptist church, Lacplesa iela 37, Riga, LV-1011.
Friday, November 13
- Registration
- Opening session
- Parallel sessions*
- Lunch
- Parallel sessions*
- Coffee break
- Closing session
Saturday, November 14
- Opening session
- Parallel sessions*
- Lunch
- Parallel sessions*
- Coffee break
- Closing session
* Each parallel session will feature 5 distinct options to choose from. The detailed programme will be published on the website and emailed to registered attendees soon.
Registration fee
Register early and save until September 30!
Starting October 1, registration fees will be 60€ and 100€ respectively.
* Members of the Latvian Christian Alliance for Orphans receive a 20% discount.
Please state the member organisation’s name in the registration form.
