Ninth Annual Juvenile and Child Welfare Conference: Developing Minds, Demanding Justice

When:  Jun 11, 2026 from 09:00 AM to 04:30 PM (ET)

The Massachusetts Bar Association is excited to present the Ninth Annual Juvenile and Child Welfare Conference on June 11 at the UTEC Center in Lowell. This year’s theme, “Developing Minds, Demanding Justice,” will focus on understanding developmental, neurodevelopmental and mental health conditions that impact a youth’s brain and behavior. 

Keynote speaker Dr. David Cochran will present on “Autism, Neurodevelopmental Disabilities & Mental Health: A Primer for Those Working with Neurodiverse Populations.” Cochran, MD, PhD, is an associate professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences and pediatrics at UMass Chan Medical School and medical director of the CANDO clinic (Center for Autism and Neurodevelopmental Disorders) at UMass Memorial Healthcare. He provides expert consultation around psychiatric management of individuals with autism, intellectual disability or neurodevelopmental disability across the commonwealth. 

Panels to follow will address:

  • Competency to stand trial
  • Education advocacy 
  • Alternatives to CRAs

Click here for the full conference agenda.

The MBA’s Juvenile & Child Welfare Section Council is proud to announce that the recipient of the Annual Juvenile and Child Welfare Award is Diana Santiago, litigation director at Mass Advocates for Children.

Do not miss this exclusive opportunity to network with colleagues, program faculty, and the leaders of the juvenile and child welfare bar.

This program will be held in person at the UTEC Center, 35 Warren St., Lowell. Registration for the conference is required by noon on Monday, June 8, in order to participate in this program.

Location

35 Warren Street
Lowell, MA 01852