2026 Kansas Alliance for
Drug Endangered Children Conference
Tuesday, April 28, 2026
Wichita Marriott • 9100 E Corporate Hills Dr, Wichita, KS
The conference will focus on educating professionals (including child welfare, legal, medical and social service) who may have an opportunity to identify and/or respond to children living in environments where illegal drugs are manufactured, sold, distributed or used. Children living in drug environments are at risk for devastating effects including severe neglect, physical, emotional and sexual abuse and developmental delays.
$85 - Early Bird Rate (ends 2/28)
$100 - Regular Attendee
$40 - Student Rate
Accomodations
Wichita Marriott
9100 E Corporate Hills Dr, Wichita, KS 67207
Rate: 135.00 USD per night
Last Day to Book : Monday, April 13, 2026
Book your group rate for KADEC Conference
Sponsor and Exhibitor Opportunities
Join us on Tuesday, April 28 at the Wichita Marriott in Wichita, KS, for the 2026 Kansas Alliance for Drug Endangered Children Conference!
| Time | Session |
|---|---|
| 8:00— 8:30 a.m. |
Registration |
| 8:30— 8:40 a.m. |
Welcome Jennifer Gassmann, chair, Kansas Alliance for Drug Endangered Children Shelly Schneider, vice-chair, Kansas Alliance for Drug Endangered Children and Kansas Department of Health and Environment |
| 8:40—10:10 a.m. |
The Weight of Poverty | The Power of Resilience Rebecca Lewis Pankratz, ESSDACK Generational poverty and substance use are often closely connected, shaping health, opportunity, and life outcomes across lifetimes. This powerful keynote explores how toxic stress impacts individuals experiencing poverty—and how resilience offers a path forward. Participants will be inspired to see what’s possible when we move from awareness to action and become communities where resilience is actionable, nurtured, and sustained. |
| 10:10—10:30 a.m. |
Break Visit exhibits |
| 10:30 a.m.— 12:30 p.m. |
Recognizing Illicit and Misused Drugs in 2026 Sgt. Randy Osburn, Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office-retired |
| 12:30— 1:30 p.m. |
Lunch Visit exhibits Networking |
| 1:30—2:40 p.m. |
Courageous Journeys: Stories of Impact and Recovery Individuals directly impacted by substance use share perspectives on survival, recovery, and building safe, stable families. |
| 2:40—3:00 p.m. |
Break Visit exhibits |
| 3:00—3:30 p.m. |
Handle with Care in Harvey County Lynnette Redington, director, Harvey County Health Department Megan Smith, project manager, Harvey County DECK Program This session will share information about implementation of a program that alerts schools when a child has been exposed to a potentially traumatic event, enabling staff to provide immediate, compassionate support. |
| 3:30—4:00 p.m. |
Lessons from the Field: Drug Endangered Children Case Insights Sandra Lessor, senior assistant district attorney, Sedgwick County District Attorney’s Office A case-based discussion examining real drug endangered children incidents—what worked, what didn’t, and opportunities to strengthen future responses. |
| 4:00—4:15 p.m. |
DEC Media Campaign Update Howerton + White |
| 4:15—4:30 p.m. |
Community Success Stories All Hands on DECK grantees |
| 4:30—4:50 p.m. |
Call to Action Shelly Schneider, vice-chair, Kansas Alliance for Drug Endangered Children and Kansas Department of Health and Environment |
| 4:50—5:00 p.m. |
Closing Jennifer Gassmann, chair, Kansas Alliance for Drug Endangered Children |