Name: Advocacy Under Pressure
Start: 2026-09-28T15:30:00-0700
End: 2026-09-28T17:00:00-0700

This year’s conference honors the people who built this movement, and the people continuing to carry it forward. For generations, survivors, advocates, organizers, and community members have created safety, support, and change together. Their lived experience, knowledge, and care have shaped this work from the very beginning. Join us for two days of connection, learning, and envisioning what’s possible when we build safety, healing, and belonging together.

Speaker and workshop announcements coming soon! For more information, please see our FAQ page or contact us at [email protected].

For more information about the Washington State Coalition Against Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault, visit our website.

Advocacy Under Pressure

Monday September 28, 2026 3:30pm - 5:00pm PDT

Advocates are carrying tremendous pressure as they support survivors while navigating increasingly strained systems that can push emotional and professional capacity to its limits. This interactive session creates space to acknowledge those challenges, examine the evolving role of advocacy, and explore how cross-sector partnerships, particularly with home visiting programs, can strengthen support systems for families.

Participants will engage in meaningful discussion, share strategies for collaboration, and practice grounding techniques that help sustain well-being and reduce the risk of burnout. Attendees will leave with practical tools, collective wisdom, and a renewed sense of connection to themselves, their work, and the families they serve.

Speakers

Jami Bess

Director of Services, Open Arms Perinatal Services

Jami Bess is a maternal and reproductive health leader with over a decade of experience advancing equity for low-income families in Washington State. As Director of Programs at Open Arms Perinatal Services, she oversees community-based doula and home visiting initiatives that center... Read More →

Marcella Taylor

ParentChild+ Program Manager, Start Early Washington

Marcella Taylor is the ParentChild+ Program Manager for Washington State, with over 20 years of experience in early learning, home visiting, and family support. Her professional journey was shaped by her personal one—as a young parent and former ParentChild+ participant. That experience... Read More →

Florida Steele

Early Learning Coordinator, Open Arms Perinatal Services

Florida Steele is a family advocate with 30+ years of experience supporting under-resourced communities through direct service and systems advocacy. As a mother of four, she centers her work on relational, strengths-based support that honors families lived experiences. At Open Arms... Read More →

Monday September 28, 2026 3:30pm - 5:00pm PDT

Workshop

Topic domestic violence, sexual assault, advocacy skills, children & parenting, community engagement & organizing, reproductive justice

We Are the Movement: 2026 WSCADVSA Conference

Jami Bess

Marcella Taylor

Florida Steele

Get help with the event

We Are the Movement: 2026 WSCADVSA Conference

Jami Bess

Marcella Taylor

Florida Steele

Log in to save this to your schedule, view media, leave feedback and see who's attending!

Get help with the event