call for proposals

Individuals, couples and families today are more connected than ever with the help of emerging technology. They talk, text and tweet, but are they really communicating? Some suggest that, while we communicate more, we may actually "connect" less. What implications does this have for interpersonal and intimate relationships? What are the impacts for healthy homes and communities?

To help answer these questions, Forest Institute is proud to host the 7th annual "Building the Foundation" conference. This one-day event in Springfield provides an affordable educational and professional opportunity for educators and clinicians working with couples and families, teens and adolescents.

If you or a colleague has an idea for a workshop, we'd like to hear it. Please read on for more information. If you still have a question, call us at 417-823-3469.

the theme: connect & communicate

The theme of the 7th Annual Building the Foundation Conference at Forest Institute is focused on the importance of connection and communication as they relate to learning, behavior change and relational well-being in healthy homes and relationships.

We are particularly interested in proposals for workshops that relate our them to the following topics:

• Intimate relationships, marriages and families
• Family stability
• Fragile families
• Intergenerational support
• Community support
• Military couples and families
• Law enforcement couples and families
• Couples coping with illness
• Couples and families involved with the justice system

proposals from all family science professionals welcome!

We particularly invite session proposals from established scholars. Feedback from previous conferences shows that attendees would like to have an opportunity to learn about current and upcoming research. Our emphasis is practical. We want to share what works.

Proposals from practitioners such as family life educators, social workers, and therapists or counselors are encouraged. Proposals should integrate research based knowledge with practical application for attendees who are working directly with families and couples.

Accepted presenters will have their conference registration paid.

poster proposals from students welcome!

The Building the Foundation Conference is a great opportunity for students to present posters on their current research and study. Proposals from students in psychology, sociology, social work, family studies, or any related discipline are encouraged.

Students whose proposals are accepted will have their conference registration paid.

criteria for proposals

• The topic should speak to the conference theme, or be on a current, relevant topic.
• Proposals should focus on practical application of knowledge, rather than on theory.
• Proposal should be clearly written and logically organized, with references.
• Proposal should clearly identify the research used, as well as the findings or implications for practice.
• Qualitative and quantitative studies are equally acceptable.

submitting a proposal

Submitting a proposal is easy. Just download and complete the PDF form at the following URL It is a saveable form, so you can enter your information, save the form, and then mail it to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Please remember that the 3rd page of the proposal is for "blind review." Do not put personally identifying information in the "Participant Outcomes" or "Supporting Summary" sections.

If you have any questions, please feel free to call us at 417-823-3469.

conference objectives

Funding for this conference comes, in part, from a grant awarded to Forest Institute by the Administration for Children and Families, Office of Family Assistance. One of the primary objectives for the grant is the delivery of healthy marriage and healthy relationship education to residents of a 29-county area of southwest Missouri. This is accomplished through partnership with community agencies across the grant area.

As a result, one of the primary goals of this conference is to provide information and training to the facilitators, educators and administrators cooperating with Forest Institute. We aim to empower and inform them as they work in their communities.

We also aim to provide information and resources for practitioners, legislators, elected officials, clergy, schools and others who work with families in a variety of settings. This conference provides a great opportunity to connect with individuals in similar situations of responsibility, and to promote community wide efforts to empower and strengthen marriages and families.