All active Certified Family Life Educators (CFLEs) are invited to attend a series of one-hour online networking sessions that will provide an opportunity for CFLEs who work in specific areas (healthcare, military, Extension, early childhood, hospice, schools, adoption/foster care, aging services, parenting education, and more), to connect with each other. Participants will have the opportunity to discuss challenges and successes and to share ideas, tips, and advice.

“I always leave these groups feeling excited and energized!”
- Stacey Taylor, CFLE-P

“It has been great to connect with others in the CFLE field and those specifically working with domestic violence survivors, marginalized populations, and those doing home visits. My formal education was excellent and still, there are some things we can only learn in the field. What a wonderful resource we have with our CFLE Conversations.”
- Kimberly Leach, CFLE-P

 

See below to reserve a seat at an upcoming date.

New Professionals in Family Life Education
Wednesday, February 12, 2025, 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. CT

Death, Dying, and Bereavement in Family Life Education
Wednesday, March 12, 2025, 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. CT

These networking events are free to all current CFLEs. Each session is led by a facilitator and the format is open discussion. To encourage open dialogue, the meetings are not recorded.

If you are interested in meeting with other CFLEs working in your area, and/or would like to be a session facilitator, contact Jessica Oswald at [email protected].

 

New Professionals in Family Life Education

Wednesday, February 12, 2025, 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. CT

Facilitator: Ashley Barksdale, LCSW, CFLE, CADC-II, PMH-C

Are you a new CFLE? Join this conversation to connect with and learn from other CFLEs currently working or aspiring to work in Family Life Education.

Ashley Barksdale is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), a Certified Family Life Educator (CFLE), a Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC-II), a Certified Perinatal Mental Health Professional (PMH-C), and a doctoral candidate in marriage and family therapy at Liberty University. She obtained a master’s degree in Social Work from Baylor University and a bachelor’s degree in Family Science with a minor in Psychology from Mississippi University for Women. She owns a private practice where she works as a therapist, social worker, educator, and advocate for the individuals and families in her community. Ashley holds several certifications, including Certified Trauma Professional and Certified Grief Professional. In addition, she is the New Professional representative on the Certified Family Life Educator Advisory Board. Ashley's interests include academia, clinical social work, and research. She is passionate about bridging the gap between research and practice for professionals and families. All new professionals looking for an opportunity to meet and network with other Certified Family Life Educators are encouraged to attend. Ashley can help answer questions you might have and provide insight on navigating the expansive professional practice of Family Life Education.

Reserve your seat

 

Death, Dying, and Bereavement in Family Life Education

Wednesday, March 12, 2025, 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. CT

Facilitator: Susan Maxymiv, M.A., CFLE-Retired, CT

Are you a CFLE with experience in death, dying, and bereavement? This networking event welcomes your questions, experiences, resources, challenges, and successes. Connect with professionals who work in similar fields or share your interests!

For more than 30 years, Susan Maxymiv has worked passionately in the fields of thanatology (dying, death and bereavement), gerontology, and Family Life Education.  Ms. Maxymiv holds two certifications: Certified Family Life Educator (CFLE) from the National Council on Family Relations and Certified Thanatologist (CT) from the Association of Death Education and Counseling. As a practitioner, she has been the director of a community senior center and a funeral home bereavement care program. She has also worked with first responders utilizing critical incident stress management/debriefing and in hospice bereavement care. As an academic, for almost 20 years, Ms. Maxymiv taught Family Intervention and Intro to Gerontology at Kent State University. She developed the inter-disciplinary course, Bereavement Trauma and Other Losses which became a core requirement for the Human Development Family Studies major. Join Ms. Maxymiv and fellow CFLEs for an insightful discussion on end-of-life work.

Reserve your seat

 

More dates and topics to be announced.

The CFLE credential, provided by NCFR is recognized in the U.S. and Canada as a professional standard for Family Life Education professions. Learn about the benefits of certification.

 

Past Conversation Topics

Navigating the Ethics of AI in Family Life Education: January 15, 2025

Addressing Burnout: Personal, Professional, and Societal: September 25, 2024

Navigating the Unspoken: CFLEs Tackling Difficult Topics in Education: July 31, 2024

Family Life Education Within the Church: May 22, 2024

New Professionals in Family Life Education: May 8, 2024

Coaching and Consultation as a Part of Family Life Education: April 24, 2024

CFLEs Working in Social Work: March 27, 2024

Family Life Educator Insurance: February 21, 2024

Family Engagement in School Districts: January 30, 2024

CFLEs Working in Child Life: September 13, 2023

CFLEs Working in the Area of Disability: July 25, 2023

CFLEs Working in Sexuality Education: April 25, 2023

CFLEs Working in Mental Health: March 28, 2023

CFLEs Working in Academia – Focus on Internships: Sept. 22, 2022

Foster Care and Adoption: July 20, 2022

Home Visiting: May 18, 2022

Entrepreneurs/Self-Employed CFLEs: April 20, 2022

Homelessness: February 23, 2022

FLE Coaching: March 23, 2022

Marriage and Relationship Education: January 26, 2022

CFLEs Working in Substance Abuse Prevention: Oct. 27, 2021

Community Partnerships: Sept. 29, 2021

CFLEs Working in the Area of Domestic Violence: July 28, 2021

CFLEs Working in Parenting Education: May 19, 2021

CFLEs Working with Families Dealing with Mental Illness/Mental Health: April 28, 2021

CFLEs Working with Military Families: March 31, 2021