Hosted by: El Centro de Amistad
Date Hosted: May 14–15, 2025
Time Hosted: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM PST
Location: Virtual
El Centro de Amistad proudly hosted its 2025 virtual conference, Building Bridges: Supporting Children Through Transdisciplinary Work—a two-day interactive event designed to strengthen collaboration across disciplines in child development.
We were honored to welcome 404 attendees over both days—191 participants on May 14 and 213 on May 15—demonstrating strong community interest in advancing interdisciplinary care.
Moderated by Maria G. Williams, MA, LMFT, the conference featured engaging sessions and meaningful conversations that fostered learning, connection, and professional growth.
What We Learned
This year’s sessions focused on the critical roles that Occupational Therapists (OTs) and Speech-Language Pathologists (SLPs) play in supporting children’s behavioral and developmental needs.
- Occupational Therapy: Participants gained insight into sensory integration, its influence on behavior, and how to communicate its importance to families at different stages of child development.
- Speech-Language Pathology: Attendees explored the relationship between speech and language development and mental health, including how to identify developmental concerns and when to seek further evaluation.
Roundtable Spotlight
The conference concluded with a dynamic expert roundtable featuring:
- Tiffany Ortiz, PsyD
- Lauren Pelmenter, LCSW
- Nadine Guzman, Parent Partner, Help Me Grow
- Cheili Briones, SLP
- Rebecca Berk, OT
Together, these professionals shared practical insights and real-world examples of how collaborative, transdisciplinary approaches can close gaps in services, improve care coordination, and build stronger systems of support for children and their families.
Final Takeaway
The 2025 Building Bridges conference was a celebration of connection, learning, and collective action. It underscored the transformative impact of breaking down professional silos to create responsive, cohesive care networks. As we move forward, El Centro de Amistad remains committed to championing integrated, family-centered approaches that help all children thrive.
