Children's Law Institute
April 14, 2026 | Virtual Pre-Conference
April 15-17, 2026 | Albuquerque, NM
Meet Our Speakers
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Workshops
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Plan Your Experience
CEU & CLE Credits
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Building Strong Foundations: Promoting Competency & Collaboration reminds us that lasting progress begins with stability, shared knowledge, and trust. In times of change and growth, the strength of our systems depends on the integrity of their roots — the skills, relationships, and values that hold us together. By focusing on skill building, competency and collaboration, we commit to developing the essential tools and partnerships that allow us to support children, youth, and families with confidence and compassion. Through intentional connection and continuous learning, we strengthen the groundwork for a more resilient and unified future.
CEU/CLE INFORMATION
How do I obtain CEU's?
All 2026 Children's Law Institute particiapnts were sent an email titled "Request 2026 Children's Law Institute Conference CEUs". Instructions on how to submit the request are in this email. If you did not recieve this email please contact us at cli-nm@nmsu.edu.
All 2026 Children's Law Institute participants also automatically recieved a certificate of attendance. If you did not recieve one, please contact us at cli-nm@nmsu.edu.
How do I obtain CLE's?
For access to the CLE request form, please click here.
For questions, please email us at cli-nm@nmsu.edu.
MEET OUR KEYNOTE SPEAKERS
Dr. Monique B. Mitchell
Dr. Monique B. Mitchell is a nationally recognized authority on the lived experience of children, teens, and young adults in foster care, representing the experiences of youth in the United States, Honduras, and Canada. Using youth-centered research, Dr. Mitchell has provided extensive training to judges, attorneys, child welfare state agency personnel, foster parents, and other child welfare partners. Read more.
Al Worley
Al Worley was born in Appalachia and raised by wolves. They were taken into foster care as an infant, then again as a teen. After 17 foster homes they aged out to homelessness. Al co-founded the 1999 Collective in 2023, an organization that connects young adults exiting care with resources and support, and in 2025 started their Magnum Opus, Shiny and Chrome, to connect youth exiting foster care with personal vehicles and auto-mechanic mentorship. Read more.
Click here to read full speaker bios and for a full list of presenters.
REGISTRATION DETAILS
Online registration is now closed. Onsite registration will be available April 15th at the Hotel Albuquerque!
Virtual Content Only: Tuesday, April 14
Virtual Admission Fee: $100.00
Choose from an array of unique virtual workshops held on Zoom during the virtual pre-conference with an option to livestream in-person keynote speakers.
CEUs and CLEs pending.
In-Person Conference: Wednesday, April 15 - Friday, April 17
The In-Person CLI that you know and love, taking place at Hotel Albuquerque.
DOES NOT include access to the Virtual Content on Tuesday, April 14.
CEUs and CLEs pending.
Registration Type |
Conference Fee |
Volunteer/Parent/Resource Parent |
$155 general |
Professional |
$190 general |
Judge/Attorney |
$240 general |
Additional Registration Offerings: Virtual Content Add-On
Combine Virtual Content access on Tuesday and the In-Person CLI taking place at Hotel Albuquerque with a comprehensive registration package. All participants who select this level will have access to both the Virtual Pre-Conference on Tuesday, April 14 and admission to the In-Person Conference April 15-17, 2026!
CEUs and CLEs pending.
Registration Type |
Conference Fee |
Volunteer/Parent/Resource Parent |
$205 general |
Professional |
$240 general |
Judge/Attorney |
$290 general |
Online registration is now closed. Onsite registration will be available April 15th at the Hotel Albuquerque!
Questions?
Click here to be taken to our FAQ section.
Children's Law Institute Payment Terms & Conditions:
- If cancelled by 3/20/2026: 100% refund (minus service fees)
- If cancelled by 3/30/2026: 80% refund (minus service fees)
- If cancelled by 4/6/2026: 50% refund (minus service fees)
EXHIBITORS & SPONSORS
Connect With Our Exhibitors and Sponsors!
Explore, connect, and discover at the 2026 conference with over 30 unique exhibitors! From impactful non-profit organizations and mental health providers to innovative community programs and universities, our exhibitor space offers something for all attendees to enjoy. Be sure to visit and engage with a diverse mix of resources—and don’t miss the unique jewelry vendors adding a unique touch to the conference experience. Whether you're looking to learn, network, or shop, our exhibitors and sponsors are an essential part of what makes the Children's Law Institute so engaging! Available all three days of the conference.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Click the "+" sign to view full description.
How do I register for the CLI?
Registration for the 2026 Children's Law Institute is now closed. To attend, please register on-site at the Hotel Albuquerque on April 15, 2026.
For questions regarding payment or registration please email us at cli-nm@nmsu.edu
What are excellence awards?
Child Welfare & Juvenile Justice Excellence Awards are a way for the child welfare, legal and juvenile justice community to acknowledge their colleagues who have contributed significantly to their field and demonstrated outstanding dedication, leadership, knowledge, and integrity. Winners are honored annually at the Children’s Law Institute. To learn more about the Excellence Awards or to submit an award nomination, please visit our nomination page.
How many CEU/CLE credits are going to be associated with the CLI this year?
The CEU and CLE credits for the 2026 CLI will be published on our website as soon as they have been approved. They will also be on the conference app platform for attendees to view.
Will there be an option to attend the CLI virtually?
- The CLI is primarily an in-person conference.
- There is a Virtual Pre-Conference on Tuesday, April 14 with 4 workshop sessions, those that register and pay for the Virtual Pre-Conference will also be able to view a livestream of both the opening and closing keynote speakers on April 15 and 17.
- Those only registered for the in-person conference will not have access to the virtual content.
- Those that register for only the Virtual Only option will not have access to the in-person workshops. Only the Keynotes will be livestreamed.
What is the cancellation policy?
- If cancelled by 3/23/2026: 100% refund (minus service fees)
- If cancelled by 3/30/2026: 80% refund (minus service fees)
- If cancelled by 4/6/2026: 50% refund (minus service fees)
Can I transfer my registration to someone else?
Yes, we can transfer registrations. For support in doing so, please email cli-nm@nmsu.edu for assistance.
Are there opportunities to volunteer at the CLI?
If you are interested in volunteering to help support the 2026 CLI, please email us at cli-nm@nmsu.edu to get more information!
Will food be provided during the event?
Yes, the CLI will have breakfast on April 15, 16 and 17th. There will be morning and afternoon snack breaks throughout as well. Lunch and dinner are on your own.
What technical requirements are needed for virtual participation?
To participate in the virtual component of the 2026 CLI you will need to download the conference app or log onto the conference website which will be made live and shared with all attendees before the start of the conference. This platform is called CVENT Events and will have a list of the workshop sessions, as well as the links to join each virtual session and livestreamed keynote sessions. Additionally, you will need a Zoom account as the virtual sessions are held over Zoom.
Will session recordings or materials be available after the conference?
Workshop materials will be made available to attendees post CLI. There will be an email sent out with all materials uploaded after the CLI has concluded. Virtual sessions that take place on April 14th will be recorded, and keynote speakers will be recorded and available at the conclusion of the conference.
Who do I contact for additional questions?
If you have additional questions, please contact us at cli-nm@nmsu.edu
THANK YOU TO OUR CLI SPONSORS
THANK YOU TO OUR CLI PLANNING COMMITTEE PARTNERS
For questions regarding the Children's Law Institute, please email us at: cli-nm@nmsu.edu
CLI Continuing Education Credits:
For access to CEU records, please contact us at: cli-nm@nmsu.edu
For access to CLE and CJE records, please contact Cristen Conley at: conley@law.unm.edu
Conference Location
April 15-17, 2026
Hotel Albuquerque at Old Town
800 Rio Grande Boulevard NW | Albuquerque, NM 87104
Please use the following link below to book your accommodations online, this link is only valid during the specified room block dates.
The date of arrival and departure must be selected from the drop-down menu.
Booking Link: 2026CLINM
Alternatively, guests may contact the Hotel Albuquerque reservations team directly at (866) 505-7829 and provide the following group code and name below:
Call In Code: 2026CLINM
Group Name: 2026 Children's Law Institute
Please note that the reservation cut-off date is on March 23, 2026
About the Children's Law Institute
Children’s Law Institute (CLI) is a statewide, multi-disciplinary conference addressing issues of importance in child welfare and juvenile justice. Over almost 30 years, it has grown from a small gathering of lawyers to an event attracting over 1,000 educators, child welfare workers, judges, lawyers, juvenile justice personnel, advocates, resource families, young people, lawmakers, and others.
The CLI has a well-earned reputation for providing New Mexico with the most up-to-date information on the law, best practices and changing trends locally and nationally, as well as vital opportunities to network and share information. The CLI is organized in a multi-agency collaboration led by the Children’s Court Improvement Commission of the New Mexico Supreme Court and is sponsored by the Center of Innovation at New Mexico State University, the NM Children Youth and Families Department (CYFD) Protective Service and Juvenile Justice Divisions, the UNM Corinne Wolfe Center for Child and Family Justice, the Rozier E. Sanchez Judicial Education Center, NM CASA and a number of community organizations.
Learn more about CLI here.
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33rd ANNUAL CHILDREN'S LAW INSTITUTE
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