The 2026 CORE National Conference will be held in Lake City, Flordia, November 3-5.
This year’s conference will be hosted by Florida Sheriffs Youth Ranches. Read more at: https://www.youthranches.org/.
Registration is now open for the 2026 CORE National Conference.
It’s time to Saddle Up.
At the CORE National Conference, we’re bringing together professionals from across the country to share what works, strengthen meaningful connections, and focus on the skills that make a difference every day. This year’s theme challenges us to move forward with intention – grounded in the realities of child-caring work and equipped with strategies that lead to real success.
This isn’t just about new ideas, it’s about practical application. Through engaging sessions, collaborative conversations, and hands-on learning, participants will gain tools they can immediately put into practice within their own organizations.
Whether you’re on the front lines or in a leadership role, this conference is designed to support you in the work you do every day — building relationships, navigating challenges, and creating lasting impact.
So come ready to connect.
Come ready to learn.
And most importantly, come ready to Saddle Up and move the work forward
Registering on this website is an easy, secure way to sign up. CORE uses PayPal for processing, but a PayPal account is not required to checkout; you can just use your credit card. Please mark your calendar and make plans now to be in attendance. There are three options for registration.
OPTION 1: CORE Members: $350/person
OPTION 2: GROUP of four or more CORE Members: $300/person
OPTION 3: Non-Members: $400
Registration Deadline: October 1
Call for Presenters
The Florida Sheriffs Youth Ranches is seeking engaging presentations from educators for our upcoming CORE Conference. The conference planning committees will review and approve presenter applications and are seeking sessions that move beyond theory and provide practical, actionable strategies for child-caring professionals. Proposals must clearly demonstrate how participants will gain tools, techniques, or approaches they can implement in their daily work.
CORE Conference Proposal Expectations
We are looking for practical, actionable content.
We prioritize sessions that provide takeaways participants can implement immediately.
We value presentations that strengthen connection, culture, and sustainability in child-caring work.
We are not seeking promotional presentations or sessions focused solely on theory without practical application.
Interactive formats, discussion-based learning, and practical skill-building exercises are strongly encouraged.
Proposals Deadline: 5/25/2026
Submission Deadline: May 25
2026 Catherine Hershey Award Nominations
With its inception in 2005, the Catherine Hershey Awards are national awards specifically for the residential education field. Administered by CORE, the Coalition for Residential Excellence, the awards are sponsored by the Milton Hershey School. Judges are individuals from the residential field who rank all submitted nominations with personal and program information removed.
Announcement to the award winner will be coordinated between CORE and the nominator. Following notification to the award winner, a letter will be sent providing details of the award presentation which will be held at the CORE National Conference, November 3-5, 2026. The conference is being held in Lake City, Florida, by our conference host The Florida Sheriffs Youth Ranches. Travel expenses to attend the awards presentation will be the responsibility of the award winner and/or their nominator. All nominees will be notified and listed in the awards program.
The categories are:
• Administrator of the Year
• Educator of the Year
• Houseparent(s) of the Year
• Alumnus of the Year
• Student of the Year
• Trustee of the Year ( A CORE Award)
• Legislator of the Year (A CORE Award)