At our annual Classified Conference, with the theme Classified Standing Strong: Yesterday, Today, and Always you can expect to find an exciting line-up of events with plenary sessions, meal events, workshops, and social events. 

The conference will be located in Orange County, CA at the Hilton Orange County/Costa Mesa, 3050 Bristol St., Costa Mesa, California, 92626, USA

Registration fee is $50 per person.

Final schedule will be available soon.
For questions or inquiries please email rperez@cft.org 

Registration

Registration is closed. Please email rperez@cft.org if you need assistance.

Tentative Schedule

FRIDAY, December 6th

12 pm   Registration 
2 pm   Local Presidents Collaboration
5 pm   Meet and Greet 
7 pm   Dinner on your own

SATURDAY, December 7th

8 am   Breakfast General Session 
10 am   Workshops
12 pm   Lunch General Session
1:30 pm   Workshops
3:15 pm   Workshops
5 pm   Dinner on your own
7 pm   Social Event

SUNDAY, December 8th

8 am  Breakfast General Session
12 pm Conference ends

Scholarship Form

• Scholarship Application
• The deadline to submit a scholarship is Friday, November 8 by 5:00 p.m.
• Notification of approval to local presidents will be sent on Wednesday, November 13.
• Scholarship includes – Conference registration, hotel accommodations, flight and/or mileage.
• There is only one scholarship per local.

Workshop Descriptions

Stay tuned for updates over the next few weeks

Active Violence Emergency Response Training (AVERT)

When active violence occurs, seconds count, and you can’t always wait for EMS to arrive. AVERT enables you and your team to become immediate responders. While other programs focus solely on active shooters or stop the bleed, AVERT combines these critical topics in one training program. 

Putting your Best Foot Forward: Proactively Navigating Difficult Workplace Situations

This workshop focuses on developing positive workplace habits, minimizing unintended consequences, best practices for dealing with workplace bullying and harassment, as well as communicating effectively with difficult people. How we show up in our schools and community matters. Attendees will gain a better understanding of how to project their best professional face to our students, co-workers and parents.

AFT + Member Benefits

The AFT+ Member Benefits add value to union membership. Whatever your union role, AFT+ benefits give you a reason to reach out and engage with members. This workshop will provide information about the benefits and spark ideas on how your local can use the more than 45 AFT+ programs, many of which offer features, services, and discounts not available to non-members. We’ll also discuss two important voluntary local-paid benefits, Accidental Death and Dismemberment and Occupational Liability Insurance.

Cultivating a Culture of Well-being

This workshop seeks to define burnout, the collective nature of burnout, and how ACES (Adverse Childhood Experiences) and secondary trauma play a role. The curriculum will review the impact of unhealthy campus cultures and reveal methods to break-out of the burnout cycle.

In addition, participants will be introduced to the Thriving School Integrated Assessment tool. This tool can be utilized to evaluate campuses and districts and learn about resources to address the unique needs of each campus, while exploring each person’s sphere of influence.

This workshop is K-12 oriented however it is applicable to higher learning

Opioids & Emergency Use of Naloxone

​A core component of this course is training in the use of naloxone (Narcan), a life-saving medication that can reverse opioid overdoses. Participants will learn how to recognize the signs of an overdose, safely administer naloxone, and respond effectively in emergency situations.

The opioid epidemic has become a public health crisis, affecting individuals, families, and communities across the globe. This course provides an overview of the opioid epidemic, its origins, and its impact on society. 

New Safety and Health Protections for California Workers

In 2024, California adopted important new safety and health regulations to protect workers from indoor heat and to prevent injuries from workplace violence. This workshop will provide an overview of these new rules and discuss how they apply to employees in schools and colleges. We will offer tips for participants to determine if districts are following the new requirements. We will also consider the role that CFT members can continue to play in advocating for stronger policies on heat protections and workplace violence prevention at the state and district levels.

Education Code Basics

Understanding California Education Code can be quite complex. It’s a compilation of statutes and regulations that govern the public education system in California. The Ed Code is extensive and structured to address various aspects of education policy that includes K-12 education, higher education, and employment laws related to classified staff, certificated staff, contracts, and collective bargaining. 

This training is for those who want to learn more about the basics of Ed Code and gain a robust understanding of where to find frequently used codes, understand what the codes mean, and gain a level of comfort when looking up subject matter that could potentially support their inquiries. 

Union Fun in Retirement!

Retire from your job but not from your union activism. Join a retiree chapter and learn how to create your own. This workshop highlights how others have done so and the rewards waiting for you.

COVID

Rapid antigen COVID tests will be available on-site and attendees may voluntarily test if they choose to do so. Wearing a mask is highly recommended but not required.