GOSHEN — Youth care providers, law enforcement professionals and case managers are among those who will meet Thursday, March 21, for the fifth annual Elkhart County Summit on Children.

The summit, which will be at Maple City Chapel, 2015 Lincolnway E., Goshen, starts at 8:30 a.m. Deborah Domine, Elkhart County juvenile magistrate, said she expects to see about 250 people in attendance this year.

The summit this year will focus on the system traumatization of children, and maintaining compassion in working with troubled children.

“When kids come into the system they don’t come into the system because they have had the perfect childhood, more often than not. They come into the system because they have suffered some form of trauma,” said Domine. “Often times we traumatize them again when they get into the system.”

The event will include sessions with the several speakers, including:

• Louisville Judge Joan Byer;

• Kris Buffington, clinical therapist at the National Traumatic Stress Network;

• Terry Barker, superintendent of schools in the city of Mishawaka; and

• Indiana Supreme Court Justice Steven David, also former defense counsel at Guantanamo and former juvenile court judge.

The annual summit has given local professionals who work with juveniles the opportunity to connect with others.

“This remains an opportunity for those individuals who work with youth in our community to get together at least this one time a year to network and plan collaboration and to renew communication” said Domine, “because communication is key when talking about youth.”

The public is invited to attend. Professionals and volunteers who work with juveniles are encouraged to participate.

Those interested in attending should call the juvenile court at 523-2244. There is an admission fee of $15 that includes lunch.