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Friday 5th September 2025
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🌟 Get Your Tickets for the East Sussex Care Awards 2025! 🌟
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The countdown is on! 🎉 Join us on Thursday 13th November 2025 at the East Sussex National Hotel for an unforgettable evening celebrating the incredible people and teams making a difference in adult social care across East Sussex.
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The East Sussex Partners in Care – Care Awards 2025 will showcase the very best in our sector, with awards recognising innovation, compassion, dedication, and excellence. It’s a night to celebrate achievements, honour care heroes, and come together as a community.
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The evening includes a gala dinner, an inspiring awards ceremony, and a chance to support a great cause through our charity raffle.
After the formalities, let your hair down and dance the night away with our end-of-evening disco.
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📅 Date: Thursday 13th November 2025
🕕 Time: 6:30 PM
📍 Venue: East Sussex National Hotel
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🎟 Tickets are limited — don’t miss your chance to be part of this very special evening!
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New for Gold Members – Priority booking now available for events and webinars
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As a valued ‘Gold Member’ you are entitled to priority booking for the following FREE webinar – Understanding the Fair Pay Agreement (FPA) in social care
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Date: Wednesday 15th October at 1.30 pm
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Presented by: Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC), topics broadly covered will include:
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- Explaining what an FPA is, why it’s being introduced and how it relates to the Employment Rights Bill
- Key timelines, the process of developing it and the work we’ve done so far
- What the consultation is, it’s objectives and how attendees can respond
- Interactive discussion and Q&A opportunities
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We anticipate demand will be high for this topic which is why we wanted to give you priority access.
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🎥 Catch Up: Lunch & Listen – Sponsorship & Compliance
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If you missed our recent Lunch & Listen session, you can now catch up on YouTube.
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This free 30-minute session, delivered in partnership with Borderless, explores everything you need to know about sponsorship and Home Office compliance in light of the recent changes to UK immigration rules.
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✅ What’s changed since 22 July and why it matters to employers
✅ Common compliance risks under the new rules – and how to avoid them
✅ Live Q&A with an Immigration Expert
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Whether you’re currently sponsoring workers or considering applying for a licence, this recording gives you up-to-date, practical guidance you won’t want to miss.
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Free Legal Helpline to re-start 1st September
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International Recruitment Legal Helpline
01202 786126
sescahelp@LA-Law.com
Phone lines open: 9am-5pm, Mon–Fri
(answerphone outside these hours)
Email and voicemail replies within 48 hours, or by the following Monday if received after 4pm Friday.
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HMRC National Minimum Wage Webinar for Care Providers in the SE region
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HMRC National Minimum Wage Webinar for Care Providers in the SE region:
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30th September at 11am for 1 hour (including Q&A)
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National Minimum wage is more than just a pay rate, it is a calculation. Many employers aren’t aware of the factors that impact working time, pay and status for NMW purposes, some of it may surprise you. This session is designed to raise awareness of National Minimum Wage issues that are commonly found in HMRC’s NMW compliance checks.
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The session includes some practical examples as well as advice on how to rectify any identified issues before HMRC open a compliance check and signposting to additional support.
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- Major Immigration Rule Changes Now in Effect – Overseas recruitment of care workers has now closed; in-country recruitment is still permitted
- Update on the Displaced Care
- Worker Recruitment Support Scheme, including revised grant funding
- Webinar Q&As now available on our website
- New Video: Understanding Rights for International Care Workers
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Recruitmatch Everyday English & Cultural Awareness
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Designed for carers from overseas.
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An online course over 6 weeks with a live trainer, 10am - 11.30am, each Wed for 6 weeks, from 15th Oct 2025 - 19th Nov 2025
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This is the training that we have offered to workers registered with the IR scheme in the SE region, and we have had excellent feedback on it.
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Recruitmatch have agreed to offer a special price of £150 to providers who book it for their staff. Providers should contact Recruitmatch directly if they have any questions.
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Unlock the Court of Protection Essentials in Just 30 Minutes 🏛️
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Webinar: Everything You Need to Know About the Court of Protection in 30 Minutes
When: Wednesday 17th September 2025 12:30-13:00
Where: Online (via TicketSource – free to attend)
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Dive into the complexities of mental capacity and the Court of Protection with expert insight tailored for social care providers. In this concise session, you’ll gain clarity on key legal responsibilities in just half an hour.
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Systems explained clearly—what the Court of Protection means for daily care practice
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When and how to involve the Court—step-by-step guidance
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Guidance on safeguarding best interests under legal frameworks
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Don’t miss this opportunity to get up to speed with essential legal knowledge.
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Many employers in the social care sector will be interested in the recent decision of the Court of Appeal in the case of Commissioners for HM Revenue and Customs v Taylors Services Ltd.
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The case provides a reminder that pay for travel time at National Minimum Wage (NMW) rates is generally only required once the worker has arrived at the workplace or is travelling between work assignments - not for standard commutes from home.
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Professional Care Workers’ Week, 2025
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The Care Workers’ Charity proudly invites you to Professional Care Workers’ Week (PCWW) 2025, celebrating its eighth year of recognising the vital contributions of care workers across the UK. This year’s event, co-produced with our amazing Care Worker Advisory Board, promises to bring frontline voices directly into the conversation, spotlighting the real experiences and insights of the Adult Social Care workforce.
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Running from Friday 12th – Friday 19th September, PCWW 2025 will feature a series of in person events and free virtual panels and information sessions led by care workers and with care managers, and influential figures from across the sector. These sessions are free and accessible to all, offering opportunities for learning, collaboration, and advocacy from anywhere in the UK
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Did you know that August and September are statistically the months with the most births per year? Many sources cite 26 September as the single most popular birthday date!
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Do you know what to do if your employees need to go on maternity leave or take time off work to care for a newborn?
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Enter your free Citation HR and Health & Safety advice line. Call 0161 504 0843 between 9am and 5pm Monday to Friday for free, confidential Health & Safety and HR advice that puts you first.
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Remember to quote ESPiC & BHPiC when you call!
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Calling all care providers!
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Ensure your Oliver McGowan Code of Practice guidance & information is updated, & you understand how the Care Quality Commission (CQC) is planning to regulate in relation to this requirement at our webinar, delivered in partnership with CQC.
Date: Mon, 15 September 2025
Time: 1:00 - 2:00 PM
Online event
Speakers
- Liz Jones, Policy Director, National Care Forum (NCF)
- Marie Cox, CQC Senior Specialist – People with a learning disability and autistic people, Care Quality Commission (CQC)
- Samantha Jane Leonard, England Director, ARC England; Association for Real Change
- Paul Cooper, Senior Quality, Compliance and Innovation specialist, Homecare Association
- Caroline Mulhall, Specialist, Care Quality Commission (CQC)
Who is this webinar for?
Registered care providers, specifically: registered managers, learning and development leads/ training leads, and quality leads.
Find out more and register here: https://lnkd.in/ejbmnu92
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Stay Digital-Ready with the Latest from Digital Care Hub
Discover the latest essential updates on digital, data, and cyber developments in adult social care:
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Digital Care Hub @ Care Show Birmingham 2025
Drop by their stand (B11) for live Q&A on digital systems, innovation, and cybersecurity.
When: Wednesday 8 October | NEC Birmingham
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Critical Cyber Resilience Alert
A recent prepaid card system failure left disabled individuals without funds for personal assistants. It’s a stark reminder: cyber resilience and continuity planning are essential.
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ADASS Spring Survey 2025 Findings
Rising financial pressure, transfer of workload from NHS to social care, and a push from analogue to digital. Explore the key shifts impacting our sector.
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AI Guidance for Adult Social Care
New provider-focused insights offer practical, responsible AI use—enhancing admin efficiency and support quality.
Learn more on the Digitising Social Care site.
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What’s New: AI Webinar Series, DSPT Workshops, & Care Roadshows
From utilising Windows 11 and DSPT tools to understanding AI ethics and green responsibility, a raft of events helps providers stay ahead.
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Ready to stay connected, informed, and inspired?
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Access the full newsletter for expert analysis, toolkits, webinars, and event listings tailored for care providers:
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Protect Your Team This Winter — Flu Vaccine Resources for Care Providers
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Winter is approaching, and flu vaccination for frontline health and social care staff is critical to protect both your team and the people they support.
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The Department of Health and Social Care has launched a comprehensive campaign—complete with guidance, toolkits, and communication materials—to help care providers encourage flu vaccine uptake.
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Whether you're looking for promotional posters, email templates, staff letters, or campaign ideas, the resource centre offers everything you need to support a successful vaccination drive.
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🏕️ Birdie Business Summer Camp recordings
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Missed our summer webinars? Catch up on five practical sessions with industry leaders like Kam Gill and Andrew Palmer, covering local authority relationships and achieving CQC Outstanding ratings. Watch all sessions here.
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📈 Blog: The hidden costs of fragmented systems
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Our latest blog explores why "Frankenplatforms" make agencies work harder, not smarter—from duplicate data entry to safety risks. Read it here.
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📹 Finance webinar: 9th September, 2pm
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Join our finance experts and our partners at TRIVER to learn how to increase profit margins using Birdie's reports. Sign up here.
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The most successful homecare providers have one thing in common - they use proven strategies to consistently attract private-paying clients.
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📅 Join our partner Birdie for an exclusive lunch event for domiciliary providers:
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Wednesday 17th September | 11:30-14:30
Hilton London Croydon
What you'll learn:
✅ Master your customers' digital buying journey
✅ Craft a compelling elevator pitch that converts
✅ Discover Birdie's all-in-one solution for winning private clients
Plus you'll get:
📸 Complimentary professional headshots
🍽️ Lunch & networking
🎁 Take-home goodies
🅿️ Free parking
Limited places available!
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Sussex Digital: September 2025 Upcoming Events
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Artificial Intelligence -safe and practical applications in social care
Tue, 9 Sept 2025, 11:00
Event Link
MS Excel Tools
Tue, 16 Sept 2025, 11:30
Event Link
Interactive Workshop: Secure Email Systems for Social Care Providers
Tue, 16 Sept 2025, 14:30
Event Link
Managing Personal Devices at Work - A Practical Session
Wed, 17 Sept 2025, 10:30
Event Link:
Making Audits Work Smarter: Power BI for Social Care
Thu, 18 Sept 2025, 14:30
Event Link
Accessible Technology in Adult Social Care - Part 1of 2
Tue, 23 Sept 2025, 11:00
Event Link
WhatsApp in Care: Safe or Sorry?
Tue, 23 Sept 2025, 14:00
Event Link:
Accessible Technology and Problem Solving in Adult Social Care
Thu, 25 Sept 2025, 14:00
Event Link:
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Don’t miss these valuable sessions to enhance your digital security and compliance this summer!
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The session takes place on Tuesday 16th September from 09.30 to 1pm via Zoom.
This masterclass teaches how to manage, report, and learn from medication errors, by seeing them as opportunities to learn (OTLs).
It will enable you to provide the correct response to Safeguarding Teams and the Care Quality Commission,
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Participants will receive a supporting handout for the Medication Errors course, along with a free electronic copy of our medicines incident form and investigation protocols.
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Explore the Sussex Campaign Resources Hub
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Did you know Sussex Health & Care provides a wealth of campaign toolkits and resources designed to support our social care sector? From seasonal health promotions to emergency messaging, this hub is your go-to platform for ready-made materials.
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Featured Resources Include:
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Flu Vaccine Campaign – Tailored tools for health and social care workers.
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Pride 2025 Campaign Toolkit – Promote diversity and inclusion throughout July and August.
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Heatwave and Weather Safety materials – Stay prepared and keep your residents safe.
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Plus, toolkits for RSV vaccination, Pharmacy First, Winter Safety, and much more!
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All resources are easy to use—ideal for posters, social media, newsletters, and staff updates.
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Care Home Waste Disposal & Management
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Effective waste management is essential in care settings—to protect residents, staff, and the environment. Anenta offers specialist expertise in this area, helping care providers manage waste safely, efficiently, and cost-effectively.
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What’s covered in their guidance:
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Practical tips on segregation, storage, and disposal of care home waste
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A comprehensive overview of best practices tailored for nursing and care home environments
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Strategies to ensure compliance with legal and safety standards across all care settings anentawaste.com
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Whether you’re reviewing your current procedures or updating your waste protocols, this guide is a valuable resource.
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New placement strategy for social care nursing launched
Skills for Care launched the first-ever national placement strategy for social care nursing in July. Developed in collaboration with the Council of Deans of Health, it aims to position social care as a placement of choice for all student nurses and nursing associates. It offers care providers and higher education institutions recommendations for how to deliver high-quality, consistent placement experiences.
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At its core, the strategy is about building stronger connections between students, universities, and care providers. These partnerships are essential in helping students gain a broader perspective on health and care, including experience in person-centred, community-based, and multidisciplinary settings. By showcasing the unique opportunities that social care offers, this strategy also helps encourage more newly qualified nurses to explore careers in the sector.
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Read the strategy and see how you can get involved.
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In honour of the National Day of Arts in Care Homes on 24th September, we’re highlighting how creativity can enrich lives of individuals receiving support in care settings. Creative opportunities in care can support wellbeing, spark connection, and give residents meaningful ways to express themselves and share experiences. Find out more and explore resources to help you celebrate creativity across your service in this newsletter.
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AI in Care Homes: Supporting Residents into Autumn
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As we move into September and the autumn months, care homes often face new challenges—cooler weather, shorter days, and seasonal health concerns. AI can play a helpful role in keeping residents safe, healthy, and comfortable during this seasonal transition.
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How AI Can Help in Autumn:
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AI can track vaccination schedules and flag residents or staff due for flu or COVID boosters.
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Helps ensure high uptake and reduces the risk of outbreaks.
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Mood and Wellbeing Monitoring
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With shorter days, some residents may feel more isolated or experience low mood.
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AI tools can track behavioural changes and suggest personalised activities to lift spirits.
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Adaptive Activity Planning
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AI can recommend indoor activities suited to residents’ abilities and interests when outdoor options become limited by weather.
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Keeps routines engaging and reduces boredom.
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AI can suggest seasonal meal plans rich in vitamins to boost immunity during colder months.
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Ensures residents maintain energy and good health through dietary balance.
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AI-powered systems can monitor environmental risks like slippery floors from wet weather or darker corridors in shorter daylight hours.
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Alerts staff quickly to potential hazards.
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Autumn is a season of change, and with AI support, care homes can adapt smoothly—protecting residents’ health while keeping daily life warm, safe, and fulfilling.
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Events and Training
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More events have been added this week! Click here to view all upcoming events.
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Our Sponsors & Partners
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Click here to view our new and updated website with all our Sponsors!
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