2026 Oregon Peer Workforce Conference

Too often, children who struggle are met with systems designed to extinguish their outward behavior rather than address their underlying needs. This creates a cycle of trauma and disconnection. To break this cycle, we must undergo a defining change in our perspective—shifting from asking “What is wrong with this child?” to “What is this child communicating, and how can I help?” In this session, we center the voice of Tyrome, who provides a rare, honest look at what he saw and felt. His story serves as a catalyst for change.

Tyrome Launderville grew up in group homes and residential facilities, and he knows what it feels like to be treated like a case file instead of a person. That experience is exactly why he does this work. He serves on the Steering Committee for The Link Center and is a self-advocate who believes the people closest to the problem need to be closest to the solutions. He is not a doctor or a policy expert; he is someone who lived it, and he thinks that matters more than any credential on a wall.