This National Foster Care Month (NFCM) event explores how agencies can partner with young people in the foster care system to build strong, supportive networks and achieve relational permanency.

Learn how jurisdictions across the country respond to human trafficking cases and explore the latest developments in effective intervention.

Learn strategies to address the mental health needs of children, young people, and families.

Hear a foster and adoptive father of African American boys talk about fighting cultural biases to support his sons’ well-being.

Listen to a foster care advocate’s mental health journey.

Learn about the Capacity Building Center for States’ diversity, racial equity, and inclusion terms and definitions and the importance of shared language to advance equity. 

Learn about Dezzie’s experience bonding with her newborn while embracing parenting classes and other agency supports in her journey to be reunified with her daughter.

Learn about how Jamall reunified with family members and enjoyed family cookouts and holidays with the help of Jennifer and the Family Finder program through Kinnect Ohio.

Learn about Jennifer’s commitment to facilitating belonging and lifelong support for children in foster care through the Kinnect Ohio Family Finding program.

Learn about Jamall’s reunification with his mother, grandmother, and other family members through Kinnect Ohio’s Finding Family program.

Learn about Catherine’s journey recovering from trauma and addiction to be successfully reunified with her daughter.

Watch this recorded webinar to learn how other jurisdictions encourage kinship care placements and then discuss kinship support with your team.

Explore and reflect on the impact of, and opportunities to improve, assessment and decision-making processes. 

Desiree is an alumna of the foster care system. She lived with the same foster care family for 14 years. She entered foster care with three of her siblings, and wants to use her experiences growing up in foster care to make a difference for those still in the system.

Brandon is a 21-year-old alumnus of the foster care system. He was in the foster care system for about 10 years and serves as a foster care advocate, working in State government for the last 3 years. He feels that normal activities for all youth in foster care should include getting a driver’s license, going on out-of-State and overnight trips, and participating in sports.