Preparing Youth for Permanency Through Meaningful Relationships

4/27/2026 11:00 AM - 12:15 PM

Presenter: Bethany Stahl & Danielle DiMatteo from The Dave Thomas Foundation

Too often, permanency preparation with youth begins only once a family has been identified, which may not fully address the unique needs of youth who have experienced significant trauma. Trauma can profoundly affect a youth’s ability to trust and form stable attachments, and years spent in out-of-home care can leave youth “out of practice” in developing healthy interpersonal relationships. Our approach emphasizes the importance of starting permanency preparation early and involving supportive adults who can play a vital role in helping the youth relearn social and emotional skills, such as how to build and maintain relationships, communicate effectively, and navigate family and community dynamics. By focusing on individualized strategies that align with each youth’s cognitive, developmental, and emotional needs, we can tailor the process to build trust, resilience, and ultimately, readiness for permanency. This approach is not just about finding a family for the youth, but about empowering them to enter a stable and loving environment, fully prepared to thrive. Engaging supportive adults throughout this process further strengthens the foundation for long-term success and well-being.    Learning Objectives  • Understand the Importance of Early Permanency Preparation:  Learners will be able to explain why permanency preparation should begin earlier in the youth’s journey, particularly for those who have experienced trauma, and the benefits of early engagement in building readiness for permanency.  • Identify Key Strategies for Tailoring Permanency Preparation:  Learners will gain the ability to identify and implement individualized permanency preparation techniques that address the cognitive, emotional, and developmental needs of youth.  • Incorporate Trauma-Informed Practices in Permanency Preparation:  Learners will learn how to apply trauma-informed strategies that promote healing and stability, ensuring that the youth feels safe and supported throughout the permanency process.  • Engage Supportive Adults in the Permanency Process:  Learners will recognize the critical role that supportive adults—such as biological family members, foster parents, mentors, and community figures—can play in preparing youth for permanency, and how to effectively involve them in the process to reinforce stability and trust.  

A Study of Adoption Disruption and Dissolution in Minnesota

4/27/2026 1:45 PM - 3:00 PM

Presenter: Monica Idzelis Rothe, Wilder Research & Michelle Frazier & Vanessa Ryan MN State University

This workshop will highlight key findings and lessons learned from a study of adoption disruption and dissolution conducted by Wilder Research and the Minnesota Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF). The study included in-depth surveys and interviews with adoption professionals, families, and youth in Minnesota who experienced a disruption or dissolution, as well as a demographic analysis of adoption disruptions in the state. The workshop will focus on the key contributors to disruptions and dissolutions, recommendations from those with lived experience, and how Minnesota plans to apply these findings to guide the development of policy, practice, and support programs.

Kinnect to Family

4/27/2026 1:45 PM - 3:00 PM

Presenter: Lisa Mullholand, Sandusky County Children Services & Heidi Raubenolt, Legacy Adoption Services

Kinnect to Family (KTF) program was developed nearly 20 years ago and brought to Ohio where it was implemented by several counties in 2017. The program initiative, process, and values will be discussed. KTF program effectiveness and placement numbers will be highlighted. This workshop will include the Kinnect to Family Specialist along with a relative who accepted placement through the KTF program. The relative will discuss her story of the successful placement and the difference KTF made on her life.     KTF is an urgent, diligent family search and engagement program to identify and connect youth with kin, both biological and chosen-who can provide permanency and support. Through innovative tools and best practices, KTF helps ensure that youth remain connected to the people who know and love them.

In My Own Words: Centering Youth Voice in Placement and Permanency

4/27/2026 3:30 PM - 4:45 PM

Presenter: Kara Sidoran & Kailee Haong Ellis from Northwest Resource Adoption Exchange

While the number of children in care continues to decrease due to targeted reunification and kinship support efforts, we are seeing a greater proportion of children and youth in care with complex needs (medical, behavioral, developmental, cross-systems). Children and youth in stable placements are more likely to experience shorter stays in care (timely permanency via ANY permanency goal) than those who have experienced multiple placements.  It has also been widely studied and understood that youth engagement is a critical component of best practice in permanency planning. Young people with complex needs are not exempt from this. In fact, it may be even more important than ever to engage these youth, as standard permanency practices do not always benefit them, and they tend to stay in care for far longer than children with less complex needs. 

Straight From the Mouth of a Social Worker

4/28/2026 10:30 AM - 11:45 AM

Presenter: Joyce James, Joyce James Consulting

In this workshop participants will be immersed in the 40 year journey of a social worker who navigated the landscape of multiple systems starting as a young inexperienced social worker and moving to being a leader in one of the largest child welfare systems in the country. The presentation will include examples of the challenges of living our social work values and some strategies for ensuring we hold to our vision of helping and not harming.

Adoption After 18: A Collaborative Approach to Permanency for Young Adults

4/28/2026 3:00 PM - 4:15 PM

Presenter: Deborah Noah, MARE & Elizabeth Embree, Plummer Youth Promise

Young people who age out of the foster care system without a safe, stable, emotionally secure parenting relationship face an array of challenges that significantly affect all areas of their lives as they continue to emerge into young adulthood. In Massachusetts, young people can sustain a connection with the state Department of Children and Families (DCF) between the ages of 18-22, and at times through age 23. However, there is no real expectation that young people involved with DCF during this time will achieve or are expected to achieve legal permanency. There are indeed young adults who want to be adopted and can be adopted! even if the current practice norms and policy in our state are barriers.     The Massachusetts Adoption Resource Exchange (MARE) and Plummer Youth Promise have partnered together to create an innovative solution that aims to assist transitional aged young adults in achieving permanency. This presentation will provide an overview of both agencies; the genesis of the collaboration; the role that each agency maintains; and the specifics of the actual permanency practice and procedures delivered to young adults who express an interest in Permanency Through Adoption. Youth and Family Voice/actual program participants will be incorporated into this presentation through assisting with the design of the presentation in addition to contributing to the delivery of the presentation. 

Complex Needs Track Wrap Around Supports for Families Through Multi-Agency Collaboration

4/28/2026 3:00 PM - 4:15 PM

Presenter: Kennia Reddrick, Treehouse

For families and youth navigating the foster care system, access to consistent, holistic, and community-centered support can be life-changing. This session will explore how the Treehouse Foundation leverages cross-actor collaboration with public agencies, nonprofit partners, educational consultants, and arts organizations to create wrap-around supports that enhance stability, belonging, and opportunity for youth and families.  Through partnerships with the Massachusetts Department of Children and Families, Treehouse provides a supportive environment for youth in foster care and their families. Collaborations with arts organizations have expanded creative, intergenerational programming that strengthens community bonds and nurtures identity. Partnerships with educational consultants ensure families receive no-cost, expert guidance for children with IEPs or school challenges, helping parents navigate complex education systems. In addition, alliances with Cradles to Crayons ensure that children’s basic needs—from clothing to school supplies—are met, while partnerships with Tickets for Kids provide enrichment opportunities that foster joy, connection, and new possibilities.