Celebrate National Foster Care Month with us. Learn how you can support the foster care community through advocacy, volunteering, foster parenting, and more. Caring for our most vulnerable citizens takes a village and our village – the TFFC Village – needs you!
May is National Foster Care Month!
A Month-Long Engagement
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Professionals Day – Friday, May 19
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Family Day – Saturday, May 20
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Teen Talk – Saturday, May 20
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Every Tuesday & Thursday on Facebook
Professionals Day - May 19
A Day for Professionals
Are you a professional (social worker, clinician, or educator) working with children in foster care? Join us for a day of professional training on trauma, attachment, healing, and having a day to meet and talk with others on May 19th in Constant Hall at ODU in Norfolk, VA.
Registration Closed
8:00am Summit Opener & Welcome
Audra Bullock, Tidewater Friends of Foster Care
8:30am Hope for Healing Training for Professionals
Mary McGowan, ATTACh
11:30am The Omni Cube: Play-Based Movement Therapy
David Gold, The Omni Cube
12:00pm Lunch & Learn: The New First Star Academy
Dr. TaShara Bailey, First Star ODU Academy
1:00pm Trust-Based Relational Intervention
Barbara Stewart, Made 4 Connection
4:30pm Closeout and Omni Cube Experience
By Reservation
Our Featured Speakers
Mary McGowan
ATTACh Executive Director
Providing training on Childhood Attachment and Trauma.
Dr. Angelina Hopkins
Author & TFFC Director
Sharing her experience of growing up in foster care.
Barbara Stewart
Executive Director, Made 4 Connection
Providing training on Trust-Based Relational Intervention.
Are you part of an agency that serves the foster care system?
Join us as a sponsor of the Foster Care Aware Summit and showcase your organization as an exhibitor and reach people passionate about becoming foster care parents and advocates.
Join the Summit as a Sponsor!
Family Day - May 20
A Day for Foster Families
Have you ever thought of fostering or adopting? Are you currently a foster or adoptive parent? Want to learn more about being an advocate for children in the foster care system? Then our Community Day Event on May 20th in Constant Hall at ODU is for you! We will have workshops and activities for all to learn about foster care and adoption. Learn how to license as a foster parent, what’s involved with adoption from foster care, and learn about local resources to support youth and families involved in the foster care system. This event is a one-stop shop for everything foster care. Free and open to the public and family-friendly.
We will have lots of activities for the little ones too! Face painting, balloon twisting, arts, crafts, games, and more. It’s sure to be fun for the whole family!
Register for FREE today!
Foster/Adoptive Parent Track
1:30pm Trauma-Informed Discipline: Being the Parent Coach
Erin Lindstrom, Connection-Based Coaching
2:00pm Hope for Healing Training for Parents
Mary McGowan, ATTACh
3:00pm Trust Based Relational Intervention
Barbara Stewart, Made 4 Connection
4:00pm First Star National
Brian Ritchey, First Star National
Prospective Parent & Advocate Track
1:30pm & 4:00pm Foster Parenting & Adoptions from Foster Care
Audra Bullock, TFFC
2:30pm Supporting Foster Care Through Advocacy
Audra Bullock, TFFC
2:00pm & 2:30pm Triumphing from Foster Care to Adulthood
Angelina Hopkins, Author of Angie Crossing
3:30pm & 4:00pm Healthy Parenting Starts Within
Tiera-Lyn Colon, YMCA of South Hampton Roads
3:00pm Foster Parent Panel Discussion
Katie Solvig, UMFS
Mary McGowan
ATTACh Executive Director
Providing training on Childhood Attachment and Trauma.
Dr. Angelina Hopkins
Author & TFFC Director
Sharing her experience of growing up in foster care.
Barbara Stewart
Executive Director, Made 4 Connection
Providing training on Trust-Based Relational Intervention.
Can't make the Summit? No worries... we've got you covered!
Visit our Foster Care Aware Summit resource page to get the insights and information you need to be foster care aware. There is something for everyone... social workers, community members, foster parents, prospective foster care parents and advocates.
Get the Guides!
Teen Time - May 20
An Event Exclusively for Foster & Adopted Teens
Do you have lived experience with foster care or adoption? The Teen Time Event during the FCA Community Day on May 20th in Constant Hall at ODU is for you! Join peers for an informative and fun afternoon with workshops and activities designed to explore available services and resources as you enter adulthood. Learn about post-secondary educational support and join discussions on shaping the future of foster care in the state. Registration is Free for Middle and High School students.
Register for Teen Time!
Programming for Foster/Adopted Youth (For Middle & High Schoolers)
1:30pm First Star Academy
Dr. TaShara Bailey, First Star ODU Academy
2:00pm The Omni Cube
Joe Kleman, The Omni Cube
2:30pm Health & Wellness
Tiera-Lyn Colon, YMCA of South Hampton Roads
3:00pm Speak Out
La Tika Jefferey & Chafee Funding VDSS
3:30pm Post-Secondary Education Opportunities
Tomika Brown, VirginiaCAN
4:00pm EVMS MD Ambassadors
Marsha L. Williams, MSEd, Eastern Virginia Medical School
Join The Village to stay up-to-date on foster care needs. Whether it’s a little or a lot, your help is appreciated.
Proud Partners of Foster Care Aware
The Barry Robinson Center is a proud partner of the Foster Care Aware Summit. Click here to learn more about their organization and the wonderful work they do for foster youth.
ATTACh is a proud partner of the Foster Care Aware Summit. Click here to learn more about their organization and the wonderful work they do for foster youth.
A Recap of Past Foster Care Aware Events
Foster Care Aware Sponsors
