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 10
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Community Day – Saturday, May 11
Professionals Day - May 10
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 10th in Constant Hall at ODU in Norfolk, VA.
Ticket Sales are Closed
Morning Session
John Murray, Science of Relational Intervention
Afternoon Session
Cathleen Beachboard, Harnessing Hope Neuroscience for Resilience, Motivation, and Academic Achievement: A Trauma-Informed Approach
Our Featured Speakers
John Murray
Founder and CEO of Families First of Virginia, Inc.
John Murray earned his Bachelors degree in Psychology from Elon University, and his Masters degree in Social Work from Norfolk State University. John has more than 22 years experience working with foster and adoptive children and families and has specialized training in Neurofeedback and Trauma-Focused Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy. He is honored and humbled by serving those in need as a social worker for over 30 years.
Cathleen Beachboard
Educator & Author
Cathleen Beachboard is an award-winning educator, best-selling author, and leading innovative expert on raising psychological hope. Her Building H.O.P.E.© framework has improved resilience, well-being, and achievement in thousands of schools across the country. As a sought-after speaker on well-being and retention, she provides practical tools and strategies for parents, educators, social workers, and leaders to increase hope so every person can thrive. Cathleen Beachboard is a teacher, author, and researcher. She writes and creates content for Edutopia and has been featured by TED-Ed. After adopting five children out of a case of extreme abuse and neglect, she has been on a mission to improve outcomes for those who experience trauma and anxiety. Her personal experience drives her passion for supporting
individuals facing adversity, and her expertise in trauma-informed practices informs her approach to fostering hope and resilience.
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.
Sponsorship Opportunities are Closed
Community Day - May 11
A Day for the Foster Care Community
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 11th 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!
Current Foster/Adoptive Parent Track
1230-1pm Natural Hair Care Mini-session – Jermarion Griffin, BeYoutiffully Natural
1-2pm Utilizing Hope Neuroscience to Improve Resiliency, Motivation, and Achievement – Cathleen Beachboard, School of Hope
2-3pm The Disenfranchised Grief When a Child is Removed – Deborah Frye (shared session with families of origin)
2-3pm Natural Hair Care Full Session – Jermarion Griffin, BeYoutiffully Natural
3-4pm Science of Relational Intervention – John Murray, Families First of Virginia
Prospective Parent & Advocate Track
1-130pm Foster Care 101 (Session 1)- Audra Bullock, CEO of TFFC
1-1:30pm Ways to Support Foster Youth w/o Fostering (Session 1) – Norfolk CASA & VB CASA
1:30-2:30pm Expert Panel Discussion – Worker: Elisea Delinois, foster parent: Shanda Rouse , foster care alum: Lakysha Laing, and Foster Parent & IL Company Operator ‘Fostering a Better Future’: Dorine Malfitano
2:30-3pm 10 Things a Foster Youth Wants You to Know – Melvin Roy of Foster U
3-330pm Foster Care 101 (Session 2)- Audra Bullock, CEO of TFFC
3:30-4pm Ways to Support Foster Youth w/o Fostering (Session 2) – Portsmouth CASA
Family of Origin Track
1-130pm Closed Session: What are your rights? – Ashley Angulo & bio-parent, Maria Ulloa
1:30-2pm Closed Session: Post reunification support – Ashley Angulo
2-3pm Moving Through the Ambiguous Grief When a Child is Removed – Deborah Frye (shared session with foster and adoptive parents)
3-4pm Closed Session: Parenting for Reunification – Kathleen Yopp
Teen Time Track
Teen Wellness: Keeping it Balanced. Event will focus on becoming a well-rounded young adult by focusing on the various types of wellness: Social, Emotional, Financial, Occupational, Intellectual, Environmental, Physical, and Spiritual.
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 James-Barry Robinson Insitute 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.
