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National Foster Parent Association Newsletter - June, 2026 |
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As we honor Pride Month, National Reunification Month, and Father's Day, we celebrate the diverse ways families are built and strengthened through love, commitment, and unwavering support. |
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This June, the NFPA recognizes LGBTQ+ parents and youth, honors families working toward reunification, and thanks fathers and father figures who provide stability and guidance to children in their care.
Foster parents play a vital role in helping all children thrive while supporting strong family connections whenever possible, opening their hearts and homes to build lasting bonds.
Your leadership as champions of family-based care makes all the difference in the lives of children and families throughout our nation. |
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Conference Registration Is Open Now
Dates: September 27th - 30th Location: Crystal City, Virginia
Cost: $300 for all 3 days, $125 for Individual Days. Contact us at info@nfpaonline.org for large group rates.
Connect with policymakers and experts, amplify your voice on the Hill, and access workshops designed specifically for foster, adoptive, and kinship families navigating core supports, education, and adoption-competent care.
Highlights
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Join our Hill Visitation Day on September 28th - advocate directly with the NFPA on behalf of foster families and children in care. Meet with your legislators in Washington, D.C., and ensure your voice is heard where policy decisions are made. Everyone is welcome. This is your chance to turn lived experience into legislative impact.
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Workshops & Sessions: Core supports, education, and adoption-competent care. All sessions are being designed with the needs of Foster, Adoptive and Kinship families in mind.
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| LEARN MORE AND REGISTER |
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NCMEC and the NFPA Celebrate Foster Parents... Together |
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Supporting Youth in Foster Care as They Transition to Adulthood
A message from our colleagues at the Social Security Administration.
Youth transitioning from foster care often face important decisions about education, employment healthcare, housing, and financial independence. Understanding available Social Security programs and resources can help young people and their caregivers plan for the future.
Social Security is committed to supporting youth in foster care, as well as the families, caregivers, and advocates who guide them. Depending on their circumstances, some youth may qualify for benefits such as Supplemental Security Income (SSI), survivor benefits, or child benefits. Learning about these programs early can help ensure young people receive the support for which they may be eligible.
To help ease this transition to adulthood, Social Security offers a Youth Toolkit with information about:
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Qualifying for Social Security benefits after age 18, including the age-18 redetermination process
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Employment support
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Financial literacy
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Healthcare considerations
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Education and vocational resources
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Planning for independence
The toolkit is designed for youth, caregivers, caseworkers, educators, and advocates who support young people as they prepare for adulthood. By sharing these tools with the youth you support, you can help them make informed decisions and build a strong foundation for adulthood. Your guidance can make a lasting difference in their journey toward independence.
SSA Resources for Parents
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NEW Resource! Build T.R.U.S.T.: How2Be a Trusted Adult
Learn how to become the trusted adult kids and teens turn to when they face online risks like grooming, sextortion, bullying and abuse. |
| Build T.R.U.S.T. - Get the PDF |
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May was Older Americans Month! Visit https://acl.gov/oam/older-americans-month for more information and for materials and sample social media posts and graphics. This month, we are also acknowledging National Foster Care Month and Mental Health Awareness Month. |
| Read the Most Recent G&KSN Newsletter |
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Have you signed up yet? With a FREE NFPATI account, you get:
✨ Over 57,000 certificates already awarded! 👉 Start learning today. |
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IMPORTANT FOSTER CARE-RELATED BILLS TO WATCH |
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S. 162 - Recruiting Families Using Data Act
Status: Formerly HR 579 This bill has passed the House and is now known as S 162 now that it's in the Senate, and is sponsored by Senator Chuck Grassley.
Makes the diligent recruitment plan requirements of Title IV-B more robust and requires states to use a data-driven approach for identifying potential foster parents.
The NFPA has been actively involved in the presentation of this bill to the House of Representatives, and will continue to follow and support it now that it's in the Senate.
HR 7432 - Fostering the Future Act
This bill expands states' permissible uses of federal funds under the John H. Chafee Foster Care Program for Successful Transition to Adulthood (Chafee program) to include supportive housing services.
A NEW BILL TO WATCH: Informed Foster Youth Act of 2026
This bill would ensure that youth leaving foster care have the vital documents and available services needed for a successful transition into adulthood.
Submitted by Chuck Grassley, (R- Iowa) and Ben Ray Lujan (D-N.M.). For details, click HERE. |
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ENTER OUR DRAWING TO RECEIVE A 50% DISCOUNT OFF OF OUR EDUCATION CONFERENCE! |
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Please provide your contact details to enter the drawing for a chance to attend all 3 days for just $150.00 (applicable to the entry fee only - travel is not included). NFPA staff and BOD members are not eligible. Membership in the NFPA is not required to win.
Drawing for the winner will be held on June 12th at 9am EST. We will notify the winner via email. We will announce the winner on our Facebook and X pages, using only the first name and last initial. |
| ENTER THE DRAWING NOW! |
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Share ConnectU With Your Network! |
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Visit the NFPA ConnectU Archive of past editions HERE.
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Received this newsletter via a forward? Subscribe to ConnectU HERE.
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Wish to share this edition of ConnectU on your social networks? Visit THIS PAGE for an image and direct link to an online version.
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Become a Friend of the NFPA |
💙 Get Involved - Become a Friend of the NFPA
Support foster families nationwide:
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Champion – $50/mo
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Hero – $25/mo
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Advocate – $15/mo
Your support helps us deliver the resources families need. |
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www.nfpaonline.org
800-557-5238 |
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The NFPA is a respected national voice for Foster, Adoptive and Kinship Parents through Networking, Education and Advocacy. |
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