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National Foster Parent Association Newsletter - August, 2026 |
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Arnie Eby, NFPA Executive Director |
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By the time you read this newsletter, some of you will have already sent your children off to school. Others are enjoying one or two last weeks of what feels like a far too short summer break.
Time goes by quickly, and before we know it Autumn will be here, our 55th Education Conference will be completed, and we will be enjoying pumpkin spice drinks before soon buying holiday presents.
So, even if for only a brief moment, take a breath and look around you to take in and enjoy these precious summer moments as they fly quickly by.
Please remember there are Scholorships available for our 55th conference. We would love to see you there and add your voice to our discussion. |
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Reserve Your Spot for the Networking & Learning Event of the Year!
Dates: September 27th - 30th | Location: Crystal City, Virginia
Use Code 250NFPA to attend all 3 days for just $250.00.
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 around Core supports, education, and adoption-competent care.
SESSIONS INCLUDE:
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Opening Keynote - Ryan Hanlon, Associate Commissioner, Children’s Bureau
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The Conversation - Deb Riley, NCFA (National Council for Adoption)
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Problem Sexual Behaviors in Youth - Roy Van Tassell, MS, LPC-S, Centene
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How to Be a Trusted Adult - Ali Levy, Department of Homeland Security
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Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder - James Bell & Associates
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Digital Safety with Know2Protect
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The Emotional Container and Other Concepts for Trauma-Informed Caregiving - Dianne Lanni
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Adoption Competent Care
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Education for Children in Care - American Bar Association, Center for Children and the Law
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Current Trends in Adoption Subsidies - Josh Kroll, Families Rising
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From Confused to Confident
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Fetal Alchohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) from a Trauma Lens - Barb Clark
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National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC)
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We're listening! There's a National Center focused on the needs of Post-Adoptive / Guardianship Families (Focus Group) - Dondieneita Fleary-Simmons, LMSW
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We are proud to partner with C.A.S.E, and extend our gratitude to our event sponsors, including:
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| LEARN MORE AND REGISTER |
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| APPLY FOR A CONFERENCE SCHOLARSHIP |
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NFPAOnline.org Refresh
Visit us at https://nfpaonline.org to see our newly organized home page! We've made it much easier to find resources related to our three primary missions - Networking, Education & Advocacy. Let us know what you think, and if you have ideas for items we can add to our website to better serve your needs.
SEND YOUR FEEDBACK |
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Annie E. Casey Foundation Releases 2026 KIDS COUNT® Data Book
This report provides indicators of what children and youth need most. The Foundation studied four domains:
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Economic Well-Being
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Education
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Health
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Family and Community
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New Training Releasing 8/14!
Our friends at Cognitutor have provided another terrific session, 'Roots & Wings: Building the Skills That Help Your Child Thrive in School - and in Life'.
Session Inclusions
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Understand the hidden skills behind school success - and why they're not about 'trying harder'
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Turn homework from a nightly battle into a calm, repeatable routine
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Build your child's confidence and independence one small win at a time
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Grow reading and math naturally - at the kitchen table, no flashcards required
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Recognize when a child needs extra support, and where to find help
The session will be quick-linked on this page: https://nfpati.org/featured-new-courses/ |
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Have you signed up yet? With a FREE NFPATI account, you get:
✨ Over 59,000 certificates already awarded! 👉 Start learning today. |
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Executive Director Arnie Eby had an opportunity to attend the Maryland Resource Parent Association's Parent Appreciation Day, and to speak directly with parents in MD who are providing support and families for kids in need of stability.
The event took place at the Bowie (MD) Baysox stadium, and gave Arnie an opportunity to meet the C.A.S.E. mascot, Casey! |
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ACF and Treasury Release Updated Guidance to Help States Implement
Fostering the Future Accounts
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Administration for Children and Families (ACF) at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, in partnership with the U.S. Department of the Treasury, today released a new Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) document to help states, territories, and tribes establish and administer Fostering the Future Accounts — a historic initiative led by First Lady Melania Trump that empowers foster youth to build long-term financial security and wealth.
“Thanks to the leadership of First Lady Melania Trump, foster youth now have access to an opportunity that can help them build a strong financial foundation for their future,” said ACF Assistant Secretary Alex J. Adams. “Today’s updated guidance will help states move from planning to action so eligible youth can begin building wealth that can support education, workforce training, homeownership, and other major life milestones.”
“Fostering the Future Accounts will ensure that youth in foster care will have a direct stake in the American Dream from day one,” said Treasury Assistant Secretary for Financial Institutions Luke Pettit. “We are proud to be working alongside First Lady Melania Trump and ACF on this historic initiative.”
With bipartisan support from 26 states already pledging to establish Fostering the Future Accounts, the new guidance is designed to accelerate commitments nationwide. Following ACF and Treasury’s initial joint guidance released in June, both agencies engaged in various listening sessions and one-on-one conversations with governors’ offices and child welfare jurisdictions to learn what additional questions were top-of-mind. Today’s updated FAQ aggregates hours of feedback to provide additional clarity as jurisdictions establish, contribute to, and maintain Fostering the Future Accounts.
New FAQ highlights include:
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Establishing and administering Fostering the Future Accounts.
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Available funding sources, including federal funds and private contributions.
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Fostering the Future Accounts eligibility, management, transfer, and withdrawal considerations.
Learn more on the Administration for Children & Families RESOURCE PAGE for the Fostering the Future Accounts.
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As we all know, The Trump Accounts were established by Congress under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), designed as federal child savings vehicles, the Trump Accounts essentially function as starter Traditional IRAs for U.S. citizens under the age of 18.
Learn more from the #IRS at: www.irs.gov/trumpaccounts |
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IMPORTANT FOSTER CARE-RELATED BILLS TO WATCH |
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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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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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