|
National Foster Parent Association Newsletter - September, 2026 |
 |
|
|
|
 |
|
Arnie Eby, NFPA Executive Director |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
We’re getting close to one of my favorite times of the year - our annual Education Conference. This year we celebrate our 55th conference, and I'm looking forward to welcoming and spending time with foster, kinship and adoptive parents, as well as child care professionals, advocates and friends from across the country.
We have an outstanding group of speakers joining us this year, along with plenty of opportunities to learn, share ideas and simply spend time with people who understand our journey. These chances to connect are always one of the absolute best parts of an NFPA conference.
September 27–30 will be here before we know it. I hope to see you there! |
 |
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
 |
The countdown is on! Have you registered for the 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.
Highlights
-
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.
-
Workshops & Sessions around Core supports, education, and adoption-competent care.
SESSIONS INCLUDE:
-
Opening Keynote - Ryan Hanlon, Associate Commissioner, Children’s Bureau
-
The Conversation - Deb Riley, NCFA (Center for Adoption Support & Education)
-
Problem Sexual Behaviors in Youth - Roy Van Tassell, MS, LPC-S, Centene
-
How to Be a Trusted Adult - Ali Levy, Department of Homeland Security
-
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder - James Bell & Associates
-
Digital Safety with Know2Protect
-
The Emotional Container and Other Concepts for Trauma-Informed Caregiving - Dianne Lanni
-
Education for Children in Care - American Bar Association, Center for Children and the Law, National Working Group on Foster Care & Education
-
Current Trends in Adoption Subsidies - Josh Kroll, Families Rising
-
From Confused to Confident - Amber Maccione, CogniTutor
-
Fetal Alchohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) from a Trauma Lens - Barb Clark
-
National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC)
-
We're listening! There's a National Center focused on the needs of Post-Adoptive / Guardianship Families (Focus Group) - Dondieneita Fleary-Simmons, LMSW
|
EXCURSIONS & EVENING EVENTS |
|
Monday, 9/28, Day: Advocacy Day! Reserve your spot HERE for the bus to Washington, D.C. for NFPA's Hill Visitation Day. Seats are limited.
Monday, 9/28, Evening: FASD Red Shoes Gala. This event is not included in the NFPA Conference registration, but you can sign up HERE to attend this event.
Tuesday, 9/29 Evening: Join the NFPA for a tour of NCMEC, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. Sign up HERE. After the tour, we'll take the attendees to historic Old Town Alexandria for an evening on your own for dinner and sightseeing, with the bus returning to the hotel at 9pm. Open to the first 55 attendees. |
| REGISTER FOR THE CONFERENCE |
| REGISTER: NCMEC TOUR, OLD TOWN EVENING |
| REGISTER: HILL DAY WITH THE NFPA (BUS TO DC) |
|
|
|
|
 |
September gives us a few important reasons to stop and recognize families in our community.
It’s National Kinship Care Month, a time to celebrate the grandparents, relatives and other caring adults (fictive kin) who step in when a child needs family. Kinship caregivers often take on that role unexpectedly, and they deserve not only our thanks, but the resources, understanding and support that can help them in their new role.
September is also FASD (Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder) Awareness Month. Greater awareness and understanding of FASD can make a real difference for children and adults living with it, as well as the families who love and support them.
Both of these observances remind us of topics we talk about often at NFPA: families need education, networking opportunities to connect with other foster or adoptive families, core supports, and most of all, people in their corner.
We've assembled a robust resource page in support of these month's themes. We hope you’ll take a few minutes to review the page and the numerous links to valuable resources on the topics of Kinship Care and FASD. |
|
|
 |
|
Back-to-school shopping isn’t the only thing parents and caregivers should add to their checklist. As AI-powered “nudify” apps become more common among kids, a simple conversation about AI, online safety and digital responsibility can help protect the children in your care from harm. Learn what parents and caregivers need to know and how to start the conversation before there’s a problem in NCMEC’s new blog, Back-to-School Checklist: Talk About AI ‘Nudify Apps. |
|
|
 |
|
NFPA Note: Our friends at the IRS have advised us that parents should not call the IRS regarding these tax credits; this will not speed up the process. They will be credited when they are ready. |
|
|
 |
|
|
 |
How Addressing Education Needs Can Link to Improved Permanency Outcomes: What Data and Practice Tell Us
Improving school stability, educational experiences, and academic outcomes for children and youth in foster care can have an impact on a student’s educational success, and, ultimately, life success. It may also support timely and successful permanency by strengthening factors associated with child and family stability.
Read the full article HERE. |
|
The IRS and TOPE invite you and the communities you serve to join us for an upcoming webinar:
This webinar is designed for adoptive families, foster families, prospective adoptive parents, and organizations that support them.
During the session, IRS representatives will discuss important Adoption Tax Credit information and recent updates, including eligibility considerations, qualifying adoption expenses, filing requirements, and resources available to help families better understand the credit.
We encourage you to share this invitation with your members, families, clients, and community networks who may benefit from this information.
Register/Join the Webinar
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
Have you signed up yet? With a FREE NFPATI account, you get:
✨ Over 59,000 certificates already awarded! 👉 Start learning today. |
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
Our Together for Impact conference will offer opportunities to visit with and learn from our terrific event sponsors and vendors, including:
|
 |
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
IMPORTANT FOSTER CARE-RELATED BILLS TO WATCH |
|
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. |
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
Share ConnectU With Your Network! |
|
|
-
Visit the NFPA ConnectU Archive of past editions HERE.
-
Received this newsletter via a forward? Subscribe to ConnectU HERE.
-
Wish to share this edition of ConnectU on your social networks? Visit THIS PAGE for an image and direct link to an online version.
|
|
|
Become a Friend of the NFPA |
💙 Get Involved - Become a Friend of the NFPA
Support foster families nationwide:
-
Champion – $50/mo
-
Hero – $25/mo
-
Advocate – $15/mo
Your support helps us deliver the resources families need. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
www.nfpaonline.org
800-557-5238 |
|
The NFPA is a respected national voice for Foster, Adoptive and Kinship Parents through Networking, Education and Advocacy. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
