About the Gathering: Please join with us and other LINK family parents as we take the next steps in strengthening the foster parent network in upstate New York. Knowledgeable foster/adoptive parents will serve as supportive resources to other foster families facing the new realities and challenges of permanency planning. In the post-ASFA world foster parents are challenged to create shared parenting relationships with birth families. To be successful, foster parents need mutually supportive relationships with agencies which protect children as they move through the system. Creating these relationships will require an effort on everyone's part. There must be planning, communication, and cooperation among all parties for shared parenting to work. The LINK Family Spring Gathering will discuss these challenges and explore techniques for meeting them. Our goal is to strengthen links among parents, agencies, and communities which can inform, support, and nurture foster/adoptive families and birth families. The Gathering is open to all foster parents who are interested in developing and supporting partnerships based on trust and understanding. Come join us to share information and increase your skills! The LINK Family Project: LINK Families is a NYSCCC program supported by The Salvation Army of Syracuse through their federally-funded concurrent planning project. Recognizing that a strong support system for foster parents is vital to their ability to assist children through the concurrent planning process, NYSCCC is committed to developing a strong foster parent network in every county.  NYSCCC is recruiting and training resource parents, called LINK families, in all 14 Syracuse Region III counties to provide support and mentoring to other foster/adoptive parents. LINK families are experienced foster parents who agree to: • Participate in training activities to expand their knowledge and understanding of child-centered permanency planning practices. • Share information, advice, and support with other foster families in their community. • Participate in project activities to create and support positive, child-focused relationships among foster families, birth families, and agencies.

Schedule 1:00 p.m. Welcome and Introductions 1:15 p.m. Understanding ASFA and New Challenges for Foster Parents This workshop will explore the impact of the Adoption and Safe Families Act on new roles for foster parents. ASFA guidelines and their implications for shared parenting relationships will be examined, as well as ways foster parents can work with birth parents to implement the law. Susan Collins, NYSCCC Program Director. 2:45 p.m. Beverage Break 3:00 p.m. Developing and Maintaining Foster Family Networks A panel of experienced foster and adoptive parent group leaders will discuss ideas and strategies for developing and strengthening communication and support services. Hands- on activities will guide participants in planning information networks for their local communities. Randy Smith, Fulton County; Beverly Lee, Westchester County; Dawn Corrigan, Oneida County; Marie Dolfi, Albany County. 5:00 p.m. Adjourn Registration: To register for the LINK Family Gathering, please complete and return the registration form on the next complete and return the registration form on the next page. Registration is FREE to any NYS foster/adoptive parent. We strongly urge each parent group to send two representatives. Newly formed and emerging parent groups and associations are most welcome. Let us know how we can help to be sure you'll be able to attend. The gathering will be held at the Marriott Hotel, 189 Wolf Road,Albany, NY prior to the NYSCCC 2002 Adoption Conference. To make your reservation, telephone 518-458-8444 or 800-443-8952 no later than April 19th. Be sure to identify yourself as part of the CCC Adoption Conference so that you will be given the special conference rate of $95 for a single, double, triple or quad. This rate is available May 8-11. Room rates are subject to applicable taxes.