About the
Gathering

Foster parents who watch over, listen to, and nurture the children in their care have a unique awareness and understanding of the complex issues surrounding decisions about a foster child’s future.  While the law provides today’s foster parents with opportunities to assume new roles in the permanency planning process, foster parents themselves must accept responsibility for understanding and exercising them. In other words, they must be prepared to “Take Their Place at the Table.”

This year’s LINK Family Spring Gathering will discuss changing foster parent roles and responsibilities, and encourage participants to develop a new way of thinking about, understanding, and using the language of law to enhance their effectiveness.

Fun, thought provoking activities and group discussions will provide participants with an opportunity to learn about and from each other and think creatively about change.

Presenters:

Michael A. Neff, Esq., is a well known consultant, author and trainer on foster care issues, and has a long and distinguished legal career serving NYS foster/adoptive families. 

Susan E. Collins has been the Program Director of NYSCCC for over 5 years. Susie’s expertise is in community building, the training of foster/adoptive parents and child welfare permanency issues.

1:00 p.m. Setting the Table & Learning the Seating Chart:Trends in law and practice, changing foster parent roles, and the structure of the foster care system.

2:30 p.m. Refreshment Break

2:45 p.m. Table Manners & Feeling Comfortable in Your Seat: Understanding foster parent legal status, defining professionalism, and resolving disagreements.

4:00 p.m. Inviting/Inspiring Others to Take Their Place:
Engaging other foster parents and enhancing community perceptions of foster parent professionalism.

5:00 p.m. Adjourn

The Gathering will be held at the Marriott Hotel, 189 Wolf Road, Albany, NY, prior to the NYSCCC 2006 Adoption Conference. Registration is FREE to any NYS foster/adoptive parent with a NYSCCC 2006 membership or those who join when registering for the Gathering or the conference. To register for the Gathering, complete the online registration form below or download a pdf copy of the gathering brochure

To make Marriott Hotel reservations, telephone 518-458-8444 or 800-443-8952 no later than April 21st. Be sure to identify yourself as part of the NYSCCC Adoption Conference so that you will be given the special conference rate of $101 for a single, double, triple or quad. Room rates are subject to applicable taxes.

Plan to stay for our 17th Annual Adoption Training Conference
There's No Place Like Home • May 11-13, 2006