About the Gathering Today's foster parents are presented with opportunities and challenges to assume new roles and responsibilities as participants in the permanency planning process and supportive resources for birth families. Changing roles will demand changes in relationships and require an effort on everyone's part: agencies, birth families, and foster families alike. There must be careful planning, open communication, and cooperation among all parties to shape those relationships into successful partnerships that protect and support children as they move through the child welfare system. The LINK Family Spring Gathering will discuss changing foster parent roles; explore opportunities and techniques for effecting change in your own community; and challenge you to think differently about relationships of all kinds: between foster parents, birth parents, caseworkers, service providers, and each other. Fun, thought-provoking activities and group discussions will provide you with an opportunity to learn about and from each other and think creatively about possibilities for change. 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. Please join with us and other LINK family parents as we expand and strengthen our statewide network of knowledgeable foster parents who serve as supportive resources to other families facing the new realities and challenges of permanency planning. About Link Linking Information Networks for Kids LINK Families is a NYSCCC program supported by the FosterParentNet project of the National Foster Parent Association and The Salvation Army of Syracuse. Recognizing that a strong support system for foster parents is vital to their ability to assist children through the permanency planning process, NYSCCC is committed to developing a strong foster parent network in every county.

Schedule 1:00 p.m. Welcome and Introductions 1:15 p.m. New Perspectives This workshop will explore the impact of the Adoption and Safe Families Act on permanency planning practice and using the power of common sense to understand and effect needed changes. Participants will gain a deeper understanding of the challenges and rewards involved in thinking differently about relationships.  2:45 p.m. Refreshment Break  3:00 p.m. Becoming A Change Agent Foster parent networks of information and understanding can make effective and lasting changes in their local child welfare systems. A discussion of team building; problem solving and communication skills; information and service resources; cost-effective projects to support families; and forming supportive relationships with professionals.  5:00 p.m. Adjourn Registration To register for the LINK Family Gathering, please complete and return the registration form on the next page. Registration is FREE to any NYS foster/adoptive parent with a current NYCCC 2004 membership or those who join when registering for the Gathering or the conference. The Gathering will be held at the Marriott Hotel, 189 Wolf Road, Albany, NY, prior to the NYSCCC 2004 Adoption Conference. To make your reservation, telephone 518-458-8444 or 800-443-8952 no later than April 15th. Be sure to identify yourself as part of the NYCCC Adoption Conference so that you will be given the special conference rate of $98 for a single, double, triple or quad. This rate is available May 5-8. Room rates are subject to applicable taxes.

Fostering Change Thursday, May 6, 2004 • Albany Marriott Hotel Registration Form • Return by April 15, 2004. Please Complete and Return to NYSCCC, 410 East Upland Road, Ithaca, NY 14850.   Name: _____________________________________________________________________________________   Organization: _______________________________________________________________________________   Address: ____________________________________________________________________________________   State: _________ Zip: ____________ Daytime Phone: ______________________________________________   Email: ___________________________________ FAX: _____________________________________________   Membership Fees: Individuals: $20 •  Parent Group/Agency: $35 r Check payable to: NYS Citizens' Coalition for Children, Inc. r Visa   r MasterCard   r American Express   Card#______________________ Exp. Date _______ Name on Card________________________________ Signature ____________________________________ Plan to stay for our 15th Annual Statewide Adoption Training Conference, "Everday Heroes," May 7-8, 2004 For more information contact Susie Collins, 607-272-0034 or scollins@nysccc.org

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Foster Parents interested in learning more about participating
in project activities and becoming a LINK family should contact:

Susan Collins, NYSCCC Program Director • (607) 272-0034 • scollins@nysccc.org