NFPA Blog has moved to http://blog.nfpaonline.org

The National Foster Parent Association blog has moved.  See the new NFPA Scoop blog at http://blog.nfpaonline.org.

Also remember to subscribe to The Informer, our newsletter.

Workshop presenters needed for 2015 convention

Do you have a passion for training leaders? We need you!

NFPA is searching for workshop presenters for its 2015 convention taking place June 25-28 in Norfolk, Virginia. Topics are unlimited and can include social media; bylaws development; conflict management; Robert's Rules; effective communication when dealing with legislators/media; grant writing, etc. These sessions will be geared to our association leaders so they can effectively manage their state or local associations.

Have other child welfare related topics you'd like to present, such as family engagement, kinship care, adoption assistance, mental health or developmental services? We welcome you to submit those topics as well!

View the Call for Presenters information here. You will find a draft schedule, and information on 2015's theme and how workshops are scheduled. When you are ready to submit your information, please utilize our online Presenters' Application here. Deadline is November 10, 2014.

Need general information about the convention? Visit NFPA's 2015 convention page here.

See you in Norfolk!

Foster children are not for sale

Human trafficking is a real threat to society, and many of our foster children are at risk of being caught in the web. Every state agency should develop policies and procedures for identifying and determining appropriate services for foster youth who are believed to be at risk of becoming a victim of sex trafficking. The National Foster Parent Association has developed the following document to highlight components of Public Law 113-183, the Preventing Sex Trafficking and Strengthening Families Act, to help you understand the importance of this law.

PL 113-183 Preventing Sex Trafficking and Strengthening Families Act Highlights

The bill has three titles:

• Title I focuses on the provisions to help states identify, track and develop services for children who are believed to be in danger of being trafficked.
• Title II includes a series of child welfare provisions related to improving the Adoption Incentives program and extending Family Connections Grants.
• Title III improves the process for getting international child support by allowing tribal governments and authorized foreign agencies to access the Federal Parent Locator Services.

NFPA seeking kinship care committee members

by Jan Wagner

The number of children living with kin is increasing across the country and, when abuse or neglect is involved, relatives are finding themselves connected with the foster care system. In some jurisdictions, relatives are being asked to be certified or licensed. Therefore, at its June 2014 board meeting, the National Foster Parent Association voted to make Kinship Care a full committee. NFPA wants kinship families to know that the vital role relatives have in the child welfare system is valued and supported.

If you are a member of NFPA and you are passionate about kinship care, please join the new NFPA Kinship Care Committee. Whether you are a kinship caregiver, a foster parent, an agency-based child welfare worker, a member of another advocacy organization, or whatever your role is -- there is a place for you on our committee.

This is an excellent opportunity for you to join us at the beginning of this initiative and help establish objectives for the future. For example, recommending and developing a special kinship care track at the NFPA 2015 national conference in Norfolk, Virginia, would be a great start. We need your leadership and membership to be successful. So please, let us know of your interest by sending me an email ASAP with the following information:

• Your name
• Your city and state
• Your email address
• If you are a kinship caregiver, an agency staff member working with relatives, or whatever your role may be
• If you belong to a local or state foster/adoptive/kinship association (and which one)
• What you would like to see NFPA accomplish on behalf of kinship care -- policies, practices, programs, resources, etc. 

We plan to convene a conference call meeting no later than the end of October so we can report to the NFPA Board of Directors at its mid-November meeting. If you have any questions or suggestions, please email me at wagnerjan(at)live(dot)com.

Everyone is welcomed and needed! Thanks!

Don't forget: Advocates for Families First Policy Agenda June 25

Advocates for Families First fifth webinar — Advocates for Families First Policy Agenda — will be held June 25 at 1 p.m. EST (10 a.m. PST; 11 a.m. MST; 12 p.m. CST).

What is it really like to be a foster parent?

We asked our Facebook community what it is really like to be a foster parent and wow, what great responses! Check out the post below.

Post by National Foster Parent Association.

Don't forget: Effective Legislative Advocacy Strategies May 29

Advocates for Families First is offering a series of free webinars designed for leaders of support groups and organizations that work with kinship, foster, and adoptive families. The fourth session will be Effective Legislative Advocacy Strategies May 29 at 1 p.m. EST (10 a.m. PST; 11 a.m. MST; 12 p.m. CST).