Action for Children’s Foster Care Fair for families. Attend presentations, meet with foster agencies, FREE trainings for recertification hours, and have FREE food, giveaways, and raffles. There will also be limited spots for child care provided (ages 1 – 4)!
See the AGENDA below
There is an option to choose between 2 breakout sessions to receive your recertification training (see breakout sessions below):
10:00-11:30: Breakout Sessions:
– Option A: SAFY POP (Partnering with Ohio Parents) Presentation (1.5 hours)
Presenters:
Sierra Shepherd – Parent Partner, POP Program, SAFY
Jolinda Wesley – Parent Partner, POP Program, SAFY
Unveil the bond between primary and foster families! Join us for a session on the Ohio Department of Children and Youth’s groundbreaking program, Partnering with Ohio Parents (POP). Discover how Parent Partners from SAFY mentor parents in the child welfare system, offering crucial support and driving systemic change.
– Option B: Helping to raise LGBTQ+ Youth with Liam Gallagher of The Kaleidoscope Youth Center. (1.5 hours)
Presenters:
Liam Gallagher – Director of Center Based Programs, Kaleidoscope
Explore LGBTQIA+ youth and caregiver experiences. Learn about emotional challenges and actionable strategies for fostering an affirming home. Navigate coming out to extended family, managing conflicts, discussing sexual and mental health, and more. Join us for transformative conversations!
11:45-12:45: Panel and Lunch: Former Foster Youth and Current Foster Parent share their experiences.
Presenters:
Lakisha Ancrum, Foster and Adoptive Family Liaison, Team Lead
Carmen Toro-Wooten – Ohio Child Welfare Training Program (OCWTP) Trainer & Foster/Adoptive Parent
Lakisha will share her experiences as youth in the foster care system. Carmen will share her experiences as a foster and adoptive parent.
There will be limited time for Q&A.
1:15-2:45: Breakout Sessions:
– Option A: Building a Better Future (BABF) with Parent Partner Presentation (1.5 hours)
– Option B: Cultural Diversity Training with Trainer, Carmen Toro-Wooten (1.5 hours)
Presenters:
Carmen Toro-Wooten – Ohio Child Welfare Training Program (OCWTP) Trainer & Foster/Adoptive Parent
This class helps participants understand the impact of parenting children from different racial/ethnic/cultural backgrounds and to know how to honor and incorporate child’s race/ethnicity/culture into their existing family system. Strategies are identified to help children develop positive and proud identities and to help children and families prepare for and handle racism in all forms.
3.0 hours of recertification training.
—-
Photographs and videos will be taken at the event. Action for Children reserves the right to use anyphotograph/video taken at any event sponsoredby Action for Children without the expressed written permission of those included within thephotograph/video. Action for Children may use the photograph/video and publications or other media material produced, used or contracted by Action for Children, including but not limited to: brochures, invitations, social media, newspapers, magazines television, websites, etc.
—-
This event is funded by Department of Children and Youth, Action for Children, Fairfield County Job and Family Services, and Licking County Job and Family Services. IT TAKES HEART™ is an initiative of the Ohio Department of Children and Youth and is locally supported by Action for Children.