Welcome
Dear Friends,
Welcome to the CSFPA’s 34th Annual Training Conference. We trust you will enjoy the workshops and special amenities available to you. Tina Hughes (Conference Chair) and her committee have carefully selected special speakers for their expertise and ability to inspire. Some will motivate us, others may make us laugh, and some may bring us to tears. We all need this time for fellowship, to get better acquainted with fellow caregivers and to learn from one another. In addition to the various workshops, we’ll host a hospitality room for you to pamper yourself between workshops and, should you choose, receive a mini-massage. We also have special entertainment scheduled during the Wednesday evening Director’s Reception and you will be uplifted by the inspirational speaker, Jaiya John, for the Welcome Lunch!
Our theme this year is “Take a Walk with Me on the Foster Side: Time for Change.” Sajah, a 12 year old current foster youth, developed the theme for this year’s conference and Keondra Terry, a foster care alumnus, designed the logo for this year’s conference. Both girls were inspired by the idea that all foster families could walk hand-in-hand with social workers, attorneys, juvenile bench officers, mental health professionals, educators, and all interested parties to help change the child welfare system and improve the lives of the children in care. With this theme in mind, this year’s conference has a focus on establishing and maintaining permanent connections for all children in care.
I would be remiss if I neglected to mention a very special person to the California State Foster Parents Association. I assumed the position of President mid-term and have been asked to fill some big shoes. I ask you to join me in acknowledging and thanking Velma Moore for her years of service as President and more than 30 years of dedication and service to foster parents throughout the State.
I hope to see you in October!!
Sincerely,
Patricia Negus
President, California State Foster Parents Association