This event will bring together kinship caregivers, foster parents and adoptive families from across the state to learn and build community.
Caregiver Conference 2025
Breakout Sessions
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The Past Becomes the Present
We all carry our own stories and histories with us, affecting who we are and how we navigate our lives. We even carry these histories into our parenting whether we notice it or not. Join Kiantha Duncan in a conversation about recognizing these traits a...
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How Power Struggles Drive Behavior Challenges – Strategies of Conquer Power Struggles and Decrease Escalated Behavior Challenges
Power struggles (whether adults recognize them or not) are often the drivers of more escalated behavior challenges like defiance, verbal and physical aggression, eloping, peer conflicts, non-compliance, etc. This seminar will describe why power struggl...
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Managing Feelings of Loss and Ambivalence
This session will help you recognize why you may have feelings of loss and ambivalence about wanting to or feeling able to provide kinship care. You will also discuss how to identify when loss and ambivalence should be considered when deciding whether ...
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Advocating for Educational Stability
This session will equip you with the tools and knowledge you need to effectively advocate for your student’s educational success. We’ll explore key topics including school-based supports for behavior, understanding and navigating IEPs and 504 plans, ad...
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Fostering While Parenting: Supporting Our Biological and Adopted Children
When you have children who live at home with you, becoming a foster parent also means becoming a foster family. Growing up with foster siblings comes with unique joys and challenges. During this topic support group, you will discuss strategies you can ...
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Attachment Theory, Developmental & Relational Trauma: A Call to Rethink Foster Children’s “Behavioral Challenges”
When you have children who live at home with you, becoming a foster parent also means becoming a foster family. Growing up with foster siblings comes with unique joys and challenges. During this topic support group, you will discuss strategies you can ...
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Managing Loyalty Issues in Kinship Care
This session will help you identify the sources, cues and types of loyalty issues you might experience and explain how loyalty issues can impact your ability to provide safety, stability and protection. You will also learn strategies and approaches in ...
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Foster Care Education 101
Education is a critical stability component that positively impacts the lives of students who experience foster or kinship care. Legislation, both federal and state, aims to improve the educational experience of foster care students by requiring school...
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Transitions: Building Meaning Around Moves
Transitions are a part of kinship care and fostering. So, what can you do to support the young people in your care when a transition occurs? During this session, you will review example transition plans and build a transition toolkit full of practical ...
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Neurodivergence: Teaching executive functioning and organizational skills
Join UW Autism Center behavior analyst John Ketchum for a discussion on neurodiversity and strategies to support executive functioning skills for neurodivergent learners.
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Guardianship and Adoption for Kinship/Understanding Permanency Options
Washington’s permanency planning statutes require the timely resolution of dependency cases while promoting a child-centered decision-making process for children in the child welfare system. This workshop will discuss the various types of permanency pl...
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Supplements, Trauma, and Nutrition, Oh My!
Children entering care often times have been through a traumatic experience. That trauma can impact their body physically, mentally and emotionally. Join us as we review how trauma and nutrition impact the brain and review some of the supplements that ...
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Supporting Tribal Children: Understanding Tribal History & Connections
This session will explore the historical and cultural context surrounding tribal children in out-of-home care. Participants will gain a deeper understanding of tribal sovereignty, the impact of historical trauma, and the importance of cultural identity...
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Addressing Child/Youth Hygiene Issues with TBRI Principles
Is there a young person in your life who is resistant to caring for their personal hygiene? As children get older, hygiene practices will become increasingly important to learn and manage on their own. Talking to kids about hygiene issues using Trust B...
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Pathways to Licensing and Support for Kinship Caregivers
This presentation will cover the history of kinship caregiving in Washington State, why kinship caregiving is important in child welfare, and provide attendees with an update on changes that occurred within the Licensing Division for kinship families. ...
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Fostering as Part of the Team
As a caregiver for a child in the foster care system, you are a vital member of the parenting team. During this session, we will identify the members of the child’s foster care team and their respective roles, while discussing strategies to promote pos...
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Fostering Across Race, Ethnicity & Culture
Welcoming a child into your home, even temporarily, means accepting and affirming their whole selves. When a child has a different racial, ethnic, or cultural background than yours, it can be challenging to know the best ways to properly care for their...