Last Chance to Take Advantage of the Early Registration Rates: The Deadline is May 1st

For four decades, the FFTA Annual Conference has brought leaders, practitioners, and partners together to leverage shared knowledge and showcase proven solutions that advance the well-being of children, families, and communities.

Join us in Chicago for two inspiring keynotes (Alec Ingold and Steve Pemberton), 80+ workshops and roundtable discussions, a local community volunteer experience, a special Chicago guest (the iconic Second City), and networking experiences that foster collaboration and innovation while equipping individuals and organizations with the tools to strengthen their impact.

A Snapshot of the Types of Workshops Available

A1. National Panel: Kinship Standards Update Across the US

State leaders from across the US will share updates on Kinship Standards in their state. This national panel will set the stage for the Kinship Track, which includes workshops covering all facets of kinship care.

C1. National Panel: Navigating the Insurance Crisis: Protecting Access to Care for Children and Youth 

In this panel session, moderated by FFTA's Managing Director, the California Alliance of Child and Family Services (CA Alliance) will present its multi-pronged strategy to support providers across California, focused on short- and long-term approaches to resolving the crisis and advocacy strategies. This national panel is a feature of the Executive Leadership Track, covering vital advanced topics for organization leaders.   

E5. Sustaining Your Team's Purpose Through Trauma-Informed Supervision and Coaching 

This workshop illustrates how refocusing on trauma-informed, coaching-forward supervisory practices helps individuals and teams reconnect with their purpose as service providers, and improve team cohesion and outcomes. This valuable workshop is included in our Supervision Track, providing tools for Supervisor development across all areas of our work. 

F2. Bringing the Neurosequential Model of Therapeutics Home: Rewiring Healing in Everyday Spaces 

This workshop explores how to effectively integrate the core principles and practices of the Neurosequential Model of Therapeutics (NMT) developed by Bruce Perry into the home environment. Workshops like this one round out the Clinical Track, offering everything clinicians need to stay current with best practices in treatment. 

Hosted as part of the FFTA 2026 Annual Conference, FFTA will convene a Foster Family Recruitment Innovation Lab, bringing together approximately 40 participants from across the country.



This intensive, engaging, and collaborative workshop is designed for active participation. Participants will not simply observe—they will contribute, shape, and develop ideas together in a structured environment. Through this process, participants will: 

• Create a shared, current understanding of the foster family recruitment challenge
• Surface a wide range of innovative approaches
• Integrate participant and broader system perspectives
• Clarify assumptions, tensions, and opportunities
• Identify a subset of promising directions for further development

**There are limited spots remaining, and an additional fee is required for this pre-conference opportunity.

A Big Thank You to our FFTA 2026 Annual Conference Sponsors

If you are interested in joining these amazing sponsors, you will not only contribute to the success of this national event but also demonstrate your commitment to strengthening children, families, and communities.