Family Focused Treatment Association - FFTA

Policy and advocacy are vital in advancing the child and family well-being sector. These efforts drive systemic changes, impacting areas such as resource allocation and funding, legal and regulatory protections, recognition and inclusion in the child welfare system, and tailored support programs.

In that spirit, we are excited to invite you to the Public Policy Institute 2025 on May 19 & 20, 2025. Join us to learn, engage, and advocate for the critical work you do every day! You may make your room reservations early at the room block here: https://reservations.capitolhillhotel-dc.com/112942?groupID=4457911 #/guestsandrooms.

FFTA and Wilson Sheehan Lab for Economic Opportunities - LEO - at Notre Dame have been developing a partnership over the past three years, in the mutual interest of encouraging impact evaluations (research!) in the child welfare and mental health sectors.

FFTA member, The Villages - Foster Care, Adoption, & Family Services, is creating an intervention to help older foster care youth succeed, focusing on case management engagement, financial literacy, and healthy spending and saving habits. LEO and The Villages of Indiana are partnering to test the impact on economic mobility of three service arms: traditional older youth services, incentivizing youth to meet with case managers three times a month, and incentivizing these meetings while funding a savings account for the youth.

LEO and Villages of Indiana co-presented at the FFTA Conference in Denver. During the workshop, several attendees expressed interest in considering an impact evaluation at their own organization and/or other possible collaborative opportunities. If you are interested, please reach out to Eric Giovanni at [email protected].

One of the many benefits to being an FFTA member is our FFTA Community News. We share important information, updates, and opportunities within the child welfare and mental health sectors in a very intentional way! Not only do we seek to provide a meaningful experience but an online community that you can connect to.

If you are already subscribed to our newsletter, our September 2024 Community News hit your inbox today at 1PM EST.

If you are already an FFTA member and have interest in our Community News, you can subscribe here: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/sl/aKH9wPr/joinfftacommunity

If you are not yet an FFTA member but would like to learn more information about joining, please contact [email protected]. We can't wait to hear from you!

Join our Corporate Sponsorship Program and become a part of the impactful journey, footprint, and story of a leading non-profit association that advances best practices and advocates for policies that support families in their care & treatment for children.

With roots in treatment foster care going back over 35 years, today FFTA has nearly 500 member organizations, from 47 states and multiple provinces in Canada, delivering a full array of services to families across formal and informal mental health and child welfare systems.

If you are interested in making a large impact or know someone who might be, repost, share, and email FFTA team member Jessica ([email protected]) for more information. You can also learn more about FFTA through www.ffta.org.

is excited to welcome its newest member - University of Warwick.

University of Warwick is a world-leading university with the highest academic and research standards. They are a place of possibility, where students, alumni and staff are consistently making an impact - the kind that changes lives, whether close to home or on a global scale.

Learn more here: https://warwick.ac.uk

Today, 9/8, marks the inaugural 988 Day! This annual event is dedicated to spreading awareness of the 988 Su***de & Crisis Lifeline and emphasizing the importance of mental health support. Use to share how the is about “No Judgment. Just Help.” See how you can participate: Samhsa.gov/988Day.

CARF International is a proud partner and Corporate Sponsor for Family Focused Treatment Association ( ). They champion quality, value, and optimal outcomes for children and youth in more than 3,100 programs globally.

We are excited to announce on their behalf the promotion of Theresa Lindberg, MSC, LPC, to Managing Director of Child & Youth Services!

If you’re passionate about making a difference in the lives of children and youth, check out the programs they accredit by visiting: https://carf.org/accreditation/programs/child-youth/. And if you're ready to take the next step, meet Theresa at the CYS 101: Preparing for Successful Accreditation in Child and Youth Services on October 17–18 in Las Vegas. This two-day session is designed to help your organization achieve excellence through CARF accreditation.

Serving on the FFTA Board of Directors offers a unique opportunity to influence policy, innovate practices, and drive change across North America, all while collaborating with a dynamic and diverse group of peers. This is more than just a role—it's a chance to lead, inspire, grow professionally, and be part of something bigger.

We are seeking nominations for up to five director positions on the FFTA board. We invite nominations of individuals employed by or closely affiliated with FFTA member organizations to step forward and join us in this pivotal work.

Learn more and make a nomination by October 24th: https://tinyurl.com/4vft9vvr

Join for the upcoming virtual with Lakeside Educational Network, Exploring the Legacy of Trauma Through the Lens of Kinship Care.

Transgenerational trauma refers to a type of trauma that does not end with the individual, instead, it extends through generations and can have a significant impact on individuals and family systems. Understanding trauma, transgenerational trauma and the effects on the brain and the family is a critical consideration when delivering high-quality kinship care services. Through storytelling and discussion, participants will explore legacies of trauma that impact the families being served in the child welfare system and explore ways to support hope and healing.

Learning Objectives:
1. Participants will be able to recognize the impact of trauma and how it affects the brain
2. Participants will understand the definition and types of transgenerational trauma and the impact on kinship caregivers
3. Participants will be able to predict reasons for hope in the power of safety, security, love, and connection

Cost: Free for FFTA Members

Members Check Your Inbox!

Thank you to Children's Hope Alliance for recently hosting a Lunch and Learn in Forsyth County DSS to discuss FFTA's KTFC Pilot.

FFTA's Kinship Therapeutic Foster Care (KTFC) program is based on their philosophy that all youth belong in families, preferably their own families. FFTA's vision is that youth in out-of-home care with treatment needs can have those needs met by relatives or those with whom they have a family-like relationship (referred to as kin). These youth are more likely to stay safe, achieve permanency, and thrive when their kinship caregivers have access to the full array of training, services, and supports, including financial support, available through therapeutic foster care.

From January 2020 through December 2022, FFTA, with funding from The Duke Endowment, implemented a pilot of KTFC in three counties in North Carolina. The goal of the KTFC pilot was to implement the program, train staff and kinship caregivers, assess agency implementation facilitators and barriers and examine outcomes for kinship caregivers and youth.

FFTA's KTFC Pilot has been listed in the National Association of Counties "County Policy Priorities for Transforming the Childwelfare System" publication as an example of a county best practice in NC.
https://www.naco.org/sites/default/files/2024-06/County-Policy-Priorities-Transforming-Child-Welfare-System.pdf

Congratulations to FFTA's North Carolina Chapter for winning the contest for having the most attendees at both our Public Policy Institute and Annual Conference this year. They will receive $1750 in their chapter account for use in state chapter work. May they continue to make a collective impact in North Carolina and throughout the sector!

Join for the upcoming virtual with Centene, Positive Childhood Experiences, and earn 1.25 Continuing Credits.

A lot of attention and research has focused on the impacts of Adverse Childhood Experiences, or ACEs, in recent years. Understanding the negative impact on a child's overall development and even into adulthood is important, but equally important is understanding what can be done to prevent or mitigate the effects of ACEs. This training will offer learners an introduction to Positive Childhood Experiences (PCE's) and how they can implement strategies to improve outcomes for children and families.

Webinar Learning Objectives:
- Name at least 3 types of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and their potential impact on children and adults
- Define Positive Childhood Experiences (PCEs) and provide at least 3 examples
- Examine the ways that risk and protective factors impact childhood resilience
- Identify at least 3 ways PCEs can help a child that has been exposed to trauma
- Determine at least one strategy for each of the building blocks of HOPE that can be implemented after the training

1.5 ACE Continuing Education Credits
Cost: Free for FFTA Members
Members Check Your Inbox!

Calling all FFTA members - our amazing Corporate Sponsor, The Miller Group, wants you to know about an upcoming webinar called “Workers Compensation and the Difficult Employee.”

The webinar is a panel discussion featuring attorney Mitchell Wood and The Miller Group Director of Safety, Aaron Paris. They will focus on employers' common frustrations with workers’ compensation claims and explore practical strategies for handling difficult cases.

Here is a link to the event page with more information:
https://millercares.com/events/workers-compensation-the-difficult-employee/

Workers' Compensation & The Difficult Employee | The Miller Group Dealing with workers' compensation claims can create significant stress and tension between challenging employees and their employer. Imagine having the

is excited to welcome its newest member - State of Alaska, Division of Behavioral Health.

Alaska Department of Health's mission is, "Promoting the health, well-being, and self-sufficiency of Alaskans." The central purpose of the Division of Behavioral Health is to provide a continuum of statewide behavioral health (mental health and substance use) services ranging from prevention, screening, and brief intervention to acute psychiatric care.

Learn more here: https://health.alaska.gov/dbh/Pages/default.aspx

We are extremely proud to announce that our 39th Annual Conference will take place from Sunday, July 20 through Wednesday, July 23, 2025, at the Hyatt Regency New Orleans in Louisiana. We hope you will plan to join us again or maybe even for the first time next year!

FFTA's annual flagship event offers a unique opportunity to network, learn, and share with professionals and colleagues throughout the field of child welfare. Whether you’re a resource parent, social worker, CEO, research partner, or have another role in the sector, you’ll find the skills, knowledge, connections, and inspiration you need to be effective in your work for children and families across the full spectrum of health and human services.

More details to come through our conference website page. In the meantime, if you’re interested in joining the FFTA Conference Planning Committee, email [email protected] to get involved! Committee membership is open to all FFTA Member Organizations.

We are still reliving meaningful moments of the FFTA 38th Annual Conference! And we want you to take that journey with us!

Check out photos our attendees captured in our Whova platform during their time with us in Denver. Now you can see the experience through their eyes!

We can't officially end our conference without giving a BIG THANK YOU to all of our 38th Annual FFTA Conference Sponsors! With the support of our sponsors, we were able to come together to celebrate and advance the work of Empowering Families & Elevating Communities.

Thank you Casey Family Programs Omni Family of Services (formerly Omni Visions) CareSource Annie E. Casey Foundation Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption KVC Health Systems National Youth Advocate Program, Inc. (NYAP) Cornerstones of Care Social Current The Bair Foundation Child & Family Ministries The Villages - Foster Care, Adoption, & Family Services Anu Family Services Nexus Family Healing RISE Services, Inc. DePaul Community Resources Blueprints for being a part of a space that provides advocacy and opportunities for change for children, families, and the child welfare & mental health sectors.

Every person, every workshop, and every great moment has led to amazing memories made and reflections to follow where we can implement what we've gained. Our Conference Sponsors have been a contributing factor to this monumental experience.

Thank you Social Current!

From dynamic keynote speakers to safe spaces to indulge in learning, the FFTA Annual Conference is not just a place to uplift but provide opportunities to encounter leaders making connections and obtaining stones to build future foundations. Our Conference Sponsors are helping the vision of so many come to fruition.

Thank you Cornerstones of Care!

Denver is a place where local communities don't just talk about good work but do good work! From tackling homelessness to providing more comprehensive care that includes food and nutrition, this is an environment that reflects a level of commitment to ensure all are thriving, not just some. Our Conference Sponsors provided the support to make this experience possible.

Thank you again KVC Health Systems!

For our last night in Denver, we gathered in the inspiring setting of the The Museum For Black Girls, a place that stands as a testament to the resilience, beauty, and strength of Black women and girls. This venue was not only a celebration of cultural heritage and identity but also a beacon of inspiration for all of us committed to making a difference in the lives of children and families. It reminds us of the power of representation and the importance of creating spaces where all voices are heard, valued & celebrated.

Our Partnership Networking Reception was a special thank you to our corporate sponsors, conference sponsors, member executives, committee members, resource families, event volunteers, former FFTA Board Members, scholars, and other key partners. We would not be who we are or have the ability to accomplish what we do without them!

Empowering Families and Elevating Communities involve individuals willing to take steps to move the needle forward. Having a mission is inspirational, having people believe in the mission is pivotal, but having people put action behind it is magic! Our Conference Sponsors are a part of what makes the magic transformative.

Thank you again to the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption!

Each year, as we begin planning for the conference, we take into account a number of things regarding the location. It is important that we not only choose a place you are interested in exploring, but also ensure there is a chance to lean into the culture of the communities behind the destination.

Thank you again to The Delores Project for our hands-on Community Volunteer Event, where 40 attendees spent almost three hours preparing dinner, cleaning and organizing various areas, as well as engaging with residents at the facility.

Many volunteers shared this was a highlight of the conference and look forward to volunteering every year!

A year later, and the mental well-being as well as welfare of children and families are still the goals. Our Conference Sponsors assisted in bringing thought leaders from across the globe to continue collectively taking strides towards creating communities where everyone is supported.

Thank you again CareSource!

Yesterday was filled with more thoughtful workshops, our general session lunch, some entertainment, and a celebration of our Emerging Black Leaders!

We have spent the last few days discussing crucial, but sometimes heavy topics, including mental health. It’s important to remember that laughter plays a vital role in maintaining our overall health. As everyone joined together for a meal during yesterday's General Lunch Session we were entertained by a talented and hilarious stand-up comedian from right here in Denver, Adam Cayton-Holland. He is not just a local favorite but a national touring comic with an impressive resume.

Our very own Executive Director, Ryan Dowis followed up with a welcoming, funny, and appreciative speech that included words of wisdom and many thanks. Our Director of Signature Events Allie Koscielny also passed out prizes for contests within Whova and shared our location for next year's conference...get excited for New Orleans!

Impacting the lives of children, families, and communities is of high priority when it comes to the work we do. Our Conference Sponsors extend the ability to continue to foster positive change and implement best practices that enhance the wellbeing of those we serve.

Thank you again Omni Family of Services!

Our Conference Sponsors not only join with us in ensuring we have a successful annual event but connecting with a mission focused on advancing equity in child welfare and mental health systems.

Thank you again Casey Family Programs!