New Jersey Adoption Resource Clearing House

Roots Matter: The Importance of Connection in Adoption, Foster & Kinship Care

The California Adoption Conference is a two-day virtual event featuring talks and workshops for adoptive, foster and kinship care families, adult adoptees and former foster youth, first/birth parents, and adoption professionals. “Adoption is a lifelong journey,” says Beth Hall, Executive Director of Pact, An Adoption Alliance, and one of the conference organizers. “Placement is only the beginning—everyone involved needs ongoing education and support. That’s why programs like the California Adoption Conference are so important. We’re trying to provide something for all members of the constellation—anyone whose life has been touched by adoption or foster care.”

Each day the conference begins with a morning keynote presentation followed by a variety of workshops to delve deeper into topics such as open adoption, transracial adoption, attachment, and searching for first/birth family along with panels featuring birth/first parents and adopted adults. There are sessions specifically for prospective adoptive parents, first/birth parents as well as adoption professionals, educators and extended family members.