Foster Care Community of Practice
The Foster Care team in the Child Safety and Permanency Administration at the Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) will host virtual Community of Practice meetings quarterly in January, April, July and October. Meetings will be on Tuesdays and Thursdays of the last week of the month. Registration and additional meeting details will be sent via GovDelivery the month prior.
The goals of the Foster Care Community of Practice meetings are to:
The Foster Care Community of Practice:
- Provide a space for Tribal and county workers to share their knowledge and engage in meaningful discussion on various topics pertaining to child welfare
- Provide attendees with useful information and support to develop and enhance their understanding of child welfare practice
- Engages Tribal and county workers to develop ongoing foster care placement and permanency discussion topics that support positive outcomes for children and families.
October 2026 meetings
The next Foster Care Community of Practice meeting is Oct. 27, 2026, from 10-11:30 a.m.
The topic is “The Impact of Stress and Trauma in Children Ages Birth through Five.”
Join Laura Smith, Psy.D., LP (Department of Human Services early childhood mental health clinical coordinator) and Teya Dahle MSW, LICSW, IMH-E®(IV-C) (Department of Human Services early childhood mental health consultation coordinator) as they discuss the impact of stress and trauma on children from birth through age 5. The discussion will cover typical development and worries, trauma symptoms in young children, relationships and attachment, and ways adults can support young children and their families.
Who should attend
This meeting is for ongoing case managers for children and youth in out-of-home placement who receive child protection, child welfare, children's mental health and/or disability services
How to register
Registration is limited to people whose roles align with the session. Everyone who registers will receive an email with an update on registration status.
Register for the Oct. 27, 2026, Community of Practice meeting.
2027 meeting dates
Jan, 26, 2027, 10 a.m.
April 27, 2027, 10 a.m.
July 27, 2027, 10 a.m.
Oct. 26, 2027, 10 a.m.
Previous meeting presentations
January 2026 – Tools for Reunification
October 2025 – Caseworker visits with children in foster care
July 2025 – Maintaining connections for children in foster care
January 2025 – Child welfare case management engagement with relatives
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