October 7, 2021
9:10-10:10am
Keynote Speaker: Michaeleen Doucleff, PhD NPR Science Correspondent and author of Hunt, Gather, Parent
Michaeleen Doucleff is the author of the New York Times bestseller Hunt, Gather, Parent. Her book offers culturally-grounded approaches to raising helpful and confident children, which moms and dads all over the world have employed for millennia. She also describes how American families can incorporate these ways into their busy, modern lives.
Doucleff wrote the book after traveling to three continents with her 3-year-old daughter, Rosy. Maya, Inuit, and Hadzabe families showed her how to tame tantrums, motivate kids to be helpful, and build children’s confidence and self-sufficiency.
10:15-10:30am Presentation of the Fostering Community Award to Utah’s First Lady Abby Cox.
10:30am-Noon
All In for Families: Megan Carter and Vanessa Knickerbocker
Megan is the biological mother of two boys who were taken in foster care. Her boys were in foster care for about 18 months before finishing her services with DCFS and was able to reunite. She is excited to share her story of getting her boys back and the ways that everyone involved helped her to have the life they have today!
Vanessa was the foster mom to Megan’s boys. As a former DCFS Caseworker, Vanessa has a deep understanding of the goal and importance of reunification. She and Megan will share how their relationship became instrumental in this reunification story.
1:15-4:30pm
The second half of the day will be dedicated to building the Foster Parent Toolbox. Each of our speakers are experienced, dedicated, and knowledgeable foster parents. We are privileged to hear from each of them.
1:15-1:45pm
Lauren Wallentine (Communication with Professionals)
1:45-2:15pm
Suzie and Ryan McCorriston (Ongoing Communication/Integration)
2:15-2:45pm
Jenny and Arkin Hill (Managing Expectations)
3-3:30pm
Borg and Danny Kristensen (Holding our Grief)
3:30-4pm
Lanai Vaitai (Cultural Humility)
4pm-4:30pm
Krista Felts (Resilience)
