Utah Foster Care is dedicated to educating foster parents and the larger community about the hopes and struggles of children in foster care. Our annual Symposium brings local and national experts to share their knowledge and skills. The Symposium is open to foster parents, adoptive parents, professionals, and the public. In addition to being an educational and social event, the Symposium is one way for attendees to meet their personal educational goals. For foster parents, the conference counts towards their in-service training requirements. For child welfare and clinical professionals, there will not be continuing education credits available for 2026’s Symposium.
Finding the Missing Pieces
Utah Foster Care Symposium | April 23rd, 2026 | Park City, Utah
8:30am-9:00 AM – Registration and Light Breakfast Buffet
Morning Sessions
9:10โ9:30 AM โ Crystal Ashton (Utah Foster Care): Humor
9:35โ9:55 AM โ Melissa Knighton (Treehouse Literacy): Literacy
10:00โ10:20 AM โ Lori Cox (Family Support Center):
10:25โ10:45 AM โ Tyler Bastian (Roots High): Education
10:50โ11:10 AM โ Melissa Teemant (Utah Parent Center): Working with schools
11:15โ11:35 AM โ Pastor Jamie White (1st Presbyterian): Faith
11:40โ12:00 PM โ Kelsie Smalley (Utah Music Therapy): Musicโs role in healing
Lunch Break
12:00โ1:00 PM – Lunch Buffet Provided
Afternoon Sessions
1:00โ1:20 PM โ Aimee Smith (My Healing Home): Play
1:25โ1:45 PM โ Rachel Garrett (Common Thread): Adolescent support
1:50โ2:10 PM โ Lindsay Goekeritz (Westminster University): FASD / prenatal exposure
2:20โ2:40 PM โ Jennie Shepherd (Utah Foster Care): Discovering unexpected strengths
2:45โ3:15 PM โ Utah Pet Partners: Animals
**The morning and afternoon sessions will be livestreamed for the public at no cost.**
JOIN THE FREE LIVESTREAM BROADCAST HERE!
For more information about this year’s Symposium, click HERE.
* 5.5 hours of in-service credit for licensed foster parents is available
