Utah Foster Care (UFC) 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.
* 5 hours of in-service credit for licensed foster parents is available.
* NASW CEU Credits are pending.
* Free book for the first 100 registrants
Paths to Connection; Embracing Resilience and Amplifying Adoptee Perspectives
Utah Foster Care Symposium | April 25th, 2024 | Park City, Utah
Meet The Experts…
8:30am – 9:00am – Registration and Light Breakfast
9:00am – 9:10am – Welcome and Presentation of Fostering Community Award
9:10am – 12:00pm – Keynote Speaker: Cinda Morgan, LCSW, Director of Handful of Hope
Cinda Morgan, LCSW, is the founder and executive director of Handful of Hope, a non-profit organization dedicated to increasing resilience in children through partnering with parents. Cinda is passionate about improving the lives of children and families. She has worked with foster and adoptive families throughout her more than 25 years as a child and family therapist and is currently the clinical director of Wellspring Child and Family Counseling Center. Cinda has also been a full-time and adjunct instructor at Westminster University and has served on various boards and committees, including the Governor’s Commission for Women and Families.
12:00pm – Lunch
1:10pm – 4:00pm – Panel Discussion Facilitated by Lanette and Shaun Nelson of the Open Adoption Project — Shifting the Focus to the Adoptee
Lanette Nelson is the producer and co-host of Open Adoption Project. Lanette has a Master of Public Administration degree from BYU and is currently working on a research project studying adoptee experiences with openness. Lanette grew up in Oregon, and enjoys hiking and reading.
Shaun Nelson is the editor and co-host of Open Adoption Project. Shaun has a Master of Public Administration degree from BYU and works in nonprofit administration. Shaun is from Colorado. He loves running and music, and conducts the Spanish Fork Chorale.
Lanette and Shaun created the top open adoption podcast, Open Adoption Project, in 2021. Open Adoption Project focuses on improving adoptee experiences by encouraging open communication between all members of the adoption constellation, nurturing ongoing open adoption relationships and promoting ethical adoption practices. Open Adoption Project is available on all major streaming platforms, and shares a broad spectrum of experiences and perspectives, particularly from adoptees. The show also features interviews with first parents, adoption scholars, and others in the adoption community. As adoptive parents of four children, all experiencing open adoptions, Lanette and Shaun seek to create an environment of adoptee-focused listening on the podcast. In addition to a library of over 100 podcast episodes, openadoptionproject.org also features educational content and ebooks for prospective adoptive parents.
Lanette and Shaun live in Utah Country. Their family enjoys very open adoption relationships with first parents, grandparents, siblings, and more. The Nelsons feel strongly that open adoption offers more love for their children, and are passionate about advocating for child-centered openness.
