Join us in 2026!
Keynote Speaker: To Be Announced
The Lineup
8:30am-9:00 AM – Registration and Light Breakfast Buffet
Morning Sessions
9:15–9:35 AM — Crystal Ashton (Utah Foster Care): Humor
9:40–10:00 AM — Melissa Knighton (Treehouse Literacy): Literacy
10:05–10:25 AM — Lori Cox (Family Support Center):
10:30–10:50 AM — Tyler Bastian (Roots High): Education
10:55–11:15 AM — Melissa Teemant (Utah Parent Center): Working with schools
11:20–11:40 AM — Pastor Jamie White (1st Presbyterian): Faith
11:45–12:05 PM — Kelsie Smalley (Utah Music Therapy): Music’s role in healing
Lunch Break
12:00–1:00 PM – Lunch Buffet Provided
Afternoon Sessions
1:00–1:20 PM — Aimee Snow (My Healing Home): Play
1:25–1:45 PM — Rachel Garrett (Common Thread): Adolescent support
1:50–2:10 PM — Lindsay Goekeritz (Westminster University): FASD / prenatal exposure
2:15 pm–2:30 PM–Freedom Shearer (Youth Ambassador) What Kids Need
Afternoon Break
2:40 -2:55 PM — Jennie Shepherd (Utah Foster Care): Discovering unexpected strengths
3:00–3:15 PM Natalie Clark–(1999 Collective)
3:20-3:50 PM — Utah Pet Partners: Animals
**The morning and afternoon sessions will be livestreamed for the public at no cost.**
Location
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get professional CEUs for attending Symposium?
- For child welfare and clinical professionals, there will not be continuing education credits available for 2026’s Symposium.
Can I get re-licensure hours for attending?
- Yes, foster parents can earn 5 hours for attending.
Will lunch include any vegetarian options?
- There will be non-meat side dishes available.
Can I bring my kids?
- Babes in arms are welcome. There are comfortable places to step out if they get restless.
Will this be offered in any other languages?
- Spanish and/or ASL translation available upon request with advance notice.
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. For child welfare and clinical professionals, there are continuing education credits (CEUs) available (the amount varies each year).
