September 29, 2022 | 9am-4:30pm

Double Tree by Hilton Hotel Park City - The Yarrow1800 Park Avenue, Park City, UT, 84060

13th Annual Utah Foster Care Symposium

Please choose the registration option that works best for you:

In-Person Registration
Virtual Registration

The Lineup:

9:00-9:10am Welcome and Presentation of the Fostering Community Award

9:10-Noon Keynote Speaker: George S. Thompson, MD

Dr. Thompson is a child psychiatrist devoted to assisting families and healthcare organizations to build emotionally safe, curious, collaborative, and coherent cultures that transform trauma into wisdom. He, along with co-author Marilyn Sanders, is the author of the recent book, Polyvagal Theory and the Developing Child: Systems of Care for Strengthening Kids, Families, and Communities.

Thompson serves on the advisory board of the Polyvagal Institute and is treasurer of the board of directors of the Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy Institute. He and his team are creating a model youth psychiatric residential program, the Thompson Centers for Heroic Change.

Noon – 1 pm: Lunch Buffet provided

The second half of the day will be dedicated to exploring systems affected by and responding to trauma in the community. Each of our speakers are experienced, dedicated, and knowledgeable community partners. We are privileged to hear from each of them.

1:10 pm – 2:00 pm: Secondary Trauma and the Foster Parent by Amy Bates, Utah Foster Care

2 pm – 2:50: The Role of Poverty and Race/Ethnicity in Community Trauma by Senator Luz Escamilla

2:50 – 3 pm: Afternoon Break

3 pm – 4:30 pm: Creating Trauma-Responsive Systems Panel Discussion 

Panel Members:

Tiana McCall – State Board of Education

Tonya Myrup – DHS (DCFS)

Trina Dickinson – DHS (DJJS)

Books will also be available for purchase at the symposium

Polyvagal Theory and the Developing Child:

Systems of Care for Strengthening Kids, Families, and Communities 

by Dr. George S. Thompson and Marilyn R. Sanders

Buy the Book

Can I get professional CEUs for attending Symposium?

  • Yes, you can earn 6 CEUs for attending–In person only

Can I get re-licesure hours for attending?

  • Yes, foster parents can earn 6 hours for attending either online or in-person.

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).