The Future of Foster Care: New Science to Address Old Problems

Monday, September 23

08:00 – 08:30 a.m. 
Arrival/Registration (breakfast provided)

08:30 – 09:00 a.m. 
Welcome/Opening Remarks Sarah Font and Yo Jackson, Penn State

Session 1: What Is Happening in Foster Care?

09:00 – 10:00 a.m. 
The State of the U.S. Foster Care System 
Fred Wulczyn, PhD, Chapin Hall and the University of Chicago

10:00 – 10:15 a.m. 
Discussion/Audience Questions

10:15 – 11:15 a.m. 
Applying Research to Practice:Ways to Improve Placement Outcomes 
Diana English, Child Welfare Consultation Services

11:15 – 11:30 a.m. 
Discussion/Audience Questions

Session 2: Posters (varied topics)

11:30 -1:00 p.m. 
Poster Session and Lunch (provided)

Session 3: Opportunities for Innovation within the Foster Care System

1:00 – 1:45 p.m. 
Technology Innovations in Foster Care 
Kristin Atwood, Binti

1:45 - 2:30 p.m.
Improving Placement Quality 
Rohanna Buchanan, PhD, Oregon Social Learning Center

2:30 - 2:45 p.m. 
BREAK

2:45 - 3:30 p.m. 
Building and Sustaining a Quality Workforce 
Robin Leake, PhD, University of Denver

3:30 - 4:15 p.m. 
Discussion / Audience Questions for Session 3 Speakers

4:15 - 4:30 p.m. 
Day 1 Closing Remarks
Sarah Font and Yo Jackson, Penn State

4:30 – 6:00 p.m. 
Refreshments and Happy Hour (cash bar)

Tuesday, September 24

08:00 – 08:30 a.m. 
Arrival (breakfast provided)

Session 4: Innovative Practices for the Next Generation of Foster Youth

08:30 – 09:30 a.m. 
Promoting Child Well-being in Foster Care
Peter Pecora, PhD, University of Washington

09:30 – 10:15 a.m. 
Health Care Integration for Foster Children 
Kimberly Stone, MD, UT Southwestern Medical Center

Sara Moore, DNP, Rees-Jones Center for Foster Care Excellence at Children's Health

Sara Pollard, PhD, Rees-Jones Center for Foster Care Excellence at Children's Health

10:15 – 10:30 a.m. 
BREAK

10:30 – 11:15 a.m. 
What’s working in mental health care? 
Sonya Leathers, PhD, University of Illinois-Chicago

11:15 – 12:00 p.m. 
What’s working for academic outcomes? 
Emily Peeler, J.D., American Bar Association Center on Law and Children

12:00 – 12:30 p.m. 
Discussion / Audience Questions for Session 4 Speakers

12:30 – 1:30 p.m. 
Lunch (provided)

Session 5: Roundtable Featuring Current and Former Child Welfare Administrators

1:30 - 3:00 p.m. 
Expert Roundtable: Guided Discussion

3:00 - 3:30 p.m. 
Discussion/Audience Questions for Expert Roundtable

3:30 - 3:45 p.m. 
Closing Remarks 
Sarah Font and Yo Jackson, Penn State