Featured Articles

Successful convenings bring together child welfare leaders, legislative and judicial decision makers, thought leaders, youth and families, and people who work on the front lines.

How is a convening different from a conference? In 2002, when the California Permanency for Youth Project and the Stuart Foundation first conceived of national youth permanency convenings, they understood that it’s the content of a meeting, and not what you call it, that’s important. However, the term convening conveys a sense of unity, of people coming together to solve a problem, and, as Casey planned the 2006 National Convening it recognized that’s exactly the type of peer-to-peer learning that is needed.

Now regions and states are organizing their own convenings to create momentum for systems change.

Convenings are an important step—but they are just the first step. To make a real difference for youth, make sure your convening focuses on action steps, identifying who’s responsible for change, and identifying ways to measure change. Some things to consider:

Who’s your audience?
Is your goal to change practice—to convince administrators, social workers, and the courts that youth permanence is possible, powerful and a priority? Do you want to reach political decision makers? Is partnering with the court system your top priority? Is reaching potential families for youth in care your goal? Is there a role for researchers in your convening? Knowing your audience will determine many aspects of your convening.

Who doesn’t think permanence is powerful or possible?
You don’t just want to fill your convening with “like-minded” people; you want a mixture that will push forward your agenda by skillfully blending the voices and experiences of those who are true believers and those who—with some prodding—will come around to see the priority.

How do you include the voices of youth and their families?
At each national convening on youth permanence, participants told us that hearing from youth and their families is what sealed the deal. No one can make the case that teens need family more eloquently than youth themselves. Select your young presenters carefully, and work with them prior to an event to share their perspectives effectively.

Funding and timing—what’s the best way to approach these details?
Is your state department of child welfare the best sponsor? Or is a public-private mix of funders and cosponsors better?

What are the elements of a convening?
A convening features plenary sessions and large conversations, youth panels, relevant video presentations, small groups with youth moderators that address particular issues, and more.

Whom will you involve and how will you evaluate?
Successful convenings on youth permanence will place a common action agenda before youth, families, judges, social workers, and others. Involve all parties from the early stages to the post-mortem. Decide ahead of time what success means—and have an evaluation plan in place.

Where will I find resources for planning a convening?
Go to Casey Family Services’ website to see the agenda, speakers and workshops for the 2006 National Convening. Check out materials from previous convenings, including the 2001-2005 National Convenings and the Vermont Convening on Youth Permanence.

Share your challenges and your successes!
Once your convening is over, share a report of what worked and what you’d improve with Connections Count. Reach us at connectionscount@caseyfamilyservices.org.

Related Resources:
Ten Steps to Planning a Convening (PDF)