Statewide Permanency Convening in Vermont

In 2006, at Vermont’s second permanency convening, providers and families discussed how the state’s system of care could ensure that its youth reach adulthood with the highest level of legal and emotional permanence possible. Continuing that conversation, this year’s convening will focus on the voices of youth and will highlight professionals whose work already has contributed greatly to the goal of permanency for youth.

“Connections Count: Vermont Permanency Convening III,” will be held on May 1, 2007, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:15 p.m., at the Killington Grand Hotel, Killington, Vermont.

The event will include a keynote address by Michelle Chalmers of the Minnesota Adoption Resource Network. Chalmers will talk about the necessity of involving youth in decision making that has an impact on their lives and will share how her personal experience in foster care has influenced her professional life, the focus of which is promoting youth and family-friendly systems change. Her willingness to talk about hard issues with humor and honesty, and her commitment to the right of all youth to have a permanent family, make her words relevant to all audiences.

Also on the program is Massachusetts Families for Kids’ Speak Out Team. This youth organization has been advocating on behalf of youth in the child welfare system since 1997. Kim Stevens, founder of the Speak Out Team and Raising Children’s Voices, and Eliza Wagner, Speak Out Team coordinator, will facilitate an interactive panel presentation in which team members will discuss youths' need for permanence in all its forms and share stories about their own efforts to achieve it.

The full day of engaging speakers and informative workshops includes lunch. Participants will have ample opportunity to join the permanency conversation -- asking and answering crucial questions about permanence for youth in foster care -- and helping to move the agenda forward for Vermont's children, youth and families.

• To download the Convening program, click here.

Convening sponsors include the Vermont Department for Children and Families, the Annie E. Casey Foundation/Casey Family Services, the Vermont Division of Mental Health, Project Family (a collaboration between Family Services Division the Lund Family Center), and the National Resource Center on Legal and Judicial Issues.

To learn more, contact Mickey Rouelle at mrouelle@caseyfamilyservices.org.