Family Focused Treatment Association - FFTA, 466 Hackensack Avenue, #1069, Hackensack, NJ (2025)

10/28/2025

Mark your calendars, and plan to join us for the FFTA 2026 Annual Conference Tuesday, July 7 through Friday, July 10, 2026, at the Hyatt Regency Chicago. Together, we will keep building solutions, sharing stories, and fueling change!

Alec Ingold will welcome attendees to the FFTA Conference with a high-energy, interactive and personable Keynote address. Alec will share his lived experiences being adopted and how he has connected those experiences to his work supporting the foster-care community. Learn about his NFL career, his work with his foundation and his reflections on leadership from his role as team captain and more. Stick around after the keynote for a photo with Alec! Learn more here: https://www.ffta.org/page/Welcome26.

Secure your savings today, and join us in Chicago: The Super Early Lock-in-Rate is available exclusively for FFTA Members and ends December 31, 2025! This represents a 20% discount off the full registration rate! Transferable but non-refundable. Register today: https://www.ffta.org/event/Conf2026! For Nonmembers, early bird registration opens January 1, 2026. If you become an FFTA Member by December 31st, you will receive a 30% discount off the full nonmember registration rate. Learn about membership: https://www.ffta.org/mmbrpckt.

-Being

10/27/2025

The past several weeks, we've had the privilege of spotlighting five FFTA State Chapters. Today, we hope you will help us congratulate the sixth and final recipient of our inaugural Chapter Planning & Capacity Building Grants. The FFTA Michigan State Chapter received $8,300 to deliver "Hope Centered Caregiving," a training taking place on December 3, 2025. This training will help organizations/staff understand and utilize the tools of HOPE, an evidence-based model to build resilience, strengthen families, and improve outcomes for children.

Thank you to the two Chapter Co-Chairs and the Secretary for their leadership: Bridget Kucharski Omni Family Institute (Omni Family of Services), Elyse Welser Bethany Christian Services, and Kendra Vander Klipp Bethany Christian Services.

As we close out this spotlight series, we are so proud of these chapters that each represent the heart, vision, and dedication that drive FFTA's mission forward! These grants were more than funding. They were an investment in connection, leadership, and community. Together, our chapters have shown what's possible when local passion meets shared purpose: stronger partnerships, expanded reach, and meaningful change for children and families across states.

10/22/2025

Interested in learning more about (AI)? The first of three in our AI in Family Services series begins today, and we'd love to have you join the conversation. Drawing expertise from leaders in family services and the technology sector, we will explore the fundamentals. We’ll also discuss why should be considered a critical part of any organization’s growth strategy and examine the ethical dimensions for responsible use. This webinar is approved for 1.5 ACE Continuing Education Credits, and you can register here: https://www.ffta.org/event/AISeries! We look forward to seeing you EST!

10/15/2025

Join for our first virtual in our AI in Family Services series featuring Taylor Barkley and Neil Chilson from Abundance Institute as well as Child Welfare Expert & Consultant, Danielle Nabinger.

This session will provide an accessible overview of artificial intelligence, demystifying key concepts, common terms, and real-world applications. Expert panelists will set up your foundation for understanding existing AI tools and provide a basis for understanding practical applications of AI throughout the field. Drawing expertise from leaders in family services and the technology sector, we will explore the fundamentals of
artificial intelligence—what AI is, what it isn’t, and how to distinguish between hype and reality. We’ll discuss why AI should be considered a critical part of any organization’s growth strategy and examine the ethical dimensions for responsible use. This dynamic discussion will leave participants with the knowledge and perspective needed to confidently navigate AI’s opportunities and challenges.

FFTA Member, Individual Webinar: $39
FFTA Member, Full Webinar Series: $105
Nonmember, Individual Webinar: $59
Nonmember, Full Series: $159
https://www.ffta.org/event/AISeries

**This webinar is approved for 1.5 ACE Continuing Education Credits.

10/14/2025

One of our proud FFTA partners and esteemed Corporate Sponsors wants you to know: Empowering foster families with technology means less paperwork and faster support for children. Netsmart solutions help clinical staff and families connect more easily, freeing up crucial time. Some organizations are seeing up to a 60% reduction in paperwork, making a real difference in care delivery.

Learn how your organization can spend more time where it matters most: https://www.ntst.com/solutions/by-community/human-services/child-and-family-services?utm_source=ffta&utm_campaign=ffta&utm_medium=social&utm_content=cfsad

10/09/2025

Each of our State Chapters brings something special to the work we do - collaborative partnerships, intentional connections, innovative strategies, lived experiences, unique perspectives, hearts for service, and a shared commitment to strengthening the lives of children, families, and communities. Through our inaugural Chapter Planning & Capacity Building Grants, we've loved seeing the opportunities created for not just local but state impact.

Today, we are happy to spotlight our fifth state chapter to receive grant support as a result of this initiative. Help us congratulate the FFTA Georgia State Chapter that received $5,000 to host a trauma-informed training to equip child- and family-serving professionals with tools for resilience and trauma-responsive care. The training was held on Tuesday September 16th, and approximately 50 attendees were present! They were also able to bring in a specialist, Becky Haas, an advocate, trainer, and organizational coach on using a trauma informed approach, the Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) study and Positive Childhood Experiences (PCEs) study. Becky is a pioneer in creating trauma informed communities.

Thank you to the two Co-Chairs and the Secretary for their leadership: Nicole Aldred, Health Connect America, Tangelia Benjamin, Elks Aidmore, Inc., and LaSonya Rudd, Childkind!

10/07/2025

is excited to welcome its newest member - Grupo SEPI.

Grupo SEPI's mission is to provide a better quality of life to mental health patients through structured interventions with strategies aimed at changing thoughts, values, and behaviors, resulting in a stronger quality of life for the Puerto Rican population and their community.

Learn more here: https://gruposepipr.com.

10/03/2025

Artificial intelligence is rapidly transforming the way organizations serve children and families. But what does that mean for family services professionals today—and in the years ahead? This three-part webinar series is designed to help leaders, practitioners, and policymakers explore the opportunities, challenges, and future of AI in the family service sector. FFTA’s AI in Family Services Series offers a unique opportunity for professionals to deepen their understanding, ask critical questions, and prepare for a future where AI will play an increasingly important role.

Join us for AI in Family Services, a three-part webinar series with Taylor Barkley Abundance Institute, Danielle Nabinger Child Welfare Consultant, and Neil Chilson Abundance Institute:
🗓️ Intro to AI: The Basics, October 22nd EST
🗓️ Deep Dive into GA Pilot Project: Understanding AI Use Cases in the Real World, November 5th EST
🗓️ What’s Next? A National Landscape Review and Considerations for the Future, December 3rd EST

Register today: https://www.ffta.org/event/AISeries!

10/02/2025

We're proud to spotlight our fourth State Chapter to receive grant support that will expand local reach, strengthen community connections, and make a lasting difference for children and families through our inaugural Chapter Planning & Capacity Building Grants.

Help us congratulate the FFTA Tennessee State Chapter that received $10,000 to host a two-day statewide conference focused on caregiver recruitment, youth transitions, and trauma-informed care—bringing together agencies and leaders to strengthen cross-sector partnerships. The conference titled ANCHORED IN PURPOSE - Responding to the Call for Change, will take place November 19 - 20! Our Tennessee Chapter is working collaboratively with the Tennessee Alliance for Children and Families (TACF) to host this event, which will join together providers across the state.

Thank you to the Chapter Chair and Co-Chair for their leadership: Teresa Gibson Omni Family of Services and Marc Thompson Meritan, Inc.! We know the Fall Conference will provide positive impact for everyone in attendance!

10/01/2025

Join for the upcoming virtual with Pressley Ridge, Redefining Relational Health: Community Member Perspectives on the Definition of Healthy Social Relationships, and earn 1.25 ACE Continuing Education Credits. Members check your inbox for more information and to register!

Relational health is important to a person’s functioning and can be a protective factor against the negative effects of trauma. Additionally, individuals who have a support network of healthy relationships are often happier, healthier, and more resilient. Traditionally, the definition of relational health has been delineated by researchers, without input from community members. In this webinar, we’ll share results from a participatory research project that redefines relational health through a community lens. The results help us to understand what relational components are most important to community members and suggest future directions for providing services that improve relationships while developing hope.

Learning Objectives:
1) Identify how relational health can support desired behavioral and mental health care outcomes
2) Explain the importance of including community voice when developing research
3) Distinguish the six crucial characteristics of healthy relationships, as identified by community members

Cost: Free for FFTA Members
Members Check Your Inbox!

09/26/2025

As we close out this week, we want to continue our spotlight series by celebrating our third State Chapter that received grant support from our inaugural Chapter Planning & Capacity Building Grants. This initiative focuses on investing in local communities and the work our members do in those communities every day-- through our state chapters.

Help us congratulate the newest of our 24 state chapters, the FFTA Illinois State Chapter, that received $10,000 to develop a three-year strategic plan to launch and sustain the chapter, with member input shaping priorities for advocacy, programs, and long-term growth. Chapter Chair, Nancy Dorfman Schwartz said "The Illinois Chapter wants to bring national information from FFTA to our Illinois community partners, which would benefit the families and children in Illinois. I believe wholeheartly in collaboration and learning from one another. I believe FFTA offers lots of opportunities for growth and learning for our member agencies."

Thank you to the Chapter Chair, Co-Chair, Secretary, and Treasurer for their leadership: Nancy Dorfman Schwartz Hephzibah Children's Association, Annette Gannaway-Hudson Our Children's Homestead, Lisa Seymour Lutheran Social Services of Illinois, and Rosa Leon Our Children's Homestead!

09/25/2025

Today, we shine a light on another one of the six state chapters that received grant support from our inaugural Chapter Planning & Capacity Building Grants, designed to build capacity, strengthen partnerships, and expand the reach of our work in local communities.

Help us congratulate the FFTA North Carolina (NC) Chapter that received $5,000 to organize a Statewide Kinship Summit to break silos, share innovations, and co-create tools like a Kinship Creed and Continuum of Care Map to build a unified kin-first culture in North Carolina. On September 19th, the NC Chapter hosted the 2025 NC Kinship Summit, to bring together public and private partners, caregivers, centered on the theme “Moving the Work Forward: Strengthening a Kin-First NC.” This event aimed to uplift lived experience, align community and agency efforts, and take meaningful steps toward a stronger, more connected kinship care system. A huge thank you to the keynote speaker: Dr. Tyreasa Washington Child Trends, the presenters: Children's Hope Alliance, Boys and Girls Homes of North Carolina, Children's Home Society of NC, Kinship in Action, Creating a Family, SaySo Alumni Amiya Dowd, Supporters: Foster Family Alliance of North Carolina, SaySo, and State Level Partner: NC Department of Health and Human Services!

Thank you as well to the NC Chapter Chair, Communications Manager, Membership Engagement Manager, Treasurer, and Secretary for their leadership: Rashel Lauret Rapid Resource for Families, Michelle Brewer Omni Family of Services, Leslie Kellenberger Kellenberger Consulting Services, Jeannie King Pinnacle Family Services, and Rebecca Boccia Fern Children's Hope Alliance! We appreciate your daily impact!

Family Focused Treatment Association - FFTA

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