Release: CPOC Foundation Hosts 2022 Foster Care Conference Focuses on Building Connections for a Better Future
SACRAMENTO, CA (May 25, 2022) – The Chief Probations Officers of California Foundation today wrapped up its Foster Care Conference, “Building Connections for a Better Future,” which annually brings together hundreds of staff from probation departments, child welfare, behavioral health departments, STRTP and FFA agency providers and community-based agencies to provide opportunities to explore ways to enhance services and supports for foster youth and families.
“Building connections and providing hope, help, and accountability is vital for foster youth. We must continue to participate in these important conversations on how we can best serve our youth and connect them with the tools, resources, and support they need,” said Chief John Keene, President of Chief Probation Officers of California. “Our probation officers are trained experts on managing trauma and other needs of youth while highlighting the importance of being accountable for oneself and one’s community and provide compassionate care to put them on a safer, healthier pathway.”
Throughout the two-day conference, the conversation touched on everything from serving and supporting youth with complex care needs, racial equity, and navigating the court process under the Family First Prevention Services Act. Each session was led by guest speakers who are experts in their fields and cultivated insightful conversations critical to the successful implementation of the continuum of care reform and FFPSA.
The conference opened with the premiere of the documentary, Jetro’s Journey, a new film featuring a young man in probation supervised foster care. The documentary shares his journey with the Gaines’ family who opens their home to him, and the ongoing support of probation as he learns to trust and heal.
There were seven sessions led by a variety of guest speakers. Additionally, the conference featured keynote speakers Professor Jessica K. Heldman, who shared her findings from the recent California Probation Resource Institute commissioned report, The Evolution of Juvenile Justice and Probation Practices in California, and Anthony Poponi, a two-time resource (foster) parent. He shared how to find happiness in challenging work and in one’s every day life.
For more information about the conference, please click here. For more information about CPOC, please go to www.cpoc.org.
Media Contact: Laura Dixon laura@cpoc.org 510-384-3020
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The Chief Probation Officers of California, are an association of all 58 counties with a shared identity as law enforcement leaders. We are committed to a research-based approach to public safety that promotes positive behavior change. Our leadership guides policy and practice in the areas of prevention, community-based corrections, secure detention and direct human services. Our goal is to prevent crime and delinquency, reduce recidivism, restore victims and promote healthy families and communities. We proudly serve our Counties and Courts.
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