November 2015Vol. 16, No. 8Birth Parent National Network Virtual Convening
The National Alliance of Children's Trust and Prevention Funds hosted the Birth Parent National Network's (BPNN's) first virtual convening, Parents' Roles in Transforming Systems, over three, 2-hour sessions in November 2015. Using a videoconferencing format, BPNN members and distinguished keynote speakers shared new ideas and strategies about parents' roles in transforming policies and practices affecting children and families. The virtual convening took place on November 3, 10, and 19, featuring keynote presentations from national leaders, such as the following:
- David Sanders, Ph.D., executive vice president of Systems Improvement, Case Family Programs
- Martha B. Davis, M.S.S., senior program officer, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
- Kristen S. Slack, Ph.D., professor, School of Social Work, University of Wisconsin-Madison
The virtual convening was open to BPNN members. If you are not a BPNN member, join here.
Since its official launch in 2013, the BPNN has become an important platform for birth parents to work in partnership with organizations and policymakers to share their life experiences and suggest recommendations to improve policy and practice. The ultimate goal of the BPNN is to strengthen and support families and improve outcomes for families at risk or involved with the child welfare system. The members are collectively committed to helping move policy and practice, particularly fiscal policy, to support preventative and community-based strategies. BPNN's dynamic and continually growing network currently includes over 100 parent and organizational members.
For inquiries, please contact Meryl Levine, Senior Consultant, National Alliance of Children's Trust and Prevention Funds at Meryl.levine@gmail.com or via phone at 818.523.9410.