St. Joe’s and Wednesday’s Child to Present Second Annual Foster Care Conference

St. Joseph Children’s Home to Host Second Annual Explore Foster Care Conference

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — St. Joseph Children’s Home, in collaboration with Wednesday’s Child, will present the second annual “Explore” Foster Care Conference on November 8, from 8:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. This event aims to provide comprehensive insights and resources for families interested in fostering or adopting children in Kentucky, where there is a critical need for foster parents.

The conference will be held on the St. Joseph campus and is designed as a single-stop resource hub for prospective foster and adoptive families. Attendees will have the opportunity to engage with child welfare experts and partner agencies that facilitate the licensing of foster parents. According to Amanda Gehring, CEO of St. Joseph Children’s Home, “We can make progress when we work together in support of the more than 8,600 kids who are in the Kentucky foster care system.” This statistic underscores the urgent demand for foster families, especially for adolescents, with approximately 30% of children in out-of-home care being over the age of 12.

The conference offers an excellent platform for individuals and families to gain insight into the fostering and adoption processes. Participants can expect to find informative sessions, vendor exhibits, and Q&A opportunities with industry experts, who will address a wide range of topics and provide valuable advice. “This conference gives prospective foster parents the convenience of accessing valuable resources all in one place,” stated Kelly Pullen, chairperson of the board for Wednesday’s Child.

St. Joseph Children’s Home has a long-standing history of providing care for children, having served the community for over 175 years. Each year, the organization reaches approximately 1,500 children and their families through various programs, including Residential Treatment, Therapeutic Foster Care and Adoption, Behavioral Health Services, and Child Development services.

For those interested in attending, registration is available online at St. Joseph’s website. Participants can find further details about the agenda and featured sessions. For individuals unable to attend but still wishing to get involved, contact information for lead recruiter Lisa Barber will also be available.

The Explore Foster Care Conference represents a crucial opportunity not only to educate prospective parents but also to raise awareness about the pressing needs of children in the Kentucky foster care system. The collaboration between St. Joseph Children’s Home and Wednesday’s Child exemplifies the community’s efforts to address these needs by fostering a supportive environment for potential foster families. For more information and to register, please visit sjkids.org.