Utah Foster Care Annual Symposium

Utah Foster Care is dedicated to educating foster parents and the larger community about the hopes and struggles of children in foster care. Our annual Symposium brings local and national experts to share their knowledge and skills. The Symposium is open to foster parents, adoptive parents, professionals, and the public. In addition to being an educational and social event, the Symposium is one way for attendees to meet their personal educational goals. For foster parents, the conference counts towards their in-service training requirements. For child welfare and clinical professionals, there will not be continuing education credits available for 2026's Symposium.

Utah Foster Care Symposium | April 23rd, 2026 | Park City, Utah

* 5.5 hours of in-service credit for licensed foster parents is available

8:30am-9:00 AM - Registration and Light Breakfast Buffet

Morning Sessions

9:10–9:30 AM — Crystal Ashton (Utah Foster Care): Humor

9:35–9:55 AM — Melissa Knighton (Treehouse Literacy): Literacy

10:00–10:20 AM — Lori Cox (Family Support Center):

10:25–10:45 AM — Tyler Bastian (Roots High): Education

10:50–11:10 AM — Melissa Teemant (Utah Parent Center): Working with schools

11:15–11:35 AM — Pastor Jamie White (1st Presbyterian): Faith

11:40–12:00 PM — Kelsie Smalley (Utah Music Therapy): Music’s role in healing

Lunch Break

12:00–1:00 PM - Lunch Buffet Provided

Afternoon Sessions

1:00–1:20 PM — Aimee Smith (My Healing Home): Play

1:25–1:45 PM — Rachel Garrett (Common Thread): Adolescent support

1:50–2:10 PM — Lindsay Goekeritz (Westminster University): FASD / prenatal exposure

2:20–2:40 PM — Jennie Shepherd (Utah Foster Care): Discovering unexpected strengths

2:45–3:15 PM — Utah Pet Partners: Animals

**The morning and afternoon sessions will be livestreamed for the public at no cost.**

JOIN THE FREE LIVESTREAM BROADCAST HERE!

For more information about this year's Symposium, click HERE.

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Host or Publisher Utah Foster Care