6th Annual Spring Forward Family Fun Day and Regional Conference

On April 27, families formed through foster care, adoption, and kinship care will gather for Spring Forward Family Fun Day and Regional Conference. This year’s theme is Navigating Systems to Build Stronger Families. Held at the Science and Technology Campus of George Mason University in Manassas, parents, caregivers and social service and education professionals will choose from sessions presented by experts in education and child welfare. Children will have a blast at GMU's outdoor experiential learning program "The EDGE".

Nearly 11 percent of children and youth in northern Virginia are living in homes with adoptive parents, foster parents, or kinship relatives. More than 5300 children and youth are in foster care across Virginia. Children in these “formed” families are at higher risk of emotional, physical, learning disabilities and special needs that challenge home and school success. Families and the professionals who work with families welcome opportunities like Spring Forward Family Fun Day to come together, connect with others who share similar experiences, and gain new skills.

The cost of tickets is only $10 per individual parent/caregiver, $40 per professional, and $20 for children ages 4 and up. Tickets include admittance to sessions, activities, and a boxed lunch! Children 3 and under are free and childcare is provided.

Keynote Wendy Besmann, founder of Team Up For Families (TUFF), will feature strategies from her book Family Road Map: A Step-by-Step Guide to Navigating Health, Education and Insurance Systems for Families with Special Needs. Registrants will receive a copy of this book!

CONTACT: For more information and to register for this event, contact Kelly Henderson at (703) 539-2904, [email protected] or visit www.FormedFamiliesForward.org.