Foster Care Conference Hopes to Impact Community

Hillsborough Kids is gearing up for its fourth annual “Our Families Our Future” conference, which organizers are hoping will have a positive affect on foster care in the community.

“This event will impact child welfare staff in Hillsborough by providing national cutting-edge practices to them free of charge,” said Jeanine Bedell, director of communications for Hillsborough Kids, an organization that ensures the safety and permanency of abused and neglected children in Hillsborough County by providing comprehensive services that promote strong families.

The conference will take place over a two-day period, March 15-16, at the ’s Marshall Center. Registration is already full as Hillsborough Kids is offering the event free of charge to celebrate its 10th anniversary.

The purpose of the conference is to educate child welfare professionals on topics that affect children in the foster care system.

“Our goal is to sharpen the community’s expertise and renew their sense of passion and dedication for working with at-risk children and families,” said Sunny Hall, conference chair and chief operating officer of Hillsborough Kids, in a press release. 

On the first day, special guest Lucas Daniel Boyce, author and keynote speaker, will talk about his experiences of perseverance captured in his book “Living Proof.” The book is a first-hand account of Boyce’s birth to a drug- and alcohol-addicted teenager, his journey through foster care, adoption, working in the White House and now the National Basketball Association.

“Boyce represents hundreds of children in our local community,” Hall said in the release. “Each of these children have unlimited potential.”

The second day of the conference includes a theatrical performance on domestic violence by Plays for Living called “Rule of Thumb.” The mission of Plays for Living is to use drama as a tool for positive social change.

“Domestic violence in a home where children are present is a common reason why we become involved with a family,” said Bedell. “While entertaining, this play is also an effective way for us to give child welfare professionals a glimpse in to the lives, emotions and thoughts of many of the families they regularly encounter.”

If you are interested in learning how to make an impact in the life of a child in foster care, call Hillsborough Kids at 813-643-KIDS.