Stars next to the workshop title means the
Learning Session would be of interest to Students
 

A1     Steps to Empowerment

Melanie Buttarazzi, Fostering Dreams Project

Raven Fierro, Fostering Dreams Project

 

Join Fostering Dreams Project for an empowering 75-minute workshop, Steps to Empowerment, that demonstrates how arts-based social-emotional learning programs can directly improve outcomes for students in foster care. Drawing from our success at LAUSD schools, student attendance increased by 78% because youth were excited to participate. We will highlight how creativity can be a powerful tool to combat chronic absenteeism and re-engage students in their education. You will experience firsthand how the use of dance, music, and journaling builds resilience, enhances student engagement, and creates a sense of belonging. You will also learn practical, trauma-informed strategies to reduce behavioral issues, strengthen classroom participation, and support school stability. Through interactive activities, you’ll discover how to build trust and connection with students while fostering a supportive environment that encourages academic success. You will leave with adaptable exercises, reflection prompts, and a resource guide to implement these innovative strategies in your own schools, programs, and communities.

 

A2     Real Money, Real Impact: Unlocking California’s Financial Resources for Foster Youth

Christina Lomeli, John Burton Advocates for Youth

 

California is putting real money on the table for foster youth especially during the critical transition to college—but only if we help them claim it. From the CalKIDS Scholarship and Foster Youth Tax Credit to Hope Accounts and other financial benefits, foster youth can access thousands of dollars in direct support that can make the difference between enrolling, persisting, and graduating. In this interactive session, participants will work through real-world scenarios using JBAY’s “Money on the Table” framework to identify every available resource, uncover common barriers, and design cross-system strategies that bridge K–12, child welfare, and higher education supports.By connecting policy to practice, the session highlights how financial tools—when fully leveraged at the point of transition—can shift foster youth from surviving to thriving, reinforcing California’s commitment to educational opportunity and economic equity for all transitional aged youth.

A3     More Than Numbers: Leveraging Data and Partnerships to Spark Innovation for Improved Educational Outcomes for Students in Foster Care

Akon Walker, Solano County Office of Education

Dr. Tacey Rodgers, Solano County Office of Education

Bridget Stumpf, Sacramento Office of Education

 

Current data continues to demonstrate that students in foster care continue to have poorer educational outcomes compared to their peers. They have higher rates of school discipline, higher rates of chronic absenteeism, and lower graduation rates compared to the general student population.  In this workshop we will discuss how Solano County Office of Education and the Foster Youth Services Coordinating Program (FYSCP) Regional Technical Assistance Program leveraged their partnership to provide technical assistance to local educational agencies (LEA’s) in Solano County to build upon historical successes to address barriers and opportunity gaps for children and youth in foster care attending Solano schools. Leave with information as to how you can identify and leverage existing resources to support foster youth and be able to develop an actionable local strategy to convening educational partners to address educational barriers facing students in foster care.

 

A4     Making a house into a home: Inclusive strategies for supporting LGBTQ+ youth in care

Malaysia Robinson and Stephanie Williams

Office of the Foster Care Ombudsperson

 

Join the Office of the Foster Care Ombudsperson and Sacramento LGBT Community Center as we discuss foster youth rights related to Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, and Expression (SOGIE). Learn the origins and implementation guidance of SB 407 (2023), and finally discuss best practices for professionals who interact with foster parents. You will also discover local resources for LGBTQIA+ high schoolers.  You will learn the history and purpose of the Sacramento LGBT Community Center and obtain local resources and services to support the youth in your life. This session is aimed at professionals and care providers.

 

A5     Beyond the Bench: Building Court-Education Partnerships to Improve Foster Youth Outcomes

Honorable Judge Craig E. Arthur, Superior Court of California, County of Orange

Raina Lee, Orange County Department of Education FYSCP

Griselda Velasco, Orange County Department of Education FYSCP

 

Discover how the Orange County Juvenile Court and the Orange County Department of Education (OCDE) are redefining cross-system collaboration to better serve foster youth. Under the leadership of The Honorable Craig E. Arthur, Presiding Judge of the Juvenile Court, this innovative partnership strengthens understanding and coordination through joint trainings, educator court visits, and shared participation on collaborative committees. You will also learn how Orange County’s collaborative court programs provide individualized case management and education-focused support that improve school engagement and overall outcomes. Judge Arthur and representatives from OCDE’s Foster Youth Services Coordinating Program will share practical strategies for integrating educators into court processes and bringing court perspectives into education systems. Join us to explore how uniting justice and education can transform the way we support, empower, and uplift foster youth toward long-term success.

 

A6     Build Your Community through the Give Back Academy Community Circle Model

Amber Young, Give Something Back Foundation

Ilinanoa Suliafu, San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools 

 

The Give Back Academy (GBA) Community Circle model is a community and emotional intelligence building practice adapted from the research-based Restorative Circle approach to conflict resolution. GBA has successfully used this Community Circle model to build community and connection in over 50 middle schools, high school and community colleges in San Bernardino County, specifically with youth and young adults who have faced significant adversity. Through thematic and deliberate questions, and intentional circle values and guidelines, together we  will practice respectful listening, self-expression, effective communication, empathy, and deep reflection. Every GBA Community Circle also includes opportunities for movement and direct connection with other participants, so don’t miss this dynamic and engaging session!

 

A7     From Storms to Stability:  The Safe Harbor Story -- Building Systems That Believe in Every Student

Aleia Van Dyke, Jessica Ibarra and Heaven Ortega, Wheatland Union High School District

 

In rural communities, every connection counts — and every student deserves a champion. This workshop highlights how Wheatland Union High School District’s Safe Harbor program anchors foster youth in stability, belonging, and postsecondary opportunity. Through intentional community partnerships, trauma-informed systems, and authentic student voice, Safe Harbor transforms barriers into bridges toward college and career success. You will hear directly from students who will share their lived experiences navigating the foster care and education systems, illustrating how consistent relationships and advocacy create lasting impact. We will also share how a small rural district mobilized partnerships across feeder schools, agencies, and civic systems to ensure youth are seen, supported, and set up for success. You will hopefully leave inspired to think beyond silos, advocate for systemic change, and build your own “safe harbors” where every young person can thrive.

 

A8    Reforming the Advocacy in Foster Youth Education Rights: From Former Foster Youth to Current Foster Youth

Joselin Hernandez, The Alliance for Children's Rights

Sherrie Bradford, Alliance for Children's Rights, Youth Education Advocate

Cristopher Espino, Alliance for Children's Rights, Youth Education Cohort Member

 

As a foster youth, do you know your education rights? As foster youth, have you experienced any of the following? Moved multiple times? Found school hard to focus on? Needed help getting to school? Wanted to go to a specific school? Well, you are in luck - you have rights! We (youth with lived experience in the system) are here to educate you on getting you into a school that meets your needs, making sure you receive all credit you earn, helping you get out of trouble at school and even helping you graduate with your friends. Alliance for Children’s Rights Youth Education Advocates delivers an education that basically is a toolkit to help with things such as enrollment, school of origin, and graduation options. Foster youth should have the right to access higher education! Come to this presentation to help yourself get there!

 

A9     The Biology of Bias: Rewiring Your Brain for Fair and Equitable Decision-Making When Working with Youth Involved in Systems

Jill Rowland, The Alliance for Children's Rights

 

We all carry implicit biases—often without even realizing it. Shaped by media, culture, and our environments, these unconscious shortcuts help our brains process information but can also lead to harmful outcomes, especially in systems like education, child welfare, and juvenile justice. In California, children of color and children with disabilities are over represented in the child welfare, juvenile justice, special education, and school discipline systems. What can we do about it? This dynamic, interactive session will explore the brain science behind implicit bias through engaging activities and real-world data. We’ll dig into how these biases affect everything from mandated reporting and education to policing and cultural misunderstandings. You'll leave with practical tools to recognize and challenge bias in your own work—and contribute to a more just and equitable system for children and families. Don’t miss this powerful, eye-opening conversation that moves beyond theory and into action.

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A10     Purpose-Driven Learning: Finding Your Why   

Carlos Vasquez: HTB Consulting Group, CEO

In a recent Harvard study, 58% of young adults reported lacking a sense of "meaning or purpose" in their lives. This interactive workshop proposes a powerful remedy. Carlos provides his lived experience and Tali her educational expertise as they bridge the gap between inspiration and implementation, offering a program that is both deeply moving and highly practical. Attendees will dive into the transformative power of purpose-driven learning, exploring practical strategies to help students connect with their core values, interests, and future aspirations, which support students' personal well-being and academic growth. The core of our program is The PRICE Method, a simple yet profound five-part framework for personal transformation detailed in Carlos Vasquez’s book based on his own personal transformation while incarcerated and serving a 20-year sentence. You will leave with a roadmap to guide students in identifying pathways to finding purpose in their lives (and maybe even your own!) to flourish into their most positive and productive selves.