Peer Groups

Faced with the challenge of funding enhanced post-permanency services?
Interested in a review of funding streams that might be used for post-permanency services?
Want to hear how other states are funding their post-permanency program?

The National Center on Enhanced Post-Adoption Support Invites State Child Welfare Staff to a Peer Group. This FREE peer group will discuss “Building a Fiscal Infrastructure for Post-Permanency Supports: Part II”

This 3-part series will kick off with a 30-minute presentation by Dennis Blazey. Mr. Blazey is a former budget and fiscal officer for Office of Children and Family Services, Ohio Department of Job and Family Services – serving in that capacity for about 22 years until his retirement in 2007. Dennis is now a nationally well-regarded expert on child welfare finance programs, policy, and strategies. The second and third meeting in this peer group series will include two states talking about their post-permanency services and their journey to fund them followed by peer discussion. Even if you attended the first peer group sessions offered in June, you will learn new things in this peer group. Participants will be able to maintain contact with their peers after the 3-part series to share information on funding that will continue to help them create a comprehensive post-permanency program.

One of the goals of the National Center for Enhanced Post-Adoption Support is to offer opportunities for child welfare professionals to connect with one another and to learn from each other regarding post-permanency services. This spring, we’ll launch multiple peer groups, each focusing on a specific topic (such as model programs, sustainability and evaluation). Our peer groups are open to all child welfare professionals in the United States. As one of these professionals, you may join groups that interest you.

Exchange with Your Peers

The peer groups offer dedicated space for professionals in public and private agencies to gather virtually to:

• share information about how they are supporting families that have achieved permanency through adoption or guardianship
• hear from experts and fellow professionals about information and resources related specifically to a group’s topic
• ask questions of peers
• brainstorm solutions to challenges that group members are experiencing
• learn from the states, territories and tribal nations partnering with the Post-Adoption Center for technical assistance.

Check back on this page or subscribe to see the list of peer groups that we will offer this year.