FFTA Annual Public Policy Institute
Driving Policy in Action for the Good of Families
May 18-19, 2026 | Washington, D.C.
Join Us In Washington, D.C.
Join FFTA in Washington, D.C., as we share information and resources to enact real change in our country and communities.
Quick Links
Overview
Join FFTA in Washington, D.C., as we share information and resources to enact real change in our country and our communities. The FFTA Public Policy Institute (PPI) unites family-serving professionals, passionate champions, lived-experts, cross-sector partners, and community stakeholders to advance policies that prioritize the well-being of children, families, and communities.
As we face once in a generation shifts in federal policy and rules, this moment offers not only challenge but possibility. It calls us to align around what matters most and to work together at a scale that meets the changes ahead. With many viewpoints present, we are grounded in a shared commitment that clarifies where we anchor, when we adapt, and how we act. PPI 2026 will turn a period of transition into a solid sense of direction and collective strength, moving us toward a future where every family has the support they need and every child has the chance to thrive.
The two-day program will include a policy and program spotlight session Monday morning, off-site Community Impact Visits into downtown Washington, D.C. Monday afternoon and legislative meetings on Tuesday morning.
Preliminary Schedule:
Monday, May 18, 2026
Capitol Visitor's Center, Washington, DC
9:00 am - 2:00 pm: Policy and Program Spotlight
12:00 - 1:00 pm: Lunch
2:00 pm - 4:00 pm: Washington, D.C. Community Impact Visits (Transportation Provided)
4:15 pm - 5:45 pm: Evening Reception
Tuesday, May 19, 2026
Howard University College of Nursing and Allied Health Sciences
801 North Capitol Street NE, Suite 511, Washington, DC 20002
9:00 am - 10:30 am: Federal Policy Education
10:30 am - 1:00 pm: Legislative Meetings (These meetings will be coordinated by your state leaders)
Location & Accommodations
The FFTA 2026 Public Policy Institute will take place on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., with programming within walking distance of the Capitol Hill Hotel.
FFTA has secured a discounted room rate of $339/night (plus tax) for attendees. Reservations must be made by April 6, 2026 or before the block fills.
Now More Than Ever, Your Voice is Needed
Online registration is available through May 11, 2026. Join us on Capitol Hill! This is not simply about being at the table. It is about helping shape the systems that serve children and families for years to come.
The Public Policy Priorities continue to serve as an extension of the work accomplished, building on prior policy work and elevating areas where sustained attention and coordinated policy solutions are critical to improving stability, access to services, and long-term outcomes for the good of children and families.
During the FFTA 2026 Public Policy Institute:
Attendees will hear directly from leaders at the Administration for Children and Families about new initiatives, including A Home for Every Child, and what these efforts mean for the children and families we serve
Leaders from the Department of Housing and Urban Development will discuss how they are supporting the First Lady’s Fostering the Future Initiative and reflect on progress 180 days after the signing of the Executive Order
PPI will also feature additional federal partners, members of Congress, and leaders from across the sector for substantive dialogue about legislative developments, implementation challenges, and the shared responsibility of strengthening the systems that serve children and families
Registration Rates:
FFTA Member: $284
Non-Member: $349
PPI is Where the Importance of This Work Becomes Visible
Across the country, the way services are delivered and the way they are viewed is shifting in real time. FFTA is helping shape that future, bringing practice and policy leadership together at a pivotal point for children and families.
Through strong, thoughtful, and effective public policy work grounded in real world experience, we are influencing what comes next. We are building meaningful partnerships and relationships that carry the FFTA mission and values into a broader national spotlight.
Advocating for Community-Changing Policies
Addressing Emerging Challenges in Family Well-Being
Connecting Advocates Through Shared Purpose, Policy, and Action
Speakers
Hannah Abernathy
Erica Burgess
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Hannah Abernethy is a Special Assistant to the Assistant Secretary for Public and Indian Housing at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. In this role, she supports policy and program work aimed at expanding access to stable housing and promoting self-sufficiency for low-income and vulnerable populations, including youth transitioning out of foster care.
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Erica Burgess has a passion for improving the lives of the children and families served in the child welfare system. Working in the foster care system for the past 25 years has taught Erica a great deal about the need for system change, the power of family, the importance of community and the need for strong leaders. Currently, she oversees the NC Kinship Therapeutic Foster Care pilot with the Family Focused Treatment Association, collaborates with Strong Able Youth Speaking Out on the NC Jim Casey Initiative, and supports the Foster Family Alliance of NC in promoting education and support for caregivers and adolescents. Erica is dedicated to improving the lives of children and families in the child welfare system, emphasizing the need for system change and strong leadership.
Carmelita Coleman
Robert Basler
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Robert Basler serves as the Associate Vice President at Arrow Child & Family Ministries, where he leads Residential, Foster Care, and Community Services across Maryland. A graduate of Loyola University Maryland and the University of Maryland School of Social Work, Rob is dedicated to creating innovative solutions to support families and improve child-serving systems. Beyond his role at Arrow, he contributes to his community by serving on a board focused on children’s services in his hometown. Rob is a devoted husband, father of three, and proud dog owner.
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Ms. Carmelita Coleman currently serves as the statewide director for Strong Able Youth Speaking Out, (SaySo), a youth-led advocacy organization in North Carolina. Ms. Carmelita has worked in the Child Welfare field for almost 30 years. Ms. Carmelita holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte and a master’s degree from the University of Pittsburgh. Ms. Carmelita’s work ethic, passion for people, the community and service are yielded by her parents. Not only has she worked in the child welfare field but also served as a foster parent for 15 years to youth in the foster care system. Ms. Carmelita is determined to make a difference in the lives of youth in foster care and at-risk youth, women, children and families in North Carolina.
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Knowledge is a dedicated advocate for foster youth from Miami, Florida. Having entered foster care at 14 and experienced five placements, she turned challenges into opportunities. Knowledge serves as chair of the Youth Advisory Council with Citrus and the Selfless Love Foundation’s One Voice Impact Advocacy team, working to pass laws supporting foster youth. Passionate about improving support for pregnant women aging out of care, she aims to become a therapist, helping children navigate trauma and create positive impact.
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Noah serves as Director of Foster Insights, a child welfare data analytics team based at the University of Chicago. He works with child welfare agencies nationwide to translate administrative data into insights that strengthen family, kin, and community connections. His work on adverse placements has changed state practices affecting thousands of children and has sparked federal conversations about child well-being measures.
Rob Geen
Amiya Dowd
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Rob is a passionate child welfare leader with a 30+ year track record of success and innovation. During his career, Rob has analyzed policies and evaluated programs in various areas of social services for children, youth, and families. His primary focus has been on child welfare issues including child abuse and neglect investigation, family preservation and family support services, foster care, kinship care, congregate care, independent living programs for foster youth, adoption, financing reform, the intersection of Medicaid and child welfare, and the impact of welfare reform on child welfare systems.
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With over four years of advocacy and leadership experience, Amiya Dowd has served as a SaySo Regional Assistant (SRA), a member of the Young Adult Leadership Council, and later as its co-chair. She has been a Governor’s Page twice, attended the Public Policy Institute in Washington, D.C., and has gained strong skills in hands-on workshop facilitation. Currently studying psychology, criminal justice, and political science at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, she is also a proud Captain of the UNC Charlotte Marching Band Color Guard. Passionate about uplifting youth and supporting mental health, Amiya uses her story to inspire, empower, and advocate for her community.
Noah Duncan
Knowledge Grant
Ryan Hanlon
Cody Inman
Treva Johnson
Charissa Keebaugh
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Treva Johnson serves as the National Public Policy Director for the Family Focused Treatment Association (FFTA), where she has led national policy efforts for the past six years. In this role, she drives strategies that shape federal policy impacting children, families, and treatment family care providers, while fostering strong partnerships at both national and state levels.
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Charissa is an author, advocate, and creative voice dedicated to increasing the support available to transition-age youth through community engagement. With 10 years of involvement with DCYF, her work focuses on raising awareness, amplifying the voices of youth in care, and promoting more supportive and equitable systems for those navigating state led environments.
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Cody Inman serves as Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary at the Administration for Children and Families (ACF), where he oversees agency-wide programs advancing the well-being of children, youth, and families. He also performs the duties of the Commissioner of the Administration on Children, Youth and Families (ACYF) (delegated), overseeing the Children’s Bureau and the Family and Youth Services Bureau. Inman brings extensive leadership experience across federal and state government, with a strong background in human services policy, grants management, and technology modernization.
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Ryan Hanlon, Ph.D., MSW serves as Associate Commissioner of the Children's Bureau within the Administration on Children, Youth and Families (ACYF). In this leadership role, he provides national guidance on child welfare policy and practice, collaborating with states, tribes, and territories to promote safety, permanency, and well-being for children and youth. His work encompasses preventing maltreatment, strengthening families, reducing time in foster care, and expanding pathways to safe, permanent families.
Jesse Kohler
Kim Kovol
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Kim Kovol serves as Principal Deputy Director for the Administration for Native Americans (ANA) within the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). In this role, she supports ANA’s mission by advancing Tribal and Native community-led solutions that strengthen Native families and communities, promote self-sufficiency, expand economic opportunities and support cultural vitality. Kovol brings more than 25 years of executive leadership experience across the private sector and public service.
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Jesse Kohler is the Founder and President of The Change Campaign, a DC-based nonprofit with the mission to create a sustainable planet and a better future for all. Jesse spent the first part of his career working for direct service nonprofits in Philadelphia before moving to DC to run the Campaign for Trauma-Informed Policy & Practice, for which he served as executive director for five years.
Steve Olender
Mya Monk
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Steven Olender is an expert in federal child welfare and kinship policy, currently serving as a Senior Fellow at Think of Us, where he leads work to reimagine the child welfare system around the real needs of older youth in foster care. He has been instrumental in advancing major bipartisan reforms, including the Family First Transition Act, the Supporting Foster Youth and Families through the Pandemic Act, and the Supporting America's Children and Families Act. Previously, he served as Senior Advisor for Policy Innovation at Think of Us, helped direct the child welfare policy portfolio at the Children's Defense Fund, and co-led the Child Welfare and Mental Health Coalition, a broad coalition of more than 200 organizations dedicated to child welfare reform. Steven has co-written numerous publications related to child welfare and kinship care, including Kin-Specific Foster Home Approval: Recommended Standards of National Organizations and Implementing the Family First Prevention Services Act: A Technical Guide for Agencies, Policymakers, and Other Stakeholders. In addition to his work with Think of Us, Steven serves as Deputy Director for the National Coalition for Child and Family Well-being, and as a Subject Matter Expert for the Grandfamilies & Kinship Support Network and the Child Welfare Playbook.
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Mya is a dedicated advocate committed to improving the substitute care system. She began her journey serving on her local LINKS Advisory Board and as Secretary of SaySo’s Young Adult Leadership Council, and now serves as a Regional Assistant for Strong Able Youth Speaking Out and as a member of the Foster Family Alliance Board of Directors. She has brought her passion for advocacy to spaces such as Governor’s Page Week and the Public Policy Institute, using her voice to influence change. Drawing from her own experiences in foster care and group homes, Mya is driven to break down systemic barriers and uplift youth navigating similar systems. As a psychology student, she aims to expand access to mental and physical health resources, empowering youth in substitute care to succeed and thrive.
Chris Patterson
Adam Pavao
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Chris Patterson serves as the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Northwest Regional Administrator serving Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington. Mr. Patterson was appointed by President Donald J. Trump and returns to HUD after serving under President Trump’s first administration from May 2019 to January 2021 as the Pacific Regional Administrator and the National Lead for the Foster Youth to Independence (FYI) Initiative. In his current role, Mr. Patterson oversees field operations across the region to further HUD’s mission and advance Secretary Scott Turner’s priorities.
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As a Licensed Professional Counselor in Virginia, Adam Pavao brings decades of experience in mental health and child welfare, specializing in complex family systems and building programs that deliver measurable outcomes. As both a foster and adoptive parent, he combines professional expertise with lived experience, using firsthand insight into trauma to create practical strategies for families and staff navigating high-pressure situations. In addition to his work at Impact, Adam owns Impact Autism, where he expands access to specialized care and strengthens service delivery models. His focus is simple: build strong systems, equip people with the right tools, and create lasting change for the families and communities served.
Kirsten Walker
Ruth White
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Ruth White is one of the nation’s leading experts on the nexus between housing policy and child welfare. She is co-founder and Executive Director of the National Center for Housing and Child Welfare and former director of Housing and Homelessness for the Child Welfare League of America (CWLA). White’s advocacy work has led to over $100 million in new funding for the Family Unification Program.
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Kirsten Walker is a leader in the social services field, with over 20 years of experience in child welfare, supporting people with developmental disabilities, and providing training and leadership development. Kirsten has developed and rolled out programs and services in multiple states, including Arizona, Idaho, Oregon, Texas, and Utah. She serves on local and national nonprofit boards. She believes in the importance of providing premier services by developing employees and partnering with clients/families, and stakeholders.
Kim Young
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Kimberly brings expertise in business development, data-driven strategy, and building high-performing teams, informed by her deep operational experience. She is a strong advocate for effective programming, policy, and funding that supports children and families.
Community Impact Visits
Ever wondered how federal policies affect real programs in communities? Not sure how these policies connect to your daily work? Choose from one of three options into Downtown DC to connect policy to practice. Transportation to and from each location is provided. Additional details will be available soon.
Support Policy Education and Engagement Through Sponsorship
Sponsorship opportunities are available for organizations passionate about contributing to the success of this pivotal event and creating lasting, positive change.
Your partnership amplifies efforts to advance policies that strengthen families and communities while celebrating over two decades of impactful advocacy.
Sponsorship Packages
Visionary: $5,000
Speaking Opportunity: Introductory Remarks
Exclusivity
1 Complimentary Registration
Logo Included in Promotional Emails
Logo Displayed During Session Breaks
Sponsorship Recognition in Agenda
Verbal Recognition
Social Media Recognition: Tagged in Every PPI Post
Champion: $2,000
Speaking Opportunity: Introduce 1 Speaker
1 Complimentary Registration
Logo Displayed During Session Breaks
Sponsorship Recognition in Agenda
Verbal Recognition
Social Media Recognition: 2 Individual Posts
Supporter: $1,000
Sponsorship Recognition in Agenda
Verbal Recognition
Social Media Recognition: Thank You to All Sponsors
Friend: $550
Sponsorship Recognition in Agenda
Social Media Recognition: Thank You to All Sponsors
Public Policy Institute 2026 Sponsors
2026 Champion for Children & Families Award
The Dr. Laura Boyd Champion for Children & Families Award honors one individual who demonstrates exceptional commitment to public engagement by advancing social policy in the fields of child welfare, family well-being and/or youth mental and emotional well-being. Nominations highlight specific activities undertaken by the nominee during the last year, that go above and beyond routine work.
Meet FFTA's 2026 Dr. Laura Boyd Champion for Children & Families Award Recipient, Renee Brown!
Renee Brown is a respected advocate and leader within the child welfare and behavioral health systems, recognized for her unwavering commitment to strengthening families and expanding equitable access to care.
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Renee’s connection to DePaul Community Resources is deeply rooted in service. Prior to joining the organization professionally, she served as a foster parent, gaining firsthand insight into DePaul’s mission of hope and belonging. In 2016, she became Vice President of Child and Family Services. During her six year tenure, Renee advanced innovative service delivery models and fostered collaborative leadership across divisions, resulting in increased program effectiveness and cross-system success. In November 2022, she was promoted to President and CEO, where she continues to champion organizational growth, strengthen community partnerships, and elevate program quality in support of individuals, families, and communities.
A core focus of Renee’s advocacy has been expanding and strengthening kinship care in Virginia. She has worked to increase access to financial support for kinship caregivers and is especially proud to be one of the advocates who helped advance a legislative change waiving certain barrier crime limitations for kinship foster parents. Renee’s leadership in this space reflects her belief that families should be assessed holistically and that children are best served when safe connections to their family and community can be preserved.
A trusted voice in child welfare policy and systems reform, she serves as vice chair on the FFTA Board and on the Project Discovery Board, which supports first-generation college-bound students across Virginia. She was also invited by the Virginia Office of the Children’s Ombudsman to participate in a statewide Child and Relief of Custody Legislative Work Group, further demonstrating her influence in shaping childcentered policy. Through every role she holds, Renee continues to open doors to hope and belonging while advancing a more just, compassionate, and family-centered child welfare system nationwide.
Be Part of Advocacy in Action
PPI brings together leaders across sectors, partners, champions, change makers, and individuals whose lived experience shapes how these systems function, creating space for conversations that influence policy and practice in real and lasting ways.