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Annual Fall Educational Conference

Caring For All of
The Foster Family

A full week of virtual workshops focused on supporting children and youth in care, strengthening foster families, and caring for the caregivers who make it all possible.

When October 17–23, 2026 Workshops offered throughout the week
Where Virtual Conference Join online from wherever you are

Conference Schedule

Workshops to Look Forward To

Learn practical strategies for supporting children, managing caregiver stress, strengthening family relationships, and building resilience.

  1. Saturday, October 17 9:00 am–4:00 pm

    Advocacy One – Advocacy Foundations

    Presented by Vanessa Milley

  2. Sunday, October 18 1:00–4:00 pm

    Self-Esteem & Confidence and Self-Image and Its Effects on Mental Health

    Presented by Takiyah Wedderburn

  3. Monday, October 19 9:00 am–12:00 pm

    When Kids Ask Big Questions; Building Bonds; Heartbreak & Heartache

    Presented by Talia-Rae Farrow

  4. Monday, October 19 1:00–4:00 pm

    Beyond Picky Eating: Recognizing Eating Concerns in Children & Knowing When to Reach Out

    Presented by Katie McKeown

  5. Tuesday, October 20 1:00–4:00 pm

    Beyond the Surface: Managing “Manipulative” Behaviours Through a Trauma-Informed Lens

    Presented by Jackie Robertson

  6. Tuesday, October 20 7:00–10:00 pm

    Before the Storm Hits

    Presented by Vanessa Milley

  7. Wednesday, October 21 1:00–2:00 pm

    Women’s Midlife Wellness: Understanding the Changes Within

    Presented by Nicola Hasmatali

  8. Wednesday, October 21 2:30–4:00 pm

    Rested & Resilient: Sleep Support for Caregivers

    Presented by Susan Brown

  9. Thursday, October 22 1:00–4:00 pm

    Navigating Caregiver Anxiety

    Presented by Rebecca Fidler

  10. Friday, October 23 9:00 am–12:00 pm

    Developmental Trauma, Attachment, Positive Discipline & Caregiver Self-Care

    Presented by Courtney Vezina

  11. Friday, October 23 1:00–3:30 pm

    At What Cost? Stress, Caregiving, and the System

    Presented by Kelly Tournay

Registration Options

Workshop Pricing

Select the workshops that best support you and your family.

Regular Workshops

$25 for members
$30 for non-members

Advocacy One

$75
Available to FPSO members

Before the Storm Hits

Free for members
$20 for non-members

Attendance will be taken during each workshop. Certificates and invoices will be sent following the conference. Workshops with fewer than 10 registrants may be rescheduled or cancelled.

Advocating Effectively for Your Kids

With: Kathleen Hilchey M.Ed, OCT, Q.Med

Date: Thursday, October 9, 2025 at 7:30 PM

Workshop Description

When we have kids who don't fit in a rigid system, getting the support and care that they deserve can be a nightmare. As a parent advocate, an advocacy trainer, and a parent of two autistic children myself, I can honestly say that school advocacy is one of the most harrowing tasks we face as parents and caregivers.

  • Explain the 3 biggest systemic barriers and the 3 biggest communication barriers we face when getting our kids support.
  • Teach a simple conflict management framework that helps identify where school conversations go wrong.
  • Help participants develop a voice that gains more support and facetime with school officials.
  • Outline the chain of command in public and private systems to help get faster results.
  • Discuss when it may be time to move on from a particular school or system.
  • Answer specific questions from participants about real-life advocacy challenges.

Presenter Biography

Kathleen Hilchey is a conflict specialist from Ontario, Canada who works with families, schools, and workplaces to manage difficult conflicts — including bullying. She has an M.Ed. in Peacebuilding Techniques from Brock University and is a Qualified Mediator. After 10 summers in the camping sphere, Kathleen spent over a decade teaching in the secondary public system. She now provides direct support and professional training in conflict management techniques.

Register for Training

Note: Non-members will receive an invoice following the training.

From the Cradle to the Crib

With: Shelly Deane

Date: Friday, October 17, 2025 — 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM

Presenter Biography

Shelly Deane has been an open foster home since 1981, focusing on babies and toddlers. Over the years, she has cared for many medically fragile and physically challenged children. In addition to dedicating her life to caring for little ones, Shelly has also served her foster parent community in various leadership roles. She has been an FPA President, is currently the FPA Vice-President, and has served as an FPSO Director.

Alongside her foster sister, Susan, Shelly has been an active participant in FPSO conferences, often managing registrations and welcoming attendees as a true ambassador of FPSO. This year marks their 42nd year of conference attendance.

Shelly has continually shared her experience and lessons learned with other foster parents, embracing her role as a mentor just as wholeheartedly as she has taken on her role as a specialized baby home caregiver.

Workshop Description

In this workshop, Shelly will lead a panel of foster parents who specialize in caring for babies and young children. Together, they will share valuable lessons learned through years of experience and discuss effective advocacy for vulnerable little ones.

  • Insights on caring for medically fragile infants and toddlers.
  • Practical strategies for managing access visits, appointments, and daily routines.
  • Tips on navigating challenges unique to specialized baby homes.
  • Shared experiences with processes, procedures, and adaptive equipment used in medically fragile baby care.

Register for Training

Note: Non-members will receive an invoice following the training.

Advocacy One – Advocacy Foundations

With: Vanessa Milley

Date: Saturday, October 18, 2025 — 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM

Presenter Biography

Vanessa Milley is FPSO’s Chief Executive Officer, Chief Communications Officer, and Governance & Policy Chairperson, serving on the FPSO Board for the past 16 years. She has presented on key policy initiatives including Bill 170, the Strengthening Family-Based Care Brief, and Bill 179 (Adoption Openness), and contributed to the Adoption Openness Advisory at OACAS where the adoption openness curriculum was developed.

Vanessa has served on various boards for nearly 42 years. She began fostering with a local CAS for 20 years, caring for 150 children while raising five children (three biological and two adopted). She volunteered on her local FPA for 17 years—13 as President—and 8 years as a regional FPSO Director. Since 2018, she has fostered in the private sector. With 24 years of advocacy experience, she has supported foster parents across Ontario and has trained the FPSO Advocacy One program for the past decade.

Workshop Description

This introductory course takes a professional look at three core components of advocacy: the communicator/advocate role, peer support, and liaison. It provides a comprehensive foundation for those considering becoming an advocate, current advocates seeking to sharpen their practice, and foster parents applying advocacy principles in their day-to-day role.

The session examines child protection issues and agency responsibilities, and explores:

  • The communicator/advocate’s role during an allegation or complaints procedure.
  • The needs of caregivers involved in an allegation, and how to support them.
  • Types of supports and resources required for effective advocacy.

When you complete this workshop, you will be able to:

  • Set up an advocate program within your FPA/FFA or agency.
  • Maintain and strengthen your local advocacy program.
  • Participate locally as an effective advocate for caregivers.
  • Advocate confidently for your foster parent peers.

Register for Training

Note: Non-members will receive an invoice following the training.

Creating Felt Safety

With: Robyn Gobbel, MSW

Date: Tuesday, November 11, 2025 at 7:30 PM

Workshop Description

Being safe doesn’t equal feeling safe! Creating felt-safety is crucial if we want to help our children decrease dysregulated behaviors. So, what is felt-safety and how can we cultivate it within our families? This training explores the three places children look to determine if they are safe — often below conscious awareness. This means we can’t simply tell them they are safe — we must create environments where they can truly feel safe.

By the end of this session, you’ll have learned practical tools related to:

  • The importance of moving your own nervous system into a state of safety.
  • How to adjust the environment to increase felt-safety.
  • Ways to support your child’s inner experience to invite felt-safety.

Presenter Biography

Robyn Gobbel, MSW, has over 20 years of experience in family and child therapy, specializing in complex trauma, attachment, and adoption. She integrates her diverse clinical training to create attachment-rich, sensory-sensitive, and neuroscience-informed environments for healing. Robyn now consults, teaches, and trains extensively throughout the U.S. She is the host of The Baffling Behavior Show podcast and author of Raising Kids with Big, Baffling Behaviors: Brain-Body-Sensory Strategies that Really Work.

Register for Training

Note: Non-members will receive an invoice following the training.

The Non-Therapist: Help As If You Were a Pro

With: Kate Tompkins

Date: Monday, October 20, 2025 — 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM

Presenter Biography

Kate Tompkins is a psychotherapist and adult educator with over 50 years of experience supporting adults and teens through difficult life challenges. She has worked with schools, crisis intervention centers, family counseling organizations, community services, and government agencies. Currently, she operates a private practice in eastern Nova Scotia, specializing in post-trauma treatment and Employee Assistance counselling.

Workshop Description

Do you want to change the world one conversation at a time — by being a caring, involved member of your community? Most people don’t seek a professional therapist when facing challenges. Instead, they reach out to someone they trust — a friend, a neighbor, or a family member.

As foster parents, you may find yourselves counselling without formal training, simply by being a listening ear or trying to help a child communicate in ways you understand. This workshop is designed for caregivers who are not professional therapists but find themselves guiding, supporting, and helping children through emotional struggles.

  • Learn the essential qualities that make someone truly helpful — compassion, authenticity, and empathy.
  • Understand the key skills of active listening and emotional attunement.
  • Discover how to communicate effectively when a foster child expresses distress or confusion.
  • Gain confidence in your ability to provide meaningful support without “being the therapist.”

The Non-Therapist provides foundational tools to help you connect deeply, communicate effectively, and offer comfort and stability in moments of need — all without needing a formal counselling background.

Register for Training

Note: Non-members will receive an invoice following the training.

Alpha Children – How To Get Into the Lead

With: Eva de Gosztonyi, MA

Date: Monday, October 20, 2025 — 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM

Presenter Biography

Eva de Gosztonyi, MA, is a psychologist with over 45 years of experience working in schools across Canada. For 22 years, she served as Coordinator of the Centre of Excellence for Behaviour Management, supporting ten English School Boards in Quebec to develop effective strategies for students with behavioural challenges.

Since retiring, Eva has continued to share her expertise with schools and communities across Canada, including First Nations schools, as well as internationally in the United States, New Zealand, and Singapore. Her work is grounded in neuroscience, trauma-informed and attachment-based practices, offering developmentally friendly approaches for educators and caregivers.

Eva is a Faculty Member at the Neufeld Institute and an authorized presenter of the Neufeld paradigm.

Workshop Description

For a variety of reasons — including learning differences, high sensitivity, and giftedness — some children struggle to accept guidance. They want to be the ones calling the shots and taking charge, a dynamic especially common among children in foster care.

This session explores the “alpha dynamic” — the underlying drive that causes some children to resist being led. Once this dynamic is understood, participants will gain clear, practical strategies for responding effectively and restoring healthy leadership roles within the caregiver-child relationship.

  • Understand the roots of “alpha” behaviour in children.
  • Learn how to gently reclaim the leadership role as caregiver.
  • Discover strategies for guiding strong-willed or resistant children.
  • Develop trauma-informed responses rooted in attachment and empathy.

Register for Training

Note: Non-members will receive an invoice following the training.

Enfants alpha – Comment prendre les devants

Avec : Eva de Gosztonyi, M.A.

Date : Jeudi 23 octobre 2025 — 9 h à 12 h

Description de l’atelier

Pour de nombreuses raisons — troubles d’apprentissage, grande sensibilité, douance — certains enfants ont du mal à se laisser guider ou enseigner. Ils veulent « mener » et prendre les décisions, ce qui est particulièrement vrai chez les enfants placés en famille d’accueil. Cette séance met en lumière les racines de ce comportement, liées à la dynamique alpha. Une fois cette dynamique comprise, vous repartirez avec des moyens concrets pour gérer ces comportements complexes et rétablir une relation d’accompagnement sécurisante.

  • Comprendre la dynamique alpha et ses manifestations chez l’enfant.
  • Reprendre doucement le leadership parental avec bienveillance.
  • Adopter des stratégies trauma-informées et fondées sur l’attachement.
  • Créer des conditions favorables au développement et à la coopération.

Biographie de la présentatrice

Eva de Gosztonyi, M.A., est psychologue et travaille depuis plus de 45 ans dans les écoles au Canada. Pendant 22 ans, elle a été coordonnatrice du Centre d’excellence en gestion du comportement, organisme de soutien aux dix commissions scolaires anglophones du Québec, aidant les adultes en milieu scolaire à mettre en œuvre des interventions efficaces auprès d’élèves présentant des difficultés de comportement.

Depuis sa retraite, elle continue de partager son expertise avec des parents et des écoles au Canada (y compris des communautés des Premières Nations), ainsi qu’aux États-Unis, en Nouvelle-Zélande et à Singapour. Ses interventions sont guidées par les neurosciences, sont sensibles aux traumatismes, fondées sur l’attachement et respectueuses du développement. Eva fait partie du corps professoral de l’Institut Neufeld et est conférencière autorisée du paradigme Neufeld.

S’inscrire à la formation

Note : Une facture sera envoyée aux non-membres après la formation.

The Rejected Child

With: Elizabeth (Liz) Lovrics

Date: Tuesday, October 21, 2025 — 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM

Presenter Biography

Elizabeth (Liz) Lovrics began her professional journey in the fine arts before pursuing a career in children’s mental health. For over 20 years, she worked at the SickKids Centre for Community Mental Health (formerly the Hincks Dellcrest Centre), within the residential treatment programs.

Liz started as a frontline worker supporting adolescents with complex mental health needs and later became a Child and Family Therapist. She holds certificates and specialized training in DBT, CBT, Narrative Therapy, and Trauma and Crisis Intervention.

She has co-created and facilitated skills groups for adolescents and their parents, and currently runs a private practice in Toronto. Liz has presented workshops for community members and professionals across Ontario, other provinces, and the U.S.

Workshop Description

The Rejected Child explores what rejection means for children and how it affects both them and their caregivers. This training offers insight into how children experience profound rejection from parents or family, the impact on their emotional development, and effective ways caregivers can respond with understanding and compassion.

Workshop outcomes include:

  • Understanding what leads children to feel rejected by their primary caregivers.
  • Recognizing behavioral signs and symptoms associated with rejection.
  • Identifying interventions and strategies to help children rebuild trust and connection.

Topics covered will include:

  • Theories and factors related to “Rejected Child Syndrome” as a form of trauma.
  • Causes and contributing factors that lead to child rejection experiences.
  • How rejection is experienced differently across developmental stages.
  • The impact of rejection on a child’s self-esteem, attachment, and ability to trust adults.
  • Recognizing behaviors rooted in experiences of profound rejection and learning effective ways to respond.

Register for Training

Note: Non-members will receive an invoice following the training.

How Your Inner Child Impacts Your Parenting

With: Mary McInnes, RSW, Psychotherapist

Date: Tuesday, October 21, 2025 — 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM

Presenter Biography

Mary McInnes is a Registered Social Worker and Psychotherapist working virtually with Maratos Counselling & Consulting in Brantford, in person in Kitchener–Waterloo, and in community practice in Huron County. With over 25 years of experience as a social worker, Mary has served in child welfare, family and children’s services, youth corrections, and adult and children’s mental health. Her work fuels her passion for helping families navigate life’s challenges together.

Mary specializes in attachment- and trauma-focused therapy and is a certified trauma practitioner using EMDR. She lives with her husband and children in Huron County near Goderich.

Workshop Description

This workshop helps caregivers understand how their own life experiences shape parenting patterns and emotional responses. By connecting with your inner child, you can more easily identify triggers and learn to respond to your children with greater empathy, regulation, and awareness.

You will learn to:

  • Understand how the inner child is formed, what triggers it, and how this affects parenting behavior.
  • Recognize how the inner child presents in the body and mind, influencing day-to-day interactions.
  • Identify personal triggers and practice strategies to respond to your children in healthy, supportive ways.

Register for Training

Note: Non-members will receive an invoice following the training.

They Call Me Dad

With: Robert (Bob) Labrecque & Joe Wickham

Date: Wednesday, October 22, 2025 — 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM

Presenter Biographies

Bob Labrecque and his wife Cindy have been foster parents for over 42 years, caring for children across three provinces — Ontario, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia. Bob has spent his career in rehabilitation, assisting injured individuals in returning to their pre-injury function. He considers his role as a Foster Dad one of the greatest privileges of his life, deeply impacting him in ways he never anticipated.

In addition to his caregiving work, Bob is a stand-up comedian who believes laughter is an essential ingredient in maintaining perspective as a parent.

Joe Wickham and his wife Robin have been foster parents for over 35 years. Recently retired from his career as an auto-body repair specialist, Joe remains incredibly active — working on home renovation projects, vehicle and motorcycle repairs, RV maintenance, and lending a hand to anyone in his family or community who needs it.

Joe has been a long-time volunteer with the Leamington Flyers Junior A hockey team, serving as head trainer, equipment manager, and director of timekeepers. Together, he and Robin founded Sutton House, a community-based residential facility created to support their three boys locally for the long term — ensuring that family, care, and stability stay at the heart of their community.

Workshop Description

They Call Me Dad celebrates the journey of fatherhood in fostering, highlighting the strength, humor, and heart it takes to parent children through challenging circumstances. Drawing on decades of experience, Bob and Joe share heartfelt stories, life lessons, and wisdom gained from years of service as foster dads.

This session offers an authentic, engaging look at the joys and struggles of fostering from a male perspective — balancing humor and honesty to help caregivers reflect, connect, and find inspiration in their own journeys.

  • Gain insight into the foster father experience and its unique challenges.
  • Learn the importance of humor, resilience, and perspective in caregiving.
  • Reflect on the emotional and relational aspects of long-term fostering.
  • Be inspired by stories of hope, connection, and family strength.

Register for Training

Note: Non-members will receive an invoice following the training.

Understanding and Navigating Blocked Care in Foster Parenting

With: Bruno Jung-Millen, MSW, RSW

Date: Friday, October 24, 2025 — 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM

Presenter Biography

Bruno Jung-Millen, MSW, RSW, is a registered social worker and psychotherapist serving as Clinical Director and Supervisor at Intersections Therapy Collective in Ottawa. He is also an approved external clinician for the Canadian Armed Forces. A former foster parent and now adoptive father of two, Bruno has worked with a Children’s Aid Society, a private adoption agency, and multiple social service organizations.

In private practice, Bruno focuses exclusively on supporting foster and adoptive families, providing psychotherapy and treatment services tailored to their unique needs.

Workshop Description

Blocked care is a neurobiological and psychological response that can emerge in foster parents chronically exposed to relational stress, particularly when caring for children with attachment disruptions and trauma histories. This session provides a clinical overview of blocked care—its mechanisms, behavioral manifestations, and impact on caregiver–child attachment.

Participants will learn how blocked care can compromise emotional attunement and empathy, why early recognition matters, and how prevention can reduce caregiver burnout and placement disruption. Drawing on attachment theory, trauma-informed care, and psychotherapeutic interventions, the workshop offers evidence-based strategies to navigate and treat blocked care.

Key takeaways:

  • Understand the neurobiology of blocked care and its impact on relationships.
  • Identify early signs and behavioral patterns associated with blocked care.
  • Apply strategies for emotional regulation, self-compassion, and relational repair.
  • Know when and how to seek clinical support to sustain long-term caregiving.

Register for Training

Note: Non-members will receive an invoice following the training.

Foster Parents Society of Ontario

Charitable Status #0873919-09

FPSO invites all caregiving families to join us for this virtual training opportunity.
Free to all FPSO members · Training fee: $20.00 for non-members

Caring for the Cultures of Our Young People

With: Dr. Jennifer Bruce

Date: Friday, October 25, 2025 — 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM

Presenter Biography

Dr. Jennifer Bruce is the Executive Director and owner of OPR Nairn Family Homes. She earned her PhD in Child Psychology from McGill University and has served as a School Psychologist in both Quebec and Ontario, conducting psycho-educational evaluations and collaborating with teachers and parents to address child and youth mental health, learning differences, behavioural challenges, and other developmental concerns.

Passionate about supporting children and families, Dr. Bruce focuses on child development, mental health, child welfare, and the systemic factors that shape wellbeing. Since joining Nairn Family Homes in November 2019, she has led ongoing training and development for foster families, working alongside a skilled team to support caregivers who provide care and love to vulnerable children.

Workshop Description

This training explores how cultural identity fosters resilience, belonging, and self-respect. Participants will reflect on their own cultural receptivity, understand the importance of racial mirrors, and learn practical ways to help young people connect with their heritage and community.

You will learn to:

  • Recognize how cultural identity impacts wellbeing and placement stability.
  • Assess and grow your cultural humility and receptivity as a caregiver.
  • Create opportunities for racial/ethnic mirrors and positive identity development.
  • Partner with families, community leaders, and cultural organizations to build supports.
  • Use everyday practices to honour language, traditions, and community connections.

Register for Training

Note: Non-members will receive an invoice following the training.

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