Over one hundred foster families will come together this weekend for nonprofit KVC Nebraska’s 5^th Resource Family Conference (RFC). The gathering takes place December 11-12 in Lincoln, Nebraska at the Cornhusker Marriot Hotel. The event is a unique training opportunity for foster and adoptive families who are caring for children who are temporarily in foster care due to abuse, neglect, parental drug use or other family challenges. The conference occurs simultaneously in three other cities including Overland Park, Kansas; Lexington, Kentucky; and Daniels, West Virginia. Portions of the event are simulcast among all four locations for a total audience of more than 2,000 people.

The RFC features an inspirational keynote speaker. This is typically someone who was in foster care as a child and has achieved success in adulthood. This year, families will hear from veteran newsman Dominic Carter. Carter is a journalist with Verizon Fios/RNN News. Carter has been described as the best political reporter working in New York television today. Carter’s book, “No Momma’s Boy,” chronicles his triumphant struggle to overcome years of childhood abuse from his mother and her mental illness as a chronic paranoid schizophrenic while growing up in the housing projects in South Bronx, New York. Past keynote speakers include country music artist Jimmy Wayne and author Mark Anthony Garrett.

Last year, 935 young people were supported in KVC Nebraska foster families and 75 children were matched with adoptive families. KVC Health Systems – the parent organization to KVC Nebraska – is recognized nationally for integrating trauma-informed care and behavioral healthcare into child welfare.

KVC raises private funds to underwrite the hotel, meal and training costs of each annual conference. Generous companies, foundations and individuals in the community make the RFC possible by sponsoring and attending fundraising events hosted by KVC Health Systems and its subsidiaries throughout the year.

Foster families will learn about topics such as handling behavioral challenges, repairing the effects of stress and trauma, and transition planning into adulthood. Attending children enjoy fun activities like carnival games, bouncy houses, face painting, movies, bowling, and the children’s museum. Each child and parent is a guest of KVC’s for the weekend, giving children in foster care a positive, life-changing experience.

“The Resource Family Conference is something that many of the children and teens in foster care look forward to all year long,” said B. Wayne Sims, CEO of KVC Health Systems for the past 35 years and creator of the event. “We’re proud to be able to provide this benefit to our foster families. It simply wouldn’t be possible without the generous businesses, families and individuals who partner with KVC to make it happen.”

Learn more at www.kvc.org/rfc.

About KVC Nebraska

KVC Nebraska is a child welfare and behavioral healthcare organization that provides foster care and intensive in-home services. Its mission is to enrich and enhance the lives of Nebraska families.

As the largest child placing agency in the state, KVC recruits, trains, licenses and supports foster families. KVC provides care for nearly 1,000 children and adolescents each year. KVC staff provide ongoing support to families. This includes 24/7 crisis support, continuing education programs, mentoring coordination, community support groups, and educational programs and publications. Funds are raised privately to underwrite an annual Resource Family Conference where foster parents, children and volunteers come together to learn from and be inspired by national speakers and experts, network with each other, and enjoy family activities.

KVC provides intensive in-home services to families in the Eastern, Southeastern, Northern and Central parts of Nebraska. Therapists and skill-builders work in tandem to ensure families remain safe and intact whenever possible. With the use of evidence-based practices like Trauma Systems Therapy (TST), KVC provides specialized interventions to enhance the safety, functioning and self-sufficiency of all families served. Learn more at www.kvcnebraska.org