Birth Parent National Network

The Birth Parent National Network (BPNN) is working to promote and champion birth parents as leaders and strategic partners in prevention and child welfare systems reform.

Virtual Convening 2018 - Scroll down to Save the Dates

Membership Recruitment

We're recruiting members and you can help. Feel free to use these materials and encourage others to join the BPNN.

A flyer you can print out and share

A meme you can use with social media

4th Annual Virtual Convening

Save these dates on your calendar. We'll continue sending out updates and let you know when registration opens.

• November 27, 2018
• December 4, 2018
• 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM

News

BPNN April 2018 Webinar - Family First Prevention Services Act Overview

BPNN Deep-Dive into the Family First Prevention Services Act, aired on 4/23/2018

FFPSA Summary and "From Parents, For Parents" reference sheet when talking about the FFPSA.

Legislative Updates

Announcing two very exciting developments:

• (Summary) Family First Prevention Services Act became law. Your individual and collective work has contributed to and informed this historic legislation.
• Casey Family Programs' CEO William C. Bell testifies at a U.S. Senate H.E.L.P. Hearing
  • Watch the hearing video
  • Read Dr. Bell's Testimony

The hearing was on the impact of the opioid crisis on children and families. In his testimony, Dr. Bell cited the issue briefs the BPAC and BPNN developed on prevention and substance abuse and incorporated many of the priorities that you have consistently lifted up and shared with us and other key stakeholders.

Building Bridges

An article published in the Chronicles of Social Change regarding the recent work of the Birth and Foster Parent Partnership in helping to improve relationships between birth parents and foster parents and ultimately create better outcomes for children and families. Interviews with China Darrington, BPNN parent from OH, Robyn Robbins, foster parent from CA involved in the Birth and Foster Parent Partnership and Jeremiah Donier, BPNN parent from WA.

Access Virtual Convening Recordings and Information

Please help spread the word

Birth and foster parent partnership is working to improve policies and practices for families and children.

Access the press release and circulate it within your communities.

Calendar of Events & Meeting Registration

Select a date to access the meeting registration link.

Get information to register for the meeting webinars that occur in February, April, June, August and October 2018.

Resources Library

View the many resources available that we have gathered on over 20 topics focused on Child Welfare; ranging from parent programs to strategic sharing.

Issue Briefs - Exciting New Resources

Check out the new publications developed with a parent perspective. BPNN Structured Conversations helped to inform these two new issue briefs on Prevention/Early Intervention and Substance Abuse.

Prevention and Early Intervention What Parents Say...	What Parents Say Works...
Substance Abuse Recovery What Parents Say...	What Parents Say Works...
BPNN Parent Partner Compendium

Virtual Convenings

Learn more about the each virtual convening, watch recordings of the webinars, and read about the speakers

• Access 2017 Virtual Convening recordings and other information
• Access 2016 Virtual Convening recordings and other information
• Access 2015 Virtual Convening recordings and other information

Announcements

2018 Casey Excellence for Children Awards

The 2018 Award Recipients have been announced and two are BPNN Members!

• Rosalio Chavoya, San Jose, California, Birth Father
• Alise Hegle, Seattle, Washington, Birth Mother

Read about all the recipients and watch the videos

BPNN Activities and Purpose

Activities include:

• Speaking out and influencing child welfare and other systems reform
• Sharing parent stories from across the country that highlight the many successes and challenges that families face
• Identifying opportunities for improved policies and practices that lead to better outcomes
• Communicating to policymakers the importance of critical supports that help families build protective factors and reduce risks

click here to Join the BPNN

The BPNN is actively recruiting parents and organizations that work with parents to join the BPNN to promote and support the voices of parents in reforming policies and practices that effect children and families. The dynamic BPNN membership consists of:

Parents who:

• Have experienced challenges and have been at risk of child welfare involvement
• Have been previously involved with the child welfare system
• Have high interest in engaging in policy work and sharing their stories with policymakers and other stakeholders
• Are committed to a strength-based, preventative approach for systems that interact with families

Organizations that are:

• Committed to identifying and supporting parents as strategic partners in policy work and system reform
• Interested in sharing materials and resources with their peers and colleagues nationally

The Alliance with its long-term commitment to parent partnerships and its well-established national network of state children's trust and prevention funds, has joined with Casey Family Programs (CFP) and other key partners, including birth parents, to support the BPNN.

Download the BPNN flyer

Submit an application to become a BPNN Member

BPNN Training Webinar Series

BPNN Members meet six times per year by webinar for education and information sharing. These webinars and other resources are posted on the private members-only BPNN website.

Access this page to view a sample public policy webinar.
This training focuses on tips and information to prepare birth parents to effectively participate in a range of policy activities, such as giving personal testimony, educational meetings with policymakers, etc. The training also includes two excellent video clips prepared by BPNN parent members, Rena Moran and Denise Moore. A “Frequently Asked Questions” document is also posted on the website.