About the Conference
NCFA's annual conference offers continuing education and high-caliber training to professionals from the adoption, social work, and child welfare communities who all share a common commitment to helping children thrive in nurturing, permanent families.
The Conference gives you an opportunity to learn from experts, refine your application of best practices, network with fellow professionals, and be re-inspired for the important work that you do in your community, region, and the world.
Sponsor & Exhibit
As the only annual event of its kind specifically tailored to the needs of adoption professionals, the Conference gives Sponsors a unique opportunity to increase brand awareness through multiple touchpoints and make actionable connections with decision-makers from the nation’s leading adoption organizations.
We offer sponsorship packages, targeted opportunities and exhibitor space on a first-come, first-serve basis. Sponsor and exhibitor registration closes on May 10, 2023.
Conference Venue
Located in the heart of St. Louis' bustling Central West End district, The Chase Park Plaza Royal Sonesta Hotel brings elegant style and old-world glamour to the Gateway City. Discover luxurious amenities and service in the grandest of hotel traditions. A block of rooms is reserved for Conference attendees at a special rate of $199/night +tax. All room reservations must be processed by Sunday, May 28th to receive the Conference rate. Click HERE to make your room reservation online. If you need to make a reservation by phone, please contact Amy Wolfe for the Group ID.
With a diverse range of experiences, expertise, and perspectives, our keynote speakers represent every member of the adoption triad.
To learn more about all of the conference sessions and continuing education credit, please click here.
Opening Keynote Session: The Language of Trauma
Heather T. Forbes, LCSW
Author, Speaker and Owner of the Beyond Consequences Institute
Birth Mother Perspectives
A Journey to Openness Over the Years
Renee Alexander, PhD
Birth Mother & Panel Facilitator
Kelsey Vander Vliet Ranyard
Birth Mother
Mercedes O'Bryant-Gruzeski
Birth Mother
Janelle Ison
Birth Mother and Adult Adoptee
Learning from Adoptees
Incorporating Adoptee Voices into Practice
Michelle Li
Adult Adoptee & Panel Facilitator
Ramya Gruneisen, MS
Adult Adoptee
Melissa Corkum
Adult Adoptee & Adoptive Parent
Mike Thorne
Adult Adoptee
Past Conference Programs
A look back at past sessions and speakers, sponsors and exhibitors
Stay Connected
Sign up for our email list to be among the first to know about registration, featured speakers and session topics, opportunities to sponsor the Conference, and other big announcements.
National Council For Adoption, #1804, is approved as an ACE provider to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. ACE provider approval period: 04/13/2022 – 04/13/2023. Social workers participating in this conference will receive up to 11 continuing education credits.
This event does not offer credit for NJ social workers. The state of New Jersey does not recognize ASWB ACE continuing education provider level approval. National Council For Adoption is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Social Work as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed social workers #SW-0681.
In order to receive continuing education credit, attendees must participate in the entirety of live in-person session, scan in and out of the course to have their attendance verified and complete a course and overall conference evaluation. Attendees will receive their conference continuing education certificate of credit within 30 days to the email address provided at registration.
Other Questions? For questions, concerns or to request special accommodations, please contact us at ncfa@adoptioncouncil.org or 703-299-6633.
