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​Upcoming SWAN Events

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Connecting individuals and families with valuable resources and information is vital to creating loving and supportive environments for children in need. This page serves as a hub for upcoming events, workshops, and seminars dedicated to adoption and fostering. 

In Pennsylvania, youth can remain in foster care until the age of 21. Many of the matching events listed on this page provide families with opportunities to meet older youth in care who are in need of permanency. Even though many of these youth are on their way to young adulthood, they continue to need permanent connections and a family to support, love and care for them. To learn more about this group of older youth please visit the Waiting Children section and use the Search Kids tool and search by age range 17 to 20.

We celebrate March birthdays (17-20yrs) for the following older youth: 


Events:

Week: March
15-22

2024 SWAN/IL Virtual Matching Event is open!

This event is designed for agencies to display information about the children and families they’re recruiting for and their programs. Because it’s virtual, participants can watch videos and view and download flyers and other documents from over 70 booths 24 hours a day. You can message agency staff about a specific child, family, or program you’d like to learn more about and even schedule 1:1 live meetings within the platform. This event is entirely free. The event will end after 3/22/2024.

  • When: Friday, March 15, 2024, through Friday, March 22, 2024
  • Time: Registered and approved families can log in after 7 am (EST) on March 15th. The event will be open 24 hours a day.
  • Where: Virtual: on-line platform
  • Permanency professionals can register, enter, and review information now.
  • Approved adoptive families can register now and will gain access after 3/15/2024.
    • There are live orientation sessions over Zoom to help you understand how the process works and answer any questions. Families can contact the SWAN Helpline with questions (1.800.585.SWAN [7926]).
    • Family Orientation Signup Link https://cvent.me/3OvK1K
      Approved Adoptive Family Link:  https://cvent.me/yPg9bo

Saturday
April6

Greater Philadelphia Area Matching Event

Join us for a fun-filled day at our next Match Event in Norristown, PA! Open to families with an approved family profile/home study and youth aged 12 and older. Engage in meaningful interactions, one-on-one conversations, and the opportunity to build a lifelong bond! Don’t miss out on this opportunity to dive into the fun at this great event! A continental breakfast and a full lunch are provided.

  • When: Saturday, April 6, 2024
  • Time:10 am - 3 pm (EST)
  • Where: Norristown, PA (the full address will be sent once registered)
  • Registration: To register a family: https://form.jotform.com/240373150439149
    To register a youth: https://form.jotform.com/240373180490149
  • For more information: contact Tiara McIntosh at tmcintosh@adopt.org
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Saturday
April 20

17th annual Growing Families Through Adoption Matching and Awareness Event

The Older Child Matching Initiative (OCMI) and SWAN Services division of the Family Support Services at The Children's Institute will host the 17th annual Growing Families Through Adoption Matching and Awareness Event. The event is open to all SWAN affiliates to freely showcase their families looking to adopt and/or their children and adolescents looking for a family. Current certified adoptive families are also encouraged to attend to speak with child and adolescent recruiters in person.

We are excited to announce that our speaker for the day will be Dr. Jamie Brownfield, Mental Health Counselor, High School Transition Counselor and adoptive mom to an adolescent young lady. Being a parent is hard, and no matter the person’s educational background it can be difficult to know what to do in the moment and reply with the “right” response. Dr. Brownfield is hoping to empower families to understand that parents don’t have to be perfect to make an impact on a young person’s life.

  • When: Saturday, April 20, 2024
  • Time: 1pm – 3pm (EST)
  • Where: The Children’s Institute, 1405 Shady Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15217
  • Have questions or looking for more information? Contact Mandy Somerville at Mandy.Somerville@AmazingKids.org or 412.418.7149





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The Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS), which is in part comprised of the Office of Children, Youth, and Families (OCYF) complies with applicable Federal civil rights laws and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, or sex.

 Content Editor ‭[3]‬

 Content Editor ‭[2]‬

 Content Editor ‭[1]‬