🗓️ November 14-15, 2026
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WHAT YOU'LL FIND AT THE CONFERENCE
Learning, connection, and support - grounded in real life.
Learning, connection, and support - grounded in real life.
The Permanency Conference brings together caregivers, people with lived experience, professionals, and others who support children and families.
Workshops and presentations run throughout the weekend, but meaningful learning can happen in many ways. It can happen through conversations, shared experiences, questions, and hearing directly from people who have lived some of the realities we are talking about.
When we look back at what participants have shared with us about previous conferences, a few things come up again and again.
Permanency Conference 2025
LEARNING YOU CAN BRING INTO EVERYDAY LIFE
The conference is an opportunity to explore information, strategies, and different perspectives that may help with some of the things families and professionals are navigating every day.
Participants have told us that what they learned did not end when the conference did. They were able to bring ideas home, use them in their work, and sometimes approach a difficult situation with a new perspective.
“ Each year, I leave with valuable information that assists me in navigating the fostering and adoption process. I have applied the tools I have learned, which has been a tremendous benefit to my family. ”
- Caroline Leavitt, conference participant
- Caroline Leavitt, conference participant
“ Yes, absolutely; in fact, I came home and had a great heart-to-heart with my son, who is struggling.”
- 2025 conference participant
LIVED EXPERIENCE IS PART OF THE LEARNING
Knowledge does not only come from presentations, research or professional expertise. There is also so much we can learn by listening to children and youth, caregivers, adoptees and others who have lived within the systems and experiences we are talking about.
Last year’s Youth in Care panel was repeatedly identified by participants as one of the most meaningful parts of the weekend. Many shared that hearing directly from young people was powerful and moving. Their stories helped participants see experiences and perspectives they may not otherwise have had the opportunity to understand, particularly the experiences of older youth in care.
This year, lived experience continues to have an important place in the conversation, alongside professional knowledge and caregiver experience.
2025 Permanency Conference
“ We all rode the emotional roller coaster as they shared their journeys. It was a wonderful reminder what all brought us to this journey. That even though the days can feel so long, we are also creating a childhood for these children who one day will all be adults who will speak on their story. " - 2025 conference participant
FINDING PEOPLE WHO UNDERSTAND
For many participants, the conference is also a chance to spend time with people who understand some of what they are living without needing every part of their experience explained.
No two families or journeys are exactly the same. Still, participants often tell us there is something meaningful about meeting others who understand some of the realities of adoption, foster care, kinship care and permanency.
“ It is nice to gather with
others who have similar stories."
“ Safety in numbers, always."
“ It was so reassuring to be validated in our lives and that professionals could offer advice and strategies. But also to be in a room full of people who have had similar experiences and struggles. To know that when you are home in the depths of parenting, it can feel so isolating. In that moment at the conference, to be surrounded by people who get it was incredible. "
- Brittany Porter, conference participant
Keyan first connected with members of the NBAF community through our Late Night Talks Peer support group. The conference gave her the chance to meet many of those people in person.
“ There is something comforting about being in a safe, open space with people who truly get it because they are living it too. While our journeys may look different, whether it's pre-adoption, foster care, or kinship, we all share the same goal: advocating for happy, healthy, and supported children."
- Keyan Smith, conference participantLEARNING WITH ONE ANOTHER
Participants have also told us how much they value opportunities to talk, share experiences and learn from one another.
Last year’s peer workshops were described as “amazing,” “informative” and “helpful,” with one participant calling them their “favorite part of the conference.”
Participants also asked for more time to connect, more opportunities for discussion and more interactive learning. We kept that feedback in mind as we planned In Real Life.
This year’s program continues to make room for different kinds of knowledge. Professional expertise is important. So are lived experience, caregiver experience, and the learning that happens when people have the time and space to listen to one another.
2025 Permanency Conference
WHAT STAYS WITH PEOPLE
Some of the conversations at a permanency conference aren't always easy. But many participants tell us they leave with something they can carry with them: a new idea, a different perspective, a useful connection, or simply the reminder that there are other people walking alongside them.
“ I had a great weekend, although it was heavy at times. I came away with so much knowledge."
- 2025 conference participantJOINING US THIS NOVEMBER
November 14-15, 2026
Wingate by Wyndham
Dieppe, NB
Caregiver registration: $25
We've kept the caregiver registraton cost los to make the conference more accessible
Accommodation support
For families travelling from outside the greater Moncton area, a limited number of complimentary conference stays are available.
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