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National Adoption Association (NAA) 2026 National Conference - Boston

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7:30am EDT

Continental Breakfast and Exhibits Open Ballroom AB

8:30am EDT

Welcome to NAA 2026 National Conference; Welcome to Boston, New England Priorities and Opening Keynote Speaker Ballroom ABKamilah Bunn • Commissioner Staverne Miller

9:15am EDT

New England Priorities and Progress Ballroom ABMaria Gagnon • Commissioner Staverne Miller • Susan Hamilton • Ashley Deckert • Bobbi Johnson • Marie Noonan • Aryka Radke

9:40am EDT

Opening Keynote: “Making the Leap toward Economic Justice: A Social Worker and Former Youth in Foster Care’s Journey to Address the Root Cause of Separation” Ballroom ABAnthony Barrows

11:00am EDT

Workshop A3: Preparing Youth for Permanency Through Meaningful Relationships (1.0 CE National Association of Social Workers- NASW)) Adrienne SalonBethany Stahl, MSW • Danielle DiMatteo Workshop A2: Rooted in Family: Transforming Permanency Outcomes with Kin (1.0 CE National Association of Social Workers) NantucketDeborah Burrus Germany, LSW • Margarita Hughes Workshop A1: Play Together Stay Together- Building Bonds Through Play to Support Adoption & Kinship Families ConcordWendy Spoerl • Jessica Swaisgood

12:30pm EDT

AdoptUSKids Lunch & Learn: “Centering Lived Experience in Adoption Practice” Ballroom ABMelinda Kline, MSW • Pamela Robbins • Katie Amelse • Margarita Hughes Ujima Collective Lunch & Learn: “Increasing Economic Opportunity and Connections for System-Involved Youth and Caregivers” PlymouthWilliam Cedano • Lanecia Radcliff • Joyce James, LMSW • Taylor Adelsohn • Tashia Roberson-Wing • Maci Kean • Marcie Baker-Hinds • Larome Myrick • Kamilah Bunn

1:45pm EDT

Workshop A4: Beyond the Diagnosis: Building Lifelong Families for Children with Disabilities: Practical Tools for Cross-Agency Teams to Recruit, Prepare, and Support Prospective/Pre-Adoptive Families ConcordMelissa Johnson • Kristina Russell Workshop A6: Kinnect to Family (1.0 CE National Association of Social Workers) Adrienne SalonHeidi Raubenold, LMSW • Lisa Mullholand Workshop A5: A Study of Adoption Disruption and Dissolution in Minnesota NantucketMichelle Frazier

3:30pm EDT

Workshop A8: In My Own Words: Centering Youth Voice in Placement and Permanency NantucketKara Sidoran • Kailee Haong Ellis Workshop A7: Kinship Connections: Integrating Adoption and Guardianship Preparation Training (AGPT) into Oregon’s Work with Kin (1.0 CE National Association of Social Workers) ConcordDaJari Patterson • Kelly Ingles, BA Workshop A9: Beyond the File: Reimagining Family Connections Through Family Finding (1.0 CE National Association of Social Workers) Adrienne SalonMelissa Lewis- Ransom, LMSW • Lakisha Solomon, MSW

5:00pm EDT

NAA 2026 Conference Welcome Reception and Silent Auction Ballroom AB and Terrace