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National Adoption Association (NAA) 2026 National Conference - Boston

Chelsea Lloyd

Massachusetts Department of Children and Families

Adoption Specialist/Contract Manager DCF Central Office

About me

Adoption Specialist/Contract Manager
DCF Central Office

I'm a mom to four young kids. I've been with DCF for almost 15 years as a social worker, adoption worker, licensing worker for families, and personally as a foster/adoptive parent. I'm passionate about child centered permanency and offering kids a chance to grow up with family.

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

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

3:30pm EDT

Workshop A8: In My Own Words: Centering Youth Voice in Placement and Permanency NantucketKara Sidoran • Kailee Haong Ellis

7:30am EDT

Continental Breakfast & Exhibits Open Ballroom AB

8:30am EDT

Welcome General Session: Featuring NAA Leadership and Tribal Leaders, Elders and Mothers in a Community Conversation Ballroom ABKamilah Bunn

8:40am EDT

Community Conversation “What are a People Without Roots”: Understanding Community Cultural Connections and Reconnections from Tribal Leaders, Elders and Mothers (1.0 CE National Association of Social Workers) Ballroom ABMelinda Kline, MSW • Lorraine Brave • Misty Flowers • Susan Devan Harness • Taylor McClellan

10:30am EDT

Workshop B3: Blending Investigative and Social Work Skills for Effective Permanency Practices with Kin Adrienne SalonShannon Doherty • Louie Stravato

12:00pm EDT

Awards Luncheon with Keynote Speaker Ballroom ABRimy Morris • Timothy Britton • Jacqueline Ford • Ricardo Franco • Maria Gagnon • Dr. Jacqueline Wilson

1:10pm EDT

Luncheon Keynote: “Steady Hands, Bold Vision: Transformational Leadership in Changing Times” Jodi Hill- Lilly, MSW from the Doris Duke Foundation Ballroom ABJodi Hill-Lilly, MSW

2:15pm EDT

B6: Adoption After 18: A Collaborative Approach to Permanency for Young Adults (1.0 CE National Association of Social Workers) ConcordDeborah Noah, LICSW • Elizabeth Embree, LSW