Child Welfare Summit –  A Window to What is Possible 

Friday September 11th, 2026
9:00am-3:30pm

We hope you can come to the 2026 Child Welfare Summit on September 11, 2026, from 8:30 am – 3:30 pm.  Join us for a rich exploration of how trauma-responsive practices can be embedded into our court processes to benefit children and their families.  Together, we will learn what supports parents need from us so they can build self-awareness and increase their capacity for meaningful change.

We will discuss the critical importance of safe, trust-based relationships, and centering family voice.  We will hear from individuals who have successfully overcome childhood trauma, reunified with their children, and established security and permanency.  We will screen a short documentary about these practices, and we will host a panel of members of the Vermont Judiciary, Attorneys, GALs, and staff from Family Services Division to dialogue about the benefits and complexity of trauma-responsive court practices.

Registration will open at 8:30 am the day of the event, and opening remarks will begin at 9:00 am.  We will wrap the day up at 3:30 pm.  Coffee and light refreshments will be provided in the morning as well as a full lunch.

Location is in the Burlington area, and being kept private, for security. Upon registration you will receive a confirmation email with more details, including the specific location.