Kinship Month 2026 Statewide Summit

Kinship Month 2026 Statewide Summit | Presented by PA KinConnector PA KinConnector presents the Kinship Month 2026 Statewide Summit, a gathering to honor, support and equip the grandparents, relatives and family friends across Pennsylvania who are raising children in kinship care. Hosted by PA KinConnector's Alex Maasdam, the summit brings together state leadership, kinship caregivers and legal experts to share personal stories, hard-won advice and practical guidance on the path to permanency. CHAPTERS 0:00 Welcome – Alex Maasdam, PA KinConnector 5:25 Opening Remarks – Deputy Secretary Laval Miller-Wilson, OCYF 16:00 Personal Testimony – Candy Wray, PA KinConnector 31:30 Practical Wisdom – Kinship Caregiver Panel 1:44:00 A Pathway to Permanency – Kathryn Jones & Diane Michel 2:45:00 Closing IN THIS SUMMIT Opening Remarks: Laval Miller-Wilson, Deputy Secretary, Office of Children, Youth and Families (OCYF), Pennsylvania Department of Human Services Personal Testimony: PA KinConnector's Candy Wray shares her journey from being part of a kinship family to supporting kinship families across the Commonwealth. Practical Wisdom: Kinship caregivers share real-world insight and lessons learned. Speakers: Denise Jones Dolorez Cobb-Jones Joanne Williams Karen Barnes Randi Kobielnik Melissa Sauger Lisa Barnelli A Pathway to Permanency: Practical information on legal options and permanency for kinship families, with Kathryn Jones of Senior Law Center and Diane Michel of the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services. ABOUT PA KINCONNECTOR PA KinConnector is Pennsylvania's statewide resource for kinship families. It connects caregivers with information, support and services in their communities. 🔗 Learn more: https://kinconnector.org 📞 Call toll-free: 1-866-546-2111 (1-866-KIN-2111) #KinshipCare #KinshipMonth #PAKinConnector #Pennsylvania #KinshipFamilies #Grandfamilies