The conference is a collaborative partnership between various community agencies to provide quality training and networking opportunities to those that work with and care for children who have been connected to Child Welfare. Read our History page for a more detailed description of the formation of the Shoulder to Shoulder conference.
The conference planning committee is comprised of statewide community partners from the child welfare and child abuse prevention fields. Shoulder to Shoulder is an all-volunteer planned conference without permanent funding sources. We rely on community partners and collaborations to operate because we know the need for quality cross-system training and dialogue is high. See our Sponsor page for a full list of the community partners.
Resource (foster) parents, adoptive parents, kinship caregivers, advocates, caseworkers, social workers, lawyers, judicial officers, citizen review board members (CRB), mental health professionals, medical professionals, educators, child care workers and anyone else who is connected with Child Welfare to attend the conference are invited to attend the conference.
Click Here to view 2024 STS Highlight Reel
Comments from past conference attendees:
Check out our 2024 Highlight Reel
"Sage is an amazing young lady whose story has inspired us tremendously!" (2024)
Really loved the presenters. Such good information, so well spoken. I wish it was longer. (2024)
Loved hearing from people (Sage, Isaac) with lived experience (2024)
I really enjoyed the conference and all the resources (2024)
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All offered valuable information! It was time well spent. (2023)
I enjoyed this conference and will likely bring some of my clients to the next one. (2023)
All of the presentations were fantastic! Especially loved the one on Blocked Care. Such an important topic and helpful information for all types of parents. (2023)
All of the presenters shared a wealth of information that is useful in the work I do. They all had valuable lived experience to draw on as well as an understanding of the complexity of child welfare and adoption. (2023)
Every single part of today was amazing! Powerful and impactful day! (2023)
Excellent variety of topics that still built on one another and had valuable information no matter the participant's role or level of experience. Thank you. (2023)
Fabulous presenters who covered so many topics that are meaningful, powerful, and important to children and youth in care. (2023)
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All the presentations were relevant, dynamic, and impactful. (2022)
Ashley Rhodes-Courter was amazing!! So easy to listen to. She made me laugh and cry! Her story and insight was so moving. I would love to hear her again!! (2022)
Every one of the presenters did an excellent job. In particular, Dr. Jessica Pryce offered so much and with such skill. GREAT JOB pulling together an absolutely inspiring conference. It will change my work. Can't wait to return. (2022)
I really like the virtual sessions where we no longer have to decide which session to attend. With all the awesome choices, it is hard to decide which one to attend. (2022)
I've been attending StS for a number of years and I'm never disappointed. (2022)
Overall, I love the conferences as this was current and up to date. (2022)
What a stellar group of presenters! It was meaningful and fulfilling and gave me new insights to take with me. Shoulder to Shoulder continues to be inspiring and educational. (2022)
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All had great information about how the system can be challenging. And how it works well (2021)
Corey Best alone was worth the price of admission. SO MUCH work can be done around his presentation alone to really dig into work around equity and building relationships through exploration of change. (2021)
Dr. Chasnoff and Ms. Weaver were standout presenters. Their content was earth moving to me and their delivery was excellent as well. Thank you for the wonderful conference! (2021)
Every year, I am amazed how the conference is able to find new and inspirational presenters. Every year I leave, thinking, there is no way they can top this, but every year, you do it!! (2021)
I have been attending shoulder to shoulder for the past 7 years and this was by far the best one yet. All of the speakers were amazing. (2021)
Speakers were all very authentic, engaging and knowledgeable, creating the ability to make an impact with the audience, especially important with online presentation. (2021)
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Breakout sessions were insightful and thought provoking, I found the format to be easy to navigate. (2019)
Excellent content, great layout, good attendance, like the Red Lion and their staff. Great speakers! Excellent Job, Team! (2019)
First time attending the conference and I really learned allot. I would definitely attend next year’s conference (2019)
This was my first conference and feel totally embarrassed by that. The conference was very good for the price and location. I look forward to making this a yearly commitment. (2019)
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"It's getting better every year!" (2014)
"Fabulous speaker, what a treat!" (2014)
"Great speakers! I really enjoyed it!" (2014)
"Wonderful accommodations, meeting room, food and drinks and speaker!" (2014)
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"I loved the overall spirit of the conference!" (2013)
"Thank you to everyong for putting on such an exceptional event." (2013)
"Just seeing a room full of people who cared for children in foster care lifted my spirit." (2013)
"This was my first time [at Shoulder to Shoulder] and I received a scholarship to attend. I was referred to it by my WRAP coordinator. I am so thankful that I got to come and will purchase my tickets for next year when they are available - I don't want to miss it!" (2013)
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"Everything was first rate!" (2012)
"First time attending; however, I have attended a significant number of trainings over my 20+ year career in this work. I was quite impressed with the workshops offered and speakers. Additionally, [I] felt that providing a training that combined both professionals and foster families is brilliant and innovative. Nicely organized." (2012)
"I learned new strategies to better advocate for my CASA kids. The speakers were knowledgeable and passionate about their subjects." (2012)
"This was the first time I attended Shoulder to Shoulder and I went away with so much of value. I anticipate attending next year's." (2012)
"This is an amazing conference! Each session I attended was informative and useful. Thanks so much for all of the work in putting it together." (2012)
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“My co-worker and I felt very inspired by the keynote speakers…” (2011)
“Great Conference – love the collaborative approach to working with foster and adoptive children! Morning keynote speaker was very inspiring and set a great tone for the day. Good, informative workshop sessions. Thank You!” (2011)
“Every step felt well planned. I was impressed with the keynote speakers and the choice of classes.” (2011)
“This is my first year attending and I was very impressed by the quality of EVERYTHING!” (2011)
“Thank you for the CEUs opportunity. This year had so many great workshops to pick from that I was wishing I could be in three places at once. I like the mix of local and out of state people to get new ideas. Humorous keynote speakers always appreciated. I liked the focus on diversity integrated into many discussions.” (2011)
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“This conference is amazing and extremely imperative to my learning.” (2010)
“I love Shoulder to Shoulder and I cannot express enough what I take away from attending it each year! Thank You!” (2010)
“These conferences get better every year!” (2010)
“Many praises to the Shoulder to Shoulder Committee. This conference continues to offer meaningful workshops and valuable information and useful tools that I may not otherwise obtain. Thank you for all your hard work and thoughtfulness in bringing stellar workshops and presenters.” (2010)
Conference funding was made possible by federal grant funds from the Oregon Department of Human Services and the Oregon Resource Family Alliance (formerly Oregon Foster Parent Association). Contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of the grantors.