Foster Family Alliance of NC Celebrates Strong Turnout for 2025 Teaming with Teens Conference
October 2025 — Foster Family Alliance of North Carolina (FFA-NC) is celebrating the success of its 2025 Teaming with Teens statewide conference, held Saturday, September 27 at the Greenville Convention Center. The event convened nearly 300 youth, caregivers, child welfare professionals, volunteers, and vendors, all united in their commitment to supporting transition-age youth in foster care.
This year, 315 participants registered for the event, with 190 attending—representing a 60% attendance rate. The conference also engaged 40 volunteers, 24 speakers, and 20 vendors, many of whom joined participants in interactive sessions and discussions.
“Teaming with Teens is about ensuring that no young person has to face the transition out of care on their own,” said Gaile Osborne, Executive Director of FFA-NC. “Seeing so many youth, caregivers, and community partners come together this year shows the real impact of collective support and shared learning.”
The program featured keynote speaker Carlina Shotwell, a former foster youth and life skills educator who has spent more than a decade advocating for under-supported young people. Shotwell’s powerful address encouraged attendees to embrace their strengths and build the skills necessary to thrive as independent adults.
FFA-NC extended its gratitude to the 2025 sponsors whose support made the conference possible:
Presenting Sponsor: Healthy Blue
Silver Sponsors: Thompsons, Community Care of North Carolina, Crossnore Communities for Children
Bronze Sponsors: Methodist Home for Children, Allies 4 Outcomes, Alexander Youth Network, SPARC, NC Pediatric Society
Door Prize Partners: Full Circle Wellness, ECAC, Foster Futures, Foster Pantry,
Supporting Sponsor: Children’s Home Society
Launched in 2022, Teaming with Teens was created to address the unique needs of transition-age youth by providing education, resources, and community connections that promote long-term stability and success. Through virtual sessions and the annual in-person conference, the initiative continues to equip youth, caregivers, and professionals with the tools they need to navigate this critical stage with confidence.
About Foster Family Alliance of North Carolina
Foster Family Alliance of North Carolina (FFA-NC) is a family-led, nonprofit organization founded by foster parents 50 years ago. FFA-NC provides peer support, advocacy, training, and resources to foster, kinship, and adoptive families statewide. By elevating caregiver voices and driving system change, FFA-NC works to ensure every child has the chance to thrive in a safe, loving home. Learn more at https://www.ffa-nc.org/.
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ORIGINAL PRESS RELEASE
Foster Family Alliance of NC Announces Teaming with Teens 2025 Conference to Empower Transition-Age Youth in Foster Care
September 2025 — Foster Family Alliance of North Carolina (FFA-NC) today announced that its signature Teaming with Teens initiative will return in 2025 with a statewide in-person conference. The event will take place on Saturday, September 27, 2025, at the Greenville Convention Center, bringing together youth and young adults with lived experience in foster care, caregivers, and child welfare professionals from across North Carolina.
Launched in 2022, Teaming with Teens was designed to meet the unique needs of transition-age youth by offering education, resources, and community connections that promote stability and long-term success. The program engages every participant group—youth, caregivers, and professionals—with tailored virtual sessions leading up to the September conference.
“Transitioning out of foster care is one of the most critical junctures in a young person’s life,” said Gaile Osborne, Executive Director of FFA-NC. “By equipping youth, caregivers, and professionals with the tools and support they need, Teaming with Teens ensures that no young person has to navigate this stage alone.”
This year’s conference will feature Carlina Shotwell as keynote speaker. She’s a facilitator with 10+ years of experience as a life skills educator and advocate for under-supported youth. As a former foster youth, Shotwell uses her experiences and education to empower youth with life skills to become a better version of themselves as they transition out of care.
FFA-NC also announced its 2025 sponsors, whose support makes Teaming with Teens possible:
Presenting Sponsor: Healthy Blue
Silver Sponsors: Thompsons, Community Care of North Carolina, Crossnore Communities for Children
Bronze Sponsors: Methodist Home for Children, Allies 4 Outcomes, Alexander Youth Network, SPARC, NC Pediatric Society
Door Prize Partners: Full Circle Wellness, ECAC, Foster Futures, Foster Pantry,
Supporting Sponsor: Children’s Home Society
Teaming with Teens 2025 is open to all North Carolina foster youth and young adults ages 13-21 yrs old, foster, adoptive and kinship caregivers, and professionals working in child welfare. Registration is now available at https://www.ffa-nc.org/teaming-with-teens.
For more information about sponsorship opportunities or to register, visit www.ffa-nc.org.
About Foster Family Alliance of North Carolina
Foster Family Alliance of North Carolina (FFA-NC) is a family-led, nonprofit organization founded by foster parents 50 years ago. FFA-NC provides peer support, advocacy, training, and resources to foster, kinship, and adoptive families statewide. By elevating caregiver voices and driving system change, FFA-NC works to ensure every child has the chance to thrive in a safe, loving home. Learn more at https://www.ffa-nc.org/.
