The one-hour conversation brought together leaders across child welfare, community organizations, and public systems to reflect on a central question: What does it take for families to truly thrive?
What emerged was both a clear through-line and a call to action—pointing toward a future where systems are designed not just to respond to challenges, but to strengthen families from the start. Read more about our five key takeaways below.
Participants emphasized that thriving is rooted in connection, trust, stability, and care. It’s a reminder that strong families aren’t built by programs or policies alone, but through relationships and a sense of belonging.
“Thriving families aren’t the result of programs or policies alone… they grow from connection, hope, joy, and love.”
This belief continues to ground Foster America’s work—helping systems better support the conditions families need to thrive.
Across states, we’re seeing what becomes possible when families are supported before challenges escalate.
In Washington, efforts like Grow the Green are using data and community insight to reduce repeat involvement in the system. In Colorado, the 211 Warmline is helping mandated reporters connect families to support instead of triggering investigations. Through OPT-In for Families, states are building new pathways for families to access help voluntarily and with dignity. Across the country, our Fiscal Leadership Circle fellows are committed to shift how funding is used for prevention, unlocking and aligning funding for family support.
Together, these efforts point to a shared truth: when families are connected to support earlier, better outcomes are possible—for families and for systems alike.
A key message from the session was that innovation isn’t just about creating new programs—it’s about changing how we work.
That includes designing solutions alongside people with lived experience, building trust through meaningful and respectful engagement, and creating spaces where communities feel safe to share openly.
“The innovations we’re making are not just in what we’re doing, but how we’re approaching change.”
Across every example shared, one thing was clear: systems change happens through relationships.
Bringing together families, communities, public agencies, and partners creates the conditions for more aligned and responsive support. This work is inherently collaborative—and its impact depends on the strength of those connections.
“The work of systems change for families will truly take all of us.”
As Foster America marks its 10th anniversary, the session offered both reflection and perspective.
Real change takes time. It requires patience, persistence, and partnership. But across communities, we are beginning to see meaningful shifts in how families are supported—and a growing momentum toward systems that help families not just get by, but truly thrive.
In 2026, Foster America marks a decade of building an alternative to a child welfare system rooted in crisis—and proving that families thrive when support comes early, with dignity, and led by community.
