--- title: Full Circle Conference Round-Up description: NCHS' Full Circle Conference has come to a close, and we have the perfect recap for you! Take a look at some of the most impactful findings. image: https://blog.nchs.org/hubfs/Blog%20Images%20(62).png --- [Donate](https://nchs.org/donate/) - - - - - [402.451.0787](tel:402.451.0787) [402.451.0787](tel:402.451.0787) - [130th Anniversary](https://nchs.org/130-years-nchs-celebration/) - [Calendar](https://nchs.org/events/) - [Careers](https://nchs.org/careers/) - [Get Involved](https://nchs.org/get-involved/) [Donate](https://nchs.org/donate/) [![Finalized-NCHS-Full-Color](https://blog.nchs.org/hubfs/Finalized-NCHS-Full-Color.svg)](https://nchs.org/) - [Family Support](https://nchs.org/family-support/) - Column 1 - [Pregnancy Services Offering resources, support, & guidance as you determine the best course of action for you & your family.](https://nchs.org/pregnancy-services/) - [Top Pregnancy Questions](https://nchs.org/pregnancy-services/top-questions/) - [Kinship Navigation Connecting kinship families to the support & community resources they need to thrive.](https://kinship.nchs.org/) - [Families Forever Providing support & strategies for deepening the bonds of families formed through adoption or guardianship.](https://nchs.org/families-forever/) - [Become a Families2Families Mentor](https://nchs.org/become-a-mentor-make-a-difference/) - [Full Circle Conference 2024](https://fullcircle.nchs.org/) - [Early Childhood Education Educating & developing children as they prepare for kindergarten and beyond.](https://nchs.org/early-childhood-education/) - Column 2 - [Parent & Caregiver Support:](https://nchs.org/parent-caregiver-support/) - [Healthy Families America Personalized advice & guidance for expectant or newborn parents.](https://nchs.org/healthy-families/) - [Self-Sufficiency Gain vital skills needed to become more self-sufficient.](https://nchs.org/self-sufficiency/) - [Teen & Young Parent Program Preparing teens & young parents for adulthood.](https://nchs.org/teen-young-parent-program/) - [Foster Care](https://nchs.org/foster-care/) - Column 1 - [Steps to Becoming a Foster Family Get information regarding the process of becoming a foster family.](https://nchs.org/foster-care/#becoming-foster-family) - [Mutual Selection Using a collaborative approach to work toward a brighter future.](https://nchs.org/foster-care/#mutual) - [Adoption](https://nchs.org/child-adoption/) - Column 1 - [Adopt Through NCHS Discover the steps you need to take to start your adoption journey with NCHS.](https://nchs.org/adopt-through-nchs/) - [Considering Adoption for Your Child Get assistance with figuring out the next steps for you & your family.](https://nchs.org/consider-adoption-for-your-child/) - [Post-Adoption Services Access resources & support available to you after an adoption is finalized.](https://nchs.org/post-adoption-services/) - Column 2 - [Adoption Search Discover more about your biological lineage.](https://nchs.org/post-adoption-services#adoption-search) - [Birth-Parent Support Group Peer support for birth parents that chose adoption.](https://nchs.org/post-adoption-services#birth-parent-support) - [Families Forever Providing support & strategies for deepening the bonds of families formed through adoption or guardianship.](https://nchs.org/families-forever/) - [Learn](https://nchs.org/learn/) - Column 1 - [Blog Catch up on the latest tips & information our team has to offer.](https://blog.nchs.org/) - [Resources Browse our extensive resource library to get the answers you need.](https://nchs.org/resources/) - [A Guide to Kinship Care](https://info.nchs.org/kinship-care-resources-services-help-you-care-unique-family) - [Support For Expectant And New Parents](https://info.nchs.org/pregnancy-services-support-for-expectant-and-new-parents) - [Support for Families Formed Through Adoption](https://info.nchs.org/families-forever-support-families-formed-adoption) - Column 2 - [Events Stay updated on the latest events & volunteer opportunities through NCHS.](https://nchs.org/events/) - [News & Press Read up on NCHS’s latest announcements & community news.](https://nchs.org/news-press-releases/) - [Celebrating 130 Years | NCHS Come celebrate with us as we look to a bright future and remember 130 years of caring for Nebraska’s children families.](https://nchs.org/130-years-nchs-celebration/) - [About](https://nchs.org/about/) - Column 1 - [Mission, Values & Strategic Plan Our core values are the driving factor behind everything we do.](https://nchs.org/mission-values-strategic-plan/) - [Leadership, Board, & Trustees](https://nchs.org/about#team) - [Partnerships & Donors](https://nchs.org/partners/) - [Strategic Plan](https://nchs.org/mission-values-strategic-plan#strategic) - [Contact](https://nchs.org/contact/) - [*Family Support* Caring For Your Grandchildren And Yourself Learn valuable strategies for caring for yourself and your grandchildren. Download Now](https://nchs.org/resource/raising-your-grandchildren-one-pager/) - [*Foster Care* FOSTER CARE PROGRAM Access the support, resources, guidance, and tools parents and babies need for… Download Now](https://nchs.org/resource/nchs-foster-care-program/) - [*Adoption* Strengthening Your Relationship As A Family Discover the support and resources available for families formed through adoption or… Download Now](https://nchs.org/resource/families-forever-one-pager/) - [*Learn* Annual Report Gain insight into the impact and work our team has achieved over… Download Now](https://nchs.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/NCHS-Annual-Report-2021-2022.pdf) - [*About* Strategic Plan NCHS believes in building a bright, healthy future for all children and… Download Now](https://nchs.org/resource/strategic-plan/) [Blog](https://blog.nchs.org) > [Family & Kinship Support](https://blog.nchs.org/tag/family-kinship-support) # Full Circle Conference Round-Up November 10, 2022 | 5 min read Share: [linkedin-in icon](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://blog.nchs.org/full-circle-conference-round-up) [facebook-f icon](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https://blog.nchs.org/full-circle-conference-round-up) [Twitter icon](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?url=https://blog.nchs.org/full-circle-conference-round-up) [envelope icon](mailto:?body=https://blog.nchs.org/full-circle-conference-round-up) Our first Families Forever Full Circle conference was a huge success! Between the in-person conference at UNO’s Thompson Alumni Center and the virtual livestream, we hosted over 150 people over the course of the day. The topics focused on meeting the needs of adoptees and helping adoptive parents, guardians, and professionals build the skills to provide lifelong post-adoption support. We were humbled and honored to host 11 separate and comprehensive sessions featuring [child development](https://blog.nchs.org/why-art-and-creativity-are-important-for-young-kids-emotional-social-development) and welfare experts. Let’s take a look at some of the most impactful moments from Full Circle 2022!![Blog Images (60)](https://blog.nchs.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Blog%20Images%20(60).png?width=1500&height=750&name=Blog%20Images%20(60).png) *Pictured from left: Teresa Frazier, Families Forever Program Coordinator, Rebecca Reiter, Families Forever Supervisor,  Mark Bryant, Families Forever Supervisor, Christina Nemec, Pregnancy Parenting and Adoption Program Director, Lisa Kelly, Family and Community Engagement Coordinator.* [NCHS’ Full Circle Conference has just wrapped, and we have the perfect recap for you! Take a look at the blog from @NEChildrensHome:](https://ctt.ac/3WjX6)[Click To Tweet](https://ctt.ac/3WjX6) ## Speaker Shout Outs We want to acknowledge that we know this conference would not be possible without the contributions of our valued experts. For those who selflessly shared their time and insights with us on October 27, we cannot thank you enough! If you’re interested in connecting with these speakers or following their findings in real time, we’ve compiled a list of their social media platforms where you can stay up to date with their research and other speaking engagements. | **Name** | **Website/LinkedIn** | | --- | --- | | Dr. Chaitra Wirta-Leiker, Licensed Psychologist | [Website](https://growbeyondwords.com/)  | | Nathan Ross, North American Council on Adoptable Children (NACAC) | [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathan-ross-710113a9/)  | | Barb Clark, North American Council on Adoptable Children (NACAC) | [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/barb-clark-290301a0/) | | Sara Sanson, Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LIMHP, LCSW) | [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/sara-sanson-limhp-lcsw-b04aa691/)  | | Brenna Poindexter, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Nebraska | [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/brennapoindexter/)  | | Briana Woodside, Licensed Clinical Social Worker | [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/briana-woodside-0a7362116/) | | Michelle Westengaard, Director of the Department of Occupational Therapy at the University of Nebraska Medical Center’s Munroe-Meyer Institute | [Website](https://www.unmc.edu/mmi/departments/ot/michelle-westengaard.html)  | | Jody Angel-Trejo, Licensed Independent Mental Health Practitioner | [Website](http://midwestecc.org/)  |   [For those who were unable to attend the Full Circle Conference, take a look at the recent blog from @NEChildrensHome to glean insights from expert speakers:](https://ctt.ac/3dCdX)[Click To Tweet](https://ctt.ac/3dCdX) ### Dr. Chaitra Wirta-Leiker Dr. Chaitra Wirta-Leiker was this year’s Welcome Keynote Speaker. She is a licensed psychologist, an international/transracial adoptee of color, and an adoptive parent. She specializes in providing mental health support focused on adoption, trauma, and racial identity work through her private practice in Denver, Colorado.  In her session *From Struggles to Superpowers: Reframing the Seven Core Issues in Adoption*, Dr. Wirta-Leiker shed light on some of the most common issues faced by adoptees and adoptive parents. Through this framework, Dr. Wirta-Leiker discussed how characteristics that are often viewed as challenges can actually help adoptees thrive. She challenged adoptive parents, guardians, and professionals alike to reevaluate how they look at certain behaviors to empower adoptees to draw on these inherent strengths. ### Nathan Ross Nathan Ross is a project specialist at the North American Council on Adoptable Children and delivered our Lunch Keynote Address. Nathan entered foster care at the age of ten and was later adopted as a teenager. Upon discovering that his resource-filled [foster care](https://nchs.org/foster-care/) experience was not the standard, he decided to center his career around increasing outcomes for future generations of children. Today, he uses his knowledge as a transracial adoptee and child welfare professional to train caregivers, foster care and adoption workers, and system administrators across North America.  In his keynote *Adoption Through the Eyes of an Adoptee*, Ross took attendees on a journey through the transition from his family home to his foster parents and finally to his adoptive parents. His one-of-a-kind story focused on finding his identity, his voice, and the path to forgiveness. From NCHS and Families Forever, we want to thank all contributors and attendees for coming to Full Circle, in person or online! For those who attended, please remember that our sessions are now digitally preserved and have been posted for you to access on the Whova app! Keep these invaluable resources on hand and reference them easily by checking them out online. If you did not join us this year, we hope to see you at our second Full Circle conference in 2024! To learn more about the Full Circle conference, please get in touch with the Families Forever team at [familiesforever@nchs.org](mailto:familiesforever@nchs.org) or visit [fullcircle.nchs.org](https://fullcircle.nchs.org/). [![NCHS Team](https://blog.nchs.org/hubfs/NCHS-Team-Author-IMG.png)](https://blog.nchs.org/author/nchs-team) [NCHS Team](https://blog.nchs.org/author/nchs-team) The NCHS team is committed to helping children, parents, grandparents, and families create a safe and loving home. To the NCHS Team, children always come first. By providing support to families and parents, NCHS works to ensure children have access to the care, love, and development opportunities they need to be successful adults. ## Related Blogs September 21, 2023 ##### The Essential Role of a Hospital Adoption Plan in Your Adoption Journey Adoption is quite the journey, filled with a mix of emotions and a multitude of decisions. Among... Read More + September 15, 2023 ##### Governor Pillen proclaims September is Kinship Care Awareness Month Caption: Governor Jim Pillen presents Kinship Care Awareness Month Proclamation to NCHS Chief... Read More + August 10, 2023 ##### Navigating the Difficulties of Adoption: Supporting Your Child and Being Their Voice For families formed through adoption, the notion of advocating for yourself and your family can... 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