National Federation of Families

10/13/2026

🎉 Day 1 Is Officially Underway! 🎉

The energy is high, the conversations are inspiring, and the connections are already making an impact as Day 1 of the 37th National Federation of Families Conference kicks off!

From powerful learning sessions and meaningful networking to reunions with old friends and new opportunities to collaborate, today is all about coming together to strengthen families, uplift communities, and advance family-driven change across the nation.

We're excited to see advocates, family leaders, youth, professionals, and partners gathering to share ideas, learn from one another, and build momentum for the work ahead. Take a look at some of the highlights from Day 1!



✨ Here's to a great start and an even more incredible conference ahead!

10/07/2026

This week is Mental Illness Awareness Week (October 4–10). Let's break the stigma, share our stories, and remind everyone that help is available and hope starts with us. You are never alone.

10/07/2026

A teenager's daily step count may improve more than their physical health — it may also help protect their .

US News is a recognized leader in college, grad school, hospital, mutual fund, and car rankings. Track elected officials, research health conditions, and find news you can use in politics, business, health, and education.

10/07/2026

A study of mental health stigma in Japan has found a striking gap between the need for treatment and people’s willingness to seek it, with high levels of social distancing toward people with mental illness serving as a potential barrier.

Stigma-linked social distance discourages care, while a sense of “mattering” may encourage treatment

10/07/2026

This federal investment will bring crisis support directly to children and families and improve access to addiction and maternal mental health care across rural North Carolina.

Trump Administration Announces More Than $17 Million for New Mental Health Clinics, Mobile Crisis Teams, and Expanded Addiction Treatment in North CarolinaThis federal investment will bring crisis support directly to children and families and improve access to addiction and maternal mental health ca...

10/07/2026

Kind thanks and gratitude to Families As Allies for supporting our 37th annual conference this month as a 2026 Sponsor!

Learn more and Join Us: https://www.ffcmh.org/2026-conference
Sponsorship Info: https://www.ffcmh.org/conference-sponsor

10/01/2026

https://lnkd.in/p/e3Ch2bEp

ACF announced unborn children are now considered “candidates for foster care,” which gives expectant parents access to federally-funded prevention services to help strengthen families. As Assistant Secretary Alex Adams told The Daily Wire's Mary Margaret Olohan, the change is “designed to prot...

09/29/2026

Join National Adoption Competency Mental Health Training Initiative for "Voices That Shape Care: Centering Lived Experience in Permanency & Adoption Competent Mental Health"

What happens when lived experience and professional expertise come together? Stronger services, stronger partnerships, and better support for youth and families.

Join the National Center for Adoption Competent Mental Health Services for an interactive webinar exploring the importance of Permanency and Adoption Competent mental health care and the role lived experience plays in shaping responsive, family-centered systems of support.

Hear from national lived experience leaders, participate in a brief role-play, and gain practical strategies for centering family voice and strengthening supports for youth and families impacted by adoption, foster care, kinship care, guardianship, reunification, and other permanency journeys.

Tuesday, October 20
1:00 p.m. ET -- Virtual (Zoom)

Registration link:

Please join the National Center for Adoption Competent Mental Health Services for our October webinar exploring why Permanency and Adoption Competent mental health care matters for youth, parents, caregivers, and families who have experienced adoption, foster care, kinship care, guardianship, reunif...

09/28/2026

In this very brief survey, we’re collecting important information regarding how comfortable and knowledgeable our network is about how to connect and advocate alongside of their community organizations. Please share your thoughts!

Take the short survey here: https://ffcm.formstack.com/forms/community_partnership_and_engagment

09/24/2026

Su***de Prevention Resource Center’s Lived Experience Initiatives Team is holding two office hours sessions in October to provide tailored guidance and resources for integrating lived experience in organizations or system’s su***de prevention efforts. Sign up for an appointment at https://calendly.com/d/d3zf-r7n-6hg during one of their October sessions to:

Discuss approaches to adopting or adapting systems-level lived experience efforts.
Learn how to build a lived experience advisory committee.
Consult with prevention experts who can help address implementation challenges.

Email [email protected] if you have questions.