2026 SFFA Conference Speakers
Featured Speakers
The 2026 Saskatchewan Foster Families Association Conference brings together experienced child welfare professionals who have dedicated their careers to supporting children, youth and families. Learn practical strategies, evidence-based approaches and real-world insights from leaders who have worked with foster families across North America.
Jayne Schooler
Jayne currently serves as an adoption and foster care trainer for the Schooler Institute, a project she and David Schooler developed together until his passing.
She is the author or co-author of nine books in the foster and adoptive field, including Caring for Kids from Hard Places: Working with Children and Teens with a Traumatic Past.
Jayne is one of the primary authors of the Back2Back Trauma Competent Caregiving training series and has trained caregivers and professionals internationally. She is the mother of two adult children, grandmother to four and great-grandmother to two.
Kristy Matheson, LPC, LSW
Kristy Matheson has more than 25 years of experience serving diverse populations. Raised in a home that welcomed foster children, she brings both professional expertise and the unique perspective of a biological child who grew up alongside the foster care experience.
Kristy is passionate about equipping, encouraging and supporting foster and adoptive families through education, advocacy and authentic connection.
Together, let’s celebrate the impact you make—because every child deserves someone like you.
Dr. Denise Goodman
Denise Goodman has been a child welfare professional for more than 48 years. Her career has included work with emotionally disturbed teens, residential treatment facilities and child welfare agencies, as well as experience as a foster parent.
As an independent consultant, Denise conducts workshops and provides consultation throughout the United States and Canada on topics related to foster care, adoption and kinship care.
She works with local, state and Tribal jurisdictions to build their foster care, adoption and kinship care programs.
Conference Presentations
Brains Under Construction: Help Kids Build Self-Control and Focus (Executive Functioning)
Friday, October 2 · 1:00–4:30 p.m.Children who have experienced trauma, abuse, neglect or chronic stress often struggle with executive functioning—the brain skills responsible for self-control, focus, flexible thinking, emotional regulation and working memory.
These challenges can look like defiance, laziness or poor choices when they are actually signs of delayed skill development.
In this engaging, practical workshop, participants will discover how trauma impacts the developing brain and learn simple, research-based strategies to strengthen executive functioning at home.
Through real-life examples, case studies, interactive activities and practical tools, caregivers will learn to move beyond managing behaviour to building the skills children need for lifelong success.
Participants will leave with a deeper understanding of why children struggle, how to respond with confidence and compassion, and practical strategies they can begin using immediately to help children build stronger brains, healthier relationships and greater independence.
Participants will learn to:
- Understand the four core executive functioning skills and how they develop.
- Recognize how trauma and chronic stress affect the brain’s “thinking centre.”
- Identify executive functioning challenges that are often mistaken for defiance or disobedience.
- Use practical strategies to strengthen self-control, focus, flexibility and emotional regulation.
- Create supportive routines and environments that promote success at home and school.
- Respond to challenging behaviours with coaching rather than correction while building long-term resilience.
This workshop is designed for foster, adoptive, kinship and biological parents, caregivers, educators and child welfare professionals seeking practical, trauma-informed tools to help children thrive.
Supporting Foster Parents and Families
Saturday, October 3 · Time to be confirmedPrioritizing ME: Stress and Self-Care for Foster Parents
Too often, foster parents are busy with children’s activities, appointments, schoolwork and household chores, as well as a job, and overlook an important person: themselves.
This session will explore common stressors foster parents face and assist participants in developing a wellness plan.
WOW! That Hurt! Secondary Trauma Experienced by Foster Parents
Foster parents face a myriad of difficult situations on a day-to-day basis. The impact can take a toll and lead to secondary trauma.
This session will discuss how secondary trauma occurs, how it manifests itself and strategies foster parents can use to manage and heal from the trauma.
Discovering Wellness
Saturday, October 3 · Time to be confirmedParenting children who have experienced trauma, loss or other difficult life circumstances is deeply meaningful work—but it can also be emotionally, physically and mentally exhausting.
In the midst of meeting the constant needs of others, caregivers often place their own well-being at the bottom of the priority list. Yet, as educator Parker Palmer reminds us, self-care is not selfish—it is an essential part of sustaining our ability to care for others with patience, compassion and resilience.
This interactive workshop explores the seven dimensions of wellness, offering a practical, holistic approach to caregiver self-care.
Participants will reflect on their current well-being, identify areas needing attention, and leave with realistic, evidence-informed strategies to strengthen resilience, prevent burnout and cultivate a healthier, more balanced life—for themselves and the children in their care.
Saturday presentation times and the final session schedule will be announced when confirmed.
