We can't wait to see you!Formed Families Forward welcomes you to our 12th annual Spring Forward Foster, Kinship and Adoptive Family Fun Day! Our theme is Together We Can: Strengthening Your Family Through Community.

Foster, adoptive kinship families and family-serving professionals are invited to the 2025 Spring Forward Foster, Adoptive and Kinship Family Fun Day on Saturday, May 3 from 8:30 AM - 2 PM.  Tickets include admittance to sessions, activities, and a lunch.

This year, Spring Forward will be held at the Science and Technology Campus of George Mason University in Manassas.  While parents, caregivers and professionals are enjoying sessions presented by experts in education and support of foster, adoptive and kinship families, children age 4-9 will take part in outdoor activities organized by Camp Sarraka while youth ages 10 and up will engage in GMU's outdoor experiential challenge course "The EDGE".  More information on the inclusive programming for children and teens is provided below or can be found by visiting https://edge.gmu.edu.

The day begins with keynote Fostering Community: Overcoming Isolation, Finding Strength in Connection & Building Your “Tribe” presented by Leigh C. McInnis, LPC, Executive Director, Newport Academy, Virginia 

Together, we will explore factors that can contribute to a sense of isolation as a foster, adoptive or kinship parent – and specific strategies for building a sense of belonging, community and accountability within your tribe.  “Tribe” in this sense is in reference to the book Tribe: On Homecoming & Belonging by Sebastian Junger which “explains why we are stronger together when we come together and how that can be achieved”.

Leigh McInnis, LPC is a licensed therapist and licensed clinical supervisor who is currently employed as the Executive Director at Newport Healthcare's Virginia location where she oversees the operations and programming of 4 Adolescent facilities and 3 Young Adult residential treatment facilities. Before finding her professional home at Newport Healthcare, Leigh worked in many public mental health arenas, including nonprofit crisis prevention and response for adults, intensive in-home care for children and adolescents, and residential treatment facilities for children and adolescents where she supported in the development of the clinical milieu for a non-suicidal self-injury unit. Leigh is passionate about partnering with families and communities to support sustainable healing for our clients. Leigh holds a Master's degree in Community Counseling and has training and experience with Attachment Based Family Therapy, Suicide Risk Prevention/Management, and Dialectical Behavior Therapy. Leigh recently completed the Training for Adoption Competency with the Center for Adoption Support & Education (C.A.S.E.) and is certified as a Brain Health Professional by the Amen Clinic.

Following the Keynote, families will choose from an incredible line up of breakout sessions presented by education and disability experts and FFF staff. 

SPRING FORWARD SCHEDULE FOR PARENTS, CAREGIVERS and PROFESSIONALS

8:30am - 9:00am - REGISTRATION

9:00am -10:15am - WELCOME and KEYNOTE "Fostering Community: Overcoming Isolation, Finding Strength in Connection & Building Your 'Tribe' "      

10:15am -10:30am - break and exhibits 

10:30am - 11:40am  - BREAKOUTS SESSION A.  

11:40am - 11:50am - break and exhibits 

11:50am - 1:00pm - BREAKOUTS SESSION B. 

1:00pm - 2:00pm - LUNCH  (families eat together outside under tent)

Children ages 4-9 will participate in the Camp Sarraka program.  The day will include outdoor activities and creative art projects.  

Youth ages 10-18 will enjoy a guided outdoor challenge course at The EDGE including a tower climb! Please note that appropriate tickets must be purchased in advance for all children and youth participating in Spring Forward. Listed Spring Forward prices include snacks and lunch and are SIGNIFICANTLY DISCOUNTED from the regular EDGE fees of $35 to $45.

FREE childcare provided on-site for children aged 3 and under.  (No charge, however please register your young child by choosing the appropriate ticket.) 

Scholarships will be available for the refund of registration fees for any attending child or youth. Families need to pay for child/youth registrations now; we will share information about scholarships closer to the event date.

Businesses and Community partners: We welcome SPONSORSHIPS! There are a variety of options for your to promote your brand or products. Limited exhibit tables are also available during the event. Contact Stacia.Stribling@formedfamiliesforward.org for more information on exhibits and sponsorships.

THANK YOU to our SPRING FORWARD sponsors, including:

Gold Level

Silver Level