Articles From August 2026
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Adoption Through Two Lenses
Adoption can hold joy and grief at the same time. For mindset and identity coach Isaac Etter and his adoptive mother, Julie Etter, learning to understand that complexity transformed not only how they viewed adoption, but also how they related to one another.
Posted on August 14th, 2026 -
Relationships Key to Permanency: Creating Trust, Accountability and a Sense of Belonging
Many permanency professionals have worked with a young person who struggles to trust adults, resists permanency or pushes relationships away. During the opening keynote of the Annual Pennsylvania Permanency Conference, Rodney Walker invited attendees to consider what those behaviors can look like from the other side and how one consistent, caring adult can help change the trajectory of a young person's life.
Posted on August 12th, 2026 -
Moving Beyond Participation: Ethical Youth Engagement in Permanency Practice
How do we move beyond inviting youth to the table and ensure their voices genuinely shape the decisions that affect their lives?
That question framed the opening keynote of the SWAN Summer Statewide Meeting, where permanency professionals from across Pennsylvania gathered to connect with one another and learn, including exploring practical strategies for strengthening youth engagement, belonging and lifelong connections.
Posted on August 10th, 2026