P4P NEWS AND UPDATES
P4P Job Opportunities
Partnerships for Permanence (P4P) is hiring - We have two job positions open for 2024.
P4P Program Coordinator: Our executive team is looking for a program coordinator, (30-40 hours per week). View job description
P4P Community Engagement Liaison: Our executive team is looking for a community engagement liaison, (10-20 hours per week). View job description
To apply for either position, please send us your resume or CV, cover letter, and provide three to five professional references. Click button below to email the requested information.
Join Our Board of directors
We Are Seeking New Board Members!!!
Partnerships for Permanence (P4P) is looking for board members who are passionate about improving the child welfare system and ensuring that adoptive and foster young people have supportive people in their lives that help them grow into adults that live positive, peaceful, and prosperous lives.
P4P’s Board of Directors is a group of volunteers who provide leadership and oversight to ensure that the resources entrusted to the organization are used effectively to accomplish its mission. It's important that all of P4P’s board members are:
empathetic and passionate about P4P’s work
effective at making group decisions, communicating with others, working in a team, resolving conflict, listening, thinking critically, and asking important questions
culturally aware and competent
diverse in their perspectives representing a variety of genders, abilities, ages, races/ethnicities, etc.
able to fulfill board member responsibilities and expectations
In addition, some board members are needed that have:
lived experience in the child welfare system
expertise and skills in advocacy/policy, finance, fundraising/grant writing, human resources, marketing/communications, and nonprofit management
connections with others in corporations, government agencies, nonprofit organizations, and philanthropy
an entrepreneurial spirit/mindset
strong attention to detail
To learn more, check out the Board of Directors page and/or this flier with more information about being on P4P’s board. To apply, complete the on-line application. Those interested in applying are encouraged to complete the application by March 30, 2024, if possible.
December 2023
P4P Holiday Gift-Giving Event
P4P ended the year with our other annual event, The Holiday Party/Gift Giving. It was a day filled with laughter, smiles, and tons of fun. Our 15th Annual Holiday Party is meant to offer recognition to those who have been with P4P for years, and to welcome our newest youth and their families. We also want to give a huge thank you to those who have supported P4P, we were able to donate gifts to 22 program members and their children. There were numerous smiles and huge thank you, and even a fall to the knees from the joy of opening gifts! Your donations show that you truly care for our cause and mission. It has made such a huge difference in the youths’ lives and P4P! We can’t wait to see everyone next year (2024) for our 16th Annual Holiday Party/Gift Giving!
November 2023
P4P Thanksgiving Dinner
We celebrated P4P 15th Annual P4P Thanksgiving lunch/dinner. P4P invited staff, board, and community members to come and enjoy a meal prepared by Herbies on the Park. This meal is meant to bring together friends and family to express our gratitude and to bring a sense of “togetherness” for our youth and their families.
November 2023
Circus of the Heart - Adoption Day
In November, P4P helped celebrate Adoption Awareness Month by attending Circus of the Heart 2023. This was a great opportunity for our staff to connect with and learn about foster and adoption agencies within the twin cities, but most of all celebrate the youth and adoptees of Minnesota!
October 2023
P4P Board and Staff Retreat
P4P hosted our Board and Staff retreat this year at a beautiful bed and breakfast in Duluth! It was a time for staff and board members to reconnect with each other, get re-inspired about our mission, build confidence in their roles, review our mission/values, and conduct a comprehensive strategic plan to map out a clear sense of direction going forward into 2024 and beyond.
October 2023
Statewide Guardian ad Litem Training Insitute
Partnerships for Permanence was invited for the 6th year to facilitate two workshops at the GAL (Guardian ad Litem Statewide Training) held at Mystic Lake Training Center. These training sessions are crucial in our desire to continue educating professionals about the importance of meeting the needs of the youth they serve.
Journey to Becoming a Success Story was the first workshop facilitated by three P4P team members. This workshop focused on the concept of identity formation with young adults who have experienced the child welfare system. The panelists bravely shared tips and tools for achieving successful outcomes as young people transition into adulthood. On the second day of workshops, P4P Youth Advocates with first-hand foster care and adoption lived experience, provided professional tips and recommendations to guardian ad litems to help ensure youth voices are amplified and guided toward successful transition planning into adulthood.
October 2023
P4P Fundraiser
P4P held a Social and Fundraiser designed to raise awareness and funds to help support our mission. We would like to extend our biggest thank you to everyone who attended, and to those who generously donated. Thank you for your support and for your belief in doing good. We simply couldn’t do what we do without amazing people like our partners, funders, and individual donors.
September 2023
Selby Jazz Festival is dedicated to using the power of arts-based community development as a platform for individuals from all walks of life to be of one community via a shared arts experience.
P4P staff and board were so honored to be a part of this community engagement event. The event included live music, delicious food from community vendors, and a free-spirited vibe. P4P team connected with members of our community, which created a day of smiles, networking and partnerships!
August 2023
Leaders Changing the System (LCS) Summit
Partnerships for Permanence - Honoring the Connections that Change Lives
Partnerships for Permanence honored and celebrated five child welfare advocates who have championed our fight, stood by our side and made a profound impact in the lives of countless youth and families. We partnered with Hennepin and Ramsey County Children and Family Services and Metro State University School of Social Work.
June - July 2023
Leaders Changing the System (LCS) Leadership Training
Leaders Changing the System (LCS) Leadership training was created and designed by Partnerships for Permanence.
2023 was our first year together in-person since the pandemic! This year our participants were trained on skills/career assessments, tips and suggestions for discovering your passion, exploring the educational pathway for pursuing a career in social work (or other careers) and educational planning.
Participants were also provided with the right tools to assess their leadership skills/styles and how to develop new approaches to leading with courage, creativity and authenticity. A huge thanks to our trainers/mentors Lola Adebara and Robert O’Connor! And a huge congratulations to our 2023 LCS Leadership Training graduates!
July 2023
P4P Social - Family Outdoor Gathering
July 2023 kicked off with our 6th Annual P4P Outdoor Gathering. We had tons of outdoor activities such as kick ball, water balloons, and a game of tug of war! Hennepin and Ramsey staff and youth were also in attendance for the event.
April 2023
P4P Social - Family Day
Bowling and Arcade Games
Since P4P began, we have always loved hosting events that create community engagement, celebrate youth and their families, and foster a positive environment for youth to ALWAYS come back to! In April 2023, we hosted a bowling and laser tag event. We welcomed P4P staff and board to invite their families for a fun-filled day of bowling, laser tag, arcade games, and lots of pizza!
P4P Staff Development Retreat
P4P CEO developed a comprehensive Staff Development Retreat this year. It was a great opportunity for our staff to come together to get to know each other, strengthen our professional connections, redefine our mission, vision and goals, and most of all relax and enjoy some self-reflection time.
February 2023
P4P Women’s Empowerment Luncheon
Partnerships for Permanence held a Women’s Empowerment Luncheon for staff and board in February 2023. P4P Women’s Empowerment Lunch helped to provide a sense of self-worth and to recognize the power of women leaders with foster care and adoption lived experience. We are excited to continue this empowerment luncheon once a year.
October 2022
Seeking New Board Members
Partnerships for Permanence (P4P) is looking for board members who are passionate about P4P’s mission of improving the child welfare system and ensuring that adoptive and foster young people have supportive people in their lives that help them grow into adults that live positive, peaceful, and prosperous lives.
Given P4P’s strategy and to complement its current board members, P4P is actively searching for new board members with:
expertise and skills in advocacy/policy, finance, fundraising/grant writing, human resources, marketing/communications, and nonprofit management
connections with others in corporations, government agencies, nonprofit organizations, and philanthropy
strengths as a critical thinker and connector
an entrepreneurial spirit/mindset
diverse perspectives and lived experience representing a variety of genders, abilities, ages, races/ethnicities, etc.
The application deadline for this year’s board election is July 31, 2023. To learn more, check out the Board of Directors page and/or this flier with more information about being on P4P’s board. To apply, complete the on-line application. Please reach out to me with any questions.
August through september 2022
Leaders Changing the System (LCS) Network “Growing Together Youth and Adult Virtual Summit” (#GTYAS 22) on August 10th, 2022 from 10:00 am - 1:00 pm via Zoom.
2022 Youth and Adult Summit Theme and Description
“Improving outcomes for youth and adults with foster care and adoption lived experience.”
LCS Network Advisors envision a transformational gathering for youth and adult partners to develop a circle of support, teach life skills and future planning, and share meaningful resources to heal from the past and grow together stronger.
This leadership summit seeks to motivate and elevate young leaders and seasoned professionals with lived experiences impacted by foster care and adoption in order to effect change within the system.
An opportunity for youth and adults with lived experience to share with each other their common experiences as a powerful tool to inform future system change.
Engage young adults, parents, and professionals using a reflective approach to identify limitations and challenges that hold people back, including barriers to success and future planning.
Leaders Changing the System (LCS) Network Advisory Group is made up of dedicated, passionate, "proximate leaders" with personal and professional experience in child welfare. Amplifying the voices of Black/African Americans with lived experience is an essential ingredient for child welfare reform that addresses the disparities that Black families currently experience within the child welfare system.
Our collaborative partners include representatives from: African American Babies Coalition & Projects (AABC), Metro State Social Work Department Multicultural Title IV-E Child Welfare Program, Urban League Twin Cities, and Casey Family Programs.
LCS Advisory Network is a unique culturally-specific lived experience professional resource network for child welfare decision-makers and stakeholders to partner and collaborate for system reform and policy changes.
April through July 2022
Partnerships for Permanence has been planning and developing in collaboration with its partner agencies: Ramsey County Social Services and Community Corrections and National Crittenton, a System Impacted Girls Project.
Over the last year, Partnerships for Permanence has contracted with Ramsey County to design a project that will collect qualitative data from cis/trans girls, gender expansive young people, and parents/guardians who have been involved in the child welfare and juvenile justice systems. We are excited to share more details of the project and final report in the upcoming months.
February and March 2022
Partnerships for Permanence partnered with North American Council on Adoptable Children (NACAC) to host a dynamic training for families interested in learning how to better care for a child of a different race, with cultural awareness as a core value. The journey of finding yourself and knowing who you are can be challenging for children and young people with diverse racial and cultural identities.
P4P hosts a monthly two-part training series training that focuses on transformative and meaningful conversations about race and culture. How do you go about making a plan for exploring and integrating “racial and cultural mirrors” for your child or young adult? The goal of this training is for families to learn practical tips, gain resources, and develop a plan for helping their child or young adult explore the journey of knowing who they are. To schedule a P4P Centering Connections Training with our expert trainers with lived experience, click the contact us link below.
January 2022
P4P COMMUNITY PARTNERS
We kicked-off this year growing new and ongoing partnerships with local county agencies and national child welfare organizations. As a continuation of the amazing work we started with the Leaders Changing the System (LCS) and Centering Connections program, this year we are excited to announce several partnerships formed to build on Partnerships for Permanence’s (P4P) community outreach/engagement and child welfare training expertise.
Partnerships for Permanence is proud to partner with Casey Family Programs, F.R Bigelow Foundation, and Graves Foundation and Ramsey County Social Services and Community Corrections; as partners supporting and investing in the next generation of young leaders transforming the child welfare system in Minnesota.
PODCAST SPOTLIGHT
Special thanks to MNAdopt for inviting Partnerships for Permanence (P4P) to participate in the recording of Let's Talk Podcast. It was a great experience that provided us with the opportunity to share how our work helps young leaders improve the child welfare system and the many unique ways Partnerships for Permanence is actively:
Partnering adults with young people;
Facilitating child welfare trainings for youth, professionals, and families;
Teaching child welfare professionals how to better advocate for young people through skills-building workshops.
September through November 2021
P4P TRAINING HIGHLIGHTS
The Journey of Becoming a Success Story:
Foster & Adoptive Young Leaders - P4P Training for MN Adopt
Partnerships for Permanence’s Founder and CEO and three young leaders facilitated a panel discussion for MNADOPT. We offered child welfare families and professionals a unique opportunity to engage and learn from our young people with lived experience. Interactive discussions and reflections focused on their real life perspectives, motivational, and inspirational stories of the journey of redefining the meaning of success while overcoming life obstacles.
How to Be an Advocate for Children and Families of Color - P4P Training for Children’s Home and Lutheran Social Services
This dynamic two-part training series was developed by Partnerships for Permanence for foster/adoptive families and child welfare professionals. P4P’s CEO and a Young Leader presented and facilitated small group discussions, in collaboration with CHLSS staff to organize an highly successful training sessions in November 2021.
How to Better Understand Race and Family - P4P Training for Children’s Home and Lutheran Social Services
Another two-part training series developed by Partnerships for Permanence - “How to Better Understand Race and Family” which was hosted by CHLSS. Both training sessions were offered to Foster/kin/adoptive families and received rave reviews from training participants in October 2021.
June through August 2021
LCS LEADERSHIP TRAINING - 3RD COHORT GRADUATION
Congratulations to the Class of 2021 Leaders Changing the System (LCS) Leadership Training program. This year’s online training was held from June through August. Despite the challenges that comes with shifting from in-person training to an online training platform, we are very grateful to our expert trainers and LCS students for their hard work and resilience.
April 2021
COMMUNITY OUTREACH AND PARTNERSHIPS
We are expanding our child welfare trainings and partnering with state agencies, organizations, community members to raise awareness about foster care and adoption. Starting this year we are partnering with nine local and national organizations to provide expert trainings, community outreach, and system reform advocacy work. In 2022, we will be announcing some exciting projects in collaboration with our partners.
LEADERS CHANGING THE SYSTEM (LCS) NETWORK ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Through P4P’s partnership with Casey Family Programs (a national organization), we developed an advisory committee made up of community leaders, experts, and advocates. The goal of LCS Network Advisory Group is to raise up the voices of Black young leaders and seasoned professionals with lived experience. Partnerships for Permanence is committed to authentically collaborating with LCS Network advisory committee members, to diligently improve outcomes for Black children and families (an overrepresented community) involved in the child welfare system in Minnesota.
STORYTIME FOR ADOPTIVE KIDS
Partnerships for Permanence has been collaborating with North American Council on Adoptable Children (NACAC) to create unique “Storytime” reading opportunities for foster and adoptive kids ages 5-8. P4P young leaders serve as readers twice a month on Thursdays. Since April 2021, P4P members have enjoyed the opportunity to read books with meaningful messages and conversations.
January - March 2021
LEADERS CHANGING THE SYSTEM (LCS)
EMERGENCY FUND
During the pandemic, our organization was impacted by unprecedented challenges. We had to develop more creative and innovative ways to restructure our team and administer programming. Thanks to the unwavering support, dedication, and generosity of our Board of Directors, Staff, Volunteers, and Donors — we survived 2020 and transformed lives in the midst of change!!
LCS Emergency Fund launched in August 2020 as a result of the financial support from our generous individual donors. We were able to provide innovative online programming for all P4P members (18 and older). Our amazing donors and their contributions allowed us to serve over 40 foster and adoptive young people during the pandemic. P4P unique programs:
provided one-on-one support to those affected by job loss, food insecurity, lack of transportation resources, and those seeking mental health referrals;
designed online innovative tools and curriculum for: P4P support groups, leadership and mentoring trainings, and child welfare trainings to families and professionals;
provided Walmart and Target gift cards or other stipends to: 7 program graduates, 15 support group members and 18 other program members during the pandemic crisis.
Help us continue to make a difference in the lives of our young leaders during the pandemic, by becoming a monthly donor or by making a generous contribution to the Leaders Changing the System Fund.
December 2020
HUGE THANKS TO P4P DONORS AND FUNDERS…
***10TH ANNUAL HOLIDAY GIFT-GIVING***
We are so grateful for P4P Santa helpers, donors, and volunteers that purchased, organized, and delivered Christmas gifts to our program members and their kids. Through the generosity of our supporters and donors, we were able to fulfill all wish list items for thirty-three P4P members. Huge thanks to the P4P Holiday Gift-Giving planning team members: Chris, Sally, Sherry, and Lola.
September - November 2020
You can make a difference by becoming a volunteer LCS Mentor. We are currently recruiting mentors for next year’s LCS Mentoring Program cohort. Sign up today to mentor a young leader who will be changing the system
Congratulations to the 2020 LCS Mentoring Program Graduates. After a year and a half of online peer support meetings, mentoring trainings, book club calls, and leadership networking opportunities; we are proud to say that the LCS graduates are now Leaders Changing the System.
Our LCS program teaches aspiring youth leaders life and leadership skills, identity formation, communication skills. We also provide resources to career and educational opportunities and one-on-one mentorship to support our young leaders successful transition into adulthood.
End of July - August 2020
We hosted a Virtual FUNdraiser to showcase some of “P4P’s Superstars” with the 1st Annual P4P Talent Extravaganza. Special thanks to our event planning committee members for organizing a successful event.
Sign up for P4P’s Newsletter to receive information and dates for the next event.
July 2020
Partnerships for Permanence is raising funds and accepting donations for holiday gift items for kids (ages 1-8 years old) and young adult (ages 18 and older) such as: kids toys or books, household or kitchen items, pajamas or other clothing items, stocking stuffer items, or even grocery gift cards.
Each gift bag costs on average $50 to purchase items, so please consider a donation of $50 or more today to help us give the gift of holiday cheers to foster/adoptive young people this holiday season!
End of June 2020
Podcast Interview with P4P’s Founder for
GIFT Family Services
Partnerships for Permanence’s (P4P) Founder participated in a podcast interview with GIFT Family Service’s Team to discuss foster care and adoption for older youth and why it is important for the community to recognize the needs of young people.
June 2020
Case Study on P4P by Propel Nonprofits
Propel Nonprofits featured Partnerships for Permanence (P4P) as a Case Study Organization to highlight this month. We partnered with Propel Nonprofits for four years working with their fiscal sponsorship and finance team. We are so grateful for their support and commitment to us over the years.
Here you can find some of our biggest moments of the last few months!
2019-2020 Goals and Vision
Special thanks to our donors, supporters, board members, mentors, and young leaders for helping us champion important causes this year. Please click below to read our latest newsletter about program updates, goals, and youth spotlight.
Holiday Gatherings
December 2019 - January 2020
Since 2010, Partnerships for Permanence has hosted “P4P Holiday Soirées and Dinners” to help celebrate our foster alumni and adoptees. We always organize these events and gatherings 2-4 times each year, because we want young people to know they are cared for by community members.
P4P Mentoring Program Training
in Action
August - November 2019
We began our LCS Mentoring Program this month matched all of the LCS Leadership Training graduates with a seasoned professional mentor for a commitment of 1-3 years. Dependent upon when and how quickly they successfully achieve their goals. We offer ongoing support to program participants through mentoring trainings, book club calls, peer support groups, social and networking events, and summer and holiday gatherings. Special thanks to our dedicated team of staff, volunteer mentors, and young leaders.
April-JULY 2019
PARTNERSHIPS FOR PERMANENCE
2019 Leaders Changing the System Program
In April, P4P announced our Leaders Changing the System (LCS) program, a six-week summer training and mentoring program created by P4P to train and recruit current or former foster and adoptive youth to our organization as executive team members or youth consultants who share in our organization’s mission and want to see it succeed. Over the course of six weeks, LCS participants built widely applicable professional skills through comprehensive trainings from experts in: communications, public speaking, storytelling, child welfare, and legislation advocacy.
In July, Partnerships for Permanence proudly announced the graduation of six bright young women from our 2019 Leaders Changing the System program ("LCS"). We can not imagine a better group of young people fit to bear the title of “Leaders Changing the System,” and we hope that they take that name to heart! A special thanks to our four LCS Expert Trainers: Lauren Causey, Sally Ankerfelt, George Gaetano, and Lola Adebara. They were instrumental in training this group, who we are happy to say, are now preparing for the next stage of the program - a year long volunteer mentorship! Thanks to everyone else for your continued support on this years-long mission.
March 2019
PARTNERSHIPS FOR PERMANENCE
THE WHY YOU INITIATIVE
P4P has spent the last two days with an amazing group of folks at a leadership and mentoring conference for high achieving youth of color. A special thanks to The Why You Initiative and Graves Foundation for a wonderful experience.
March 2019
PARTNERSHIPS FOR PERMANENCE
INNOVATIVE CHANGE LEADERSHIP
Our leaders are spending three days learning about Innovative Change Leadership this week. A special thanks to Alia for bringing great thinkers and innovators together to DISRUPT the system. Another special thanks to Eliza for the invitation.
February 2019
PARTNERSHIPS FOR PERMANENCE
2019 NETWORKING EVENT
A networking event hosted by Charities Review Council gave P4P a great opportunity for our team to connect with other teams in the nonprofit sector. A special thanks to DeeDee for the invite and support.
December 2018
PARTNERSHIPS FOR PERMANENCE
8TH ANNUAL HOLIDAY SOIREE
We recently celebrated our 8th Annual Holiday Soiree for Foster and Adoptive Youth and Adults. This was one of the greatest highlights of the 2018 year at Partnerships for Permanence! We had a lot of supporters and donors that contributed to make this a memorable event. A special thanks to our event sponsors and planning committee members.
October 2018
PARTNERSHIPS FOR PERMANENCE
BUSH CONNECT EVENT
