Main Stage speakers
Jason Johnson
Jason is a writer and speaker who encourages families and equips church and organizational leaders on their foster care and adoption journeys.
Prior to his work at CAFO Jason spent 14 years in church staff ministry, including planting and pastoring a church in Houston. It’s there that his family’s foster care journey began.
Staycee Dixson
Staycee Dixson is an award-winning advocate, poet, keynote speaker, and founder of Rise of the Champions Foundation , an organization dedicated to equipping families and communities with life-saving skills, leadership development, and healing-centered programming.
Staycee is known for helping caregivers build stability, restore identity, and lead with resilience in complex environments.
Workshop presenters
John B Walter, CPA, Financial Advisor
Northwestern Mutual
Workshop: Smart Money Strategies for Foster Parents
Stephen Hoell, Financial Advisor
Northwestern Mutual
Workshop: Smart Money Strategies for Foster Parents
Kelly Wright
Veterans United Home Loans Faith & Community
Workshop: Managing Emotional Mayhem
Jeff Bryant
I Pour Life
Workshop: Strength for the Journey
Jason Johnson
CAFO
Workshop: Cultivating Health Rhythms | For the Fathers
Kathryn Fishman-Weaver, PhD
Mizzou Academy, Heart of Missouri CASA, Boone County Children’s Fund
Workshop: Trauma-Informed Language and Communication Support
Raina Harting
Boone County Advocate Supervisor for Heart of Missouri CASA
Workshop: Trauma-Informed Language and Communication Support
Amanda Langley/Adoption Specialist
Family Forward/Childrens Permamency Partnership
Workshop: Pathways to Permanency
Amanda Chilton
Foster Parent
Workshop: Guarding the Bond
Chris Hoover BSN, RN, CCM
Show Me Healthy Kids (SMHK) managed by Home State Health
Workshop: Restoring Wonder Through Care
Kari Nietzel BCBA
The Hero Clinic, Agape at The Crossing
Workshop: The Power of Your Words
Staycee Dixson
Rise of the Champions Foundation
Workshop: Beauty from Ashes
Abbie Kaufmann
Workshop: Meltdowns to Moments of Connection
Heather Saak, BA
Missouri Alliance for Children & Families
Workshop: Improving Connection Through Communication
