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Happenings

Events

Retreats, working-group convenings, and conferences that bring the network together.
  • August 28, 2026

    Foster Care Interdisciplinary Working Group Retreat

    University of Miami

    This retreat is intended to connect scholars, students, and practitioners around foster care issues, identify shared areas of concern, and launch a focused interdisciplinary working group.

    • 12:00–1:00 PM
      Lunch and Opening Conversation
      • Welcome and boxed lunch
      • Why this project exists: goals for the retreat and the working group
      • Participant introductions and connections to foster care research or practice
    • 1:00–2:00 PM
      Practice and Systems Perspectives
      • Beau Necco, Necco: 10-minute presentation followed by Q&A
      • Mark Davis & Caitlyn Eccles, Table Sense: 10-minute presentation followed by Q&A
      • Greg Povolny, MindShare: 10-minute presentation followed by Q&A
      • Rikk Manning, Necco: 10-minute presentation followed by Q&A
      • Moderated discussion on urgent foster care needs, systems gaps, and opportunities for collaboration
    • 2:00–2:45 PM
      Study Group Research Share
      • Research highlights from three undergraduate students
      • Research presentation from one doctoral student
      • Faculty and collaborator reflections linking the work to the broader retreat themes
    • 2:45–3:45 PM
      Foster Care Problem Mapping Activity
      • Sticky-note activity to surface key foster care challenges
      • Group clustering and refinement of ideas
      • Prioritization of the most promising shared problem areas
    • 3:45–4:30 PM
      Breakout Discussions
      • Small groups organized around top-priority issues
      • Discussion of research questions, data needs, and collaboration opportunities
    • 4:30–5:00 PM
      Group Report-Out and Closing
      • Brief reports from each breakout group
      • Overview of next steps, including monthly working group meetings and future outputs
  • February 18, 2027

    Hult Competition and 1st Horizons Conference

    University of Miami

    The day brings together two programs: the Hult Prize competition and the inaugural HORIZONS conference. The Hult competition invites University of Miami undergraduate and graduate students to pitch venture ideas related to children’s well-being. The conference showcases research by HORIZONS members and opens dialogue among researchers, practitioners, and policymakers.

    • 8:00–8:30 AM
      Poster set-up
    • 8:30–11:00 AM
      Hult competition round 1
    • 11:30 AM–1:00 PM
      Keynote speech & Lunch
    • 1:00–3:30 PM
      Presentation
    • 3:30–4:00 PM
      Break
    • 4:00–5:00 PM
      Final Hult Competition
    • 5:00–6:30 PM
      Hult competition award ceremony and reception