In partnership with the Children’s Trust Fund Alliance and Casey Family Programs, the Youth Law Center co-hosted a national Birth and Foster Parent Partnership Convening bringing together birth and foster family leaders from across the country to strengthen their capacity to lead systems policy and practice change that supports parent partnership relationships at the agency, state and federal levels. ACF Children’s Bureau Associate Commissioner Aysha Schomburg welcomed participants, encouraging a more expansive definition of family in foster care that includes both birth and foster parents by stating “A moment in time does not define a family”. Connecticut’s Department of Children and Families Commissioner Vannessa Dorantes, who is leading CT QPI implementation, shared wisdom on how families can engage agency and court leadership effectively in systems change stating “As leaders, it’s important for us to dismantle the power differentials and make our spaces welcoming. Everyone, at every layer, contributes to outcomes, and as leaders, that’s our responsibility to hear from them.”