2025 Annual Convening
DECEMBER 8-10, 2025
SPARC Members will learn about upcoming policy and advocacy opportunities; embrace the unique and powerful role that state advocates can play in making change; and refine messages and advocacy strategies to shape their work in 2026.
Agenda
We will host a Monday evening reception at the Annie E. Casey Foundation Headquarters at 701 St. Paul Street.
All Tuesday and Wednesday sessions will be held at the Annie E. Casey Foundation Office at 502 N. Charles Street. Optional pre- and post- convening workshops will also be held at the Foundation Office at 503 N. Charles Street.
Annie E. Casey Foundation Office
503 N. Charles Street
Baltimore, MD 21201
(410) 547-6600
Annie E. Casey Foundation Headquarters
701 St. Paul Street
Baltimore, MD 21202
(410) 547-6600
Hotel Indigo
24 West Franklin Street
Baltimore, MD 21201
(410) 625-6200
2:00 PM - 5:00 PM ET
Optional pre-convening workshop on prevention messaging strategies
5:00 PM - 8:00 PM ET
Welcome Reception
8:00 AM - 9:00 AM ET
Name Tag Pickup and Breakfast
9:00 AM - 9:30 AM ET
Welcome & Reflections on 2025
9:30 AM - 10:45 AM ET
Fireside Chat with SPARC Members
10:45 AM - 11:00 AM ET
Break
11:00AM - 12:30 PM ET
Presentations on State Agency Priorities and Federal Administration Priorities
12:30PM - 1:15 PM ET
Lunch
1:15PM - 1:45 PM ET
SPARC Leadership Council: Interactive session on member priorities and goals
2:00PM - 5:00 PM ET
State Solutions to Complex Issues: Discussions with experts on kinship care, Family First implementation, supporting the child welfare workforce, and engaging lived experts in advocacy
6:00PM - 8:00 PM ET
Dinner Offsite: Information on location coming soon!
8:00 AM - 9:00 AM ET
Breakfast
9:00 AM - 9:15 AM ET
Welcome
9:15 AM - 10:30 AM ET
Advocacy Tactics: Leveraging data to promote progress and identify challenges
10:30 AM - 10:45 AM ET
Break
10:45 AM - 12:00 PM ET
Advocacy Tactics: State budget outlook and strategies for advocacy
12:00 PM - 12:30 PM ET
Closing Reflections
12:30 PM ET
Grab and Go Lunch
1:00 PM - 3:00 PM ET
Optional Post-Convening Session: Federal congressional outlook and zoom meet-and-greet
Hotel & Transportation
Hotel Indigo
24 West Franklin Street
Baltimore, MD 21201
(410) 625-6200
Franklin Street Garage
15 West Franklin Street
Baltimore, MD
Directions
The Hotel Indigo and the Franklin Street Parking Garage are both located on West Franklin Street in Baltimore, just one block from the Annie E. Casey Foundation Office at 503 N. Charles Street.
From BWI (approx. 13 mi/20 km): Take I-195 to 95 North. Then take 95 North to Exit 53 (Inner Harbor). Turn right on Pratt St and go about four blocks to turn left on Charles St. Head north and turn left on Franklin where the hotel will be on the right. The parking garage is on the left.
From Baltimore Penn Station Amtrak (approx. 0.8 mi/1.29 km): Head south on N. Charles Street about 8 blocks. The Annie E. Casey Foundation building will be on the left. Turn right onto E. Franklin Street, and the hotel will be on the right.
Hotel Information
The Hotel's check-in time is 4:00 PM and check-out time is 11:00AM. Guests are permitted to check in early or check out later subject to room availability. Baggage will be stored at no charge for early arrivals and late departures. At the time of check-in, each guest will be required to present a major credit card, on which Hotel may place a hold or process a prepayment in the amount of the guest's estimated charges.
Parking Information
Self-Parking is available in The Franklin Street Garage, which is situated near the historic Mount Vernon district of Baltimore and is close to many restaurants and bars. The garage entrance is located on the left-hand side of W Franklin St, just west of N Charles St, and is easily accessible off of I-83.
The garage is open and staffed Sunday through Thursday from 6:00 AM to 10:00 PM; Friday from 6:00 AM to 12:00 AM; and Saturday 8:00 AM to 12:00 AM. There is a height restriction of 6.5 ft.
Drive-up Rates:
Up to 1 hour: $7.00
Up to 3 hours: $10.00
Up to 12 hours: $12.00
Up to 24 hours: $14.00
Weekday Evenings (4PM to 6AM): $6.00
Weekends (6AM Saturday through 6AM Monday): $6.00
For a comprehensive list of airport transportation options visit: http://www.bwiairport.com/en/travel/ground-transportation
Additional Information
About
The purpose of the 2025 SPARC Convening is to provide SPARC partners with the space to connect and network with each other and key stakeholders to build and deepen peer-to-peer relationships; the opportunity to hear from leading experts on topics that shape the child welfare landscape; and the chance to share information and strategies for achieving policy change that benefits children, youth, and families involved in child welfare.
Wi-Fi
Network: AECF – Guest
Password: jimcasey