2026 Annual Convening
DECEMBER 8-10, 2026
SPARC Members will learn about supporting children and families at collision points – those moments when child welfare systems collide with other public systems and supports. We are in a time of great flux and the shrinking of many systems – health, TANF, substance use treatment and recovery supports, child care, education, and more. These changes can hit families who are involved in child welfare or at risk of child welfare involvement extra hard. At the convening this year, we’ll explore some of these collision points and identify strategies for supporting children and youth who are most impacted.
Agenda
A Tuesday evening reception will be hosted at the Annie E. Casey Foundation Headquarters at 701 St. Paul Street.
All Wednesday and Thursday sessions will be held at the Annie E. Casey Foundation Office at 503 N. Charles Street. An optional pre-convening workshop will 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
Convening Pre-Session: Maximizing Child Welfare Data in Advocacy
Data illuminates advocacy. It can help tell the story about needs, inspire policymakers into action, and illuminate the best path forward. We all know that the child welfare data we have available to us isn’t perfect. However, with increasing federal interest in timely data dashboards and investments in new technology capabilities, a window is open to effectively and appropriately use data to move our issues forward. During this interactive workshop, we’ll discuss the role that data can play in advocacy efforts, what to do when our data isn’t perfect, and how to communicate what we do know in a way that motivates policymakers.
5:00 PM - 8:00 PM ET
Welcome Reception
Join us at the Annie E. Casey Foundation’s Headquarters (701 St. Paul Street, Baltimore, MD 21202) to kick off the convening. During this time together, we will celebrate the tremendous work of the past year while we connect (and reconnect!) with advocates from across the country.
8:00 AM - 9:00 AM ET
Name Tag Pickup and Breakfast
Meet at Annie E. Casey’s Office (503 N. Charles Street, Baltimore, MD 21201) to kick off the day with breakfast.
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM ET
Learning Sessions
We will have a full day of learning from our national partners and from each other. Sessions will cover an overview of the federal landscape, strategies for supporting youth and families experiencing substance use disorder, a presentation and panel discussion on Medicaid, a conversation with state child welfare agency leaders, and more. A full agenda will be posted soon.
6:00 PM - 8:00 PM ET
Dinner
Gather in downtown Baltimore for good food and celebration. Details coming soon.
9:00 AM - 1:00 PM ET
Learning Sessions
During this half day, we will continue learning about intersection points between child welfare and other systems, with an emphasis on how SPARC members are juggling these tensions.
1:00 PM ET
Grab-and-Go Lunch
You can grab a boxed lunch and hit the road or continue the conversation with SPARC members in the meeting room.
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.
You will need to check in to the Annie E. Casey Foundation building at the reception desk.
For a comprehensive list of airport transportation options visit: http://www.bwiairport.com/en/travel/ground-transportation
Additional Information
About
The purpose of the 2026 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