September 18-20, 2024
Nashville, TN
Brentwood Baptist Church
7777 Concord Rd.
What is CAFO Summit?
The CAFO Summit is an unforgettable gathering of Christian leaders, professionals and parents who are passionate about effective care for vulnerable children and families.
CAFO2024 in Nashville marks our 20th year of Summit … and we can’t wait to celebrate with all of you! Whether you come on your own or with a team, you will leave feeling inspired and equipped to serve wisely and well for vulnerable children and families.
Find YOUR People
Church
Leaders
Church Leaders
Pastors, Ministry Directors, and Lay Leaders
Non-Profit Leaders
Non-Profit Leaders
CEOs, Executive Directors, and Staff
Global
Leaders
Global Leaders
Teams working within the global sector to international leaders on the ground.
Foster / Adoptive Parents
Foster/Adoptive Parents
All who have or are considering welcoming children into their home.
Child Welfare Professionals
Child Welfare Professionals
Those in every sphere of serving children domestically -- from social workers to agency/county staff.
“It always feels like coming to a family reunion. I just love being around like-minded people, being reminded of why I do the work I do, and refreshed to continue on in this work.”
Speakers
What to Expect at CAFO2024
120+ Workshops
There’s something for everyone at the CAFO Summit. From best practice research to help for adoptive/foster parents, building church ministry strategies, engaging in care globally, and much more.
CAFO Members are prioritized among subject matter experts and invited to submit proposals for content now until March 1st. For more information or questions about content submissions, contact Ashley Phelan.
Better Together Workshops
A unique interactive space for groups of like-minded, passionate people to explore, plan, problem-solve, and dream…together.
Coaching Tables
Connect one-on-one or in small group personalized coaching & mentoring with experts in the field to tackle some of your biggest challenges.
Prayer
Pray with a focused team ready to come alongside you to encourage and burden-share.
Get ready to meet, discover, learn and share with others walking the same road and working toward the same solutions as you. Watch ideas become action, strangers become friends and isolation become a hopeful community.
“I love being in a space where I don’t have to explain myself or try to educate others. The sense of belonging is so incredible.”
Monday - Wednesday Sept 16 - 18
Pre-Summit Intensives
Monday, Sept 16
Tuesday, Sept 17
Wednesday, Sept 18
- Coming Soon!
Wednesday, Sept 18
Day 1
1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Check-in & Exhibit Fair
3:00 PM -4:00 PM
Opening General Session
4:15 PM – 5:30 PM
Workshops
5:30 PM – 7:30 PM
Dinner Break
7:30 PM – 9:00 PM
General Session
Thursday, Sept 19
Day 2
8:30 AM – 9:30 AM
Workshops
9:45 AM – 10:45 AM
Workshops
11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
General Session
1:15 PM – 2:30 PM
Workshops
2:45 PM – 3:30 PM
Gather Hour
3:45 PM – 5:00 PM
Workshops
5:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Dinner Break
7:00 PM – 8:45 PM
General Session
Friday, Sept 20
Day 3
8:30 AM – 9:30 AM
Workshops
9:45 AM – 10:45 AM
Workshops
11:00 AM – 12:45 PM
General Session
Pre-Summit Intensives
Join CAFO2024 early for one of these deep-dive intensive sessions. Registration is required.
Tues, Sept 17
9:00am – 5:00pm
CAFO Research Center | Sim-Lab
Tues, Sept 17 8:00am – 5:00pm through Wed, Sept 18 8:00am– 2:30pm
CAFO Global Network
Wed, Sept 18
8:00am – 2:30pm
CAFO Research Center | Symposium
Wed, Sept 18
8:30am – 2:00pm
CAFO
Wed, Sept 18
9:30am – 2:00pm
CAFO Institute for Family-Centered Healing & Health
Mon – Tues, Sept 18-19
9:00am – 4:00pm
Trauma Free World
Wed, Sept 20
9:00am – 1:00pm
CAFO Discipleship + Development
Wed, Sept 20
9:00am – 1:00pm
CAFO Church Ministry
Workshops
No matter your role in caring for vulnerable children, you’ll find wisdom, truth and guidance for the road ahead.
New workshops added each week! Check back regularly to see what’s new!
Six Major Tracks Include:
- Effectively Serving Children Worldwide
- Help for Adoptive & Foster Families
- Launching and Leading Church Based Ministries
- Effectively Engaging for Youth in Foster Care
- Maximizing the Impact of Your Organization
- Strengthening the Soul for Lifelong Service
REGISTRATION OPTIONS
Whether you come on your own or with a team, join us for CAFO2023 and leave feeling inspired, equipped and connected with others who share your heart to care for the most vulnerable. Your registration covers admission to all General Sessions, workshops, conference materials, coffee, snacks and Thursday lunch.
General Registration now – August 1
CAFO Member Rate
(Individual)
$215
CAFO Member Rate
(Community 3+)
$205
CAFO Member Rate
(Group 10+)
$200
Explore CAFO Membership
Frequently Asked Questions
We know there’s a lot going on at the CAFO Summit and want to answer some common questions.
Thank you for our CAFO2023 Summit Host Church: Crossing Community Church, OKC!
They are located at 14600 N. Portland Ave., OKC, OK 73134. crossings.church/locations/okc
If you have a heart/calling towards orphans and vulnerable children the CAFO Summit is for you! Workshops will include themes specifically designed for pastors, church lay leaders, non-profit staff and leadership, adoptive/foster parents, child welfare professionals, and individuals looking for more information on orphan care ministry.
Come alone or with others? Many prefer to have more than one person attend the CAFO Summit. With the broad range of concurrent workshops, multiple attendees can take home a fuller range of information. Many ministries use conference networking and meal breaks to begin shaping a plan and ideas for further ministry once they return home. In addition, two or more attendees often return home with a deepened relationship and vision that can form the foundation for future ministry.
We ask that children (excluding infants) under the age of 13 not attend unless with parental supervision. The program is not designed for young children. Mature youth with a heart and vision for ministry may register at the special student rate, email [email protected] to find out more. There will be no KIDS Summit this year.
Editing your registration:
When you registered, the confirmation email linked to an “edit your registration”. However, you can also make updates by visiting here and following the instructions. If you have further registration questions or are having trouble editing your existing registration, please email [email protected].
Transfer your registration to another:
We’re sorry to hear you’re unable to join us this year! You can certainly transfer your registration to someone else. Simply fill out the Summit Info request form below and a team member will follow up with you to edit the registration. The new registrant will be sent a confirmation email with check-in instructions.
Cancellation:
Attendee Cancellation Policy
A cancellation refund may be offered if the registrant requires medical treatment for an illness at the time of cancellation resulting in medically imposed restrictions, as certified by a legally qualified physician or in the event of a death in the family and if the cancelation request is provided (30) days prior to the event (“cancelation cut off date”).
If approved for a refund, all funds will be returned minus a $35 fee to cover expenses related to your canceled registration.
No other refunds will be offered.
Please remember that canceling your registration does not automatically cancel your hotel and travel arrangements. Attendees are responsible for canceling their own hotel and travel reservations.
Force Majeure
After the cancellation cutoff date, payments made are not refundable for any reason, including, but not limited to, failure to use conference attendance credentials due to illness or due to any event beyond the reasonable control of the parties, such as an act of God, a health epidemic, natural disaster, travel-related problems, an act of terrorism, or other unforeseeable circumstances beyond the control of the CAFO against which it would have been unreasonable for the CAFO to take precautions and which CAFO could not have avoided even using its best efforts.
For all questions about international travel see here for details.
Yes. This will look different than last year but we are planning for some virtual components this year. Those details are coming soon.
YES! Every year a mighty team of volunteers provides hospitality, direction, and helping hands at the CAFO Summit. The volunteer’s service, heart, and smile shape the experience of the attendees. Whether you are the ideal people person, expert behind-the-scenes runner, food prep, chief organizer, directions giver, or strong-box-lifter, there is a place for you! There is a job for every ability level and gifting. Will you join the team?
Who can volunteer?
Volunteer slots are filled by all ages, beginning with responsible older students to all seasons of adulthood. U.S.-based volunteers are not required to have attended a prior Summit. Global guests must have attended a prior Summit – please read here for more information.
If I’m a volunteer, do I have to pay to attend?
No! Registration is our gift to full-time volunteers. Each volunteer will be assigned to a particular volunteer team for the slots he/she is available (and according to his/her interest). We ask volunteers to be available to their team for any days they are on-site. While we consider volunteering an all-in experience, each role has multiple “free times” throughout the day where volunteers can join any Summit session.
If this sounds good to you, apply to volunteer here!
The safety and health of everyone at CAFO2023 is a top priority.
CAFO continues to closely monitor the status of COVID along with state and CDC guidelines. We are working with our tremendous host church and local officials to take all measures needed to minimize any risks.
While situations continue to evolve, we anticipate that on-site at the Summit:
We will encourage all participants to understand and seriously consider all current CDC recommendations.
We will ask all participants to fully comply with local mandates.
In all of this, we encourage all CAFO2023 participants to apply common sense measures: stay home if you don’t feel well, wash hands frequently, and consult with your health care provider with any questions.
Each of us today have unique situations and feelings about these matters. In the CAFO community, there is much grace and understanding for all. While we would love for all of us to be together for CAFO2023, each must proceed based on their own sense of wisdom and comfort levels. Our deepest desire is to see you thriving in body, mind and spirit, rooted deep in the love of God.
Yes!
CAFO Membership: A discounted rate is available for any CAFO member or member applicant ($50 off). This discounted rate includes any individual, church, or organization that applies for membership. See more about membership here.
Groups (10+): A discounted rate is available for groups of 10+ attending the Summit. Register separately here.
Are there audio & video recordings available?
Yes! General Sessions and most workshops are audio recorded and available for purchase. (Member-only workshop recordings are not available.) General sessions may also be available on video.
Download cards are available in advance as you register, sold on-site and available online here.
All general sessions and workshops are included with your registration. You do not need to worry about signing up for workshop sessions, attend whichever you’d like.
Attending General Sessions Only
Due to the format of the Summit sessions, we do not offer the option of attending only the General sessions. However, you can visit the CAFO store after the Summit to purchase a video recording of each general session.
Building your CAFO2023 Experience
While you don’t have to sign up for workshops, because there’s much happening during the CAFO Summit you can build your experience ahead of time. This is purely optional and only to help you plan and maximize your time while with us. Your schedule will not be available on-site, please print and bring along with you. Build your experience coming soon.
Yes to all, for in-person attendance only.
Hague Sessions
The suggested Hague training hours are offered on an advisory basis. Please consult your agency to confirm that these sessions will fulfill your requirements. Completion certificates will be available for each of these sessions.
Continuing Education Units
These CEUs are for social work professionals. Adoptive parents and professionals from other fields may elect to receive this certificate for independent submission to the appropriate boards and associations for credit. Only available for those attending in-person.
Attendance Certificate
Yes. We can send you a certificate for CAFO Summit attendance.
To complete CEU surveys or request Hague/Attendance Certificates, please visit the CEU/Hague/Attendance Certificate page.
Hotel Accommodations: Please make your hotel reservation by the reservation deadline date listed for each hotel. After that date, rates will go up and availability will be limited.
Four Points by Sheraton
Oklahoma City, OK 73134
La Quinta
Oklahoma City, OK 73134
Residence Inn
Oklahoma City, OK 73134
Homewood Suites by Hilton
Oklahoma City, OK 73142
Home2 Suites
Oklahoma City, OK 73142
Hampton Inn & Suites
Oklahoma City, OK 73142
Holiday Inn
Oklahoma City, OK 73134
Courtyard Marriott
Oklahoma City, OK 73120
Springhill Suites
Oklahoma City, OK 73134
Country Inn & Suites
Oklahoma City, OK 73120
Hilton Garden Inn
Oklahoma City, OK 73134
Car Rentals
Car discounts coming soon…
Car Rentals: You are not required to use these links, but discounts are available. Good for seven days before and after September 19-22, 2022.
Flight discounts
Nearby airports include Oklahoma City(OKC) and Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW).
DFW is approximately a 2 hour and 45 minute drive from the conference location.
Delta Air Lines is pleased to offer special discounts for Christian Alliance for Orphans
You may also call Delta Meeting Network® at 1.800.328.1111* Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 6:30 p.m. (EST) and refer to Meeting Event Code NY2A2
*Please note there is not a service fee for reservations booked and ticketed via our reservation 800 number.
Thank you to this year's
Summit Signature Sponsors
Signature
Champion
Sustainer
Tier Four Title Here
We'll see you in OKC!
You don’t want to miss out on this opportunity to expand knowledge and gain new community and friendships to walk this road together.