Caregiver Connections: Real Talk with Mental Health Professionals and Social Workers

Join us for an engaging and supportive panel discussion designed for foster, adoptive, and kinship caregivers. This event brings together experienced mental health professionals and social workers to answer your pressing questions and offer guidance on challenges you may be facing.

Whether you're navigating behavioral concerns, seeking resources, or just need reassurance, this is a safe space to get expert advice and connect with others who share your journey.

Come ready to ask questions, share experiences, and leave with practical tools and a renewed sense of community.

Dinner will be provided. Please notify us of any allergies ASAP.

A Certificate of Attendance will be provided for annual training hours.

About our panelists:

• Meagan Galbari, MA, LPCC has been working with children and families for over 25 years in a variety of settings including psychiatric hospitals, day-treatment programs, domestic violence refuges, residential treatment centers and in private adoption agencies.  Meagan’s passion is in adoption and foster care and supporting children and families through their journey.  She completed the Permanency and Adoption Competency Certificate post-graduate program at the University of Minnesota in 2012. She has also obtained specialized training with Drs. Karyn Purvis and David Cross, authors of The Connected Child, and is competent in the Trust-Based Relational Intervention model.  Meagan completed the TBRI training in 2012 and the TBRI Trainer Certification in 2016. Meagan is also an experienced trainer in topics related to how trauma impacts the brain and Trauma-Focused Parenting.  In addition to receiving specialized training with Drs. Karyn Purvis and David Cross in the Trust-Based-Relational (TBRI) parenting model, she completed additional coursework and training for the TBRI Trainer certification in 2016.   

• Athena Piller is an Ongoing Child Protection Social Worker with Dakota County. She began her career in child protection in 2017 in Beltrami County before relocating to the Twin Cities and joining Dakota County. Athena quickly discovered her passion for the work and knew she had found her calling. While the role comes with challenges, she finds it incredibly rewarding—especially the opportunity to build meaningful relationships with families, children, and foster parents. She is deeply committed to supporting family reunification and creating lasting, positive change. Athena is honored to collaborate with Foster Together MN in their shared mission to walk alongside and strengthen families in care.

• Abby Morgan: Abby is passionate about children and families receiving the supports they need to be healthy and safe. Abby has been a foster parent for a little over two years and has worked in the field as a social worker for almost 10 years. She is a trauma-informed care enthusiast and an advocate for children and families navigating the mental health system in Minnesota. Abby enjoys training community members and organizations on the implementation of trauma informed care when working with youth. She is excited to support families and youth on this journey by empowering the community and providing appropriate resources. 

Cost: $10/person, includes dinner!