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EnglishWhat Is the National Foster Parent Association (NFPA) Website?
Updated
nfpaonline.org is the official website of the National Foster Parent Association (NFPA), a U.S. national organization that supports foster, kinship, and adoptive families through education, training, advocacy, and community connection. It is a resource hub rather than a licensing or placement agency: the site is aimed at caregivers (new foster parents, experienced kinship caregivers, adoptive families) and at child welfare professionals who support them. If you are looking for practical training, legislative updates, or a national caregiver community, the site is organized around those needs.
What the organization says it does
The site describes NFPA as dedicated to strengthening foster, kinship, and adoptive families, with more than fifty years of work alongside caregivers, child welfare professionals, and community partners. Its stated goal is to help ensure every child can grow in a safe, stable, and nurturing home.
The main service areas named on the homepage are:
- Education and training — trauma-informed education and nationally recognized caregiver training, plus conferences and webinars.
- Advocacy — legislative tracking and updates, presented through an Advocacy Dashboard.
- Community and networking — a national member community for sharing experiences and best practices.
- Practical online resources — everyday parenting tools and professional development material.
Main entry points on the site
| Entry point | What it offers | Who it is for |
|---|---|---|
| NFPATI Free Training | Training described as free, with 24/7 access to learn "anytime, anywhere" | Caregivers who want training on their own schedule |
| Advocacy Priorities / Advocacy Dashboard | Insight into legislation NFPA is following, plus resources to stay informed | Caregivers and professionals who want policy updates |
| ConnectU | The organization's newsletter | Anyone wanting current NFPA news |
| Join the NFPA | Membership path | Caregivers seeking the member community and resources |
| Leadership / Board information | Introduction to Executive Director Arnie Eby and board members, described as bringing lived experience | People who want to understand who runs the organization |
The homepage also notes that NFPA and Centene present NFPA Training, and that members gain access to the supportive national community.
How to decide whether it fits your situation
- You are a new or prospective foster parent looking for orientation-level training: start with the NFPATI Free Training entry, which the site presents as free and available around the clock.
- You are a kinship caregiver or adoptive family seeking resources and connection: the membership and community sections are the relevant path, since the site explicitly includes these groups in its mission.
- You work in child welfare and want training or policy tracking: the training offerings and Advocacy Dashboard are the two most direct entries.
- You need licensing, placement, or case-specific help: this site is not described as providing those services; it focuses on education, advocacy, and community.
Practical notes before you use it
The site mentions a "subscribe" option and a membership path, but the homepage does not state membership prices or login requirements. Treat cost and access terms as things to confirm on the relevant page rather than assuming free access to everything — the free training is labeled as such, while membership benefits are described separately.