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In Pennsylvania, youth can remain in foster care until the age of 21. Many of the matching events listed on this page provide families with opportunities to meet older youth in care who are in need of permanency. Even though many of these youth are on their way to young adulthood, they continue to need permanent connections and a family to support, love and care for them. To learn more about this group of older youth please visit the Waiting Children section and use the Search Kids tool and search by age range 17 to 20.
Wednesday, January 28, 2026
SWAN/IL Winter Statewide Matching Reception
The Department of Human Services, the Office of Children, Youth and Families, the Statewide Adoption and Permanency Network (SWAN) and Independent Living Services (IL) will sponsor a Matching Reception at the 2026 SWAN/IL Winter Statewide Meeting, held at The Penn Stater Hotel and Conference Center. The Matching Reception is a great way to introduce prospective and approved adoptive families to county caseworkers and affiliate workers conducting child-specific recruitment. It’s a prime opportunity to showcase children directly to families and the agencies representing them.
- When: Wednesday, January 28, 2026
- Time: 5:30-7:30 p.m.
- Where: The Penn Stater Hotel and Conference Center, 215 Innovation Boulevard, State College, PA 16803
- Register to attend the Matching Reception
Additional Information
- Registering for the event — We encourage pre-registration by January 21; however, walk-in registrations are welcome. On-site registration, check-in, and refreshments will be available at 5:00 pm on January 28, 2026.
- For approved families — The purpose of a matching reception is to allow prospective adoptive families to meet and interact with the professionals who work directly with Pennsylvania’s children in need of permanency. Families can learn more about the children in Pennsylvania by viewing photos, posters, and multimedia presentations and speaking directly with their workers.
- Before attending the event — Discuss with your worker any changes needed to the special needs or characteristics sections of your Resource Family Application Registration/Update Form (CY131), as well as any changes to the waiting child characteristics you may consider for your family.
- FAQs — To access the frequently asked questions, please refer to our Guide for Families.
- Questions and additional information — Helpline staff members are available from 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday to share information about the reception and upcoming events, answer questions about adoption, and support you as needed. The SWAN Helpline may be reached at 800-585-7926 or by email at swanhelpline@diakon-swan.org.
Tuesday, March 3, 2026
The Bair Foundation Sweet Treats Matching Event
Be sure to save-the-date for the Bair Foundation’s Sweet Treat event! More information will be posted following the holidays.
- Title: The Bair Foundation Sweet Treats Matching Event
- When: Tuesday, March 3, 2026
- Where: LCBC Harrisburg, 4150 Chambers Hill Road, Harrisburg, PA 17111
- For more information or other questions, please email: SweetTreats@bair.org
The Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS), which is in part comprised of the Office of Children, Youth, and Families (OCYF) complies with applicable Federal civil rights laws and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, or sex.