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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.
Sunday, May 18, 2025
Calling All Superheroes – Let’s Strike Up Some Fun!
Dress as your favorite superhero and have fun bowling as we celebrate Foster Care Awareness Month! Staff members will be available to answer questions about foster care and becoming a foster parent or resource family. We will also have information regarding the foster care and adoption process in Pennsylvania.
- When: Sunday, May 18, 2025
- Time: 12:30 PM – 3:30 PM
- Where: Skylanes Bowling Center, 100 Eagle Valley Mall, East Stroudsburg, PA 18301
- For more information: Please contact gcatania@monroecountypa.gov or call (570) 420-3590 ext. 3248
Friday, May 23, 2025
Buckle Up for Foster Care Awareness
Join Mazi Adoption and Family Services for an afternoon of fun with a purpose. We’re teaming up with Minquas Fire Company No. 2 to host a Foster Care Awareness Month event featuring free car seat safety checks, a mini touch a truck, games and more.
- When: Friday, May 23, 2025
- Time: 3-6 p.m.
- Where: Minquas Fire Company, 141 Wallace Avenue, Downingtown, PA 19335
- Registration: https://www.maziadoption.org/fam2025
Friday, May 30, 2025
Bethanna OCMI Autism Awareness Matching Event
Come join us for activities, food, prizes, and a space to learn about autism resources in our region!
- When: Friday, May 30, 2025
- Time: 5-7:30 p.m.
- Where: 2650 Audubon Road, Audubon, PA 19403
- Registration links:
- For more information: Please contact Alivia Glenna at aglennan@bethanna.org or Mary Ouattara at mouattara@bethana.org
Saturday, May 31, 2025
Adoption Center Matching Event — Pittsburgh Area
This in-person matching event will bring together the amazing youth and prospective families to meet, hang out, and get to know each other. This event will be open to families with an approved family profile/home study, as well as youth ages 12 and up. There will be guided activities for families and youth, which will provide many opportunities for everyone to really engage with one another!
- When: Saturday, May 31, 2025
- Time: 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
- Where: Western PA (full address will be shared once successfully registered)
- Family registration: https://form.jotform.com/250654805702152
- Youth registration: https://form.jotform.com/250653813756159
Saturday, June 7, 2025
Diakon Wilderness Center Matching Event
- When: Saturday, June 7, 2025 Time: 9:30 am – 3:00 pm
- Where: 571 Mountain Road, Boiling Springs, PA 17007
- Registration opens for approved families and waiting youth on Monday, April 14, 2025]
- Family Sign Up: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/883745916827?aff=oddtdtcreator
- Youth Sign Up: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1272990461739?aff=oddtdtcreator
- For more information, please contact Abigail Ramsauer at ramsauera@diakon.org
Monday, June 16, 2025
More than a Glance: An Inquiry Hour with Mazi!
Child-specific recruitment workers and family-matching workers are invited to join Mazi for an open-house style "Inquiry Hour” where we will showcase and share "More Than a Glance" about the families and children recruited by our agency! Families, please note that this event is for professionals only, but feel free to share this information with your workers and request that they join to represent your family!
- When: Monday, June 16, 2025
- Time: 10:30-11:30 a.m.
- Where: Online platform via Microsoft Teams
- Registration: There is no need to register. On the day of the event, click the Teams link to join!
Tuesday, June 17, 2025
DHS Office of Children, Youth, and Families (OCYF) Statewide Adoption and Permanency Network (SWAN) and Independent Living Services (IL) Matching Reception
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. 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 talking directly to their workers. Before attending the event, discuss with your worker any changes that may be needed to the special needs or characteristics sections in your Resource Family Application Registration/Update Form (CY131) and any changes to waiting child characteristics you may consider for your family.
- When: Tuesday, June 17, 2025
- Time: 5:50-8 p.m
- Where: Kalahari Resorts & Conventions, Kalahari Resorts & Conventions (Salons A, B, G, H) , 250 Kalahari Boulevard, Pocono Manor, PA 18349
- Registration: Families can to register to attend the matching reception. We encourage pre-registration by June 3; however, walk-in registrations are welcome. On-site registration, check-in, and refreshments will be available at 5 p.m. on June 17, 2025. To access frequently asked questions, please view our Guide for Families.
- More 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, or to answer questions about adoption and offer support you as needed. The SWAN Helpline may be reached at 800-585-7926 or by email at swanhelpline@diakon-swan.org.
Monday, August 18, 2025
More than a Glance: An Inquiry Hour with Mazi!
Child-specific recruitment workers and family-matching workers are invited to join Mazi for an open-house style "Inquiry Hour” where we will showcase and share "More Than a Glance" about the families and children recruited by our agency! Families, please note that this event is for professionals only, but feel free to share this information with your workers and request that they join to represent your family!
- When: Monday, August 18, 2025
- Time: 10:30-11:30 a.m.
- Where: Online platform via Microsoft Teams
- Registration: There is no need to register. On the day of the event, click the Teams link to join!
Monday, October 20, 2025
More than a Glance: An Inquiry Hour with Mazi!
Child-specific recruitment workers and family-matching workers are invited to join Mazi for an open-house style "Inquiry Hour” where we will showcase and share "More Than a Glance" about the families and children recruited by our agency! Families, please note that this event is for professionals only, but feel free to share this information with your workers and request that they join to represent your family!
- When: Monday, October 20, 2025
- Time: 10:30-11:30 a.m.
- Where: Online platform via Microsoft Teams
- Registration: There is no need to register. On the day of the event, click the Teams link to join!
Monday, December 15, 2025
More than a Glance: An Inquiry Hour with Mazi!
Child-specific recruitment workers and family-matching workers are invited to join Mazi for an open-house style "Inquiry Hour” where we will showcase and share "More Than a Glance" about the families and children recruited by our agency! Families, please note that this event is for professionals only, but feel free to share this information with your workers and request that they join to represent your family!
- When: Monday, December 15, 2025
- Time: 10:30-11:30 a.m.
- Where: Online platform via Microsoft Teams
- Registration: There is no need to register. On the day of the event, click the Teams link to join!
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.