From Portland to Pittsburgh: Bringing Prevention Home

In August, four members of the Allegheny Family Network team traveled to Portland, Oregon to attend the 2025 Power of Prevention National Conference, hosted by Prevent Child Abuse America. It was an energizing experience that brought together leaders, advocates, and caregivers from across the country who are working to build a future where families are supported long before a crisis ever begins.

Families collaborating at the Circle of Parents booth: John, Jean, Christa, and Eric support and empower families in our communities.

The conference focused on the kind of upstream solutions that align deeply with AFN’s mission and especially with our work as the Pennsylvania chapter of Circle of Parents®. Again and again, sessions and keynotes reinforced what we already believe—prevention happens through connection. It happens when families have a safe place to be heard, supported, and understood. That’s exactly what Circle of Parents groups are designed to provide.

Hearing from voices like Dr. Nadine Burke Harris, Desmond Meade, and Dr. Bruce Perry reminded us that lasting change happens when communities prioritize relationships over reaction and support over surveillance. From trauma-informed practice to authentic parent leadership, the themes of the conference reflected the very heart of what Circle of Parents offers: real conversations, shared experiences, and the chance to grow stronger—together.

Christa and Eric pose with a presenter at the conference, showcasing connections and collaboration.

Our team returned home with new tools and ideas, but also a renewed commitment to the work we’re already doing. Whether it’s through a group for fathers, a space for caregivers in recovery, or a conversation between parents navigating the everyday challenges of raising kids, our Circle of Parents groups are putting prevention into practice every single day.

We’re proud to have represented AFN and Pennsylvania in this national conversation—and even prouder to bring what we learned back to the circles we hold right here in our own communities.