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Reflections of Gratitude: Voices from North Carolina’s Child Welfare Trainers

Center for Family and Community Engagement

People are sitting together beside the bell tower at NC State

Aug 17, 2026

Welcome Back, Wolfpack!

Packapalooza is Saturday, August 22 Packapalooza is NC State’s block party and street festival, which is held on Saturday, August 22, 2026 from 2:00 to 10:00pm. Packapalooza welcomes everyone, including students, faculty, staff, alums, families and community members!  This year’s Packapalooza features family-friendly activities, food, over 350 vendor booths, live music and performances and finishes…
Two girls, approximately 10–12 years old, are together in a park. One girl is seated in a wheelchair while the other stands beside her. They are looking at and reading a park map together.

Aug 10, 2026

Making Fun Accessible for Families in Wake County

Dorothea Dix Park, Raleigh Dix Park near downtown Raleigh is open daily from dawn to dusk. Its newest feature, the Gipson Play Plaza, includes climbing towers, water play, gardens and a sensory maze. Admission and parking are both free. ADA-grade paths run throughout, adjacent lots have accessible parking and curb cuts, and there’s a drop-off…

Aug 5, 2026

The Participants Make the Training: A Conversation with CFACE Trainer Leotis McNeil

Leotis McNeil joined the CFACE Training Team in September 2024 in search of change. He came to the role after collaborating with CFACE through the Division of Social Services (DSS), including working on our “Engaging the Non-Resident Father” training curriculum. McNeil decided he wanted to be a part of the training room to help the…

Jul 10, 2026

CFACE Retreat: Reflecting on Time Spent Together & Moving Forward

At the end of June, the Center had the opportunity to come together for our bi-annual team retreat to reflect on the first half of the year and look forward to what’s to come. Everyone traveled to Wilmington, North Carolina to spend time creating training activities, reconnecting with each other, and thinking about the future.…

Jan 7, 2026

Trainers’ Lessons from 2025 and Excitement for 2026

Behind every training session, meaningful conversation and shared success are the people who make it happen. Our trainers spent 2025 navigating challenges, celebrating milestones and learning lessons that shaped the way they support trainees and collaborate with teammates. Looking ahead to 2026, our trainers are full of energy and ideas, sharing what excites them most…

Dec 22, 2025

Reflecting on 2025: CFACE’s Key Moments

As 2025 begins to wind down, the Family-Centered Practice Project (FCPP) training team at the Center for Family and Community Engagement (CFACE) is taking a moment to reflect on a year defined by growth, resilience and collaboration. This past year brought new partnerships, major curriculum updates, statewide travel and an expanded team stepping confidently into…
A family spending time outdoors on a winter day, reflecting the slower rhythm and emotional challenges that come with shorter daylight.

Dec 15, 2025

Winter Slows Us Down: Tips for Families During Shorter Days

As the days grow shorter and winter settles in, many families start to feel the season’s slower rhythm. With less natural light, our internal clocks can get thrown off, affecting energy, focus and mood. Northwestern Medicine has a helpful infographic that breaks down how shorter days influence the brain and body in a clear, easy-to-understand…
Gina, a grandmother and kinship caregiver, sitting with her two grandsons, smiling together and showing a strong family bond.

Dec 8, 2025

Caregiving After Loss: Gina’s Journey

Gina, a proud grandmother of two, grew up in a small, isolated community in Colorado where family and neighbors relied on one another. She says she grew up feeling it was essential to take care of people you loved and to be taken care of by people who love you. That lesson became the foundation…
Community donation display featuring winter coats, hats and scarves neatly arranged next to a collection box labeled ‘Wolfpack Winter Coat and Clothing Drive,’ alongside a Toys for Tots donation bin filled with new, unwrapped toys. Festive winter decorations surround the area, emphasizing holiday giving and community support.

Dec 1, 2025

Winter Giving: Bring Warmth and Joy to the Community

Winter is here and the holiday season is approaching. Many of us are fortunate to gather with friends and family during this time of the year. However, for some individuals in our community, the holiday season can be challenging and stressful. This provides an opportunity for the Wolfpack community to lend a hand and bring…
Training session, reflecting the collaboration, gratitude and shared purpose that drive their work in supporting child welfare professionals across North Carolina.

Nov 24, 2025

Reflections of Gratitude: Voices from North Carolina’s Child Welfare Trainers

As the year draws to a close, many take time to reflect on what they’re grateful for in both their personal and professional lives. At the Center for Family and Community Engagement, gratitude plays an important role in strengthening the relationships and resilience that drive child welfare work forward. Gratitude is found in moments of…