A Grand Junction conference is expected to support children and youth in the foster care system.

The Mesa County Department of Human Services and an organizing committee have scheduled the Mesa County Community Summit for 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Sept. 25 and 8:30 a.m. to noon Sept. 26 at the Colorado Mesa University Center ballroom.

The summit will bring together foster and kinship families, social caseworkers, service providers and others involved in foster care to increase communication and collaboration to support children and families. The event is free, but limited to the first 500 who register. A light breakfast and full lunch will be served on Sept. 25.

The summit will feature keynote speaker Gaelin Elmore, a former foster youth and National Football League athlete. Foster parents, caseworkers and others will present nearly 30 breakout sessions.

For more information, call 241-8480 or visit the website at

www.humanservices.mesacounty.us/child-welfare or the website at www.fosteradoptmesacounty.org.