youth-led advocacy

“Stand tall” was the mantra for 85 foster youth leaders from 25 states, who arrived in Washington, D.C. last weekend for Foster Youth in Action’s annual Leaders for Change conference. The Leaders for Change (L4C) conference gathered a network of foster youth-led advocacy groups from around the country.

The secret to fixing the foster care system lies in the voices of the youth. When you put a group of foster youth in a room together to talk about the system, you get a very dynamic dialogue.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and Congress should find more ways to financially support peer networks and advocacy led by current and former foster youth, said a group of young advocates at a briefing held at the U.S.

Executive Director Joseph Tietz of California Youth Connection announced last week that he will leave the non-profit this September after six years of service. The organization provides advocacy and leadership training to foster youth and adults. It also creates and advocates for legislative measures that support youth in foster care.