Youth Voice

In coming years, Washington's Department of Children, Youth, and Families will work to get transition-age youth ready to exit state systems.

You’ve probably heard about the school-to-prison pipeline, but the link between placing foster youth in group homes and the adverse effects of the juvenile justice system that often follow often goes undiscussed.

Dual-status youth have experience with both the juvenile justice and child welfare systems. A workbook offers ideas for local and state governments to develop better practices, procedures and policies that serve these young people.

Those who have faced housing insecurity or served the population sound off on what it's like, and what resources are needed to address the issue in Washington.

Simone Biles is a champion for liberation through her public acceptance and acknowledgement of her need for rest, which is an inevitably radical act of resistance, writes Ivory Bennett.

My relentless pursuit of education while in foster care led me away from any path toward myself, writes Youth Voice author Shay House.

Ley-Lonni Woodruff earned first place in the Youth Voice Writing Contest poetry division for her piece, EPIC.

Hannah Hamm earned first place in the Youth Voice Writing Contest essay division for her piece, Twisted Fairytale.

Madison Follett is the second-place finalist in the Youth Voice Writing Contest for her poem, "A Car Is Not a Home."