We believe that the ability to be more effective with progressive child welfare benefits from a shared learning environment where participants discuss mutual concerns and issues as well as their successes and challenges with policy and practice implementation.
Youth advocates with lived experience in foster care, and a team of adult supporters, work together to improve child welfare policy and practice in each of their states and across the region. NEYC has worked on issues such as sibling rights, extended foster care policy, education, and normalcy with a focus on access to driver’s licenses and bank accounts.
MassNFCA is the only state sponsored organization for people who have experienced ‘out of home placement’ through foster care. MassNFCA provides social support, enrichment activities, and a connection to others with lived experience.
The QIC-EY is charged with advancing child welfare programs and practice to ensure that they are authentically engaging and empowering children and youth in foster care throughout the U.S., especially in relation to permanency decisions