Adult Supporter FAQs

NEYC is grounded in the ideas of youth-adult partnerships, where Adult Supporters are expected to participate in and support the ideas and mission of the NEYC. Adult supporters are expected to recruit and support NEYC members to participate, to maintain positive attitudes about the work NEYC does, and to be connected to their local youth advisory board, state child welfare agency, or the NEACWCD.

Adult Supporters are asked to touch base with their Youth Advocates and offer support as needed to carry out their obligations and tasks.

NEYC utilizes a Youth-Adult Partnership model. Adult Supporters share the space with Youth Advocates and are there to help support their ideas and move work forward. The meetings are designed to provide space for Youth Advocates to feel empowered to share their perspectives and speak up; however the role of Adult Supporters is crucial to the overall work of NEYC and their expertise and perspectives are just as welcome as the young people. 

Adult supporters should:

• Maintain contact with their state’s youth advocates at least monthly outside conference calls & meetings

• Remind their state’s youth advocates about upcoming NEYC meetings and events

• Attend and participate in monthly NEYC zoom meetings & annual in-person meetings

• Assist NEYC members from their state with outreach efforts to NEYC members & adult allies in other states

• Promote NEYC and actively recruit for new NEYC members within their home state/home youth advisory boards

• Communicate the work of NEYC to local youth boards and state agencies

• Review current and upcoming legislation and policy research

• Be able to provide any relevant state updates at NEYC monthly meetings

If an Adult Supporter changes roles, it would be best to let the NEYC Regional Coordinator know as soon as possible. If the Adult Supporter knows who their replacement will be, an introductory email to this individual with the NEYC Regional Coordinator would also be appropriate. Additionally, if possible, the Adult Supporter should inform the members of NEYC (either at a monthly meeting or via email) about their departure and inform them about who is filling their role if they have the information. The role of Adult Supporters varies from state-to-state. For some, being involved in NEYC is part of their role within their job and their job could be within their state’s youth development program or their Child Welfare services.

Adult Supporters can use NEYC promotional material to help describe NEYC or can lean on current NEYC members to help talk about why they stay connected to NEYC and what it has meant to them. NEYC is often the opportunity for local youth to take their advocacy efforts to the “next level” and represent their home state in a regional capacity.