National Foster Youth Institute

Program service accomplishments: nfyi's programs train the next generation of Foster Youth to transform the child welfare system. Nfyi trains members in community organizing, critical thinking, program analysis and design, policy, leadership and professional development, and communication. These trainings are vital to mobilizing Foster Youth and partnering with policy makers to create systematic change within the child welfare system. Nfyi aims to be at the forefront of all child welfare policy reform and creation. The goal is for policy makers to harness the expertise Foster Youth have whenever developing new programs and policy. Since 2012, nfyi has elevated the voices of hundreds of current and former Foster Youth resulitng in transformative change within the child welfare system, a culture shift among decision makers, and the development of professional and organizing skills among these Youth. Shadow day provided Youth an opportunity to meet with and shadow their members of congress. Nfyi members highlighted the important issues that children and families in Foster care face, including access to mental health services, access to housing, access to higher education, kinship care placements and the impact of congregate care and the juvenile justice system.