 Top Four Training Models The top models chosen by the committee, listed in alphabetical order, are: - Cby25 - Honoring Emancipated Youth (H.E.Y.) - Voices of Youth (V.O.Y.) - Youth Offering Unique Tangible Help (Y.O.U.T.H.). In addition, California Youth Connection partners with child welfare training programs in order to break through the red tape and pave the way for youth participation. These programs are discussed at length in our Recommendations to the Steering Committee. Selection Criteria The top four models were chosen based upon many factors, including: ● the establishment of a sophisticated, formalized process ● a high degree of foster care youth and alumni participation ● ongoing involvement and empowerment of young people throughout the entire process of child welfare training, including curriculum development Other Organizations Surveyed The choice in defining our top models wasn't easy. It's great to know that there are so many wonderful programs in existence throughout the nation. EARS We would have liked to have learned more about the EARS program, particularly their Summer Youth Internship Program. However, our email correspondence and phone calls have gone unanswered. Elevate Elevate is a statewide group of foster care youth and alumni, including adoptees. Elevate has worked to establish chapters in each of Iowa's eight regions. Active members share their personal stories in order to educate and create hope. Elevate offers trainings for professionals, foster parents, foster youth and the general public. Their process whereby they prepare youth to conduct these trainings is largely informal. FosterClub The FosterClub All-Star program was founded on the belief that youth who have successfully transitioned from foster care to responsible young adulthood are best suited to impact the transition of their younger peers. Twelve former or transitioning foster youth (18+) are selected from across the country to serve a year-long internship as FosterClub All-Stars. Alumni travel the country, training audiences using a pre-established curriculum, and sharing their personal stories in support of the material. Kentucky Child Now
Kentucky Child Now Training Institute offers courses to empower youth serving professionals with best practices, such as "Strategies for Working With Teens," "Creating a Safe and Supportive Program Setting," and "Building Effective Youth and Adult Partnerships Within Programs." Kentucky Child Now has a cadre of adult trainers that present for “any youth serving organization” including schools, libraries, the community and Job Corps, and a cadre of youth trainers who accompany them.
Part of each member of the Youth Council's role as a council member is to be a trainer and share their experiences. Youth provide input, perspective and help to bridge the generation gap.
The young adults involved in their program are "at-risk," but not in foster care. Kentucky Child Now would like to expand their program to include foster care youth at some point, and have requested a copy of our final report in order to learn from our insights.
National Youth in Care Network The National Youth in Care Network in Canada predates the existence of the foster care movement in the United States. It was the work of their youth, Canadian Youth in Care, that inspired the creation and development of the California Youth Connection. Currently, their area of expertise is in Digital Storytelling. Foster care alumni in Canada undergo the same certification as adult professionals. The focus is on building skill level and credibility. The pay range varies based upon whether alumni are participating as a consultant, program staff or volunteers. OYAC Out of Home Youth Advocacy Council youth trainers are recruited through California Youth Connection and trained through the YOUTH Training Project. Jude Koski of CYC and Jamie Lee Evans, Project Coordinator for YOUTH, oversee youth involvement in GLBTQ related training. Over the last year and a half, OHYAC members have completed numerous trainings and workshops for child welfare providers on working with LGBTQ youth and families as well as on their responsibilities under the California Foster Care Nondiscrimination Act. Because of the huge need for training, OHYAC is currently compiling a training curriculum and trainer's manual. PAL-STEP Through this program, the University of Houston and the University of Texas at Arlington partnered with the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services to produce a training curriculum. Foster care alumni, who were currently working as Youth Facilitators for the state, were invited to co-train about the PAL-STEP curriculum with a professional trainer. They shared parts of their personal stories that related to the curriculum. Participation of young people in delivering the material and sharing their stories was the most highly rated aspect of the training. Pennsylvania CWTP The Pennsylvania Child Welfare Training Program currently utilizes youth primarily as panelists. They are beginning to explore expanding the role of foster care youth and alumni. SAYSO Strong Able Youth Speaking Out is a statewide association, based in North Carolina, of foster care youth and alumni, between the ages of 14 to 24. Their mission is to improve the child welfare system through outreach, advocacy, community education and providing support to youth who are or have been in substitute care. One of the strengths of this program is its representation of regions throughout the state. Up to three youth are elected from each of North Carolina's six regions. Participation as trainers is very dependent upon young people having a dedicated adult supporter. Utah Foster Care Foundation Utah utilizes youth as co-trainers whenever possible, but it is an informal process. Directory of Contacts |