Hundreds of youth, community partners, DCYF leadership and staff attended the 14th Annual Mockingbird Society Youth Leadership Summit last week.
The event, held in Seattle, allowed youth from all over the state to identify challenges or barriers and propose solutions to issues foster and homeless youth currently face.
Jody Becker, DCYF deputy secretary of programs for children and families, pointed out the agency’s new Office of Adolescent Services will work closely with youth to improve systems for adolescents served within DCYF.
“Your lived experiences matter immensely,” said Becker. “You can help us shape the system.”
Members from each of the Mockingbird Society chapters presented their topics to the Washington State Supreme Court Commission on Children in Foster Care and the Office of Homeless Youth Prevention and Protection Programs Advisory Committee.
The following is a list of the 2019 Summit Topics for each chapter:
- Everett Chapter – Elevate youth voice in foster care case planning documents
- Olympia Chapter – Equitable, accurate vulnerability index easements for youth experiencing homelessness
- Seattle Chapter – Comprehensive, culturally-responsive training for foster parents and caseworkers
- Spokane Chapter – Access to identification cards for youth experiencing homelessness
- Tacoma Chapter – Youth-informed evaluation training for young adult shelter staff
- Yakima Chapter – Supportive foster care placements for LGBTQ+ young people in care
- Youth Advocates Ending Homelessness Chapter – Expanding master leasing programs for young people experiencing homelessness
To learn more about The Mockingbird Society, visit www.mockingbirdsociety.org.