NFYI Supports Bill to Increase Resources for Aging Out Youth
This week, the Rep. Zach Nunn-led bipartisan effort to advance the Fostering the Future for American Children and Families Act marks a pivotal moment for young people transitioning out of foster care. This legislation—introduced by Congressman Nunn (IA-03) and co-sponsored by Rep. Greg Landsman (OH-01) —seeks to codify and expand the recent federal initiative aimed […]
Congressional Caucus on Foster Youth Announces New Leadership
Bipartisan caucus remains committed to protecting the rights and improving the welfare of 400,000 children in foster care and 20,000 young adults aging out WASHINGTON, DC — One of the largest bipartisan caucuses in Congress will be led by a new group of co-chairs from both sides of the aisle who are committed to confronting […]
2023 Congressional Foster Youth Shadow Day
Since 2012, NFYI and the Congressional Caucus on Foster Youth have co-hosted the annual Congressional Foster Youth Shadow Day experience, a multi-day conference that brings current and former foster youth from around the country to Washington, DC to share their first-hand experiences in the child welfare system with Congress, and learn how federal legislation and […]
Open Letter to a Group of World Shakers
The following letter was written by one of the leaders at the 2022 Congressional Foster Youth Shadow Day Experience. Theron Ogedengbe is a therapist for at-risk youth, former Shadow Day delegate, and former foster youth. To the Participants of the 2022 Congressional Foster Youth Shadow Day Experience — I’m writing this open-ended letter to you. […]
Foster Youth Visit Capitol Hill to Shadow Members of Congress
FOSTER YOUTH VISIT CAPITOL HILL TO SHARE PERSONAL EXPERIENCES IN CHILD WELFARE WITH MEMBERS OF CONGRESS AND PUSH FOR FEDERAL POLICY CHANGE Speaker Pelosi, Majority Leader Hoyer, Rep. Bass, and actor Jason Lee support youth advocates and bring foster youth voices to the House floor at the annual Congressional Foster Youth Shadow Day event. Washington, […]
Former LA Foster Youth Advocates for Change to the System
Click here to WATCH NFYI Member and 2022 Shadow Day Delegate Junely Merwin tell her story of parenting while in foster care to becoming an advocate for herself and others in Washington, DC. By Cassie Semyon, Washington, DC Spectrum News 1 LOS ANGELES — When she was just 15 years old, Junely Merwin was removed […]
Congress to Meet With Foster Youth on Capitol Hill – June 22
MEDIA ADVISORY June 14, 2022 REP. KAREN BASS ONE OF MANY CONGRESS MEMBERS TO MEET WITH FOSTER YOUTH ON CAPITOL HILL – JUNE 22 For 10th year, foster youth travel to Capitol Hill for annual leadership training, including a special opportunity to shadow members of Congress. – Washington, DC (June 13, 2022) – Current and former […]
UPDATE: Renewed Efforts to Support Foster Youth During Pandemic
Contact: Mariah Craven | [email protected] NFYI STATEMENT ON RENEWED EFFORTS TO SUPPORT OLDER FOSTER YOUTH DURING THE PANDEMIC H.R. 5661 to be Considered by House Ways and Means Committee on Wednesday WASHINGTON, DC — The following press statement was issued today by Rebecca Louve Yao, executive director of the National Foster Youth Institute: Last month, we faced the […]
Emergency Pandemic Assistance Deadline is Here
The past 18 months have fundamentally changed the lives and viewpoints of everyone in our country. No one has been untouched by economic uncertainty, employment concerns, healthcare issues, housing instability, or a significantly altered social network. For older foster youth and young adults who have recently transitioned out of the child welfare system, it has […]
Help Extend Emergency Pandemic Funding for Former Foster Youth
Join NFYI, foster youth and families, Members of Congress, community partners, and other supporters in the call to extend emergency pandemic funding for transition age youth — young adults who have recently aged out of foster care. Hundreds of millions of dollars are at stake if Congress doesn’t postpone the September appropriations deadline. Read our […]