Opportunities for Engagement

Booklet prepared by current and former foster youth from the Metropolitan Atlanta Youth Opportunities Initiative (MAYOI) to provide the rationale and suggested implementation steps for six priorities presented to the new director of the state's Department of Family and Children's Services (DFCS). The booklet was presented to the new DFCS director by the youths during a roundtable discussion convened on October 5, 2006.

The young people of the Michigan Youth Opportunities Initiative (MYOI) produced this document as a follow-up of a previous paper (Voice) to give policymakers, legislators and caring adults ten priorities that will enable young people to successfully transition from foster care to adulthood.

 An action agenda from the Michigan Youth Board with recommendations to the state's governor, the legislature, and other policymakers on how to more effectively support youth in making successful transitions from foster care. Delegates from youth boards across the state are working with the Michigan's Department of Human Services to raise awareness about issues affecting youth in foster care.

Young people from youth boards across Iowa developed this document to share with legislators and other decision makers about the issues of youth in foster care and how to fix the system. These ten recommendations include keeping siblings together, having a family for life, free tuition at state colleges, and being involved in team decision making.

The LEAP Board identified universal issues directly affecting all foster youth: Education, Placement and Transition are interlinked. If implemented by the child welfare system, LEAP believes that these ideas will increase opportunities in these areas. In turn, youth will have overall better outcomes and be more successful as they transition to adulthood.

By Shanetta Martin, Karen Pittman, Thaddeus Ferber, and Ada McMahon.  Washington, DC:  The Forum for Youth Investment, 2007.

By Karen Pittman, Shanetta Martin, and Anderson Williams.  Washington, DC:  The Forum for Youth Investment and Oasis/Community IMPACT 2007.