2013 Foster Youth and Alumni Leadership Summit Recap
8th Annual Foster Youth and Alumni Leadership Summit Was a Success!
Our 8th Annual Foster Youth and Alumni Leadership Summit wrapped yesterday and we here at The Mockingbird Society could not be more proud of the youth and alumni who participated. These youth came from across the state to present the next generation of foster care reforms in Washington. It was a busy three days for Summit attendees, as they participated in a leadership training and finalized their presentations to the Commission on Children and Youth in Foster Care. Each day provided new activities for participants, as well as opportunities to polish final presentations.
Day 1:
The first day of Summit was designed to get youth and alumni feeling comfortable with their surroundings and to get to know members from other Chapters. The first day was capped off by an evening of bowling where youth not only showed their skills on the lane but also busted out some great dance moves. This was a good opportunity to have some fun and take a well deserved break.
Day 2:
Youth and staff woke early on the second day to participate in a National Foster Youth Action Network Leadership Training designed to empower foster youth and alumni to be the voice for change. Our trainers, Mitch Findley and Tonya Hightower gave youth great confidence that really showed throughout the Chapters' presentations. Advocates, Mockingbird supporters, legislative aides, and policy makers supported youth in this year's Systems Reform Workshop. Chapters gave three minute presentations to panels and were given 15 minutes of feedback from advisors, before regrouping to amend their presentations. Groups then moved to the next panel and began again.
The SRW gives Chapters the opportunity to present to an eager audience and to be given tips from advisors. Youth really incorporated the feedback as shown by the improvements of each subsequent presentation. Additionally, youth got out their public speaking jitters, growing more confident after each panel. Advisors were amazed by the talents, knowledge, and hard work of these young leaders.
Day 3:
On our final day of Summit, Chapters presented to the Washington State Commission on Children and Youth in Foster Care. This is a panel made up of legislators, child welfare workers, justices, advocates, and alumni of care. Topics included expanding Washington's Extended Foster Care program; ensuring access to healthy and normal childhood experiences; limiting the use of inappropriate psychotropic medication prescribed to foster children; and creating lifelong support and permanency for youth aging out of care.
Chapters have been working hard for the last several months to develop their proposals and it really showed in their Report Out to the Commission. Commissioners said these were some of the most substantive proposals they have seen to date and were incredibly proud of these youth. Numerous Commissioners mentioned how these proposals were common sense reforms that they eagerly look forward to addressing.
This year's Summit proved to be a huge success! Participants' hard work and personal stories were powerful and drew the attention of audience members. Their well-researched proposals showed that the youth and alumni who experienced the foster care system are the best advocates for the next generation of reforms. We are already looking forward to next year's Summit and are eager to assist in making these proposals a reality. Thank you to all of our attendees and supporters who made the Summit such a success!