Make the Connection. California Youth Connection (CYC) The mission of California Youth Connection (CYC), a youth-led organization, is to develop leaders who empower each other and their communities to transform the foster care system through legislative, policy, and practice change. About six months later, CYC members travel to Sacramento for Day at the Capitol, when they meet with legislators, urging them to support our sponsored bills. Copyright document.write(new Date().getFullYear()) State of California, The California Office of the Foster Care Ombudsperson is dedicated to serving, Welfare and Institutions Code (WIC) 16164, Accessibility Certification Button. California Department of Education. Learn More Youth and young adults ages 14-24 with lived experience in foster care are encouraged to become members and organize within our chapters throughout California. For more information on the requirements for Peer Certification please visit CalMHSA. 744 P Street, MS 8-3-570 about GuideStar Pro. In these meetings, we strategize about ways the foster care system can be improved, remembers Zimbabwe Davies, a member of CYC from 2008 to 2013. Email contact available with a Pro subscription, Legal name of organization: California Youth Connection. The Committee has 14 members, ages 15-25, from 12 different California counties. Try a low commitment monthly plan today. The Parent Partner Advisory Committee in collaboration with UC Davis Center for Family Focused Practice and the CDSS are proud to introduce the Peer Partner Hubs. 510-920-3557, As a member of a local CYC chapter, you will join a youth-centered movement to transform the experience and outcomes of youth impacted by the foster care system. Anna Gennari EMERYVILLE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--California Youth Connection (CYC) and Foster Youth in Action (FYA) today announced their intent to merge, signaling the start of a new day for the youth-led foster care movement. "CYC is a youth led advocacy org that develops youth leaders who empower each other" . Between 2003 and 2008, over 26,500 youth . In true CYC fashion, each workshop throughout DAC is created FOR youth BY youth! The Peer Partner Hubs are a safe space for peer partners (including youth advocates and parent advocates) with lived experience in child and family-serving organizations to network and support one another, share information and learning opportunities, and provide feedback to organizations, counties, and CDSS for system improvement. WestEd 3.6. The California Youth Connection created a curricula for these meetings that allowed youth to understand the importance of youth involvement in policy, reflect on their own experience in foster care, identify the issues they have faced and develop recommendations for change. The announcement was made following more than a year of exploration and discovery, and in response to a youth-led vote on June 5 meeting of CYC Board members and community partners. We operate our organizations through an authentic youth-led and youth-driven perspective, and we share the same set of core values in our day-to-day operations and decision making, noted Janay Eustace, Executive Director of California Youth Connection. A leadership development program for young people (ages 13-17). I have seen the government at eye level. California youth prisons close, prompt end of secret group | The CYC has clearly defined roles and practices for adult volunteers called supporters and staff: Listen to what the youth are saying about their lives; think about things that are affecting their lives; identify the root cause; and think about solutions. You dont have to wait until youve got a bunch of degrees, says Zimbabwe Davies. If you would like to donate professional attire during our clothing drive, get all the details you need on our flyer. Youth & Peer Empowerment Included are youth facts, funding information, and tools to help you assess community assets, generate maps of local and federal resources, search for evidence-based youth programs, and keep up-to-date on the latest, youth-related news. There are a lot of transitions among youth members, many of whom are dealing with trauma and challenging life situations. Please check your inbox in order to proceed. CYCs annual advocacy and empowerment event, the Day at the Capitol (DAC) conference will take place February 24-27 2023! Check out all of CYCs, Conferences: Day at the Capitol & Summer Leadership and Policy. Theyre young: our members are 14 to 24. Use language thats empowering: Instead of saying, dont do this, help them stop and think about what they really want to do. Santa Clara County Behavioral Health Services Children, Youth and Families. Help us get you more of the nonprofit information you need, including: An email has been sent to the address you provided. Crisis Hotlines & Resources Knowing that youth advocacy requires more than just taking a stand, it involves holistic support to ensure that young people are genuinely able to lead. California State Senate, President Pro Temp Steinberg. Youth want to help change the system right now. Its like the Marvel Universe for foster youth, reflects Zimbabwe. California Youth Connection - Our Voices, Our Future Miguel Almodovar California Youth Connection miguel@calyouthconn.org (510) 508 - 6191 Anna Gennari Foster Youth in Action anna@fosteryouthaction.org (314) 243-4549 Site Navigation Home The mission of the California Office of the Foster Care Ombudsperson (OFCO) is to advocate on behalf of foster children and youth regarding their care, placement, and services. YEP provides funding and support to counties to engage current or former foster youth on local projects designed to strengthen child welfare systems. California Youth Partnership Has the board conducted a formal, written self-assessment of its performance within the past three years? Republish. California Youth Connection | 1,966 followers on LinkedIn. I had never experienced that.. When Jasmine joined CYC, she was struggling in high school, more the result of instability than academics. 1311 63rd Street, Suite A Katie A./ Pathways to Well-Being Program Manager. If it is your nonprofit, add a problem overview. The California Office of the Foster Care Ombudsperson is dedicated to serving foster youth in California by investigating and resolving complaints about foster youth rights, care, placement, and services. By investing in the leadership of thousands of CYC youth members, If you would like more information about CYC and what it means to be a CYC member, please fill out the. I felt important. From the first moment she stepped into a CYC meeting, Jasmine felt welcomed. Make the youth comfortable and welcome so they feel like they belong. CYC welcomed the opportunity to explore possibilities, and both organizations see this as a positive step towards their shared vision and commitment to young people in foster care. It was founded in 1988 by current and former foster youth aged 14 to 24 and a few adult allies. Family and Children's Cross-Systems Initiatives Division. Before CYC, I was trying to find my way. WraparoundQuestions@dss.ca.gov, Copyright 2023 California Department of Social Services, California Child Welfare Core Practice Model, https://humanservices.ucdavis.edu/parent-partners/advisory-committee, https://humanservices.ucdavis.edu/parent-partners/peer-partner-hubs, Wraparound & Peer Partner Consultation Services, UC Davis Resource Center for Family Focused Practice, Increase resources for parent partners in California, Promote leadership of past customers of child welfare, mental health, and juvenile probation services (or family serving public agencies), Provide meaningful and effective training and resources for parent partners in California. Any current or former foster youth between the ages of 14-24 is welcome to become a CYC member. Wed 9:00-5:00. Our members focus on legislation, policy, practice, and public education while calling for youth to be at the center of all decisions impacting their stability. System of Care Branch Has the board conducted a formal, written assessment of the chief executive within the past year ? In our meetings, many of our members were saying that wasnt happening. California Department of Social Services Build relationships with key people who manage and lead nonprofit organizations with GuideStar Pro. In addition, our outreach program supports our youth members and adult volunteers in providing trainings, workshops and individual meetings on a local, regional and statewide bases. Already have a GuideStar Account? Its an incredible atmosphere. CalYouthConn Have the board and senior staff reviewed the conflict-of-interest policy and completed and signed disclosure statements in the past year? Sacramento, CA 95814 This 3-day, 2-night training uses outdoor experiences, to build skills in leadership, communication, self-esteem, and team building. Members also lead statewide activities, including conferences, legislative implementation, and the Statewide Membership Council (SMC). The goal was to build capacity locally, build understanding of basic grassroots organizing principles, and of course team building! 1 was here. Feedback loops and mechanisms for youth leadership are built into CYCs DNA but that does not make it easy. Want to see how you can enhance your nonprofit research and unlock more insights? The Youth Innovation Committee formed in February 2019 to identify unmet mental health needs of California youth and identify opportunities for innovation. If you don't currently have a chapter in yourcounty and are interested in starting one, please emailinfo@calyouthconn.org. This organization is required to file an IRS Form 990 or 990-EZ. The PPAC has three goals: For more information on PPAC or to join PPAC, please visit: https://humanservices.ucdavis.edu/parent-partners/advisory-committee. youth.gov is the U.S. government website that helps you create, maintain, and strengthen effective youth programs. miguel@calyouthconn.org The mission of California Youth Connection (CYC), a youth-led organization, is to develop leaders who empower each other and their communities to transform the foster care system through legislative, policy, and practice change. Built on this foundation and a legacy of youth organizing, FYA is now powered by an international network of local foster youth-led groups across the U.S. and Canada. The majority of CYCs adult staff is former foster youth, which keeps the organization authentic and creates the space for youth members to continue developing as leaders. The PPAC vision is to have parent partners positively impacting every community. As a result of that advocacy, the California Office of the Foster Care Ombudsperson (OFCO) was created. Peer partners from various child and family-serving systems are invited, including but not limited to child welfare, probation, and behavioral health. What are the organization's current programs, how do they measure success, . The event took place over the weekend of July 8th-10th 2022 at San Diego State University. Family-Centered Practice Unit, 744 P Street, MS The CYC community recently convened at an in-person Statewide Youth Organizers Retreat. Be real, honest, transparent and consistent. California Youth (ages 12-24) Crisis Line. With the supportof staff and volunteers, chapters focus on leadership development, local community education, and policy implementation. California Youth Connection - The Epicenter 5303383313 info@californiayouthpartnership.org. I have traveled up and down the state, met with professionals in so many capacities: senators and assemblymen, lobbyists and department heads. Internet Explorer presents a security risk. Our chapters are central to all of our work. CYCs mission is to develop leaders who empower each other and their communities to transform the foster care system through legislative, policy, and practice change. California Youth Connection is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to the belief that eachindividual is entitledto equalemploymentopportunity. about GuideStar Pro. The Office receives and investigates concerns/complaints regarding services, and provides advocacy, empowerment, mediation, information, and resource dissemination for and on behalf of the NMD. Director of Development (F/T) Remote. Officers, directors, trustees, and key employees, Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics, Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools, Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations, Revenue and expense data for the current fiscal year, CEO, Board Chair, and Board of Directors information, *with the ability to download the data for 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018. Get information about a chapter in your area. PDF YOUTH PERSPECTIVES ON PERMANENCY - ocfcpacourts.us CYC proviudes our youth members with the skills needed to become leaders of tomorrow, to support our adult volunteers in youth empowerment, and to educate the community about CYC and the importance of youth voice and empowerment. What is the main factor in their success? Ensure that young people are true collaborators, involved in all parts of the process, not just at the end to put a youth face on it. All decisions require youth input, so if there are not enough youth at the table, nothing happens. Emeryville, CA 94608 Think about how intentionally you are working with young people so you are actually doing them a service. First Name. Mon 9:00-5:00. You can do good work and be real at the same time. State, districts struggle to support foster youth | EdSource So self-care, healing and wellness are important for the staff as well.. Her high school had a group of students in foster care who were visited, week after week, by a woman from California Youth Connection (CYC), a statewide youth advocacy organization working to bring positive change to the foster care system. Over the past decade, as child welfare, probation, and behavioral health agencies and community service providers have worked towards authentically engaging the voices of children, youth, parents, and families, the integration of peer partners into child and family serving programs has emerged as a central value and practice of engagement. Systems of Care Branch Training Project, trains and develops our members to write curriculum and facilitate trainings from the perspective of current and former foster youth. She was in turmoil navigating a system she had heard nightmares about. California Youth Connection (CYC) - Youth Resource Hub Many kids werent even able to go back and pick up their belongings. This empowering process is especially valuable to youth in the foster care system. Sign up with your email address to receive news and updates. Every year, CYC serves more than 500 youth members, ages 14-24, through 30 chapters throughout the state. California Youth Connection and Foster Youth in Action have announced plans to merge, signaling momentum for the youth-led foster care movement. Miguel Almodovar Skip to main content. WraparoundQuestions@dss.ca.gov, Copyright 2023 California Department of Social Services, Office of Administration for Children and Families: Peer Support Services Recommendations for Improving Permanency and Well-Being, Wraparound & Peer Partner Consultation Services, UC Davis Resource Center for Family Focused Practice. Youth identified the following Outdoor Youth Connection One example of this process in action is the 2018 passage of Assembly Bill (AB) 2247, which established a youth-focused process for planning stability. Senior School-Based Mental Health Associate. Sacramento, CA 95814 That spoke to me. California Youth Partnership. The support is what made me feel empowered. The mission of California Youth Connection (CYC), a youth-led organization, is to develop leaders who empower each other and their communities to transform the foster care system through legislative, policy, and practice change. Let your egos go and let the young people pilot the plane. Young people were supposed to be getting a seven-day notice for placement changes, explains Christi Ketchum. Alliance for Childrens Rights- Engaging Lived Experience Report, VIDEO: Voices of QPI: Why Youth and Parent Engagement is Important in Child Welfare Systems Change. California Youth Connection is an advocacy/youth leadership organization for foster youth. California Youth Connections jobs in California. Thu 9:00-5:00. Mental Health Program Specialist. Founded in 1988 on the concept of youth empowerment and the principles of youth development, CYC trains foster youth as effective policy advocates, engages them in dialogues with policymakers, and provides ongoing opportunities for them to participate in the policy process. BAY AREA STATEWIDE OFFICE in nonprofit board leadership and governance, to create this section. - Tristan, AccessibilityPrivacy PolicyViewers and Players. This committee does most of the legwork around advocating for policies and legislation that positively impact the foster care system. California Youth Connection. Youths previously in custody under . Founded in 1988, California Youth Connection (CYC) builds the leadership and advocacy skills of young people in foster care to improve Californias foster care system by promoting opportunities for young people to speak with policymakers and engaging youth in policy development. Its family. As a member of a local CYC chapter, you will join a youth-centered movement to transform the experience and outcomes of youth impacted by the foster care system. As two of the largest youth-led organizations, with 20+ years experience, an established national network, and some of the strongest leadership development and advocacy programs available for current and former foster youth, CYC and FYA are thrilled to come together, knowing that our impact can only be greater together. California Youth Connection (CYC) | Emeryville CA 1388 Court Street, Suite C, Redding, United States. An online resource designed to connect Veterans, their family . Does the board ensure an inclusive board member recruitment process that results in diversity of thought and leadership? Youth who participate have reported increased feelings of self-worth, confidence to lead, and dedication to their community. In 1998, youth advocates from California Youth Connection (CYC) recognized the need for an agency that would advocate for the voices of youth in the foster care system. Each year, more than 4,000 emancipate. California Youth Connection is an advocacy/youth leadership organization for foster youth. We work with our young people and we give them opportunities to grow and develop their leadership. (559) 600-8320; Carissa Phelps; Central Star Community Services; Skip to main content. With the support of staff and volunteers, chapters focus on leadership development, local community education, and policy implementation. Youth can now report placement issues with a foster care ombudsmen and make a case about how theyre being treated.. By July 1, 2021, DHCS will determine the peer certification standards in alignment with the provisions SB 803, and in accordance within CMS' guidance, have the new benefit in place by January 1, 2022. The Youth Ombudsman Office can be reached at (213) 739-6454. All youth in foster care will have their needs met and the support to grow into healthy and vibrant adults. As a result of that advocacy, the California Office of the Foster Care Ombudsperson (OFCO) was created. It worked with the Youth Leadership Institute, the Born This Way Foundation, California Youth Connection, The . List of California organizations providing support to the youth and their families in Region 11. Jasmine was 15 years old when she entered the foster care system. California Youth Connection is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to the belief that each individual is entitled to equal employment opportunity. Be considerate. Click here to resend it.). Hours. Transforming the foster care system through legislative, policy, and practice change! In California, 65,000 children and youth are in the foster care system, far more than any other single state. In September of 2020, Senate Bill (SB) 803 was chaptered, requiring DHCS to seek federal approval to establish Peer Specialist as a provider type and to provide distinct peer support services under the SMHS and DMC-ODS programs. Ask: How do you think you can help and support? CYC defines a foster youth as someone living in out of home care such as in a foster home, group home, THPP, or in relative/kinship care. The opportunity to create real change, to be part of a larger movement and network a familyis the reason so many youth join CYC, and stay with it. Show respect. The OFCO is an autonomous entity that is empowered to investigate and informally resolve complaints impacting foster youth, increase awareness about foster youth rights, and make recommendations to help support systemic change. l conference has resulted in the eventual passage of dozens of new laws and policies that have profoundly improved the lives of children and youth who experience foster care. From its inception, CYC was built to ensure that youth voices were at the forefront of conversations about the child welfare system. as well as a section for youth and schools. and who do the programs serve? Engage on a personal level. Youth members also plan and design every aspect of the quarterly statewide meetings and the CYCs two annual convenings. What would you like to see? Our young people are actively trying to change the foster care system. California's final remaining youth prisons shuttered on June 30, marking an end to a 132-year-old statewide correctional system plagued by violence and abuse.