Youth
Advisory Council
Purpose,
Vision, and Mission
It
is the vision of Wisconsin to further develop a system of youth councils
that will provide increased youth voice in the foster care system.
In utilizing youth from all five regions of Wisconsin, state leadership
will be able to utilize members that have displayed commitment, achievement,
accomplishment, leadership, and presentation skills to develop a speaker’s
bureau for providing presentations and trainings.
Between
the State Council and the Regional Councils,
representation of the voices of youth shall
efficiently and effectively be included
in the implementation and evaluation of
policy and practice as well as being a tool
of education and training to other youth,
resource families, child welfare workers,
and the overall public in general.
The
youth involved in the October 2007
convening identified the following purposes,
team norms, and reasons for their involvement
as a council member:
Council purposes
- Help
reform the system
- Educate
and inform community and system (i.e.
foster parents)
- Iincrease
awareness (locally and nationally)
-
Break stereotypes
- Advocate
and support other youth
- Help
youth in care develop leadership and advocacy
skills
- Provide
a forum, or place for youth to communicate
- Enhance
networking between youth and the community
-
Help to relieve system dependency for
youth transitioning out of care
-
Educate you on rights and responsibilities
- Prioritize
issues
- Partner
with youth and adults
Mission
To inspire change by providing education,
advocacy, support, training, and awareness
to governmental systems and the general
public to better the image of youth by addressing
the issues on behalf of current and former
youth in foster care in Wisconsin.
Membership
The
Wisconsin state-wide Youth Advisory Council
will be composed of fifteen (15) youth representatives
from across Wisconsin. Three youth from
each of the five (5) regions will be selected
to participate on the council. This representation
will be determined by each region.
Youth
council members must be at least the age
of fifteen (15 yrs.) who are or have been
in foster care. Youth may remain on the
council as long as they remain eligible
to receive ETV or Chaffee funds and/or services.
New
members will not be allowed to vote during
their first council meeting. The first council
meeting will be utilized as an orientation
meeting for the new member. The new member
will be allowed voting rights on their second
council meeting.
The
Youth Advisory Council will be supported
by the state independent living coordinator,
independent living specialists, contracted
adult staff, foster parents, and adult volunteers.
Such
support will include:
• Establish tentative meeting dates
and logistics
• Advise upon request of the board
• Open recommendations
• Be mindful of the “youth”
board
• Promote and advocate the youth board
outside of team meetings
• Be an available resource to assist
in problem solving
• Supply food for meetings
• Ensure that there is transportation
available to council members
• Logistics/ hotel/ communication
• Mentoring
Officers
President, Vice-President, Secretary, Historian,
and Treasurer
Goals
- Increased
Advocacy and Outreach for Youth in Foster
Care
-
Better access to Health Care and Counseling
-
Increase Educational Success and Support
for Current and Former Foster Youth
-
Improvement in Foster Care Placements
-
Increased Education and Support for Caregivers
-
Case Worker loads decreased/budget increased
For more information, contact:
Christine Lenske, State Independent Living Coordinator
608-267-7287
christine.lenske@wisconsin.gov
