California Youth Connection (CYC)

Member Engagement:On the local level, each of CYCs 30 chapters and subchapters selects and works on county policy issues that they believe could also be improved. Chapters meet twice a month and consider ways to educate local policy makers about their experiences in care and their recommendations for change. Since California has a state-run, county-administered child welfare system, youth understand that some local policies can be changed, which will impact foster youth throughout their county. CYCs work provides valuable insights into ways to improve service delivery for foster youth. CYC has established a strong reputation as a credible organization that brings the views of foster youth to the forefront. The Y.O.U.T.H. Training Project, a nonprofit program that provides development services to youth and training opportunities to child welfare professionals, became a part of CYCs program effective February 13, 2012. CYC acquired Foster Youth In Action (FYIA) in July, 2021. FYIAs mission is building a movement led by a network of foster-led groups and people with lived experience to dismantle oppressive child welfare systems, redistribute power, and build new systems of healing and well-being. We do this through collective leadership, grassroots organizing, and creating a national peoples agenda that can be used to leverage systemic change in policy, practice, and legislative change at the local, state, and national level.

California Youth Connection is a nonprofit advocacy/youth leadership organization composed of current and former foster youth that strive to improve the foster care system by making it possible for the youth to have a say in how child welfare services are delivered. With 30 county-based chapters and subchapters throughout California, , CYC works at the state and local levels to educate legislators and policy makers about how policies and programs affect foster youth. Current or former foster youth members sit on, and participate in, committees and give presentations throughout the state on their experiences in foster care and their recommendations for change. One of the primary goals of the organization is to improve social work practice and policy by empowering youth to articulate how things can be done differently. CYC was established in 1988 after several years of increasing youth participation in California. CYC opened a statewide office in San Francisco in 1995 to expand membership and improve communication and coordination among the local chapters. Since the statewide office opened, the number of CYC chapters has increased over 200%. This growth reflects the tremendous positive response to CYC around the state, from social services executives and legislators, to the youth themselves. There are now also offices in Sacramento, Fresno, and Los Angeles. Consequently, CYCs members now sit on numerous policy committees within the child welfare field, and CYC, as an organization, has contributed greatly to the body of knowledge on how youth believe the foster care system can be improved. CYC members and staff also coordinate two statewide conferences per year where youth assemble to study issues, receive training on leadership and the legislative process, meet with lawmakers and policy makers, and work together to form a strong voice to advocate for statewide improvements in Californias foster care system. CYC summarizes the youths recommendations for the leadership/policy conference and publishes a report each year on their findings. These activities serve to better educate the public and policy makers about the unique needs and challenges foster youth face. CYC was founded on the principle of youth empowerment. Youth study and speak out on issues related to their own care, organize and run their own local meetings, and make decisions about the overall direction of the statewide organization. Participation in CYC greatly enhances the youths confidence and esteem because of their experiences in being heard not just by legislators and policy makers, but also within their own organization. CYCs Board of Directors is comprised of over 50% former foster youth. Additionally, CYC has an all-youth advisory board. The Board of Directors and the advisory board meet on a quarterly basis each year to make policy decisions and to chart the course of the organization. The statewide office staff reflects their commitment to youth empowerment, as most of the programmatic staff are former foster youth.