The Center for the Study of Social Policy’s mission is to advance anti-racist and just policies and practices in family autonomy, economic justice, and health justice so that all children and their families will thrive in a racially, socially, and economically just society. Through our work we develop big ideas and advance them through practical policy solutions; partner with youth and families to build capacity, identify solutions, and advance those solutions; partner with public systems to ensure that program implementation is effective and equitable; and generate a shared a commitment to change by clearly communicating the ways that policies impact families.
Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute (CCAI) is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization founded in 2001 to eliminate the barriers that prevent children from being part of a safe, nurturing, and permanent family. CCAI has served as a trusted, principal source of the information, expertise, and resources needed by members of Congress' Adoption Caucus, Congressional Coalition on Adoption (CCA), on permanency issues both in the United States and around the world.
The vision of Foster Care Alumni of America—developed by alumni of foster care and allies 20 years ago—is that all people in and from foster care are connected, empowered, and flourishing. Our mission is to ensure a high quality of life for those in and from foster care through the collective voice of alumni. We intend to erase the differences in opportunities and outcomes for people in and from foster care compared to those who have not experienced foster care.
We believe that opportunities to improve outcomes for alumni of foster care continue beyond age 18 to 25 (typically considered the upper end of transition age) and that a significant way to improve the quality of life for alumni is to provide opportunities for us to connect with each other, reducing isolation and increasing the likelihood of permanent family and community.
We also believe that alumni of foster care possess expertise about foster care that is not available anywhere else. Alumni bring the perspective of having lived in foster care and being part of the foster care culture—the shared experience that comes from being in foster care. We believe this perspective, expertise, and our presence and voice are essential for influencing public will, creating the best public policy, and continually improving foster care practice.
California Youth Connection (CYC), is a youth-led organization that develops and grows leaders who empower each other and our communities to transform the foster care and intersecting systems through community-led organizing, legislative, policy, and practice change. Our vision is that youth impacted by child welfare and intersecting systems are empowered to have their needs met and the support to grow into healthy and vibrant adults.
Foster Youth in Action (FYIA) was founded in 2008 by foster youth organizers and supporters with CYC. Built on this foundation and a legacy of youth-led organizing, FYIA is now powered by an international network of over 20 local foster youth-led groups across the U.S. and Canada organized around a shared commitment to creating radical change.
As two of the largest youth-led organizations, with over 20 years of experience, an established national network, and some of the strongest leadership development and advocacy programs available for current and former foster youth, CYC and FYIA have joined forces. As of their 2021 merger, FYIA operates as a national network from within CYC — while both organizations retain their respective brands and programming.
FosterClub is the national network for young people who experience foster care. While foster care provides a critical safety net in our society for children and youth, we know that being in foster care can be a very difficult experience for a young person. FosterClub believes when young people have the support they need and opportunity to drive change in their life, they become self-determined and do better. We also believe when the system listens to young people, it does better. Our approach is to engage and empower those who have the most at stake in transforming the foster care system: young people themselves.
iFoster is a 501c3 national non-profit with the largest and most inclusive online community of youth, caregivers, and organizations in foster care; it has over 70,000 members in all 50 states, including Puerto Rico and Guam. iFoster’s mission is to ensure that every child growing up outside their biological home has the resources and opportunities they need to become successful.
Journey to Success is a policy advocacy campaign that seeks to improve opportunities and outcomes for all youth and young adults who experience foster care by promoting their healing, family connections, and economic security.
The National Foster Youth Institute is a youth development organization that lifts up foster youth voices to transform the child welfare system. NFYI empowers current and former foster youth, their families, and communities to use their lived experiences to bring about systemic policy changes in the child welfare system nationwide.
The Partnership for America’s Children is a national network of child advocacy organizations focused on state and local policy change. We engage, empower, and invest in a national network for policy advocates for America’s children. Together, our 45+ member organizations work at the local, state, and national levels to ensure that every child, from every race, ethnicity, ability, and zip code, has the opportunity to thrive.
Think of Us is a national nonprofit driving child welfare reform by partnering with impacted youth, families, and government leaders. We’re a team of dedicated advocates, policy experts, and researchers working to center lived experience in child welfare decision-making, reduce unnecessary system entries, preserve families, and support youth transitioning out of care.
The Youth Law Center envisions a world where system interventions and approaches prioritize children’s humanity and needs. We advocate to transform foster care and juvenile justice systems across the nation so every child and youth can thrive.
Youth Villages is a national leader in mental and behavioral health committed to finding the most effective solutions to help children, families and young adults overcome obstacles and live successfully. Working through direct services, partnerships with innovative public agencies and advocacy, we collaborate to bring positive change to child welfare, children’s mental health and justice systems. Our 4,500 employees serve more than 43,000 children and young adults in more than 100 locations in 27 states and the District of Columbia. Youth Villages has been recognized by the Harvard Business School and U.S. News & World Report and was identified by The White House as one of the nation’s most promising results-oriented nonprofit organizations.