We believe that all children have the right to food, clothing, housing, education, medical care, property and personal privacy.
Florida’s laws, policies and practices respect, prioritize and protect children and youth impacted by the child welfare, juvenile justice, and disability systems.
orlandosentinel.com/news/opinion/os-ed-foster-care-age-020512-20120203,0,4992019.story OrlandoSentinel.com Don’t abandon foster kids — help them thrive February 5, 2012 Imagine abused youngsters growing up in Florida’s foster care system somehow morphing
By John Barry, Times Staff Writer In Print: Friday, February 3, 2012 TAMPA — Since he was born, Gabrielle Crawford fought his way through multiple birth
Take ‘ONE’ challenge to assist a child 01/30/2012 The JBA Adoption Section Co-Chairperson Hope Iseley The Florida Supreme Court Campaign “ONE” challenges each attorney to
January 27th, 2012 by Whitney Ray Only three percent of kids aging out of Florida’s foster care system receive a college degree. The state pays
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Mental health professionals will tell you there are children across the Tampa Bay area who have been through hell. Many have been ripped
Updated: 9:26 AM Jan 25, 2012 Debate Hot Over Foster Transition Funding A passionate debate over a stipend for foster-care youth ended Tuesday with a
01/23/2012 By Kathy Para, The JBA Pro Bono Committee Chairwoman Suzanne Judas is the recipient of the 2012 Florida Bar President’s Pro Bono Service Award
FOSTER KID STIPEND CAP MULLED TUESDAY THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA A bill that would lop two years off the time that young adults in
Learn more about the recent changes to the IRS d the forms and requirements for obtaining adoption tax credits.
Tampa Bay Times Eckerd Youth Alternatives gets child protection contract in Hillsborough County By John Barry, Times Staff Writer Tampa Bay Times In Print: Saturday,
Foster children struggle to graduate By Kelli Kennedy Associated Press When Carey Sommer entered foster care in California, he left his mom, his high school
MIAMI — For decades, it was common for officials around the country to approve foster parents by room and board criteria: Did they pass a
Finding a family isn’t always about tracing a blood line By Leonora LaPeter Anton, Tampa Bay Times Staff Writer Posted: Dec 26, 2011 04:46 PM
FYS Events & Meeting Chair
(Palm Beach)
Hello, My name is Alexia Nechayev. I am 25 years old and I am an alumna of Florida International University where I received my B.A. in Psychology. My future career goal is to be a Lawyer. I was in care for about one year from age 17 to 18. Prior to entering care, I only knew about the negative stigma regarding foster care and while in care that narrative was unfortunately my experience.
In school I felt like I was on display because my status in care was broadcast to other students and in my placement behavior was leveraged for “privileges” that should be a natural right of all children. Because I did not know my rights I did not know that what I was experiencing was wrong. Today this is exactly why I advocate, because I don’t want this to be the same for other youth who are experiencing foster care.
This is my second year on the FYS Statewide Board and I’m happy to be the Events and Meetings Chair this year because my main goal through advocacy is to reach as many people as possible. My favorite thing as a board member is to see how comfortable members become while working together. The community needs to know that youth in foster care are real people, going through some of the hardest moments of their life and youth need to know that their voice is powerful. I believe that we have to speak up and bring these issues to people’s attention so that they do not forget us. Advocacy, education and consistency is the only way.
