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.
In February of 2018, the Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF) was hit with a federal class-action lawsuit alleging that private providers in the southern part
Province could look to Florida or Connecticut for ideas on how to help former kids in care. By Katie Hyslop Today | TheTyee.ca Katie Hyslop is a reporter for
A Winter Haven man who was adopted from foster care as a child is doing something remarkable. He’s working on a postgraduate degree entirely
By: Liliana Hernandez and Angelique Day More first-generation, low-income students and students of color, including youth in foster care, are enrolling in college than ever
There is much work to be done before the promise of full legal rights for dependent children is realized. By Amy Harfeld Recent disturbing headlines
For the first time, states can now claim federal matching funds through Title IV-E of the Social Security Act to help pay the costs of
By Christopher O’Donnell and Nathaniel Lash Published Dec. 27, 2018 Justice McGuill was barely 12 when she walked into the house in Hudson, her little hands gripping tightly
As a former youth in foster care, I have experienced firsthand the care of children in our state and how our childcare systems prepare youth
Florida has made great strides when it comes to improving the system of care for children in our state, but a new report shows there
On any given night, 7,000 young people in Florida are homeless. For many, the barriers standing between them and a stable, productive adulthood include legal issues
My name is Chelsea. My childhood was spent in what many people might consider a stereotypical “broken home” with domestic violence and substance abuse as
Share Baker McKenzie has partnered with The Walt Disney Company and nonprofit child advocacy organization Florida’s Children First in a joint pro bono effort to create
Human-trafficking victims, their advocates call on Disney to take public stand on proposed law Sex trafficking survivors spoke tearfully of betrayal by Florida lawmakers Friday
Lawyer-lobbyist Nicole “Nikki” Fried, who specializes in medical marijuana issues, says she might run for Governor this year after coming to the conclusion the current field of
The Law Firm Consortium on Children’s Rights was founded to convene child advocacy stakeholders in collaboration to ensure that children in Florida, along with other
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.
