Homeless Youth Handbook
Florida’s Children First has partnered with Baker McKenzie and The Walt Disney Company in a joint pro bono project that resulted in a resource available
Florida’s Children First has partnered with Baker McKenzie and The Walt Disney Company in a joint pro bono project that resulted in a resource available
Florida’s Children First is proud to have been the lead party in a friend of the court brief in the U.S.Supreme Court asserting that all
Tuition Exemption White Paper This important White Paper concerning the problems and possible solutions surrounding the higher education tuition and fee exemption for our foster
Alphabet Soup – Top Terms You Need to Know Updated 7.15.24
Top Ten Actions Florida Can Take to Eliminate the Unnecessary Use of Psychotropic Medications
Florida’s Children First is proud to release this report in honor of our 10 year anniversary of operation. Inside, you will find messages from key
This report examines how Florida’s system of child representation evolved, which children are supposed to get representation today, and which communities provide counsel to children.
This paper surveys how other states handle the issue of continued communication between an adoptee and siblings and other relatives.
This paper dispels the myths that underlie the harmful practice of cutting off communication between adopted children and their siblings and other relatives.
Our most recent publication! This booklet covers key issues for youth in out-of-home care: obtaining money, master trust accounts, and special concerns for youth with disabilities.
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.