Feds: Florida’s poor oversight of psychotropic meds put foster kids at risk
A study by the Department of Health & Human Services reveals lax controls and missing records for children prescribed powerful medications within Florida’s child welfare
A study by the Department of Health & Human Services reveals lax controls and missing records for children prescribed powerful medications within Florida’s child welfare
Watch Florida Youth SHINE’s feature on Forever Family WFTV9 Orlando.
Florida’s Children First (FCF), Florida’s premiere statewide advocacy organization focused on protecting the rights of children of youth in the foster care system, is proud
Adoption attorney Maria Bates, members of Florida Youth SHINE, and an adoptive mom will explore the importance of maintaining connections to birth family for youth adopted from state care. The session will prepare participants to facilitate…
Florida’s 2023 Legislative Session resulted in the passage of bills that will have a significant impact on Florida’s child welfare system…
Geori Seldine Your Turn, Tallahassee Democrat Juli 14, 2023 at 5:11 a.m. The Florida Legislature has passed several laws intended to protect and benefit
By SUN SENTINEL EDITORIAL BOARD | Sun Sentinel June 23, 2023 at 10:00 a.m. The Florida Legislature has passed several laws to benefit children in foster
by Troy Myers Tue, June 20th 2023, 11:25 AM EDT WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (CBS12) — Senate Bill 272, named the “Nancy C. Detert Champion for
By KYLE JOHNSON | PUBLISHED: June 2, 2023 at 2:20 p.m. | UPDATED: June 2, 2023 at 2:20 p.m. If you’re a kid in foster care, can you
Florida’s Children First and Florida Youth SHINE are growing and we’re looking to add to our team of passionate advocates. We are hiring for the
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.