Engagement of Young People

State Youth Ambassador: Young adults who are state team members and participate with state and federal staff in most review activities.

Young People Focus Group Participant: Young people currently in out-of-home care (foster care) from different placement settings; with varying experiences, knowledge, levels, and a variety of perspectives on the state's child welfare system; and from different geographic areas of the state who come together to discuss their role in the state’s NYTD efforts, their experience receiving services from the state agency, and their participation in the NYTD survey.

More details about the different opportunities can be found on the Children's Bureau website and this state technical assistance resource:

Engaging State Young People in the NYTD Review

The voices of state young people are essential since they are the experts. Involving them helps influence decisions about how to improve state programs that affect them. They can be empowered to drive changes in services and help highlight what works and what needs improvement. They can encourage other young people to become involved, and this can lead to states partnering with young people in conducting surveys and other NYTD outreach efforts.

• Educate them on the process
• Provide resources
• Offer calls to answer questions
• Involve them in all planning activities including planning calls with the federal review team
• Connect with peers and networking opportunities
• Compensate them for their time
• Provide incentives