“Mockingbirds don’t do one thing but make music for us to enjoy...

they don’t do one thing but sing their hearts out for us.”

—To Kill a Mockingbird

Advocacy Playbook and Extended Foster Care

Washington Association for Children and FamiliesSpring Event

May 13th, 2015

Jim Theofelis MC, LMHC, CDCExecutive Director and Founder

jim@mockingbirdsociety.orgjtheofelis@gmail.com

Deonate CruzSenior Network Representative

206-323-kids(5437)www.mockingbirdsociety.org

The Mockingbird SocietyImproving Foster Care Ending Youth Homelessness

I am not voiceless. I am not alone. We are

together and we are strong.

At The Mockingbird Society, we believe that our young people are not victims, clients, or problems to be

solved. As the driving force within the Mockingbird Network, they are establishing their position as

LEADERS in the community, ADVOCATES for themselves and their peers, and AGENTS OF CHANGE

in the child welfare system!

The Mockingbird Society’s Mission

We work with young people and families to improve foster care and end youth homelessness.

The Mockingbird Society ProgramsThe

Mockingbird

Network

YAEH

• A statewide network of local Chapters led by youth and alumni of foster and kinship care.

• Youth have a VOICE

Mockingbird

Family Model Progra

ms

• Practice advocacy

• Practical, replicable STRUCTURE for foster care delivery

Public Policy

& Communicati

ons

• Change the policy, change the practice

• Put a human face on the issues

Mockingbird Youth Network Program Goals

We train young people who

have experienced

homelessness or foster care to

be their own best advocates.

We change policies and

perceptions that stand in the

way of every child having a

safe, stable home.

Network Regional Chapters

Everett

SpokaneSeattle

Yakima

TacomaOlympia

1

2

2

3

1

3

• In a Democracy silence is equated

with support.

• Legislative process in WA remarkably

welcoming and open.

• Legislators want to hear from

constituency.

• If not you - then who? Start where

you are

• Mixed choir

• Battle for attention

• Finding meaning

• Five year old child

ADVOCACY

Annual Advocacy Cycle

Monthly Chapter

Meetings

Quarterly State

Leadership Council

Meetings

Annual Youth Summit

Youth Advocacy

Day

Building a State Advocacy Plan

• Engaging youth

• Building bi-partisan support

• Building champions

• Mixed choir

• Staffing

• Levels of engagement

• Off Session Contact

Extended Foster Care: Homeless Youth Prevention Program

2006 Foster Youth Achievement Act (HB 2002) – pilot for 50 youth.

2009 Fostering Connections (HB 1961) – 50 foster youth per year who are enrolled in higher education are eligible.

2011 Extended Foster Care (HB 1128) - foster youth working to achieve a high school diploma/GED are eligible. WA State opts in to Federal Fostering Connections Act.

2012 Extended Foster Care (HB 2592) – foster youth in college or vocational education are eligible.

2013 Extended Foster Care (SB 5405) – foster youth participating in programs to reduce barriers to employment are eligible.

2014 Extended Foster Care (HB 2335) – foster youth working 80 hours per month or more are eligible.

2015 Proposed Legislation: Foster youth with significant medical conditions.

Homeless Youth Act

HY Act Will Establish:

• Office of Homeless Youth Programs to coordinate

funding, policy, and practice efforts.

• WA Youth & Families Fund to support services

across the state.

• That every homeless youth discharged from a

public system of care in our state will not be

discharged into homelessness.

• Transfer of programs from Children’s

Administration to Commerce: CRC’s, HOPE Beds,

Street Youth Programs

Youth Advocates Ending Homelessness(YAEH)• Foster care directly links

to homelessness

• Homeless youth

participating in advocacy,

informing policy decisions

• City, county, and statewide

advocacy

• Statewide coalition of

homeless youth providers

• Year 1 of pilot; potential

expansion

Homeless Youth Prevention & Protection Act

Extended Foster Care

“Do all we can, with what we have, in the time we have, in the place we are.”

Nkosi Johnson, 1988-2001

HB 2735: Notification of the Right to Request Counsel in Dependency Proceedings and Training

and Caseload Standards

Off Session Visits: Putting a Face on the Issue

Youth-Inspired Priorities