Establishes the youth in progress advisory board for adolescents in foster care

Summary of specific provisions

Section 1, amends article 6 of the social services law by adding a new title 1-B. Titled Youth In Progress.

A new section 394, paragraph (1), establishes a statewide youth in progress advisory board comprised of youth age 14 and older, recruited by local social services departments, authorized agencies serving adolescents in foster care and the office of children and family services. These youth must be either currently or were formerly in the foster care system and must be able to discuss issues, share common experiences and advocate for the concerns of their peers;

Paragraph (2) and (3), requires the office of children and family services to create a regional team structure for membership to the statewide advisory board and create adult mentor partnerships for each youth member. Outlines youth in progress advisory board membership composition and meeting requirements;

Paragraph (4)(a)(b), requires the youth in progress advisory board to create an annual report with recommendations; authorize the office of children and family services to provide technical assistance to distribute annual report but prohibit the agency from altering the report. The commissioner of the office of children and family services is required to submit to the youth in progress advisory board, at least sixty days prior to final approval, all non-emergency rules and regulations for review and recommendations.

§ 2, establishes an effective date of 60 days after becoming law.

Justification

Unlike California, Massachusetts and New Jersey, New York has no formal mechanisms to solicit input from foster care youth about policies affecting their care. For 16 years, foster care youth from across New York State voiced their opinions and concerns at the Office of Children and Families Services (OCFS) regional events know as "speakouts." Former OCFS commissioner John Johnson, visited many of these speak outs and listened to stories from youth in attendance. He too, recognized the need to strengthen and enhance the dialogue with foster care youth.

In 2003, the Office of Children and Family Services actively sought to create an opportunity for foster care youth to add their voices to those of other youth in addressing the issues that impact their lives.

Their new initiative was to develop a statewide foster care youth leadership advisory team called "Youth In progress" (YIP). This leadership team was established through the development of a unique partnership between OCFS and its other affiliates. Together, they reached out to local districts and voluntary agencies seeking foster care youth leaders, each with a adult mentor to complete the team.

Today, the YIP team is comprised of youth leaders from each of the six OCFS mapped regions. They provide input on foster care policies and services, in order to make targeted improvements in the quality of care for foster youth.

Since its formation, Youth In progress has made many accomplishments and contributions that include presentations at the local, regional, state and national levels on the problems affecting youth in foster care and identifying possible solutions. The group has hosted and presented annual workshops at regional foster care youth speak outs. YIP has also been actively providing training, as co-trainers and panelists, for OCFS staff. More importantly, many of the youth who participate on this leadership team, become a part of a valuable focus group on foster care issues and serve as foster care experts in various settings across New York State.

This bill builds upon these accomplishments by formally recognizing the group within the law.

Prior legislative history

First introduced in 2010; 2011-2012: S.370 - Died in Committee; 2013-2014: S.1371 - Referred to Children and Families Committee, Died in Finance Committee.

Fiscal implications for state and local governments

No additional cost to state or local governments.

Effective date

This act shall take effect 60 days after it shall have become a law.