About YIP

Our mission is to enhance and advance the lives of today's and tomorrow's foster youth by supporting our sense of self and responsibility. To do this, we pledge to educate everyone involved in the various systems Youth In Progress members represent, to the realities of this experience.

Work We Have Done

  • Serve on leadership boards for agencies, local districts, and national organizations
  • Participate in a variety of speaking engagements and conferences, regionally, statewide, and nationally
  • Act as co-trainers for caseworkers, direct care staff, and foster parents
  • Help produce and appear in training videos specific to working with adolescents in care
  • Participate and conduct focus groups
  • Assist in the planning and hosting of annual regional Youth Voice Events

Ongoing Goals

  • Raising public awareness of the experiences of youth in care
  • Increasing youth involvement in all systems that touch their lives
  • Empowering youth through the development of leadership and decision-making skills
  • Improving policies and practices to assist youth to transition out of foster care