About the Youth Council:
One by One Foster & Kinship Solutions is subcontracted under the Arizona Foundation for Human Resource Providers to carry out the program of a state grant provided by the Arizona Department of Human Services. Our Kinship Youth Leadership Council is comprised of 8-10 youth ages 11 to 19 who are (or have been) in Kinship Care placements, both formal and informal. The Council is facilitated by our very own Executive Director, Stephanie Wright, as the Youth Advisor. The youth meet together regularly to identify healthcare needs that matter to them and create community projects around the needs while learning leadership and organization skills. They will also have the opportunity of participating in the biannual (next date is Summer 2027) Arizona Department of Health Services’ 2 day Adolescent Health Conference where they will get to present on what they have been up to.
Benefits of Participation:
Kinship Youth will have the unique opportunity of representing an often overlooked demographic of the Foster Care System and have their voices heard. We are the only council formed under this grant that is comprised of youth with lived kinship experience. Our council members gain leadership, teamwork, event planning, and organization skills. Their participation may count towards any service hours needed for school or other programs, looks great on college and job applications, and more. Participants will also receive a stipend of up to $200 per quarter for their participation with a bonus incentive for each full year served.
Participation Requirements:
Participants ages 11-19 need to be in a current kinship placement or have lived in a kinship placement, even if they are now adopted or back home. If the participant is under the age of 18, they will need caregiver support and permission. Prospective participants will go through a simple application and interview process (with caregiver help if needed). There will be required Zoom meetings for which they will need to join via a tablet or computer with working camera and audio. Participants should be willing and able to take direction as well as be self-directed or have caregiver support to complete assignments as needed between meetings. Participants do not need to have leadership skills as that is an area we will work with the youth on. They do, however, need to have a willingness to help with any and all aspects of the program and community events.
The council meets approximately 10 times a year on zoom and 10 times a year in-person in Mesa and will participate in 3 or 4 Community Projects. They are also asked at times to participate in focus groups that request the voices of youth in Arizona.