National Foster Youth Institute

Urgency to Act is NFYI’s bold new national campaign aimed at transforming the child welfare system through youth-led policy change. Grounded in lived experiences of foster youth, this campaign focuses on 6 urgent priorities —not just problems— with solutions created by those most affected. It’s a call to action for communities and policymakers to champion meaningful, immediate change. Together, we’re advocating for a better system and are building one that empowers youth, strengthens families, and creates lasting impact for generations to come.

The National Foster Youth Institute trains, mobilizes, and lifts up thousands of foster youth voices to partner with local, state, and federal decision makers to transform the child welfare system through policy and program reforms. NFYI builds and strengthens relationships with community partners on shared agendas for change and inspires transformative change in the LA child welfare system. NFYI will pilot an LA Shadow Day event for former foster youth to see firsthand how local policy works and to share their stories with decision makers.

NFYI is building a social movement in LA, led by foster youth and their families, to transform the child welfare system so it WORKS!