The Connection is your source for all advocacy work of the YAB. On this page you will find:

• financial aid information
• reports produced by the YAB
• policies of importance to older youth in the system
• resources to help youth and professionals educate the public
• documents and information specifically for IL Coordinators

Are you planning to attend trade school, college, or another educational program in the Fall?  Be sure to check out these guides for information about how to pay for college including free grants and scholarships.

The Financial Aid and Scholarships Guide and FAFSA guide are valuable resources for youth, IL workers, caregivers, and others that are helping youth pursue higher education.  The guides explain everything you need to know about the financial aid process including important deadlines, scholarships for youth, how to complete the FAFSA, etc.  Please note: the Chafee ETG (Education and Training Grant) now has a yearly deadline of December 31st.  Students applying for the first time must complete the application by December 31st in order to be eligible.  As always, “when in doubt, fill it out!” 

2013-2014 Financial Aid Guide (PDF)
2013-2014 FAFSA Changes and Tips for Completion

This booklet will help you identify what kind of financial aid programs are available and give you instructions regarding applying for them. Please use the information in this booklet to locate information on financial aid

The YAB Creates reports on issues of importance for children, youth, and alumni in Pennsylvania. Click on any of the reports below and be sure to check back on this page for future YAB reports.

	Improving the Quality of Caseworker Practice In the summer of 2011, over 140 current and former foster care youth participated in a week long retreat on the campus of the University of Pittsburgh Johnstown. During this retreat, Youth Advisory Board (YAB) members facilitated focus groups. These focus groups were designed to hear directly from youth and alumni of Pennsylvania's child welfare system about their experiences and recommendations for improving the quality of caseworker interactions with youth.
	Family Connections: Youth Experiences and Recommendations At the 2010 Independent Living Youth Retreat, over 140 youth from accross Pennsylvania participated in focus groups. Read the report to learn what youth and alumni think the system can do to improve family connections for older youth.
	2008 PA Youth Summit Report This report is a result of the 2008 Child and Family Services Review (CFSR). Youth, alumni, and child welfare system stakeholders joined together for a 2 day summit to discuss the child welfare system and how to make improvements.

Are you interested in learning more about the policies that affect your life in the system?  Click on any of the policies below to learn more about them.

• IL Services Bulletin and FAQ Guide
  This bulletin provides guidance to counties about what services and supports should be provided to youth and alumni of the child welfare system.
  Youth Independent Living (IL) Services Guidelines
  Youth Independent Living (IL) Services Guidelines 3130-11-04
  FAQ and Recommendations for Implementation Guide (WORD)
  FAQ and Recommendations for Implementation Guide (PDF)
  
  
• Fostering Connections to Success and Increasing Adoptions Act of 2008
  This law signed into 2008 contains several provisions to improve the lives of older youth transitioning out of the child welfare system.
  
  
• Sibling Visitation Law
  This law was passed in Pennsylvania in 2010 and guarantees siblings the ability to visit each other at least two times per month.

• Act 101
  This law was passed in Pennsylvania in 2010 and allows for adopted youth and their adoptive parents to set up contact agreements so they can still have connections to birth parents and siblings after being adopted.  It also creates a database that keeps all of the social and medical history of adopted youth.

• The Children in Foster Care Act 
  This law was passed in Pennsylvania in 2010.  It lists all of the rights youth have in the system.  It also requires all counties to implement a grievance procedure policy – that means that youth have a way to get their voices heard when something isn’t working.

For more information, check out our Statewide YAB partners' websites

County and private IL Coordinators can download important forms and information on this page.  If you have questions or can’t find something, contact Janice Coplin at jtc30@pitt.edu. 

• Pennsylvania Youth In Transition Network
  https://sites.google.com/site/payouthintransitionnetwork/  This Google Site is designed as a clearinghouse for IL Regional Networking activity, state and national resources, websites, webinars, and hosts a statewide calendar of IL Regional Network meetings.  IL Regional Network meetings are held by IL Coordinators throughout the state to focus on sharing resources, troubleshooting challenges, and learning from one another about how to improve services for older youth in the child welfare system.  The PA Youth in Transition Network Google Site helps keep everyone attending those meetings stay connected.  If you have resources you would like hosted on the site, please email them to youthtransition1@gmail.com 
  
  
• Pennsylvania Independent Living Services Reports
  
  

  2009/2010 Youth Engagement Report This annual report discusses the major youth engagement issues occurring in Pennsylvania.

  
  
• SAT Fee Waiver/College Fee Waiver Forms
  Forms for IL Coordinators to request fee waivers on behalf of IL youth.  Note: IL youth are not permitted to access forms; the IL Coordinator must complete the fee waivers for the youth. 
  
  
• PILOTS – Pennsylvania Independent Living Outcomes Tracking System
  PILOTS is a database used by IL Coordinators to document the services provided to IL youth and alumni. 
  
  

  PILOTS Manual (pdf) Download acrobat reader by clicking the Adobe icon. DOWNLOAD MANUAL

  PILOTS Request for Change (pdf) Download acrobat reader by clicking the Adobe icon. DOWNLOAD CHANGE FORM

  
  
• County and Private IL Coordinator Directory
  This directory contains the contact information for each county’s public and private (if applicable) IL Coordinator.

Educating the public to create positive change in the child welfare system is central to the Youth Advisory Board’s mission.  On this page, YAB members and others can find tools and information to help help get out the word about the YAB and educate people about the need for change in the system. 
*Please note: the YAB is funded by the Department of Public Welfare and is prohibited from lobbying on behalf of any specific bill or resolution before the Congress.  The information and tools on this page are intended to be used to educate stakeholders and the public; they are not intended to be used for any lobbying purposes.
 
Governor’s Office

• The Governor is the Chief Executive Officer of Pennsylvania government. 

Pennsylvania General Assembly

• The Pennsylvania House of Representatives and Senate propose and pass legislation that affects all Pennsylvanians.  You can use this website to find out the contact information for your Representative or Senator, view the current calendar of legislative action, research and review laws that have been enacted, and learn more about state government in Pennsylvania. 

The Unified Judicial System of Pennsylvania