Our Mission
The purpose of this committee of youth is to work to imporve the foster care system by giving youth a voice.
Position Statement
The Pennsylvania Youth Advisory Board (YAB) is made up of youth who are currently in substitute care or have been in care. The purpose of the YAB is to educate, advocate, and bring about positive change in the substitute care system. Our goal is to represent the voice of older youth in the system and work with others for positive change.
Regional YAB Contacts
The Youth Advisory Board is a group of older youth who are currently in the substitute care system or have “aged-out”. As veterans of the child welfare system, they are the true experts as to what needs to be changed. The YAB works to educate youth and people concerned with the child welfare system about the experience of older youth in care, and for positive change in the system.
YAB Achievements
The YAB testified in October 2005 before the House Children and Youth Committee on bill HB 511, The Foster Children Rights Act.
YAB State & Regional Meeting Highlights
Highlights from the PA Independent Living Summer Retreat coming soon.
Extra! Extra! A YAB Member is in the News. Click here for the article
Great Turnout for the State YAB Meeting on May 12th
There was a great turnout for the YAB meeting on May 12th. Over 55 youth and staff came from across the state to attend the meeting in Mechanicsburg. Click here for more info.
2006 Independent Living Youth Retreat
The 2006 Pennsylvania Independent Living Youth Retreat was held at Penn State University’s Mont Alto campus for one week in August. It brought together youth from all over the state to learn from each other. Youth participated in activities, classroom sessions, and were able to practice new skills and experience new things. From learning how to make old furniture new, to creating and performing an original hip-hop dance routine, to becoming certified in CPR/First Aid, and many other activities – the IL Youth Retreat had it all!
The theme for the 2006 IL Youth Retreat was “the Eye of the Storm.” Throughout the week, youth and adult facilitators discussed the storms of life and how to be successful. A special panel of youth that “aged out” of the foster care system shared their stories and advice with everyone.