YAB May 12th Meeting
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.
Youth had a lot of fun and got a lot of work done.
Here are some highlights of the meeting:
- The website subcommittee gave an update on the YAB website and got input from the group. Any youth interested in working on the website should join the website subcommittee.
- The Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape came to speak with the YAB and showed a video they made to get their message out to youth. Everyone was impressed by the video. YAB now has plans to work with CWPT to make a video about youth in care and present it at the IL Retreat. There are so many talented YAB members so this should be a great success!
- Members of the Philadephia YAB talked to the group about their plan to hold a fundraiser event for teenagers in care this summer. They will keep all members updated and involved so all youth can attend!
- YAB is really getting its message out there--YAB members have done many presentations in the last few months and have at least five events and presentations scheduled for the summer. This summer the YAB will be presenting to foster parents, children and youth workers, and youth.
- Sandy Gallagher from the Office of Children, Youth, and Families of the Department of Public Welfare came to get input from the YAB about the Pennsylvania's state plan for Independent Living Services.
- YAB members also presented some great ideas so that the discharge planning process can be improved. Youth agreed that discharge planning is an area that needs a lot of work throughout the state. The YAB's expertise in explaining what is needed for discharges and transitions to be successful is so important to improving the system. The YAB will continue to work on this issue.
- Members discussed planning for the IL Retreat. The Retreat is just around the corner. The YAB and staff are working hard to make this the best retreat yet!
To see pictures of the meeting click here.