Youth Advocate Program

Youth Advocate Program

YAP is a three-year professional development fellowship for Alameda County current and former foster and probation youth, ages 18-25. The fellowship is a full-time job.

The Mission Statement for the Youth Advocate Program:

The goal of the Youth Advocate Program (YAP) at West Coast Children’s Clinic is to improve services, experiences and outcomes for youth in foster care by including the voice and perspective of current and former foster and probation youth. This involves direct and indirect advocacy, policy input, and training, in collaboration with the Alameda County Department of Children and Family Services. YAP trains and supports current and former foster and probation youth through a fellowship program that develops their skills in advocacy, engagement, outreach and policy, and provides experiences that furthers their professional development.

What do Youth Advocates do?

• Provide advocacy and support to youth ages 12-21 at Child Family Team Meetings (CFTs).
• Utilize their experience in foster care to advocate on the behalf of foster youth in various Alameda County Children and Family Services workgroups and committees.
• Collaborate with Alameda County Children and Family Services to design and implement projects with a youth friendly approach.
• Share stories of their foster care experience to educate prospective foster parents and relative caregivers about the impact of being in care and how they can better care for foster youth.
• Assist Independent Living Program (ILP) staff with events that provide current foster youth with opportunities to build their career and life skills.