The Quality Improvement Center on Engaging Youth in Finding Permanency
“When somebody in the agency acted on what I wanted, I felt valued.” —QIC-EY Council Member
Child welfare systems across the country are doing better to involve voices with lived expertise. Youth boards are relatively common, youth are often invited to participate in meetings, and the need for youth voice is being increasingly emphasized.
However, this is just the beginning of the path to authentic child and youth engagement. Authentic engagement means actively and intentionally partnering with children and youth about their lives on their terms and in ways that make sense to them. To authentically engage children and youth, child welfare staff must do the following:
- Be committed, flexible, self-aware, and open to shared decision-making
- Use strong communication skills
- Be guided by knowledge of child and adolescent development and trauma-informed care
- Use a strength-based approach
- Have a vivid self-awareness of potential power dynamics
- Partner with, prepare, inform, and advocate for children and youth