Florida Youth SHINE

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Florida Youth SHINE voices were heard again! Our youth empowerment & engagement bill (HB395) passed UNANIMOUSLY in the House of Representatives today. This bill will help youth in foster care for years to come. Thank you to bill sponsors Rep. Rizzo and Rep. Woodson, for your support, and to all the legislators that met with us in the Capitol, and listened to our needs as constituents and as youth in the child welfare system.

BRAVO to our amazing Florida Youth SHINE members SERENITY MILLER & ALEXIA NECHAYEV. They have been selected to serve as interns for the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute (CCAI). They will use their lived experience in the foster care system to influence federal child welfare policy. They'll spend the summer researching policy issues, visiting congressional offices, and producing a report with recommendations presented to Congress. WAY TO GO, and thank you for amplifying your voice and advocating to improve life for others!

After we prepped ourselves for a week of advocacy meetings with DCF leaders and legislators, we hit the Capitol, where we began our presentations with over 70 legislators in chilly Tallahassee. We proudly elevated our voices to advocate for improved policies and practices that will better prepare us for success when we leave care and must navigate life on our own.

Watch us now, in action, as four Florida Youth SHINE members speaks in the Senate “Children, Families, and Elder Affairs Committee meeting, supporting our bill (SB996) that would provide youth with tools and policies we need to build the personal responsibility and decision-making skills that prepare us for independent living. Catch them NOW at the link below: https://www.flsenate.gov/Media/VideoPlayer/6079

Watch us now, in action, as Florida Youth SHINE speaks in the Senate “Children, Families, and Elder Affairs Committee meeting, supporting our bill (SB996) that would provide youth with tools and policies we need to build the personal responsibility and decision-making skills that prepare us for independent living. Catch them NOW at the link below:

Senate Committee on Children, Families and Elder Affairs Use of live broadcasts and video & podcast archives for political, campaign, or commercial purposes is strictly prohibited. View options for closed captioning.