Leaders for Change Conference Focuses on Affordable Care Act & Foster Youth

SAN FRANCISCO - Oct. 29, 2013 - PRLog -- Foster Youth in Action is holding its second annual Leaders for Change convening in San Francisco the weekend of November 1, 2013. The convening is an opportunity for youth leaders to collaborate and to engage in rigorous training with Foster Youth in Action (FYA) while exploring a number of issues that affect foster youth, including the implications of the Affordable Care Act.

During the convening, youth and adult leaders from California, Massachusetts, Nebraska, Oregon, Indiana, Georgia and Washington will work together to create change for foster youth nationally. At the same time, participants will develop tools and gain skills to enhance the capacity of their individual foster-youth advocacy organizations in their home states.

Leaders for Change 2013 is structured around multiple learning tracks related to youth in foster care, one of which is the implementation of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) in 2014 and the impending benefits for foster youth. The ACA, which allows foster youth to continue to receive Medicaid until the age of 26, is a success for the foster youth community. However, as with any legislation around the rights of foster youth, implementation is critical, and these benefits are only helpful if the youth actually receive them.

Leaders will demystify what the ACA is and why youth should care about it; explain what is currently happening in each state regarding the implementation and administration of the ACA for foster youth; and provide support to youth to devise an educational project to implement within their various communities that will raise awareness and inform youth in the state about what the ACA is and how to access benefits.

Founded in 2008, Foster Youth in Action builds leadership and advocacy skills among current and former foster youth. Part of FYA’s mission is to educate decision-makers and to work collaboratively to improve child welfare systems and policy. Learn more at www.fosteryouthaction.org.