1. “Mockingbirds don’t do one thing but make music for us to enjoy... they don’t do one thing but sing their hearts out for us.” —To Kill a Mockingbird Advocacy Playbook and Extended Foster Care Washington Association for Children and Families Spring Event May 13 th, 2015

2. Jim Theofelis MC, LMHC, CDC Executive Director and Founder jim@mockingbirdsociety.org jtheofelis@gmail.com Deonate Cruz Senior Network Representative 206-323-kids(5437) www.mockingbirdsociety.org

3. The Mockingbird Society Improving Foster Care Ending Youth Homelessness

4. I am not voiceless. I am not alone. We are together and we are strong. At The Mockingbird Society, we believe that our young people are not victims, clients, or problems to be solved. As the driving force within the Mockingbird Network, they are establishing their position as LEADERS in the community, ADVOCATES for themselves and their peers, and AGENTS OF CHANGE in the child welfare system!

5. The Mockingbird Society’s Mission We work with young people and families to improve foster care and end youth homelessness.

6. The Mockingbird Society Programs The Mockingbird Network YAEH A statewide network of local Chapters led by youth and alumni of foster and kinship care. Youth have a VOICE Mockingbird Family Model Programs Practice advocacy Practical, replicable STRUCTURE for foster care delivery Public Policy & Communications Change the policy, change the practice Put a human face on the issues

7. Mockingbird Youth Network Program Goals We train young people who have experienced homelessness or foster care to be their own best advocates. We change policies and perceptions that stand in the way of every child having a safe, stable home.

8. Network Regional Chapters Everett Spokane Seattle Yakima Tacoma Olympia 1 2 2 3 1 3

9. In a Democracy silence is equated with support. Legislative process in WA remarkably welcoming and open. Legislators want to hear from constituency. If not you - then who? Start where you are Mixed choir Battle for attention Finding meaning Five year old child ADVOCACY

10. Annual Advocacy Cycle Monthly Chapter Meetings Quarterly State Leadership Council Meetings Annual Youth Summit Youth Advocacy Day

12. Building a State Advocacy Plan Engaging youth Building bi-partisan support Building champions Mixed choir Staffing Levels of engagement Off Session Contact

13. Extended Foster Care: Homeless Youth Prevention Program

14. Homeless Youth Act HY Act Will Establish: Office of Homeless Youth Programs to coordinate funding, policy, and practice efforts. WA Youth & Families Fund to support services across the state. That every homeless youth discharged from a public system of care in our state will not be discharged into homelessness. Transfer of programs from Children’s Administration to Commerce: CRC’s, HOPE Beds, Street Youth Programs

15. Youth Advocates Ending Homelessness(YAEH) Foster care directly links to homelessness Homeless youth participating in advocacy, informing policy decisions City, county, and statewide advocacy Statewide coalition of homeless youth providers Year 1 of pilot; potential expansion

16. Homeless Youth Prevention & Protection Act

17. Extended Foster Care

18. “Do all we can, with what we have, in the time we have, in the place we are.” Nkosi Johnson, 1988-2001

19. HB 2735: Notification of the Right to Request Counsel in Dependency Proceedings and Training and Caseload Standards

20. Off Session Visits: Putting a Face on the Issue

21. Youth-Inspired Priorities