Youth Services

FACES of Virginia Families is committed to supporting the development of services and supports that benefit youth and help them to advocate for themselves. The Youth Services Committee is chaired by Carol Cornish (ccornish@facesofvirginia.org)and develops and maintains materials to assist all members in supporting the youth of Virginia living in foster, adoptive, and kinship families.

FACES PREMIER ANNUAL CONFERENCE…

will host a youth track specially designed to meet the needs of youth ages 13-19 including…

Michael Sanders has been referred to as an Edutainer…successfully blending education and entertainment for maximum learning and fun. He has spent nearly 20 years working with teens and their families, and brings his enthusiasm for these groups in a humorous and exciting presentation. As a national consultant and trainer, Michael travels extensively motivating teens, inspiring families and educating professionals to be and do their best. Currently, Michael is working with The Annie E. Casey Foundation and the Child Welfare League of America in bringing attention to teen issues in the child welfare arena and developing a youth involvement initiative within child welfare practice. Through his presentation, Michael will encourage you to have fun, challenge you to think, and inspire you to change. Get ready, put on your fun face, listen fast and be prepared to be EDUTAINED!!!

2nd Annual Soul Water Rising Foster Youth Poetry Contest
This free international poetry contest is a drumbeat calling our current and former foster youth to attention. Here is an opportunity for youth to give voice to their experiences and transform themselves and the child welfare system that has touched their lives! Jaiya John will be a guest keynote speaker at our upcoming Premier Conference 4/18-20, 2008.

For more information, please visit http://www.jaiyajohn.com/younglifedrumbeat.html.

FACES Welcomes VA-YAC to the Board
During their Executive Session at the NFPA Conference in May, FACES Board members voted to invite the Virginia Youth Advisory Council President to participate as a Board member of FACES to represent the issues, concerns and needs of foster youth across Virginia. FACES Board members met jointly with the VA-YAC in July to discuss how FACES and VA-YAC can work together in the coming months to sponsor regional events to reach out to families and youth across the state. FACES looks forward to developing resources and strategies to meet the ongoing needs of youth including the development of a youth page on our website.

Click here for Youth-related resources or to contact the Youth Services Chair, Carol Cornish (ccornish@facesofvirginia.org).