YLAT History
1998 • 1999 • 2000 • 2001 • 2002 • 2003 • 2004 • 2005 • 2006 • 2007 • 2008 • 2009 • 2010
- YLAT was founded.
- YLAT members designed Maine’s 1st handbook for youth in care, "Answers: A Handbook for youth by youth in foster care." Download the Answers PDF.
- The 1st Youth Leadership Summit was held.
- YLAT members planned the 8th Annual Teen Conference.

- YLAT members prepared and delivered testimony for a legislative hearing on a Tuition Waiver bill. They were key to the passage of the bill (which became law effective September 2000). http://www.maine.gov/dhhs/ocfs/cw/post.htm
- The 2nd Annual Youth Leadership Summit was held.
- YLAT members planned the 9th Annual Teen Conference
- YLAT helped DHHS to revise the Extended Care policy (V-9) http://www.maine.gov/dhhs/ocfs/cw/v95.htm
- YLAT members introduced Camp To Belong to Maine.
- The 3rd Annual Youth Leadership Summit was held. http://www.camptobelongmaine.org
- YLAT members planned the 10th Annual Teen Conference.
- Former Maine state Representative Michael Brennan led a workshop on how to successfully influence public policy.
- The DHS Commissioner and the BCFS Director asked YLAT to submit a draft policy about siblings in foster care and adoption. YLAT began drafting the Sibling Placement and Visitation Policy.
- 4th Annual Youth Leadership Summit was held.

- YLAT members participated in Maine’s Child & Family Services Review.
- "Answers: A Handbook for youth by youth in foster care" Second Edition printed. Download PDF.
- YLAT member is appointed to Maine’s Youth Legislative Advisory Council.
- YLAT members participated in an initiative with Lambda Legal Defense and the Child Welfare League of America to understand the experiences of GLBTQ youth in foster care.
- YLAT members delivered national presentations on Youth & Public Policy and Youth & Technology.
- The 5th Annual Youth Leadership Summit was held.
- YLAT members planned the 12th Annual Teen Conference.
- YLAT members prepared testimony for a bill regarding smoking in placements.
- YLAT members developed correspondence to the Maine congressional delegation regarding federal funding for youth in care.
- YLAT members drafted a position paper on Drivers Education and Drivers Licenses, which was adopted as DHHS policy in 2003.
- The 6th Annual Youth Leadership Summit was held.
- YLAT was a significant factor and was involved in planning for Maine becoming the first statewide site for the Jim Casey Youth Opportunities Initiative.

- Youth in the custody Maine’s Tribal Communities became engaged in youth leadership activities with YLAT.
- The 7th Annual Youth Leadership Summit was held.
- YLAT members planned the 14th Annual Teen Conference.
- The first session of Camp To Belong Maine was held.
- YLAT members participated in the review of Maine's Guardian Ad Litem system conducted by the Legislature's Office of Program Evaluation and Government Accountability.
- The 8th Annual Youth Leadership Summit was held.
- YLAT members planned the 15th Annual Teen Conference.
- The second session of Camp To Belong Maine was held.
- "Answers: A Handbook for youth by youth in foster care" Third Edition printed. (Download PDF)
- YLAT members drafted and delivered testimony on Sibling Rights legislation. The law was passed and signed into law in 2006.
- The 9th Annual Youth Leadership Summit was held.
- YLAT members planned the 16th Annual Teen Conference.
- The third session of Camp To Belong Maine was held.
- YLAT members developed and delivered a theatrical keynote presentation—“Challenge, Change, and Epiphany”— for four national conferences.
- The 9th Annual Youth Leadership Summit was held.
- YLAT members planned the 17th Annual Teen Conference.
- The fourth session of Camp To Belong Maine was held.
- The fifth session of Camp To Belong Maine was held.
- The first ever Youth Permanency Summit was organized and held.
- YLAT members planned the 18th Annual Teen Conference.
- The 10th Annual Youth Leadership Summit was held.
- Youth in Care Bill of Rights ratified. (PDF)
- YLAT was named one of three finalists for the Annie E. Casey Innovations Award in Children and Family System Reform in the United States by the Ash Institute for Innovation in Governance at Harvard’s Kennedy School.
- The sixth session of Camp To Belong Maine was held.
- The 2nd Youth Permanency Summit was held and permanency teams were created statewide.
- YLAT members planned the 19th Annual Teen Conference.
- The 11th Annual Youth Leadership Summit was held.
- Three regional permanency events will be held in April
- YLAT members are planning the 20th Annual Teen Conference.
YLAT members planned the 11th Annual Teen Conference.
YLAT members planned the 13th Annual Teen Conference.
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