Who are we?
The Youth Leadership Advisory Team (YLAT) is a dynamic group of young leaders and adult partners working together to improve the short-term experience and long-term outcomes for youth in foster care in Maine. YLAT members take on this work with a sense of duty and on behalf of all youth who come in contact with the child welfare system. Strong youth-adult partnerships create a foundation for YLAT’s success and play a powerful role in improving the Maine child welfare system and creating resources for all youth who experience foster care.
We believe that, as a result of our youth-adult partnership, each partner:
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Brings expertise
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Exercises leadership
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Changes and grows through participation
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Are included fully
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Gives and receives respect
YLAT ensures that young people who have been impacted by foster care experience belonging, feel valued, and are included as partners.
YLAT is a co-production with current and former youth in foster care, working alongside the Catherine Cutler Institute at the University of Southern Maine, Maine DHHS staff and caseworkers, and community partners. Together, youth collaborate with caregivers, service providers, lawmakers, and the legal community to improve outcomes for youth in care and strengthen the child welfare system.
WHAT PEOPLE SAY
“It's really done a lot. Being a part of YLAT makes you feel stronger; knowing you're making a difference makes you feel good about yourself.”