NRCYS :: Youth Advocacy

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About Us
The OKSA Mission is to empower youth in and from foster care to lead safer, healthier, more independent and productive lives.
The OKSA Mission is to empower youth in and from foster care to lead safer, healthier, more independent and productive lives.
Resources for Professionals
Youth-serving professionals need to know the best practices and available resources to help young people succeed. OKSA offers on-site/virtual trainings, consultations, learning aids and support that is specifically tailored to your needs. All resources are skill-based and include specific topics that support working with transition-aged youth.
Youth-serving professionals need to know the best practices and available resources to help young people succeed. OKSA offers on-site/virtual trainings, consultations, learning aids and support that is specifically tailored to your needs. All resources are skill-based and include specific topics that support working with transition-aged youth.
Resources for Youth
Provides practical and engaging services for youth. These programs are designed to promote life skills development, healthy and positive outcomes, and support positive transitions to adulthood.
Provides practical and engaging services for youth. These programs are designed to promote life skills development, healthy and positive outcomes, and support positive transitions to adulthood.
OKSA Helpline
OKSA Helpline (formerly Yes I Can!) is a statewide resource and referral program for youth currently in foster care, youth with lived experience in foster care after age 16, and supportive adults.
OKSA Helpline (formerly Yes I Can!) is a statewide resource and referral program for youth currently in foster care, youth with lived experience in foster care after age 16, and supportive adults.
Youth Advocacy
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Empowering Youth In and From Foster Care to Lead Safer, Healthier, More Independent and Productive Lives

Youth Alumni Network

This is a collaboration of youth with lived experiences in foster care that seeks to Empower, Advocate, and Lead.

Empower>

This network amplifies the voices and share the experiences of youth in the system with other young people and professionals by consulting, mentoring, and networking. It is a platform for youth in and out of care to build connections with others who have faced similar circumstances and share resources with each other.

Advocate>

This network advocates for youth with lived experiences in foster care and their communities to create a better future for their sisters and brothers still in care. The members learn how to educate decision makers and to work collaboratively to improve state and local child welfare systems. The youth have the chance to directly affect the lives of other youth in foster care through their advocacy.

Lead>

This network builds leadership skills of current and former youth in foster care by providing them with opportunities for leadership roles that builds a greater sense of belonging and ownership over the causes that affect the lives of foster youth.

How to Get Involved

Do you have experience in the foster care system? Then consider becoming a part of our team. Any young person over 16 with experience in foster care can join us. Our advocates are trained and given opportunities to make change in the foster care system.

If you are interested, contact oksa@ou.edu or call (800) 397-2945 to speak with our staff and we will contact you about opportunities in your area.

How to Hire Youth Alumni

Does your agency or staff work with young people? Do you need help with how to better engage with young people? Consider having foster care alumni come in and help. Contact oksa@ou.edu or call (800) 397-2945 to speak with our staff about scheduling consultation with the Youth Alumni Network.