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Training
One of the Youth Leadership Advisory Team's primary goals
is to educate people about the experiences of youth in care.
YLAT has had great success delivering training events in
each year since it's establishment. YLAT has presented trainings
to a variety of groups. Caseworkers, foster/adoptive parents,
group home staff, educators, judges, lawyers, CASA volunteers
(Court Appointed Special Advocates), GALs (Guardian Ad Litems),
therapists, legislators and policy makers, students and
other youth in care have all benefited from YLAT trainings.
Policy
The Department of Human Services and other child welfare
agencies policies have a direct influence on youth and the
programs that serve them. Many administrators have found
it useful to seek and utilize input from youth and young
adults who have been involved with their programs.
Legislative
Part of YLAT's mission is to educate and advise the Maine
Legislature, mostly through meetings with and testimony
before legislative committees. YLAT members discuss these
issues with one another, with Department of Human Services
staff and other relevant individuals to prepare for presenting
their experiences, insights and recommendations before the
legislative body.
Newsletter
YLAT and Community Mentoring have joined together to produce
a newsletter for mentors, youth in care and care providers.
The two newsletters, previously known as "Be Yourself"
and "Community Mentoring", have combined to create
"The Quarterly Advocate". This newsletter will
address issues concerning youth in care, members of the
Community Mentoring and YLAT communities, and care providers.
Answers Handbook [pdf]
This handbook addresses many of the issues and questions
that youth coming into foster care may have about the foster
care system. It is meant to be a guide/source of information.
If you have additional questions or need additional information,
please talk to your caseworker, care provider, Guardian
Ad Litem, mentor, or other adult you trust.
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