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ABOUT THE NATIONAL FOSTER CARE COALITION
THE POWER OF A DIVERSE, ENGAGED CONSTITUENCY The National Foster Care Coalition (NFCC) is a broadly based national, nonpartisan partnership of individuals, organizations, foundations, and associations dedicated to improving the lives of the more than half a million children currently in the foster care system and the millions more who have been, or will be, involved in the foster care system. The power of NFCC's constituency is unmatched. Its member organizations represent current and former foster youth, birth, foster and adoptive parents, and child welfare professionals at the local, state and federal levels. As a result, NFCC's ability to represent the individuals touched by foster care, working within the foster care system, and who care about children in foster care is unparalleled. Established in 1998, NFCC's mission is to build and sustain political and public will to improve the foster care system and the lives of the children and youth in its care. Unlike other child welfare organizations, NFCC focuses exclusively on foster care, and its engagement on other issues impacting children, youth and families is through the lens of this issue. NFCC believes that youth involvement is an integral component of all child welfare efforts. The Coalition and its members champion the involvement of youth at all levels of the foster care system, from supporting their participation in their own case planning to incorporating their voices and experiences in larger systems reform initiatives. Under the Coalition's umbrella, NFCC members engage in a diverse array of activities, including advocating on behalf of children, youth, and families involved with the foster care system; supporting local, regional and national foster care initiatives; offering training and technical assistance to parents and professionals; and providing education and information about the foster care system to decision-makers at the local, state, and federal levels. THE VISION OF THE NATIONAL FOSTER CARE COALITION NFCC envisions a nation in which: • All children and youth have safe, stable homes, and the skills,confidence,purpose and enduring relationships needed to succeed; • All families have the strengths, supports, and resiliency to master life's challenges; • All communities recognize and fulfill their duties to facilitate the development of strong families and healthy communities; and • All policymakers demonstrate a commitment to the well-being of children, youth, and families, and embrace this as part of a national agenda. NFCC SIGNATURE INITIATIVES Current NFCC programs and activities include: • National Foster Care Month: NFCC is a founding partner and has a lead role in this annual public awareness effort to increase knowledge and understanding of the foster care system and the children and youth in its care among the general public and target audiences. • Emerging Youth Leaders: This project focuses on working extensively with young people who are currently, or who have been, in foster care to strengthen their voices in, and ensure their place at the table regarding, decisions about the policies and practices that affect them. • Voices for Reform: A campaign to engage key stakeholders in educating federal policymakers about the urgent need for child welfare financing reform as part of The Pew Charitable Trusts' Kids Are Waiting Campaign. • Training and Technical Assistance: Drawing on the expertise and extensive reach of both its membership organizations and its leadership, NFCC is a vital resource for local, state and federal policymakers and practitioners working to identify and promote best practices and policies that impact the child welfare field. NFCC has the capacity to assist states and localities in implementing the Fostering Connections to Success and Increasing Adoptions Act of 2008. By engaging the voices of its diverse membership, including youth organizations, foster parents, and others, in the implementation process, NFCC can help ensure that this critically important new legislation will have the greatest positive impact on the children and youth it is intended to benefit. • Publications: Building on the success of our Frequently Asked Questions series, NFCC recently published "The Chafee Education and Training Voucher Program: Six States' Experiences" and is working on a follow-up publication to support practitioners and policymakers in their efforts to help youth successfully transition from foster care to adulthood. • Information Clearinghouse: NFCC acts as a critical source of information on child welfare policy and programs to practitioners, policymakers and the media. |
MEMBER PROJECT PROFILES
FCAA is launching a national I Am Here campaign. I Am Here is a multi-media campaign to raise awareness about the needs of foster youth, and to let youth in care know that their alumni family is here for them. Our messages will be on YouTube, Facebook, Twitter and email, reaching youth and alumni all across the U.S.! |
