Foster Care Training

Youth in foster care are often placed in systems where their voices are minimized, their choices are limited, and their rights are unclear or unprotected. Many experience instability, frequent disruptions, and decisions being made about their lives without their input. While legal protections exist, systemic challenges, institutional policies, and decision-making dynamics often make it difficult for youth to advocate for themselves or access the resources they need. This session will explore the rights youth in care are entitled to, the structural challenges that limit their ability to exercise those rights, and the role of professionals and caregivers in either reinforcing or interrupting these patterns. Participants will critically examine how policy, decision-making structures, and social expectations shape youth agency, and they will develop strategies to help young people navigate and advocate for themselves within these constraints.