Today, the National Foster Care Youth & Alumni Policy Council released a new statement: A Historic Opportunity to Reform the Child Welfare System: Youth & Alumni Priorities on Special Populations with 6 priorities with consideration on how to move towards a 21st Century Child Welfare System. 

Priority 1: Train staff, caregivers and youth themselves on how to protect youth from sex trafficking.

Priority 2:  Prioritize gender-equitable policies that ensure all expecting and/or parenting youth receive access to legal, prevention and independent living services. 

Priority 3: Youth who have been abused or neglected are not automatically delinquents; youth who enter juvenile justice should maintain support from child welfare. 

Priority 4: Promote inclusive spaces and mandate training on LGBTQIA2-S so that youth who identify as LGBTQIA2-S feel comfortable, safe and supported.

Priority 5: When states and jurisdictions are considering Family First Act candidacy for prevention services, youth with diminished social capital should not be overlooked as candidates for services. 

Priority 6: Acknowledge and Implement Cultural Awareness and Inclusivity.

This is the third of a series of recommendations under "A Historic Opportunity to Reform the Child Welfare System: Youth & Alumni Priorities." Upcoming recommendations include the topic of Supporting Successful Older Youth Transitions to Adulthood. Already released recommendations include: Preventing Unnecessary Removal of Children from their Families and Quality Residential Services.