The Florida Department of Children and Families Announces the Launch of the Statewide Youth Advisory Board

For Immediate Release: October 31, 2025
Contact: @email

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - Today, the Florida Department of Children and Families (Department) announced the launch of the Statewide Youth Advisory Board, a new youth-led group made up of youth and young adults, created to elevate and honor the voices of those with lived experience in Florida's child welfare system. Launched during Foster Youth Voice Month, this initiative reflects the Department's commitment to encouraging and celebrating youth leadership and creating additional opportunities to empower young people to take an active role in improving the systems that supports.

The Board offers a meaningful platform for youth and young adults to share their insights and ideas directly with Department leadership-ensuring that their perspectives help guide decisions that shape the future of child protection and well-being in Florida. Additionally, the Board provides those with lived experience in the system of care with the information, tools, and resources needed to advocate effectively on behalf of their peers. By bridging the gap between lived experience and policy development, the Board strengthens the Department's ability to serve young people across Florida with compassion, accountability, and respect.

"Thanks to Governor DeSantis' leadership, we continue to put the people we serve at the very center of everything we do," said Department of Children and Families Secretary Taylor N. Hatch. "The very idea to create a Statewide Youth Advisory Board originated from youth voice-and its establishment ensures their voices are not just heard, but are the driving force-informing, creating, shaping, and guiding how we strengthen supports and services to drive outcomes and relatability for youth and families across our great state."

The Statewide Youth Advisory Board builds on the success of the Department's Youth Subcommittee, established in 2023, to increase collaboration with youth organizations statewide. Based on feedback from young leaders seeking an elevated avenue the Statewide Youth Advisory Board was developed to provide greater access, influence, structure, and leadership opportunities for young adults.

Eligibility

Membership is open to youth and young adults with personal experience in Florida's child welfare system. The Statewide Youth Advisory Board will include up to 21 voting members ages 18-23, and additional non-voting seats for youth and young adults, ages 14-26, who wish to engage in statewide advocacy and leadership opportunities. Members must reside in Florida during their term and demonstrate the desire to be actively involved. Applicants must be sponsored by a Community-Based Care Lead Agency or a youth advocacy organization, which will support their participation in Statewide Youth Advisory Board activities. The Statewide Youth Advisory Board will meet regularly throughout the year-both virtually and in person-to discuss Department initiatives, identify areas for improvement, and collaborate on recommendations that strengthen support for youth and young adults in areas such as the transition to adulthood. Members will receive training in leadership, public speaking, and policy development while working alongside Department leadership and community partners to improve outcomes for their peers statewide.

Interested youth are encouraged to apply online at https://www.myflfamilies.com/statewide-youth-advisory-board.

###