The Foster Youth Internship Program® is an initiative of the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute (CCAI). The Foster Youth Internship Program® is life-changing youth empowerment internship that supports young adults who have spent their formative years in the foster care system. The program began in 2003 as an effort to raise awareness to federal policymakers about the needs and unique perspectives of those who spent time in foster care. Throughout the summer, the interns research policy issues affecting foster children across the country. As a result of the Foster Youth Internship Program®, Members of Congress are shown firsthand the real life experiences of youth growing up in foster care. At the conclusion of the program, the interns author a policy report of recommendations on improving the federal foster care system. This report is presented at a Congressional briefing and a briefing to the White House Domestic Policy Council, as well as disseminated across the country.

CCAI accepts 12 former foster youth each year. This cost per intern is $25,000, which provides full service, wrap-around care for each intern throughout the internship, that includes roundtrip travel to Washington, D.C., housing, daily commuting expenses, a weekly stipend and mental health support services. In addition, CCAI organizes and facilitates retreats, professional networking breakfasts and lunches; advocacy and public speaking trainings, financial workshops, resume building and interview trainings, and various networking opportunities to advocate for foster care reform and adoption to leaders in the business community.

At the end of the internship many of the interns continue to use their newly honed advocacy skills to speak up for foster care reform. In addition to completing their undergraduate degrees, a great many have completed a master’s degree or juris doctor, while others have landed jobs with the U.S. Senate and U.S. House of Representatives, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, law firms, foundations, banks and advocacy groups within their community.

CCAI is a nonprofit, bipartisan organization dedicated to raising awareness about the millions of children around the world in need of permanent, safe and loving homes, and eliminating the barriers that hinder these children from realizing their basic right of a family. CCAI has provided over 180 interns with a Capitol Hill internship experience that not only develops and launches this vulnerable group of young people in their professional careers but also facilitates opportunities for them to advocate for better policies for foster children all over the nation. 

Your support of the Foster Youth Internship Program® will make a meaningful and lasting difference in the life of a foster youth. Thank you for BEING the difference!

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