Grantee Spotlight
In this section, we feature interviews with some of our grantee organizations’ directors and key staff members, who share their thoughts on their work and the particular fields they’re involved in.
Executive Director Interview: Janet Knipe, National Foster Youth Action Network
In 2008, many nonprofits were shrinking in anticipation of the financial struggles ahead, but Janet Knipe was convinced it was absolutely the right time to launch a national organization that would bring the voice of foster youth to state-level issues across the country. Janet founded the National Foster Youth Action Network (Network) to train and empower foster youth to take leadership in advocating for system improvements. The Network now has six state partners: California, Oregon, Indiana, Virginia, Mississippi and Nebraska.
Tell us about your background. What led you to focus on foster youth?
When I finished graduate school 28 years ago, my plan was to become a clinician so I started working on collecting hours for licensure. I didn't know anything about foster youth. My first job was with a private group home agency. There I got to see many of the hard realities foster youth face. I abandoned the idea of becoming a clinician and instead focused on social justice and community work, and began doing foster care program development. I had an epiphany when I realized that you could have a lot of good programs that foster youth would never be able to take advantage of because of lack of capacity and resources. I realized you needed both good programs and policy change. That was 1991 and California Youth Connection (CYC) was just starting. I saw the power of young people speaking out on issues they cared about. I saw the change in the body language of decision makers and policy makers once youth started to speak. I realized the young people needed to relate to the decision makers, and the best role for me was to set the stage for the youth. In 1994, when CYC transitioned from an ad hoc group of chapters to a 501 (c) 3, I became the first executive director.
What are the biggest issues and problems facing foster youth across the country?
Transition-age issues are significant. This is when youth age out of foster care. The big issues are education, employment and housing. Lack of permanency for foster youth is also a huge problem. There are several aspects to permanency. Legal permanency occurs by adoption or guardianship. Physical permanency is being able to stay in the same home, e.g. your foster family, long after care. Emotional permanency is having someone who will commit to being in your life forever. Emotional permanency is what foster youth really care about, someone who will always be there for them.
Describe a key Network accomplishment to date?
When you're scaling or starting a new organization, there are questions about whether it's replicable, will it work? We are thrilled with the success of our first program partner, Oregon. The bill they have been working on passed both houses of the legislature and will be signed by the governor, providing free college tuition to all foster youth. The Action Network provided the support to help the Oregon group launch and be successful – the training and coaching. We are excited for them, and we have a “proof of value” for the Network that is important for us.
What have been your biggest surprises and lessons so far?
Things take longer than you think. You have to be patient and wait for proof of value as we saw in Oregon. I believed that we had something that would resonate with people outside of California and we are seeing that was true, but even after two years we are still seen as a start-up. This has pluses and minuses. There's the risk and the innovation.
In the most daunting moments, what has sustained your belief in this work?
I knew this would be a struggle. At the same time, I knew that young people would be struggling during the downturn. Programs would be cut, there would be fewer options. More than ever, youth needed to have a voice. Decision makers needed to be hearing from them.
Authentic youth leadership is a cornerstone of the Network's model. Who are the members of your youth training team and how are they developing peer leaders in program partner states?
The four members of the trainer network are all former foster youth who began working with the Network one year ago. They play a very crucial role. They are trainers and coaches for youth in states across the country. Each takes the lead in 1 or 2 states. They train youth how to recruit others, identify resources, and define advocacy goals. They are fabulous. I am so grateful they are so passionate about this work. They get to further their own dreams and they feel tremendous ownership in the Network.
When your vision for the Network is fully realized, how will conditions be different for foster youth?
I draw my vision from what has happened in California. Foster youth voice is institutionalized. Nothing happens legislatively without foster youth being at the table. Nationally, I want to see greater awareness of foster youth and an embracing of them. I want policy makers and decision makers to be partners with foster youth and allies for reform in every state.
When this vision is achieved, there will be greater awareness of foster youth. You don't have to be involved in this work to care deeply for these young people. Hearts and minds will be changed when people hear from these youth; policies will change; more people will help and there will be better outcomes for youth in the foster care system. There is a lot of work to be done.
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