RFP 1161 Management of NYS OCFS Youth Advisory Board

As part of the NYS Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) commitment to improving outcomes for youth and young adults who have been in foster care, the youth justice system, and/or have been homeless; OCFS is seeking one vendor to manage a statewide Youth Advisory Board (YAB). The YAB is made up of young adults ages 18-26 with lived experience in New York State’s child welfare system, juvenile justice system, and/or who have experienced homelessness as a youth. YAB board members are compensated financially for their time.

Initially launched in 2017, the YAB partners with OCFS to provide perspectives of impacted youth during the development and implementation of regulations, state policies, programs, and other OCFS initiatives. Centering on youth voices is a critical strategy in OCFS’s work in dismantling systemic barriers and harms, particularly to children who are youth of color, part of the LGBTQAI+ community, and/or have a disability. OCFS is seeking youth-led and youth-driven organizations as part of our strategy and commitment to centering on youth voices.

The YAB must be comprised of a diverse group of young adults ages 18-26 from across the state, with an equitable representation of the various regions within New York State, including the five boroughs of New York City. The YAB must consist of between 10 and 20 active members, and the members must represent youth most impacted by New York State’s child welfare system, juvenile justice system, and/or who have experienced homelessness.

Young adults with lived experience in child welfare, youth justice, and homelessness often have significant trauma. The successful vendor must have a deep understanding of the nature of trauma in relationship to the purpose of the YAB and must provide necessary supports and organizational culture to nurture and support YAB members. YAB members must also be provided with appropriate, ongoing training and leadership development.

The purpose of the YAB is to provide youth voice and input to OCFS on policies and youth-friendly documents, websites, and materials related to topics including but not limited to the following:

• child welfare policies
• youth homelessness
• youth justice
• youth engagement/youth voice
• improving outcomes for system-involved, older youth
• transition supports for youth
• higher education and education stability
• trauma response
• runaway and homeless youth/human trafficking
• LGBTQAI+ youth
• race equity

Please see the RFP document located on the "Documents" tab for additional information and submission requirements.