Policy & Advocacy
2023 Legislative Agenda
Treehouse works to improve the foster care and education systems through legislative advocacy, policy change and strategic partnerships — to advance educational equity for youth who have experienced foster care at scale.
Four policy goals guide our legislative agenda:
- Transform foster care and education systems and reduce disparities caused by systemic racism
- Ensure youth are prepared to transition to independence
- Secure an equitable educational journey that leads to high school graduation
- Assure youth have positive experiences that lead to identity development, a sense of belonging and healthy relationships
Read all about our legislative agenda here .
You can support us by raising your voice in support of these issues. Join our Advocacy Action Center to stay updated on how you can make a difference in this session.
Be an Advocate for Youth in Foster Care
If you are passionate about improving the conditions of youth in foster care, you can make a difference by signing up for our Advocacy Action Center. You can stay up to date on simple ways to reach out to your legislators during session and see what legislation we are monitoring or support.
Legislative Advocacy FAQs
We partner with youth, our Board of Directors, staff, community partners and state agencies in developing our legislative agenda each year. In order to focus our advocacy efforts, Treehouse has set three high level policy goals that align with our mission and programs:
Improve Educational Outcomes
We advance education and child welfare policies and investments that improve educational outcomes for youth in foster care, with a focus on eliminating racial disparities. This includes ensuring that every youth in foster care has a well-trained, supportive adult at home, at school and in the foster care system to support their educational success.
Improve Transition-to-Adulthood Outcomes
We promote policy and investments that improve transition-to-adulthood planning and supports for youth and alumni who have experienced foster care, with a focus on eliminating racial disparities in outcomes. We believe that youth should be meaningfully involved in developing their own post-high school plans and should have access to higher education, career training, mental health, stable housing, life skills, financial literacy and other needed supports.
Improve Equitable Access to Everyday Experiences, Activities and Material Needs
We advance policies and investments that improve access to everyday experiences, activities and material supports that help youth develop interests, acquire skills, build positive relationships and fit in with peers. We will prioritize policies and investments that allow youth to explore their racial or cultural identities.
Join our Advocacy Action Center so you can stay up to date on simple ways to reach out to your legislators during session and advocate on behalf of youth in foster care. Sign up for our Advocacy Action Center today.
For more information about advocating for youth in foster care, contact us at [email protected] .
Contacting your legislators is a quick and straightforward process. Visit our Advocacy Action Center , to find information on your legislators as well as helpful email templates to make it easy to advocate for youth in foster care.