Stay informed with the latest updates and breakthroughs in our relentless advocacy for Florida’s children.
Keep current with the latest press coverage and significant happenings shining a spotlight on pressing issues, initiatives and achievements of Florida’s Children First.
Governor Ron DeSantis signed a ground-breaking legislative piece today presented by Senator Ileana García, chair of the Children and Families
Adoption attorney Maria Bates, members of Florida Youth SHINE, and an adoptive mom will explore the importance of maintaining connections
In March, 2016, the Board of the Governors of the Florida State University System realized the need to revise its
Which children are supposed to get attorneys? Why – and what are they supposed to do? Since 2014, Florida law
A study by the Department of Health & Human Services reveals lax controls and missing records for children prescribed powerful
Watch Florida Youth SHINE’s feature on Forever Family WFTV9 Orlando.
Florida’s Children First (FCF), Florida’s premiere statewide advocacy organization focused on protecting the rights of children of youth in the
Adoption attorney Maria Bates, members of Florida Youth SHINE, and an adoptive mom will explore the importance of maintaining connections
Florida’s 2023 Legislative Session resulted in the passage of bills that will have a significant impact on Florida’s child welfare
Geori Seldine Your Turn, Tallahassee Democrat Juli 14, 2023 at 5:11 a.m. The Florida Legislature has passed several laws
By SUN SENTINEL EDITORIAL BOARD | Sun Sentinel June 23, 2023 at 10:00 a.m. The Florida Legislature has passed several laws
by Troy Myers Tue, June 20th 2023, 11:25 AM EDT WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (CBS12) — Senate Bill 272, named the
By KYLE JOHNSON | PUBLISHED: June 2, 2023 at 2:20 p.m. | UPDATED: June 2, 2023 at 2:20 p.m. If you’re a kid
Florida’s Children First and Florida Youth SHINE are growing and we’re looking to add to our team of passionate advocates.
The relentless advocacy of Florida Youth SHINE (FYS), a statewide advocacy organization run by and for youth who are or were in
FYS Events & Meeting Chair
(Palm Beach/Miami)
Alexia Nechayev, from Miami, Florida, is a dedicated advocate for youth with lived experience in foster care and with homelessness. After being placed in foster care as a teenager, Alexia experienced firsthand the stigma surrounding the system, as well as the challenges of navigating a system that didn’t provide support for her to advocate for herself. This experience motivated her to create change, ensuring that other youth in care have the tools and resources she lacked.
She graduated with a B.A. in Psychology from Florida International University, and upon graduation worked as a Hope Navigator with the Department of Children and Families which allowed her to assist clients through individualized care plans, further deepening her commitment to improving the lives of marginalized youth. Alexia is now applying to law schools with the goal of advancing her advocacy work through a legal career. As the Events and Meetings Chair for Florida Youth SHINE (FYS), she creates opportunities for foster and homeless youth to collaborate and push for meaningful change. She is also an active member of the Policy and Initiative Team for Florida Youth SHINE, where she helps create and shape policies that directly impact youth in foster care. One of her proudest accomplishments is helping to develop the Foster Care Bill of Rights, a law that she feels would have made a difference during her own time in care.
In addition to her work with FYS, Alexia serves on the Board of Directors for the parent organization of FYS, Florida’s Children First. In this role, she contributes to strategic decision-making while advocating for the rights and welfare of children statewide.
Every year, she travels to the state capitol to advocate for bills she and her peers have helped shape, including key pieces of legislation that benefit foster and homeless youth. However her advocacy extends beyond her state, as she represents Florida Youth SHINE at national conferences such as the National Leaders 4 Change Conference.
Through her internship with the National Foster Youth Institute, Alexia continues to refine her advocacy skills, preparing for a future where she can contribute meaningfully to both policymaking and the legal system. Guided by the belief that “the blue sky is always there,” she remains committed to ensuring that every youth in foster care has the power and support to advocate for themselves.
