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Senator Detert Testifies in Congress

Senator Nancy Detert testified today before the US Congress, Subcommittee on Human Resources of the Committee on Ways and Means about the new law in Florida to allow children in foster care to live more normal lives.  Part of her testimony credited Florida Youth SHINE for the wonderful work they did in promoting this legislation.  She said:

 

In Florida, we are fortunate to have a group of older teens and young adults known as Florida

Youth SHINE.  Youth SHINE is a peer driven organization that empowers young advocates

across the state who regularly identify the challenges and help create solutions related to

growing up in the child welfare system. Membership is open to all children and young adults

between 13-24 years of age who were ever involved with Florida’s child welfare system.

 

One of their goals is to share their stories and experiences in order to improve the system of

care for those children currently in care and for those who have yet to enter care. They are

always available to educate key policy makers and organizations throughout Florida on key

issues related to growing up in foster care. During this past legislative session, more than 40

members met with 60 legislators and testified at 14 committee meetings in order to support

legislation that will affect the lives of over 19,000 children and young adults.

 

Read her full testimony here

 

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Alexia Nechayev

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.

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