State needs to use caution with Tampa Bay foster care | Editorial
Don’t let the debate over child services, resources and governance fall victim to a rush job. The Florida Department of Children and Families is expected
We believe that all children have the right to food, clothing, housing, education, medical care, property and personal privacy.
Florida’s laws, policies and practices respect, prioritize and protect children and youth impacted by the child welfare, juvenile justice, and disability systems.
Don’t let the debate over child services, resources and governance fall victim to a rush job. The Florida Department of Children and Families is expected
Three agencies on Wednesday made presentations to state officials hoping to win the $80 million foster care contract for Pinellas and Pasco counties. None are
This training is geared to attorneys who have or may be asked to finalize an adoption from foster care. It will also be useful for others in the system who want to know what should be happening in adoption finalizations. Topics include…
DCF and CBC lead agencies have a fiduciary duty to protect the funds of children in state care and to ensure that they are used for their short and long term needs…
The state has more than 6,000 children in foster care 12+ HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, Fla. — As the debate rages on over how to protect children
This training is geared to attorneys who have or may be asked to finalize an adoption from foster care. It will also be useful for others in the system who want to know what should be happening in adoption finalizations. Topics include…
Florida’s 2021 Legislative Session resulted in the passage of two bills that will have a significant impact on Florida’s child welfare system. A handful of other bills also…
A cache of documents pried loose after USA TODAY’s investigation in October into Florida’s child welfare system reveals allegations of foster care abuse are more widespread
Florida is changing its array of placements for foster children to meet the requirements of the federal Family First Act. Beginning in October 2021 the federal government will stop paying for traditional group care…
A 90-minute tour of several websites that provide a wealth of information you can use when working with children and families involved in the child welfare system…
For young people in foster care, the uncharted times of coronavirus are even more unsettling. Since the start of pandemic, odds are you’ve received at least
Six years ago, Florida lawmakers embraced a tough new approach to stop parents from abusing their children. They approved millions of dollars to hire more
Florida’s 2020 Legislative Session resulted in the passage of several bills that affect Florida’s child welfare system. High profile bills like Jordan’s Law and the DCF Accountability Act made the news. Others that…
You are unauthorized to view this page. Username Password Remember Me Forgot Password
A series of bills about the foster care system is moving through the Florida Legislature. Rebekka Behr is focused on the Foster Youth Bill of Rights, which
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.