DCF Responds To Spate Of Child Deaths With New Training Program
By: Lynn Hatter, WFSU Published: Wendesday, July 10, 2013 Florida Department of Children and Families officials say the deaths of four children in six
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.
By: Lynn Hatter, WFSU Published: Wendesday, July 10, 2013 Florida Department of Children and Families officials say the deaths of four children in six
Recent cases have refocused attention on the need for change By Diana Gonzalez, NBC 6 Published: Wednesday, Jul 10, 2013 Antwon Hope, Ezra Raphael, Bryan Osceola,
By Mike Clary, Sun-Sentinel Published on July 5, 2013 The number of Broward children removed from their homes over abuse and neglect concerns has increased
By John Romano, Tampa Times Columnist Published June 29, 2013 She was just a tiny thing when her mother walked out the door. Soon
by Gurjot Kaur Florida and Washington state, while on opposite ends of the continental United States, unite on one point— they are among the
By Howard Talenfeld June 5, 2013 It can be so easy to overlook Florida’s medically fragile foster children. They don’t have much of a voice.
Posted: May 13, 2013 – 4:06pm | Updated: May 14, 2013 – 4:05am David Wilkins says system changes are establishing a ‘bill of rights’ for children. How
Anubis Day and more than 200 other Florida children are at the heart of a bitter fight over the state’s practice of putting frail children
Posted: 05/10/2013 By: Meghan McRoberts College freshman, Francis Jeune, just wrapped up his finals as he pursues his dream to be a nurse. He credits
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
BY MARGIE MENZEL THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA TALLAHASSEE — The Florida House passed a bill Wednesday giving young adults in state custody the option of
JAY CONNER/STAFF Danielle McMahan, former foster care kid, has a photo of herself and Gov. Rick Scott in her living room. By Keith Morelli | Tribune
By SASCHA CORDNER Listen 4:37 Listen to the story! A bill extending the age for those aging out of Florida’s foster care system is now heading
by Bobeth Yates SARASOTA – A bill that would allow Florida youngsters to remain in foster care until age 21 has cleared the state legislature. Wednesday,
For Sen. Nancy Detert and the backers of a bill extending foster care from age 18 to 21, Wednesday’s House session was a nail biter. Named
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.