Starting a Local SaySo Chapter

The Mission of SaySo
Is to work to improve the substitute care system by educating the community, speaking out about needed changes, and providing support to youth who are or have been in substitute care.

Membership

Youth and Young Adults: Those who have been in any level of substitute care and are between the ages of 14-24 years of age. (Substitute care=foster care, kinship care, group homes, etc.)

Adult Supporters: Any adult who has a vested interest in improving outcomes for youth who have been in substitute care.

Local SaySo Activities
Examples include:

  • In-service training for social workers & guardians ad litem (GALs)
  • Work to remove decals from county cars
  • Make A Difference Day events such as visiting nursing homes, putting together care packages for homeless shelters, and helping out at animal shelters

SaySo’s Impact on Policy

  • Youth involvement in child and family (CFT) meetings and court hearings
  • Foster care board payment increase
  • Normalcy Act
  • Siblings’ Bill of Rights
  • TRIP (Transportation Really is Possible)
  • Foster Care 18-21 Program
  • Family First Prevention Services Act
  • Medicaid Expansion

Local Impact of Having a SaySo Chapter

  • Empowers youth to lead and advocate
  • Can assist in recruitment and retention of foster and adoptive parents
  • Capable of providing training to LINKS programs, GALs, social workers, DSS board members, and other community partners to improve outcomes

Support from SaySo’s Young Adult Leadership Council & Headquarters Staff

For New Chapters:

  • Up to 3 in-person site visits during the first 12 months
  • Telephone and email technical assistance, as needed
  • Connection to a statewide organization with other local SaySo chapters across the state

For Existing Chapters:

  • 1 site visit per 12-month period
  • Telephone and email technical assistance, as needed
  • Connection to a statewide organization with other local SaySo chapters across the state

Contact Info

SaySo is a program of Children’s Home Society of NC

 
Tagged with